Chapter XXIV · THE WALK.

Hedwige was busily employed in dressing the hair of her young mistress, and after arranging the silken tresses which fell in a mass of curls upon her shoulders, she placed a crown of silver, studded with jewels, upon her head.

"Be good enough," she said, "to look in the mirror, and tell me if you are satisfied with my skill."

"It does well enough!" replied Hermengarde, after a hasty glance; "but now, hurry and finish."

"I cannot go so fast. You know that every one looks at you. I don't want to be accused of negligence!" and she gazed affectionately at the young girl.

Hermengarde was dressed entirely in white; her robe fitting closely to her arms and bust, displayed the elegance of her figure, and by its shape and color enhanced her native grace and distinction. Her whole soul beamed in her eyes, and, as she stood there before her nurse, she appeared the creature of another world, detached from the cares and anxieties of earth.

"So far it is all right!" said Hedwige, after a careful examination. She placed a light blue mantle, with buttons and embroideries of gold, upon her shoulders.

"Perfect," she resumed; "I could kiss you gladly, you look so well! White and blue suit you admirably."

"Don't stop for such follies, Hedwige; they have already been twice to see if we were ready."

"Do not fear; we will get there in time for the cavalcade. But how stiff and cold everything is here. The Empress' women are like dolls. What serious faces! and what choice language they use! I am afraid all the time to open my mouth, lest I say something I ought not to. I am glad that we are going where we shall have a little freedom."

She threw over her mistress a costly mantle trimmed with ermine, and then fastened to her coronet a long veil, which shielded her face from the heat of the sun and the impertinent stare of the crowd.

A few moments after, Hermengarde and Erwin rode through the camp towards the neighboring wood, followed by Hedwige and the Count's servant Gero.

"How long has it been since your visit to Castellamare, my lord Count?--about three months, is it not?"

"Three months and six days, madam."

"Perhaps you will explain why, during three months and six days, we have never seen you? My father gave you a most cordial invitation. You know under what obligations we felt ourselves, and were certain of the pleasure which your presence would cause. Why then did you not come?"

"Because, noble lady, I am not free; all my time belongs to the Emperor."

"And the Emperor does not wish you to visit the Bonelli? I should have thought of that."

"Oh, no!" answered Rechberg quickly; "the Emperor's great mind never cherishes a mean thought. He speedily forgets the past, but he enforces strict discipline in his army. Neither prince nor knight is his own master in the field."

"What rigorous severity!" said Hermengarde.

"It is necessary, I assure you. Think what would happen if every one could leave camp when he pleased."

"Well, well! I accept your excuse; duty before everything. But look, what a beautiful grove! How the grass and the flowers bloom, and the pines spread out their verdant branches! It is truly charming; but it wants the grandeur of our Alpine forests."

"If you wish, we will go on a little further; there is a lovely spot above, where I have often dreamed in secret," replied the Count.

She assented. Gero was left with the horses; and accompanied by Hedwige, they followed the narrow path which led to the top of the hill. As soon as they had arrived, Rechberg spread his mantle on the grass, and Hermengarde took her seat.

The dense foliage of the trees stretched above them like a dome of verdure, in which the birds were chirping their gay songs. Through an opening of the forest could be seen the towers and spires of Milan, but all around the forest was thickly planted, and the eye could penetrate with difficulty through the underbrush.

Scarcely had the young girl seated herself, when two men began to creep up silently and cautiously towards the little group, and concealing themselves behind a tree, listened eagerly to the conversation. One of them was in complete armor, and wore his visor down, but his eyes glared fiercely through the bars of his helmet. The other had only a cuirass, and beneath his hat appeared the cunning face of the Milanese Cocco Griffi.

"You have chosen a beautiful spot," said Hermengarde; "and this perspective is admirable."

"Yes; and it was in some degree on that account I selected this wild site----"

At this moment the man in armor uttered an angry exclamation through his visor, and disappeared in the thicket, followed by his companion.