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+The Project Gutenberg EBook Margery, by Georg Ebers, Volume 5.
+#117 in our series by Georg Ebers
+
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+Title: Margery, Volume 5.
+
+Author: Georg Ebers
+
+Release Date: April, 2004  [EBook #5556]
+[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
+[This file was first posted on August 2, 2002]
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+Edition: 10
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+Language: English
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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARGERY, BY GEORG EBERS, V5 ***
+
+
+
+This eBook was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net>
+
+
+
+[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of the
+file for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making an
+entire meal of them.  D.W.]
+
+
+
+
+
+MARGERY
+
+By Georg Ebers
+
+Volume 5.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+The Imperial Diet in Nuremberg!--the Imperial Advent!
+
+The next day their Majesties were to enter into the town, and with them
+my Hans.
+
+A messenger had brought the tidings, and now we must use all diligence;
+Ann and Elsa and I, with one and twenty more, had been chosen among all
+the daughters of the worshipful gentlemen of the council, to go forth to
+greet the Emperor and Empress with flowers and a discourse.  This Ursula
+was to speak, by reason that she was mistress of all such arts; likewise
+was she by birth the chiefest of us all, inasmuch as that her late
+departed mother was daughter to the great Reynmar, lord of Sulzbach.
+Nor need Ann and I seek far for the flowers.  The Hallers' garden had not
+its like in all Nuremberg, and my dear parents-in-law had promised that
+we should pluck all we needed for our posies.
+
+Or ever I mounted my horse, I had tidings that Herdegen and Junker
+Henning had, last evening, come to bitter strife, nay, well-nigh to
+bloodshed; for that when my brother had sung the ditty in praise of one
+Elselein and the other had called upon him to put in the name of Ann,
+Herdegen had cried: "An if you mean red-haired Ann, the tapster wench at
+the Blue Pike, well and good!"  Whereupon the Junker sprang up and flung
+the tankard he had just emptied at Herdegen's head.  Herdegen had nimbly
+ducked, and had rushed on the drunken fellow sword in hand; but Duke
+Rumpold had put a word in, and by this morning Junker Henning seemed to
+have forgotten the matter.  In Brandenburg, verily, such frays were
+common at the drinking-bouts of the lords and gentlemen, and by dawn all
+offence given over-night in their cups was wiped out of mind.
+
+My brother lodged again at our grand-uncle's, while the Junker dwelt
+at the Waldstromer's townhouse.  My Lord Duke found quarters at the
+Hallerhof, and his Highness the Prince Elector, and Archbishop Conrad of
+Mainz likewise lodged there, with a great following.  Cousin Maud had
+made ready to welcome the Margrave of Baden and the Count von Henneberg
+under our roof.  The upper floor of the Pernhart's house was given up to
+his Eminence Cardinal Branda, the most steadfast friend at Rome of Master
+Ulman's brother the bishop.  His Holiness the Pope had sent that right-
+reverend prelate as his legate to the assembly, and he presently
+celebrated mass with great dignity in the presence of their Majesties
+and of the assembled lords and princes.
+
+To this day my memory is right good in all ways; and of what followed on
+these events much is yet as clear and plain in my mind as though I saw
+and heard it all at this present time; albeit I, an old woman, would fain
+hide my face in my hands and weep thereat.  For, notwithstanding there
+were certain hours in those days which brought me sweet love-making, and
+others of sheer mirth and vanity, yet is the spirit of man so tempered
+that, when great sorrow follows hard on the greatest joy it sufficeth
+to darken it wholly.  And thus we may liken heaviness of heart to the
+chiming of bells, which hurts the ear if they sound over near, but at a
+distance make a sweet and devout music.  Now, in sooth, inasmuch as I
+must make record of the deepest woe of my life, the brazen toll is a sad
+one, and the long-healed wounds ache afresh.
+
+Those two months of the Imperial Diet!  They lie behind me like distant
+hills.  I can no more discern them apart, albeit certain landmarks, as it
+were, stand forth plainly to be seen, like the church-tower, the
+windmill, and the old oak on the ridge on the horizon.
+
+How the night sped after our return from the forest and the morning next
+after--the 27th of July in the year of our Lord 1422--I can no longer
+call to mind; but I can see myself now as, the afternoon of that day, I
+set forth with Ann, attired in silk and lace--all white and new from head
+to foot, as it were for a wedding--to go to the open place between St.
+James' Church and the German House, within the Spital Gate.  Whichever
+way we looked, behold flowers, green garlands, hangings, pennons, and
+banners; it was as though all the gardens in Franconia had been stripped
+of their blossoms.  Never had such a brave show been seen, and with every
+breath we drank in the odors of the leaves and flowers which were already
+withering in the July sunshine.  A finer Saint Pantaloon's day I never
+remember; the very sky seemed to share the city's gladness and was fair
+to see, in spotless blue.  A light wind assuaged the waxing heat, and
+helped the flags and banners to unfurl:  Our fine churches were decked
+all over and about with garlands, boughs, and banners, and meseemed were
+like happy brides awaiting their marriage in holiday array.  The market-
+place was a scene of high festival, the beautiful fountain was a mighty
+bower of flowers, the triumphal arches, methought, were such as the gods
+of wood and garden might have joined to raise.  Every balcony was richly
+hung, and even the crested gables and the turrets on the roofs displayed
+some bravery.  All, so far as eye could see, was motley-hued and spick
+and span for brightness.  The tiniest pane in the topmost dormer-window
+glittered without a spot.  The poorest were clad in costly finery; the
+patrician folk were in the dress of knights and nobles; every craftsman
+was arrayed as though he were a councillor, every squire like his lord.
+You would have weened that day that there were none but rich folk in
+Nuremberg.  The maidens' pearl chaplets gleamed in the sun, and the
+golden jewels in their fur bonnets; and what did their mothers care for
+the heat as they went to and fro to display the costly fur turbans which
+crowned their heads as it were with a glory of fur?  How carefully had
+they dressed the little ones!  They were to see the Emperor and Empress
+with their own eyes, and their Majesties might even, by good hap, see
+them!
+
+Presently we saw the procession of the guilds with their devices and
+banners; never had they come forth in such goodly bravery.  They were to
+form in ranks, on each side of the streets and the highway, a long space
+outside the gate.
+
+At last it was nigh the hour when their Majesties should arrive.  We
+maids had all assembled.  Albeit we had agreed all to be clad in white,
+Ursula had decked her head-gear with Ostrich feathers of rose-pink and
+sky-blue; right costly plumes they were, but over many.  Now would she
+look into her parchment scroll, and for us she had brief words and few.
