reeting the venerable missionary respectfully and
affectionately, conducted him to a seat, and gathered about him. When
the attendants had been dismissed, and the duke invited him to proceed,
Father Omehr thus began to describe the interview between the Pope and
the king, to which he had been an eye-witness:

"I had the happiness to be with His Holiness when Henry was conducted by
the noisy populace to the walls of Canossa; and though we knew not with
any certainty whether the king's intentions were inimical or friendly, I
could discover in the Pontiff's placid face neither hope nor fear. The
first prayer presented by the royal suppliant, ascribed ambition and
envy to the leaders of the coalition against him."

"Tyrant!" interposed the Lord of Hers, "he begins his penitence by a
calumny."

"Our Holy Father only replied," continued the priest, "that the
ecclesiastical law did not permit him to judge the accused in the
absence of his accusers; and invited him, since he confided in his
innocence, to meet his accusers at Augsburg, and abide by the Papal
decision."

"Yes!" exclaimed Rodolph, eagerly. "And what said the king?"

"That the anniversary of his excommunication was approaching, and that
unless the interdict were raised, his rights to the crown would be
forfeited. Should the Pope receive him to favor at once, he promised to
submit to whatever His Holiness might subsequently decree, and answer
his accusers at Augsburg."

"Artful villain!" ejaculated Albert of Hers.

"But His Holiness remained inflexible," resumed the missionary. "At
last, moved by the prayers and tears of those around him, he permitted
Henry to approach him, to prove his penitence and atone for his contempt
of the Holy See. The prince delayed not to avail himself of this grace;
and the next morning presented himself at the inner gate of the castle,
barefoot and in sackcloth, where he remained, fasting, from daybreak to
sunset. This he repeated the second and the third day."

"Oh that I had seen him in that saintly guise!" cried the duke, with a
short, disdainful laugh, while he rubbed his hands, and pressed the
floor with his iron heel.

"Consummate hypocrite!" said the Lord Albert.

"Coward!" muttered the Baron of Stramen.

"I think I can hear his piteous cries now," continued Father Omehr,
endeavoring to excite their compassion, "put forth at intervals:
'_Parce, beate Pater, pie, parce mihi, peto, plane!_'"

But the nobles only expre