“I would have given my lordship,” returned the baron, “to have seen you outstripping all the chivalry of Austria, and charging where none dared to follow!”

“My fair cousin, the Margrave Udo, would have atoned for the thrust at my face, which made me see more stars than were ever created, had you been at my side.”

“But to aid you was to assist Henry; and I was loth to break our league with Saxony.”

“That league was merely defensive, and they broke it by aggression and sacrilege.”

“But we could not punish their crime without strengthening the power of that greater criminal, the emperor.”

“You acted uncharitably,” said the duke; “but you judged aright, and I have forgiven you.”

“For which; my liege,” replied the baron, “I cannot be too grateful.”

“Listen,” continued the King of Arles, “ye true pastors of the Church of God, and you, Albert of Hers, that Henry of Austria has nominated a successor to Anno of Cologne!”

At this announcement Herman and the knight sprang to their feet, while their looks expressed their horror and surprise.  But Father Omehr kept his seat, and said calmly: 

“Will your highness inform us more fully?”

The duke resumed:  “A messenger, post haste from Goslar, brought me the news this morning at Zurich.  Henry refused to meet the Pope in council to take measures for the purification of Milan, Firmano, and Spoleto, and has thus replied to the threat of excommunication.  The nominee is Hidolph, who is attached to his own chapel, a man of no merit whatever, but devoted to the emperor; and whose principal endeavor it has been to remedy by art the unprepossessing exterior which nature has given him.”

“I know him,” said Father Omehr.  “Is he yet consecrated?”

“No!  All Germany is indignant at the choice, and the people of Cologne are imploring the monarch to make another appointment.”

“It will serve but to confirm the nomination,” said the priest of Stramen.

“What remains to His Holiness?” inquired Rodolph.

Slowly and solemnly the missionary pronounced the single word: 

“Excommunication!”

“Henry is preparing for it!” exclaimed the duke, rising and addressing the Lord of Hers; “he convened at Goslar all who respected his summons—­among whom was the Duke of Bohemia:  and he has liberated Otto of Nordheim, my adversary at Hohenburg, and received him into his most secret councils.  It must come, my friend,” he added, grasping the baron’s hand; “we shall not be separated here; and, if I mistake not, we have in Gilbert one who is not to be awed by the lion of Franconia!”

Father Omehr beheld with sorrow the meaning glances of the proud nobles, as they eagerly joined hands; and he read in the animated features of the hero of Hohenburg that the impending excommunication would be the signal for a revolt.  He rose, and, exchanging a few words in an undertone with Herman, explained the necessity he was under of returning at once to the Castle of Stramen.