+The nosegay which her servant in scarlet livery bore in his hand was a
+mighty fine one; and Akusch and a gardener's boy presently came up with
+the posies culled for Ann and me in the Hallers' garden.  We, and many
+another maid, clasped our hands in sheer delight, but Ursula cast a look
+on them which might, if it could, have robbed the roses and Eastern
+lilies of their sweetness.
+
+The Emperor, it was said, would keep to the hour fixed on; then all the
+bells began to ring.  I knew them all well, and one I liked best of all;
+the Benedicta in Saint Sebalds Church, which had been cast by old Master
+Grunewald, Master Pernhart's closest friend.  Their brazen voices stirred
+my soul and heart, and presently the cannon in the citadel and on the
+wails rattled out a thundering welcome to the Emperor, rending the summer
+air.  My heart beat higher and faster.  But suddenly I meseemed that all
+the bravery of the town and the holiday weed of the folks, the chiming of
+bells and the roaring of cannon were not meant to do honor to the
+Emperor, but only to my one true love who was coming in his train.
+
+All my thoughts and hopes were set on him.  And when the town-pipers
+struck up with trumpets and kettledrums, bagpipes and horns, when the
+far-away muttering and roll of voices swelled to a roaring outcry and an
+uproarious shout, when from every mouth at every window the cry rose:
+"They are corning!"--yet did I not gaze at their Majesties, to whom the
+day and festival belonged, but only sought him who was mine--my own.
+
+There they are! close before us.--The Emperor and his noble wife, Queen
+Barbara, the still goodly daughter of the great Hungarian Count of Cilly.
+
+Aye! and he looks the man to rule six realms; worthy to stand at the head
+of the great German nation.  He might be known among a thousand for an
+Emperor, and the son of an Emperor!  How straight he sits in his saddle,
+how youthful yet is the fire in his eye, albeit he has past his fiftieth
+birthday!  High spirit and contentment in his look; and meseems he has
+forgotten that he ever summoned the Diet to meet at Ratisbon and is
+entering the gates of Nuremberg against his will, by reason that the
+Electors and German princes have chosen to assemble there.  His wife
+likewise is of noble mien, and she rides a white palfrey which, as she
+draws rein, strives to turn its pink nostrils to greet the bay horse on
+which her lord is mounted.
+
+Yet do my eyes not linger long on the lordly pair; they wander down the
+long train of Knights wherein he is coming, though among the last.
+For a moment they rest on the stalwart forms of the Hungarian nobles,
+all blazing with jewels even to the harness of the steeds; and glance
+unheedingly at the Electors and Princes, the Dukes, Counts and Knights-
+all in velvet and silk, gold and silver; at the purple and scarlet of the
+prelates; at the solemn black with gold chains of the town councillors;
+on and beyond all the magnificent train which has come with his Majesty
+from Hungary or gone forth to meet him.
+
+Hereupon Ursula steps forth to speak the address; but sooner may a man
+hear a cricket in a thunderstorm than a maid's voice amid that pealing of
+bells and shouting and cries of welcome.  Meseems verily as though the
+fluttering handkerchiefs, the flying pennons, and the caps waved in the
+air had found voice; and Ursula turns her head to this side and that as
+though seeking help.
+
+Emperor Sigismund signs with his hand, and the two heralds who head the
+train uplift their trumpets with rich embroidered banners.  A rattling
+blast procures silence:  in a moment it is as though oil were poured on a
+surging sea.  Men and guns are hushed; the only sounds to be heard are
+the brazen tongue of the bells, the whinnying of a horse, the dull mutter
+of men's voices in the far-off lanes and alleys, and the clear voice of a
+young maid.
+
+Ursula made her speech, her voice so loud at the last that it might have
+seemed that the honeyed verses were words of reproof.  The imperial pair
+gave each other a glance expressing surprise rather than pleasure, and
+vouchsafed a few words of thanks to the speaker.  His Majesty spoke in
+German; but in his Bohemian home and Hungarian Kingdom he had caught the
+trick of a sharper accent than ours.
+
+A chamberlain now gave the signal, and we maidens all went forth towards
+our Sovereign lord and lady.  Two and two--Tucher and Schilrstab--Groland
+and Stromer; and the sixth couple were Ann and I--Ann as the daughter of
+a member of the council--and my godfather it was, besides her sweet face,
+who had done most to get her chosen.
+
+Noble youths clad as pages in velvet and silks had received the flowers
+offered by the damsels; but as Ann and I stood forth, the Emperor and
+Empress looked down on us.  I could see that they gazed upon us
+graciously, and heard them speak together in a language I knew not; and
+Porro, the King's fool--and I say the King's, inasmuch as it was not till
+later that Sigismund was crowned Emperor at Rome, and by the same token
+it was at that time that my Hans' brothers, Paul and Erhart, were dubbed
+Knights--Porro, who rode at his lord's side on a piebald pony spotted
+black and yellow, cried out: "May we all be turned into drones, Nunkey,
+if the flowers which have given this town the name of the Bee-garden are
+not of the same kith and kin as these!"
+
+And he pointed to us; whereupon the King asked him whether he meant the
+damsels or the posies.  But the jester, rolling on his nag after a merry
+fashion, till the bells in his cap rang again, answered him: "Nay,
+Nunkey, would you tempt a Christian to walk on the ice?  An if I say the
+damsels, I shall get into trouble by reason of your strict morality; but
+if I say the posies, I shall peril my poor soul's health by a foul lie."
+
+"Then choose thee another shape," quoth  the Queen, "for I fear lest the
+bees should take thee for a stinging wasp, Porro."
+
+"True, by my troth," said the fool, thinking.  "Since Eve fell into sin,
+women's counsel is often the best.  You, Nunkey, shall be turned into a
+butterfly, and not into a drone, and grace the flowers as you flutter
+round them."
+
+And he waved his arms as they were wings and rode round about us on his
+pony with right merry demeanor, like a moth fluttering over us.  Ann
+looked down, reddening for shame, and the blood rose to my cheeks
+likewise for maiden shyness; nevertheless I heard the King's deep,
+outlandish tones, and his noble wife's pleasant voice, and they lauded
+our posies and made enquiry as to our names, and straitly enjoined Ann
+and me not to fail of appearing at every dance and banquet; and I
+remember that we made answer with seemly modesty till the King's grand-
+master came up and so ended our discourse.
+
+And I fancy I can see the multitude coming on; the motley hues of velvet
+and silk, the housings and trappings of the horses, the bright sheen of
+polished metal, and the sparkle of cut gems dazzle my eyes, I ween, to
+this day.  But on a sudden it all fades into dimness; the cries and
+voices, the bells, the neighing, the crash and clatter are silent--for he
+is come.  He waves his hand, more goodly, more truly mine and dearer to
+my heart than ever.  But not here do we truly meet again; that joy is to
+come later in his own garden.
