of my
absence to insult my sister, but I returned too soon for your chivalry.
Dismount! The truce of God covers not to-day. Dismount! Add not
cowardice to deceit!"

This was more than Gilbert could bear. Quick as lightning he stood
beside the challenger. It was but the work of a moment to throw off his
coarse cloak and draw his sword. Having chosen his position, he awaited
the assault of his adversary. Humbert looked on in breathless interest,
while the two young nobles fought in the moonlight. For some minutes
Gilbert maintained his ground, despite the furious efforts of his
assailant. There was a strong contrast between the desperate energy of
Henry and the calm courage of Gilbert. But at length the latter began to
recede rapidly down a gentle slope. His antagonist recklessly pursued.
The motive of Gilbert's retreat soon became evident. Henry's foot
slipped on the long grass, slimy from the recent rain, and he fell at
full length upon the ground. Before he could rise, Gilbert had mounted
the far fleeter steed of his opponent.

"Return, coward! and see if chance will save you again!" shouted Henry,
as he gained his feet.

"Your sister has saved you once, and she shall save you again!" answered
Gilbert; and, without regarding the denunciations of the knight of
Stramen, he called to Humbert, and resuming the road to Hers, was soon
out of hearing of Henry's threats.

CHAPTER VI

No ceremony that to great ones 'longs,
Not the king's crown, nor the deputed sword,
The marshal's truncheon, nor the judge's robe,
Become them with one half so good a grace
As mercy does.

MEASURE FOR MEASURE.

The sentence pronounced at Rome against Henry IV of Austria spread
consternation wherever it went; the resolute prepared for instant
action, and the timid looked in vain for a peaceful asylum. There could
be no neutrality, since not to serve the king was to serve his
antagonist. Throughout the empire the stern challenge was ringing: "Are
you for the Pope or for the king?" The gay and reckless champions of the
court, the knights of the house of Franconia, and many a bold
adventurer, crowded around the royal banner. Many a haughty prelate,
too, seduced by avarice or ambition, urged on the monarch in his mad
career.

But the enterprise of Rodolph and the Lord of Hers had been most happily
timed, and the chivalry of Suabia were prepared to follow their martial
duke at a moment's warning. That warning followed sho