"Who I am is of no importance to you, Count," answered the stranger; "and if you follow the teachings of your own conscience, I can reproach you with nothing."
"What do you mean? For whom do you take me?"
"For a frivolous youth, who forgets his promises too easily."
"Villain! withdraw this insult at once, or ----" And he put his hand to his sword-hilt.
"I have no intention of offending you," replied the Unknown, coolly; "do not draw your sword: not that I fear it, but because I have no wish to fight with a gentleman whose enemy I am not."
"Ah! and yet you do not hesitate to calumniate me!"
"Unpleasant truths are not calumnies. It is positive that you have broken your word, in a circumstance where it should have been held sacred."
"The proof! Quickly--or, upon my honor, you shall not repeat the insult a third time!"
"Are you not restored to Barbarossa's favor on condition of marrying another person?"
"I--forget Hermengarde!--such an assertion does not even merit a denial."
"That is strange," said the Unknown, shaking his head.
"The Emperor banished you on account of your projects of marriage, and yet you are back again."
"You conclude therefore that I have purchased the Imperial favor by the violation of my word?"
"Why suppose evil rather than good? Would it not have been more natural to think that Rechberg had profited by Eberhard's arrival to obtain pardon through his intercession? That would have been reasonable and just, and you would have guessed the correct motive of my return."
"If such is the case, your fidelity has been severely tested. Do not be uneasy about your reconciliation with Barbarossa; you come at an opportune moment. He needs you, or, rather, he would like to use you, to accomplish an evil action. Still I hope that you will not allow yourself to be led away."
"You will learn it soon enough. Misfortune travels quickly. I merely tell you: be faithful to your betrothed, to your wife; do not be seduced or dazzled by ambition. Farewell!----"
"One moment! Cease this equivocation and tell me plainly what all this means."
"Still, you must be satisfied with what I have made known to you: you are forewarned; that is all that is necessary. Do not delay me, for my time is precious; we will meet again in Pavia."