+
+That garden could already tell a tale of two happy human creatures, and
+of hours of the purest bliss ever vouchsafed to two young hearts; but
+what thereafter befell I remember as bright, hot, summer days, full of
+mirth and play-acting, of tourneys and courtly sports, of music and song,
+dancing and pleasuring.  The gracious favor of the King and Queen and the
+presence of many princes ceased not to grace it, and went to our brain
+like heady wine.  Things that had hitherto seemed impossible now came
+true.  Out of sheer joy in those intoxicating pleasures, and for the sake
+of the manifold demands that came upon us in these over-busy days, we
+forgot those nearest and dearest to our hearts.  Yet never was I given to
+self-seeking, neither before nor since that time.
+
+Ann's beguiling of the Junker, the homage paid to her by all, even the
+highest, Herdegen's seething ire, his strivings to win back the favor
+of the maid he had slighted, his strange and various and high-handed
+demeanor, his shameless ways with Ursula, to whom he paid great court
+when my grand-uncle was present, albeit at other times he would cast dark
+glances at her as if she were a foe--all this glides past me as in a
+mist, and concerning me but little.  Then, in the midst of this turmoil
+and magnificence, this love-making and royal grace, now and again
+meseemed I was suddenly alone and forlorn; even at the tourney or dance;
+nay, even when the King and Queen would vouchsafe to discourse with me, I
+would be filled with longing for peace and silent hours--notwithstanding
+that the mighty Sovereign himself took pleasure in questioning me and
+moving me to those quick replies whereof I never found any lack.  Queen
+Barbara would many a time bid me to her chamber, and keep me with her for
+hours; sometimes would Ann also be bidden, and she bestowed on us both
+many costly jewels.
+
+Then, no sooner had we quitted the castle, where their Majesties lodged,
+than we must think of our own noble guests; for Markgraf Bernhard of
+Baden, who was quartered on us, would often ask for me, and Cardinal
+Branda would desire Ann to attend him.  The larger half of our days was
+given to arranging our persons, and while Cousin Maud and Susan would
+dress me I was already thinking of making ready the weed, the ribbons,
+and the feathers needed for the next day.  My Hans was now a Knight.  The
+same honor was promised to Herdegen--honor on honor, pleasure on
+pleasure, bravery and display!  In the stead of our old sun twenty,
+meseemed, were blazing in the heavens.  Many a time it was as though my
+breath came so lightly that I could float on air, and then again a
+nightmare load oppressed me.  Even through the night, in my very dreams,
+the sounds of music and singing ceased not; but when I awoke the question
+would arise: "To what end is this?"
+
+Hans held the helm, and was ever the same, thoughtful yet truly loving.
+Also he never forgot to keep a lookout for the surety of the bark, and
+if the pace seemed too great, or he saw rocks ahead, he did his part and
+likewise guarded me with faithful care from heedless demeanor or over-
+weariness.  Margery the rash, who was wanted everywhere, and was at all
+times in the foremost rank, at the behest of the King and Queen, did her
+devoir in all points and nought befell which could hurt or grieve her--
+and she knew full well whom she had to thank for that.
+
+Likewise I discerned with joy that my lover kept the Junker's ardors in
+check, for he would fain have courted Ann as hotly as though he were
+secure of her love; and Hans called upon my brother Herdegen to quit
+himself as a man should and make an end of this double game by choosing
+either Ann or Ursula, once for all.
+
+In the forest Uncle Conrad had bidden this noble company to the Lodge.
+After the hunt was over we went forth once more to the garden of Martin
+the bee-keeper, by reason that Duke Ernest of Austria, and Count
+Friedrich of Meissen, and my Lord Bishop of Lausanne, and other of the
+noble lords, desired to see somewhat of the far-famed bee-keeping huts in
+our Lorenzer-Wald.  My uncle himself led the way, and Herdegen helped him
+do the honors.
+
+Presently, as he over-hastily opened a hive, some bees stung his hand
+badly; I ran to him and drew the stings out.  Ann was close by me, and
+Herdegen tried to meet her eyes, and sang in a low voice a verse of a
+song, which sounded sad indeed and strange, somewhat thus:
+
+                    "Augustho pirlin pcodyas."
+
+Whereupon Ann asked of him in what tongue he spoke; for it was not known
+to her.  He, however, replied that of a certainty it was known to her,
+and when she looked at him, doubtful yet, he laughed bitterly and said
+that he could but be well-content if she had forgotten the sound of those
+words, inasmuch as to him they were bound up with the first great sorrow
+he had known.
+
+I saw that she was ill-at-ease; but as she turned away he held her back
+to put the words into German, saying, in so dull and low a voice that I
+scarce could hear him, while he stirred up the earth with the point of
+his sword, purposing to lay some on his swollen hand.
+
+                   "A froward bee hath stung my hand;
+                    Mother Earth will heal the smart.
+                    But when I lie beneath the turf,
+                    Say, Will she heal my broken heart?"
+
+Then I saw that Ann turned pale as she said somewhat stiffly: "There are
+other remedies for you against even the worst!" and he replied: "But
+yours, Ann, work the best cure."
+
+By this time she was herself again, and answered as though she cared not:
+"I learnt them from a skilled master.--But in what tongue is your song,
+Junker Schopper, and who taught you that?"
+
+To which he hastily answered: "A swarthy wench of gipsy race."
+
+And she, taking courage, said: "One peradventure whom you erewhile met in
+the forest here?"  Herdegen shook his curly head, and his eye flashed
+lovingly as he spoke: "No, Ann, and by all the Saints it is not so!  It
+was of a gipsy mother that I learnt it; she sang it to a man in despair
+--in despair for your sake, Ann--in the forest of Fontainebleau."
+
+Whereupon Ann shook her head and strove to speak lightly as she said
+"Despair!  Are you not like the man in the fable, who deemed that he was
+burnt whereas he had thrust another into the fire?  The cap fits,
+methinks, Junker Schopper."
+
+He replied sadly, and there was true grief in his voice: "Is a hard jest
+all you have to give me now?"  quoth he, "Nay, then, tell me plainly,
+Ann, if there is no hope for me more."
+
+"None," said she, firm and hard.  But she forth with added more gently.
+"None, Herdegen, none at all so long as a single thread remains unbroken
+which binds you to Ursula."
+
+On this he stepped close up to her and cried in great emotion: "She, she!
+Aye, she hath indeed cast her devil's tangle of gold about me to ensnare
+all that is vain and base in me; but she has no more room in my heart
+than those bees have.  And if you--if my good angel will but be mine
+again I will cry 'apage'--I tear her toils asunder."
