this compelled separation from his daughter, on accidentally
encountering the man who was its cause, might have listened to some
violent impulse of resentment and revenge. She saw also that Sigismund, in
despite of his general confidence in the principles of his father, had
fearful glimmerings of some such event, and that he fearfully anticipated
the worst, even while he most professed confidence in the innocence of the
accused. The interview was soon ended, and they separated; each
endeavoring to invent plausible reasons for what had happened.

The arrival of the party from the refuge took place soon afterwards. It
was followed by the necessary explanations, and a more detailed narrative
of all that had passed. A consultation was held between the chiefs of the
brotherhood and the two old nobles, and the course it was most expedient
to pursue was calmly and prudently discussed.

The result was not known for some hours later. It was then generally
proclaimed in the convent that a grave and legal investigation of all the
facts was to take place with the least possible delay.

The Col of St. Bernard, as has been stated already, lies within the
limits of the present canton but what then the allied state of the Valais.
The crime had consequently been committed within the jurisdiction of that
country; but as the Valais was thus leagued with Switzerland, there
existed such an intimate understanding between the two, that it was rare
any grave proceedings were had against a citizen of either in the dominion
of the other, without paying great deference to the feelings and the
rights of the country of the accused. Messengers were therefore dispatched
to Vevey, to inform the authorities of that place of a transaction which
involved the safety of an officer of the great canton, (for such was
Balthazar,) and which had cost a citizen of Vaud his life. On the other
hand, a similar communication was sent to Sion, the two places being about
equidistant from the convent, with such pressing invitations to the
authorities to be prompt, as were deemed necessary to bring on an
immediate investigation. Melchior de Willading, in a letter to his friend
the bailiff, set forth the inconvenience of his return with Adelheid at
that late season, and the importance of the functionary's testimony, with
such other statements as were likely to effect his wishes; while the
superior of the brotherhood charged himself with making representations,
with a s