“The monarch swore to observe the compact inviolably.  But to give additional solemnity to the oath, the Pontiff, while celebrating the Mass that followed the reconciliation, turned from the altar, and thus addressed the king:  ’Do, if it please you, my son, as you have seen me do.  The German princes are continually charging you with crimes for which they demand an interdict over you for life, not only from the seals of royalty, but from all communion with the Church or society.  They demand your immediate condemnation; but you know the uncertainty of human judgments.  Do, then, as I advise you, and if you are conscious of innocence, rid the Church of this scandal and yourself of these imputations!  Receive this other half of the Host, that this proof of your innocence may silence your enemies, and I pledge myself to be your best champion in appeasing your barons and in arresting this civil war!’”

“And Henry?—­” whispered Rodolph, trembling with excitement.

“Recoiled from a proof so terrible,” answered the missionary.

The duke still occupied his chair, with his forehead knit, and his arms folded on his breast, but the Lord of Hers sprang to his feet and began to pace the room, and the Baron of Stramen brought his battle-axe heavily against the floor.

“Tell me,” said Albert of Hers, addressing Father Omehr, “did not the Pope revoke his pardon at this evident insincerity?”

“No,” was the reply.

“Then, may God forgive me,” returned the excited knight, “but the mercy of His Holiness sounds like human folly!”

“It is weakness—­cowardice!” muttered the Baron of Stramen.

The missionary smiled at cowardice in connection with the name of Gregory VII.

A bright smile now began to break over Rodolph’s face, and he said, turning to his friends: 

“My gallant knights, this is but an expedient of the king’s to gain time, he will never confront us at Augsburg.  We must prepare for a struggle more desperate than ever, and, before another day, I must set out for Saxony.”

The prophecy of the King of Arles was soon verified.  For five days after leaving Canossa, Henry kept his oath; on the sixth he broke it, and, with an armed band, prevented the Pope from appearing among the princes at the Diet of Augsburg.

Before another week had passed, the lordships of Hers and Stramen seemed almost deserted.  Rodolph had passed into Saxony, to assemble an army there, leaving Welf, the Duke of Bavaria, and the Lord Albert, to collect the forces of Suabia.  Rodolph had taken with him the Baron of Stramen, with his son, and Gilbert de Hers.  Father Omehr, who had been secretly charged by the Pope to moderate the zeal of the King of Arles, had also followed the duke, commuting his flock and the Lady Margaret to the care of Herman.  It was with a heavy heart that Gilbert saw the towers of Stramen fading in the distance, and felt that he was leaving, perhaps forever, a being to whom he was so deeply attached, without a word, a glance, or even a look.  He had, however, evinced his solicitude for the Lady Margaret’s welfare by solemnly charging Humbert to watch over her in his absence and protect her with his life.