+
+He ceased, for certain ladies and gentlemen came nigh, and foremost of
+them Ursula; aye, and I can see her now drawing off her glove and
+stooping to gather up some earth to lay on the burning hand of the man
+whom in truth she loved, while he strove to forestall her and not to
+accept such service.  That night we stayed at the lodge, and Ursula again
+had the chamber next to ours; and again I heard her appealing to her
+Saints, while Ann poured out to me her overflowing heart in a low
+whisper, and confessed to me, now crying and now laughing, how much
+she had endured, and how that she was beginning to hope once more.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+Our grand-uncle and guardian, the old knight Im Hoff, had ever, so long
+as I could remember, demeaned himself as a penitent, spending his nights,
+and not sleeping much, in a coffin, and giving the lion's share of his
+great revenues to pious works to open unto himself the gates of Heaven;
+but what a change was wrought in him by the Emperor's coming!  This
+straight-backed and stiff necked man, who had never bowed his head save
+only in church and before the holy images of the saints, learnt now to
+stoop and bend.  His bloodless face, which had long ceased to smile, was
+now the very home of smiles.  His great house was filled, for there
+lodged Duke Ernst of Austria, the Hungarian Count of Gara--who through
+his wife was near of kin to the Emperor, and his Majesty's trusty
+secretary, Kaspar Slick, and all their people.  And so soon as either of
+these came, a gleam as of starlight lighted up his old features, or, if
+it fell that the sovereign granted to him to attend him, it was broad
+sunshine that illumined it.  And whereas the other gentlemen of the
+council, hereditary and elected, albeit they were ever ready to shake
+hands with a common workman, would stand face to face with their
+Majesties or the dukes and notables, upright and duly mindful of their
+own worth, my guardian would cast off his gravity and dignity both
+together; and verily we all knew full well to what end.  He, who had been
+defrauded of his life's happiness by a Baron's daughter, yearned to move
+the King to raise him to the rank of Baron.  He loaded the Secretary
+Slick with gifts and favors, and seeing that his Majesty was graciously
+pleased to smile on me, his ward, he would be at much pains to flatter
+me, calling me his "golden hair" or "Blue-eyes;" and enjoin it on me that
+I should make mention of him to the King as his Majesty's most faithful
+servant, ever ready for any sacrifice in his service, at the same time he
+asked with a grin how it would pleasure me to hear Herdegen called by the
+name and title of Baron von Schopper-Im Hoff?
+
+Our own honest and honorable name I weened was good enough for us three;
+yet, for my brother's sake and for Ann's, I held my peace, and took
+occasion while he was in so friendly a mood to urge him to release
+Herdegen, and grant him to choose another than Ursula.  But how wroth he
+waxed, how hastily he put on the icy, forbidding bearing he was wont to
+wear, as he rated me for a wilful simpleton who would undo her brother's
+weal!
+
+It was now St. Susannah's day--[August 11th]--We were bidden to the
+tourney.  Duke Ernest of Austria had challenged Duke Kanthner of Oels in
+Silesia to meet him in the lists and, besides the glory to be gained,
+there was a prize of sixty and four gold pieces.  Other knights also were
+to joust in the ring.
+
+Queen Barbara, of her grace, had bidden me attend with her ladies.  At
+the jousting-place I found Ann; her mother had remained at home by reason
+that the old mother was sick.  My faithful Uncle Christian Pfinzing, who
+played the host to the Emperor and Empress at the Castle as representing
+the town council, had brought his "dear watchman" hither and placed her
+in the keeping of certain motherly dames.  Presently, seeing a moment
+when she might speak with me, Ann said in my ear: "I will end this sport,
+Margery; I can no longer endure it.  He hath sworn to renounce all and
+everything that may keep us apart!"  There was no time for more.  Each
+one had to take his seat.  As yet their Majesties were not come, and
+there was time to gaze about.
+
+The lists were in the midst of the market-place.  The benches were decked
+with hangings, the lords and ladies who filled them, the feathers waving,
+the sparkle of jewels, the glitter of gold and silver, the sheen of silk
+and velvet, the throng of common folk, head over head in the topmost
+places, the music and uproar, nay, the very savor of the horses dwell
+still in my mind; yet far be it from me to write of things well-known to
+most men.
+
+Then my grand-uncle came forth.  He had Ursula on his arm as he walked
+through the gate-way into the lists and across the sanded ring to his
+seat on the far side.  This was in truth forbidden, but the unabashed
+old man defied the rules, and as for Ursula she was well pleased to be
+gazed at.  The old knight was smiling; how stately was his mien, and how
+well the silver breast plate beseemed him, with the golden lion rampant
+of the Im Hoffs!  That helmet and breastplate had been forged for his
+special use of the finest silver and gold plate, and were better fit to
+turn the point of my pen-knife than that of sword and lance.  Yet many an
+one admired the stalwart gait of the old man in his heavy harness.  Even
+Tetzel's dull face was less dull than its wont, and Ursula's eyes
+sparkled as though her knight had carried off the prize.
+
+Presently my grand-uncle saw where I was sitting, and waved and bowed to
+me as though he had some good tidings to give me.  Tetzel did likewise,
+seeming like the old man's pale and creeping shadow.  Ursula's triumphing
+eyes proclaimed that now she had indeed gained her end; the dullest wit
+might not miss her meaning.  In spite of Ann, Herdegen had pledged his
+troth to Ursula.  The lists and seats, meseemed, whirled round me in a
+maze, and scarce had they settled down again, as it were, when Cousin
+Maud sat down heavily in her place, and by her face made me aware that
+some great thing had befallen; for now and again she drew in her cheeks
+and pursed her lips as though she would fain blow out a light.  When my
+eyes met hers she privily pointed with her fan to show me Herdegen and
+Ursula, and shrugged her shoulders so high that her big head with its
+great feathered turban sank between them.  And if there was surging and
+wrath in her breast not less was there in mine.  Howbeit I had to put on
+a guise of content, nay of gladness, for the Royal pair had bidden me to
+their side and it was my task to explain all they desired to learn.
+
+A sunny blue sky bent over the ground; albeit dark clouds came up from
+the west, and I found it hard to make fitting answer to their Majesties'
+questions.
+
+While the horses were pawing and neighing, and the lances rattled on the
+shields, nay, even when the Dukes of Austria and Schleswig rushed on each
+other and the Austrian unhorsed his foe, I scarce looked on the jousting-
+place on which all other eyes were fixed as though held by chains and
+bonds.  Mine were set on the spot where Ursula and Ann were sitting, and
+with them the young knight from Brandenburg, Sir Apitz of Rochow, and my
+brother Herdegen.  Junker Henning had his part to play in the tournament.
+To Rochow the tourney was all in all; Herdegen gazed only at Ann.  She,
+to be sure, made no return, but still he would fix his eyes on her and
+speak with her.  Ursula had turned paler, and meseemed she had eyes only
+for him and his doings.  What went forward in the pauses of the tilting I
+could not mark, inasmuch as my eyes and ears were their Majesties' alone.
