He was no stranger to the lordly bearing of the duke, for he had watched him in battle, when the strife was warmest and the fight most dubious.

The moment he recognized him, he sprang from his horse, and uncovering his head and kneeling down, presented the parchment as Rodolph advanced.

Without dismounting, the duke received the missive, and eagerly unrolling it, began to read.

The instrument contained a narrative of the proceedings of the council and a transcript of the sentence of excommunication.

The noble's eagle eye flashed at it scanned the page, and his broad bosom heaved.