+
+Now, two more knights sprang forth.  What cared I of what nation they
+were, what arms they bore and what they and their horses might do; I had
+somewhat else to think of.  Ursula and I had long been at war, but to-day
+I felt nought but compassion for her: and indeed, on this very day, when
+she believed she had won the victory, she more needed pity than when she
+had so besought Heaven to grant her Herdegen's love, inasmuch as my
+brother sat whispering to Ann with his hand on his heart.  And Ann
+herself had put away all false seeming; and while she gazed into her
+lover's eyes with soft passion, Ursula sat bending her fan as though she
+purposed to break it.
+
+To think of Ursula as ruling in our house, and of Ann pining with heart
+sickness was cruel grief, and yet were these two things almost less hard
+to endure than the shameless flightiness and strange demeanor of my noble
+brother, the pride of my heart.
+
+The town council had voted eight hundred gulden to King Sigismund, and
+four hundred to the Queen; two hundred and thirty to Porro the jester,
+and great gifts to many of the notables and knights as a free offering
+from the city; and now, in a pause in the jousting, his Majesty announced
+his great delight at the faithful, bountiful, and overflowing hand held
+out to him by his good town of Nuremberg, which had ever been dear to his
+late beloved father King Charles.  And then he pointed to the gentlemen
+of the council, who made a goodly and reverend show indeed in their long
+flowing hair and beards, their dark velvet robes bordered with fine fur,
+and thin gold chains; and he spoke of their noble and honorable dealing.
+I heard him say that each one of them was to be respected as joint ruler
+with him over that which was his own, and likewise in greater matters.
+Each one was his equal in manly virtue, and the worthy peer of his
+Imperial self.  Then he pointed out to the Queen certain noble and goodly
+heads, and it was my part to make known whatsoever I could tell of their
+possessions and their manner of trade.  The Hallers were well known to
+him, and not alone my best beloved, inasmuch as they did great trading
+with his kingdom of Hungary; and he was well pleased to see my Hans with
+his father as one of the council.
+
+His gracious wife was pleased to compare the good order, and cleanness,
+and comfort of Nuremberg with the cities in their native country.
+Whereas she had already been into some of our best houses, and indeed
+into our own, she spoke well of the wealth, and art, and skill in all
+crafts of the Nuremberg folk, saying they had not their like in all the
+world so far as she knew.  And then again she spoke her pleasure at the
+honorable seemliness of the councillors, and asked me many questions
+concerning this one and that, and, among the rest, concerning Master
+Ulman Pernhart.  The royal pair marked, in one his noble brow, in another
+his long flowing hair, in a third his keen and shrewd eye, till presently
+King Sigismund asked his Fool, Porro, which of all the heads in the ranks
+opposite he might judge to be the wisest and weightiest.  The jester's
+twinkling eyes looked along the rows of folk, and whereas they suddenly
+fell on little Dame Henneleinlein, the Honey-wife, who sat, as was her
+wont, with her head propped on her hands, he took the King's word up and
+answered in mock earnest: "Unless I am deceived it is that butter-cup
+queen, Nuncle, seeing that her head is so heavy that she is fain to hold
+it up with both hands."
+
+And he pointed with his bauble to the old woman, who, as the bee-master's
+widow, had boldly thrust herself into the front rank with those of
+knight's degree; and there she sat, in a gown of bright yellow brocade
+which Cousin Maud had once given her, stretching her long neck and
+resting her head on her hands.  The King and Queen, looking whither the
+Fool pointed, when they beheld a little old woman instead of a stately
+councillor, laughed aloud; but the jester bowed right humbly towards the
+dame, and, she, so soon as she marked that the eyes of his Majesty and
+his gracious lady were turned upon her, and that her paltry person was
+the object of their regard, fancied that I had peradventure named her as
+being Ann's cousin, or as the widow of the deceased bee-master who, long
+years ago, had led the Emperor Charles to see the bee-gardens, so she
+made reverence again and again, and meanwhile laid her head more and more
+on one side, ever leaning more heavily on her hand, till the King and
+Queen laughed louder than ever and many an one perceived what was doing.
+The cup-bearer and chamberlain drew long faces, and Porro at last ended
+the jest by greeting the old woman with such dumbshow as no one could
+think an honor.  The cunning little woman saw now that she was being made
+game of, and whereas not their Majesties alone, but all the Court about
+them were holding their sides, and she saw that I was in their midst, she
+believed me to be at the bottom of their mischief, and cast at me such
+vengeful glances as warned me of evil in store.
+
+After this tourney there was to be a grand dance in the School of Arms,
+to which their Majesties were bidden with all the princes, knights, and
+notables of the Diet, and the patricians of the town.  Next day, being
+Saint Clara's day, there would be a great feast at the Tetzels' house by
+reason that it was the name-day of Dame Clara, Ursula's grandmother, and
+the eldest of their kin.  At this banquet Herdegen's betrothal was to be
+announced to all their friends and kindred--this my uncle whispered to me
+as he went off after the jousting to attend the King, who had sent for
+him.  The old man had seen nought of Herdegen's doings with Ann, by
+reason that he and old Tetzel had both been seated on the same side of
+the lists, and the tall helmets and feathers had hidden the young folks
+from his sight.  So assurance and contentment even yet beamed in his eye.
+
+The tourney had lasted a long time.  I scarce had time enough to change
+my weed for the dance.  Till this day I had sported like a fish in this
+torrent of turmoil and pleasure; but to-day I was weary.  My body was in
+pain with my spirit, and I would fain have staid at home; but I minded me
+of the Queen who, albeit she was so much older, and was watched by all--
+every one expecting that she should be gracious--in her heavy royal
+array, went through all this of which I was so weary.
+
+Meanwhile a great storm had burst upon us and passed over; all creatures
+were refreshed, and I likewise uplifted my head and breathed more freely.
+The fencing school--a great square chamber, as it is to this day, with
+places all round for the folk to look on--was lighted up as bright as
+day.  My lover and I, now in right good heart once more, paced through
+the Polish dance led by the King and Queen.  Ann's mother had been
+compelled to stay at home, to tend the master's old mother, and my friend
+had come under Cousin Maud's protection.  She was led out to dance by
+Junker Henning; his fellow country-man, Sir Apitz von Rochow, walked with
+Ursula and courted her with unfailing ardor.  Franz von Welemisl, who was
+wont to creep like her shadow, and who was again a guest at the Tetzels'
+house, had been kept within doors by the cough that plagued him.
+Likewise I looked in vain for Herdegen.
+
+The first dance indeed was ended when he came in with my great-uncle; but
+the old knight looked less confidently than he had done in the morning.
+
+Ann was pale, but, meseemed fairer than ever in a dress of pomegranate-
+red and white brocade, sent to her from Italy by her step-father's
+brother, My lord Bishop, by the hand of Cardinal Branda.  As soon as I
+had presently begun to speak with her, she was carried off by Junker
+Henning, and at that same moment my grand-uncle came towards me to ask
+who was that fair damsel of such noble beauty with whom I was but now
+speaking.  He had never till now beheld Ann close at hand, and how gladly
+did I reply that this was the daughter of Pernhart the town Councillor
+and she to whom Herdegen had plighted his faith.
+
+The old man was startled and full wroth yet, by reason of all the fine
+folk about us, he was bound to refrain himself, and he presently
+departed.
+
+The festival went forward and I saw that Herdegen danced first with
+Ursula and then with Ann.  Then they stood still near the flower shrubs
+which were placed round about the hall to garnish it, and it might have
+been weened from their demeanor that they had quarrelled and had come to
+high words.  I would fain have gone to them, but the Queen had bid me
+stay with her and never ceased asking me a hundred questions as to names
+and other matters.
+
+At last, or ever it was midnight, their Majesties departed.  I breathed
+more freely, put my hand on my Hans' arm, and was minded to bid him take
+me to Herdegen and speak out my mind, but my brother, as it fell,
+prevented me.  He came up to me and with what a mien!  His eyes flashing,
+his cheeks burning, his lips tight-set.  He signed to me and Hans to
+follow whither he went, and then passionately besought us that we would
+depart from the dance for a while with him and his sweetheart, that was
+Ann.  Such an entreaty amazed us greatly, yet, when he told us that she
+would go no whither with him save under our care, and that everything
+depended on his learning this very hour how he stood with her, we did his
+will.  And he likewise told us that he had not indeed given his word that
+morning to my grand-uncle and Jost Tetzel, but had only pledged his word
+that he would give them his answer next day.
+
+So presently Hans and I stole out behind the pair, out into the road.
+I, for my part, was well content and thankful and, when we beheld them
+accuse and answer each other right doughtily, we laughed, and were agreed
+that Aunt Jacoba's counsel had led to a good issue; and I told my Hans
+that I should myself take a lesson from all this and let the smart
+Junkers and Knights make love to me to their hearts' content, if ever
+I should be moved to play him a right foolish trick.
+
+Presently, when we had many times paced the road to and fro the
+Pernharts' house, Ann was minded to knock at the door; but behold she was
+saved the pains.  Mistress Henneleinlein just then came out whereas she
+had been helping Dame Giovanna to tend the sick grandmother.  The lantern
+Eppelein carried in front of us was not so bright as the sun, yet could I
+see full plainly the old woman's venomous eye; and what high dudgeon
+sounded in her voice!  Each one had his meed, even my Hans, to whom she
+cried: "Keep thy bride out of Porro's way, Master Haller.  It ill-beseems
+the promised wife of a worshipful Councillor to be casting her lot in
+with a Fool!  Howbeit, to laugh is better than to weep, and he laughs
+longest who laughs last!"  And thereupon she herself laughed loudly and,
+with a scornful nod to Ann, turned her back on us.
+
+All was still in Master Pernharts' house; he himself had gone to rest.
+At Herdegen's bidding we followed him into the hall, and there he clasped
+Ann to his heart, and declared to us that now, and henceforth for ever,
+they were one.  Whereupon we each and all embraced; but my friend clung
+longest to me, and whispered in my ear that she was happier than ever she
+could deserve to be.  Herdegen asked me whether now he had made all
+right, and whether I would be the same old Margery again?  And I right
+gladly put up my lips for his to kiss; and the returned prodigal, who had
+come back to that which was his best portion, was like one drunk with
+wine.  He was beside himself with joy, so that he clasped first me and
+then Hans in his arms, and slapped Eppelein, who carried a lantern to
+show us the pools left by the storm of rain, again and again on the
+shoulder, and thrust a purse full of money into his free hand, albeit
+there was an end now of my grand-uncle's golden bounty.  Nought would
+persuade him to go back to the dancing-hall, to meet Ursula and her kin;
+and when he presently departed from us we heard him along the street,
+singing such a love song as no false heart may imagine, as glad as the
+larks which would now ere long be soaring to the sky.
+
+We got back to the great hall.  The dancing and music were yet at their
+height; our absence we deemed had scarce been marked; howbeit, as soon as
+we entered, my grand-uncle made enquiry "where Herdegen might be," and
+when I looked about me at haphazard I beheld--my eyes did not cheat me--
+I beheld Mistress Henneleinlein in one of the side-stalls.
+
+No man told me, yet was I sure and certain that she was saying somewhat
+which concerned me, and presently I discerned in the dim back-ground the
+feathered plume which Ursula had worn at the dance.  My heart beat with
+fears; every word spoken by the old Dame would of a surety do us a
+mischief.  Hans mocked at my alarms and at a maid's folly in ever taking
+to herself matters which concern her not.
+
+Then Ursula came forth into the hall again, and how she swept past us on
+Junker Henning's arm.
+
+A young knight of the Palatinate now led me out to a dance I had erewhile
+promised him.
+
+We stopped for lack of breath.  The festival was over; yet did Ursula and
+the Junker walk together.  He was hearkening eagerly to all she might
+say, and on a sudden he clapped his hand into hers which she held out to
+him, and his eyes, which he had held set on the floor, fired up with a
+flash.  Presently he and the Knight von Rochow made their way, arm in arm
+through the press, and both were laughing and pulling their long red
+beards.
+
+I still clung to my lover's arm and entreated him to take me to speak
+with Junker Henning, inasmuch as I sorely wanted to question him; but the
+Junker diligently kept far from us.  Nevertheless we at last stayed him,
+and after that I had enquired, as it were in jest, whether he had healed
+his old feud with Mistress Ursula and concluded a truce, or peradventure
+made peace with her, he answered me, in a tone all unlike his wonted
+frank and glad manner, that this for a while must remain privy to him and
+her, and that we should scarce be the first to whom he should reveal the
+matter; and forthwith he bid us farewell with a courtly reverence.  But
+my lover would not let him thus depart, and asked him, calmly, what was
+the interpretation of this speech, whereupon Rochow spoke for his young
+fellow-countryman, and enquired, in the high-handed and lordly tone which
+ever marked his voice and manner, whether here, in the native land of
+Nuremberg playthings, love and faith were accounted of as toys.
+
+Junker Henning however, broke in, and said, casting a warning look at me:
+"Far be it from him to break friendship with an honorable gentleman, such
+as my Hans, before having an explanation."  And he held out his hand
+somewhat more readily than before, bowed sweetly to me and led away his
+cousin.
+
+At last we got out with the Haller parents and Cousin Maud.  The old
+folks got into litters, and the serving men were lighting the way before
+me to mine, when my lover stayed me, saying: "It is already grey in the
+East.  Never before were we together so well betimes, Margery, and happy
+hours are few.  If thou'rt not too weary, let us walk home together in
+this fresh morning air."
+
+I was right well-content and we went gently forward, I clinging to him
+closely.  He felt how high my heart was beating and, when he asked me
+whether it was for love that it beat so fast, I confessed in truth that,
+whereas the Brandenburgers outdid all other knights in the kingdom, in
+defiance and hotheadedness, I feared lest there should be a passage of
+arms betwixt Junker Henning and my brother Herdegen.  But Hans made
+answer that, if it were the Brandenburgers intent to challenge him, he
+could not hinder it; yet be trowed it would be to their own damage; that
+Herdegen had scarce found his match at the Paris school of arms; and at
+least should we not mar this sweet morning walk by such fears.
+
+And he held me closer to him, and while we slowly wandered on he poured
+forth his whole heart to me, and confessed that through all his lonely
+life in foreign lands he had ever lacked a great matter; that even with
+the gayety of his favorite comrades, even when his best diligence had
+been crowned with great issues, yet had he never had full joy in life.
+Nor was it till my love had made him a complete and truly happy man that
+he had felt, as it were, whole, inasmuch as that alone had stilled the
+strange craving which till then had made his heart sick.
+
+Yea, and I could tell him that it had been the same with me; and as for
+what more we said, verily it should rather have been sung to sweet and
+lofty music on the lute and mandoline.  Two rightly matched souls stood
+revealed each to each, and Heaven itself, meseemed, was opened in the
+strait ways of our town.
+
+We kissed as we stood on the threshold of the Schopper-house, and when at
+length we must need part he held me once more to his heart, longer than
+ever he had before, and tore himself away; and laying his hands on my
+shoulders, as he looked into my eyes in the pale light of dawn, he said:
+"Come what may, Margery, we love each other truly and have learned
+through each other what true happiness means; and nevertheless we are
+as yet but in the March-moon of our love, and its May days, which are
+sweeter far, are yet to come.  But even the March-joy is good--right
+good to me."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+I had forgotten my fears and gloomy forebodings by the time I climbed
+into bed in my darkened chamber.  Sleep forthwith closed my eyes, and I
+lay without even a dream till Cousin Maud waked me.  I turned over by
+reason that I was still heavy with slumber; yet she stood by my bed, and
+scarce half a quarter of an hour after, lo, again I felt her hand on my
+shoulder and woke up quaking, with a cold sweat on my brow.  I had
+dreamed that I was riding out in the Lorenzer-wald with Hans and my
+grand-uncle and other some; but we went slowly and softly, by reason that
+all our horses fell lame.  And it fell that on the very spot where Ann
+had flown into Herdegen's arms I beheld a high, yellow grave-stone, and
+on it was written in great black letters: "HANS HALLER."
+
+Hereupon I had started up with a loud cry, and it was long or ever my
+brain was clear as to the world about me.  Cousin Maud laughed to see me
+so drunk asleep, as was not my wont; yet could she not deny that my dream
+boded no good.  Nevertheless, quoth she, it was small marvel that such a
+heathen Turkish turmoil as we had been living in should beget monstrous
+fancies in a young maid's brain.  She would of set purpose have left me
+to sleep the day through, to give me strength; howbeit Herdegen had twice
+come to ask for me, and so likewise had Ann and Hans, and it wanted but
+an hour and a half of noon.  This made me laugh; nevertheless I minded me
+then and there of all that had befallen last night at Pernhart's house-
+door and in the school of arms, and, moreover, that we were bidden this
+day to eat with the Tetzels; also that they, and eke my grand-uncle, were
+still in the belief that Herdegen's betrothal to Ursula might be at once
+proclaimed to their friends.
+
+I began to dress in haste and fear, and Susan was in the act of plaiting
+my hair when Cousin Maud flew in to say that Queen Barbara had sent her
+own litter to carry me to her.  Thus had I to make all speed.
+
+The royal quarters in the castle had been newly ordered by the town at
+his Majesty's desire, and they were indeed bravely decked; yet never had
+the like show pleased me less.  The Queen was giving audience to the
+Pope's Legate, to their excellencies the envoys from the Greek Emperor,
+to my Lord Conrad the Elector of Maintz, and many more nobles.  She had
+made so bold as to declare that the German maidens were no less skilled
+in the art of song than the damsels of Italy, and had bidden me to her in
+such hot haste that I might let the notables there assembled hear a few
+lays.  I might not say nay to the royal behest; for better, for worse,
+I must fain take my lute and sing, at first alone, and then with my lord
+Conte di Puppi.  Our voices presently brought the King to the chamber,
+and in truth I won praise enough if I had best cared to hear it.  Nay,
+for the first time it was a torment to me to sing, and when the notables
+had all been sent forth, and I was alone with the Queen and her ladies, I
+knew not what ailed me but I burst into tears, hot and bitter tears.  The
+gracious Queen took me in her arms with womanly sweetness, but while she
+gave me her phial of vinegar to smell, and spoke words of comfort, I was
+suddenly scared at hearing close behind me right woeful sobbing and
+sighing, as from a woman's breast.  I looked about me, and beheld Porro,
+the jester, who had cast himself on a couch and was mocking me, pulling
+such a grimace the while that his smooth, long, thin face seemed grown to
+the length of two lean faces.  The sight was so merry that I was fain to
+laugh.  Whereas he nevertheless ceased not from sobbing, the Queen
+reproved him and bid him not carry his fooling too far.  Whereupon he
+sobbed out: "Nay, royal and gracious Coz, thou art in error.  Never have
+I so shamelessly forgotten to play my part as Fool, as at this moment.
+Alack, alack! what a thing is life!  Were we not one and all born fools,
+and if we did but measure it as it is now and ever shall be, with the
+wisdom of the sage, we should never cease to bewail ourselves, from the
+nurse's rod to the scythe of death."
+
+Whether Porro were in earnest I could not divine; his face, like a mystic
+oracle, might bear manifold interpretations; verily his speech went to
+my heart.  And albeit hitherto life had brought me an hundredfold more
+reasons for thanksgiving than sorrow, meseemed that it had many griefs in
+store.  The Queen indeed replied full solemnly: "Peradventure it is true.
+Yet forget not that it is not as Sage that you attend us.--Moreover I, as
+a good Hungarian, know my Latin, and the great Horatius Flaccus puts your
+dismal lore to shame; albeit, as a Christian woman, I am fain to confess
+that it is wiser and more praiseworthy to bewail our own sins and the
+sins of the world, and to meditate on the life to come, than to live only
+for present joys.  As for thee, sweet maid, for a long time yet thou
+may'st take pleasure in the flowers, even though venom may be hidden in
+their cups."
+
+"Men are not wont to eat them," replied the fool.  "And I have often
+marvelled wherefor the flighty butterfly wears such gay and painted
+wings, while every creature that creeps and grubs is grey or brown and
+foul to behold."
+
+Whereupon he burst into loud laughter and such boisterous mirth that we
+fairly wept for merriment, and my lady Queen bid him hold his peace.
+
+On my departing I had need to pass through the King's audience-chamber.
+He was bidding my Hans depart right graciously, and I went forth into the
+castle yard with Masters Tucher, Stromer, and Schurstab, all members of
+the Council.  I fancy I hear them now thanking Hans for his fearless
+manfulness in saying to his Majesty that the treasure-chest must ever be
+empty if the old disorder were suffered to prevail.  Likewise they
+approved the well-devised plan which he had proposed for the bettering of
+such matters, and my heart beat high with pride as I perceived the great
+esteem in which the worshipful elders of our town held their younger
+fellow.
+
+Hans might not part company from them; but when I got into the litter he
+whispered to me: "Be not afraid--as to Herdegen and the Junker--you know.
+Farewell till we meet at the Tetzels'."
+
+When I came home I learnt that my brother, and Ann, and then Eppelein had
+come to ask for me; now must I change my attire for the feast, and my
+heart beat heavy in my bosom.  The bold Brandenburger and my brother were
+perchance at this very hour crossing swords.
+
+Cousin Maud, who now knew all, and I stepped out of our litters at the
+Tetzels' door.  Eppelein was standing by the great gate, booted and
+spurred, holding two horses by their bridles.  My lord who spoke with him
+was my dear Hans.  We went into the hall together, and as our eyes met,
+I wist that there was evil in the air.  The letter he held bid him ride
+forthwith to Altenperg.  Junker Henning and my brother were minded to
+have a passage of arms, and with sharp weapons.  This, however, they
+might not do within the limits of the city save at great risk, inasmuch
+as that the town was within the King's peace, and by a severe enactment
+knight or squire, lord or servant, in short each and every man was
+threatened by the Emperor with outlawry, who should make bold to provoke
+another to challenge him, or to lift a weapon against another with evil
+intent, be he who he might, throughout the demesne of Nuremberg or so
+long as the diet was sitting.  Hence they would go forth to Altenperg,
+inasmuch as it was the nearest to arrive at of any township without the
+limits of the city.
+
+All this my lover had heard betimes that morning; but Herdegen had told
+him that Master Schlebitzer and a certain Austrian Knight would attend
+him.  Now the letter was to say that they had both played him false; the
+former in obedience to the stern behest of his father, the town-
+councillor; the second by reason that his Duke commanded his attendance.
+And Herdegen hereby urgently besought my Hans that he would take the
+place thus left unfilled and ride forthwith to Altenperg.
+
+Nor was this all the letter.  In it my brother set forth that he had
+pledged his word solemnly and beyond recall to Ann and her parents, and
+entreated my lover to declare to the Tetzels and to his grand-uncle that
+henceforth and forever he renounced Ursula.  He would speak of the matter
+at greater length at the place of meeting.
+
+Cousin Maud and Hans and I held a brief council, and we were of one mind:
+that this message should not be given to the Tetzels till after the great
+dinner and when we should know the issue of the combat.  My heart urged
+me indeed to desire my lover to forego this ride, and I mind me yet how
+I implored him with uplifted hands and how he forced himself to put them
+from him with steadfast gentleness.  And when he told me that he for
+certain, if any one, could pacify the combatants or ever blood should be
+shed, I gazed into his brave and manful and kind face, and methought
+whither he went all must be for the best, and I cried with fresh
+assurance: "Then go!"  Every word do I remember as though it were graven
+in brass.
+
+Eppelein cracked his whip against his leathern boot-tops; old Tetzel's
+leaden voice cried out to enquire where we were lingering, and a silken
+train came rustling down the stairs.  My lover kissed his hand to me, and
+I went forth with him into the court-yard.  His fiery horse gave him so
+much to do that he never marked my farewell.  On a sudden it flashed
+through my brain that this was that very horse which my grand-uncle had
+given to Herdegen, and herein again, meseemed, was an omen of ill.
+Likewise I noted that Hans was in silken hose with neither spurs nor
+riding-boots.  Howbeit the Hallers had many horses; and as a lad he had
+been wont to ride with or without a saddle, and was a rider whom none
+could unhorse, even in the jousting-ring.
+
+He had soon quelled his steed and was trotting lightly over the stones,
+followed by Eppelein; but as he vanished round the first corner meseemed
+that the bourn stone, as he rode past it, was turned into the yellow
+gravestone I had seen in my dream, and that again I saw the great black
+letters of the name "Hans Haller."
+
+I passed my hands across my eyes to chase away the hideous vision, and I
+was young enough and brave enough to return Ursula's greeting without any
+quaking of my knees.  Cousin Maud, meanwhile, had walked up the stairs,
+snorting and fuming like a boiling kettle; nor could she be at peace,
+even among the company who were awaiting the bidding to table.  Many
+an one marked that something more than common was amiss with her.
+I refrained myself well enough, and I excused my brother's and my lover's
+absence with a plea of weighty affairs.  My grand-uncle, however, guessed
+the truth, and when I gave true answer to his short, murmured questions
+he wrathfully cried: then these were the thanks he got?  Henceforth he
+would plainly show how he, who had been a benefactor, could deal with the
+youth who had dared to mock his authority.  Hereupon I besought him first
+to grant me a hearing for a few words; but he waved me away in ire, and
+signed to Ursula, who hung on his arm, and she set her lips tight when he
+presently with wrathful eyes whispered somewhat in her ear whereof I
+believed I could guess the intent.  And when I beheld her call Sir Franz
+von Welemisl to her side and give him her hand, speaking a few words in a
+low voice, I discerned that, in truth she knew all.
+
+She presently led her father aside and told him somewhat which brought
+the blood to his ashy face, and led him to say her nay right vehemently.
+But, as she was wont, she made good her own will and he shrugged his
+shoulders, wrathful indeed, but overmastered by her.
+
+During this space the great door of the refectory had been thrown open,
+and when Tetzel with his old mother moved that way, desiring the guests
+to follow him, my Uncle Christian, Ann's faithful friend, whispered to me
+that Herdegen had told him that he was now pledged to his "dear little
+warder," and likewise what was on hand between him and the Junker von
+Beust.  I might be easy, quoth he; the Brandenburger would have a bitter
+taste of Nuremberg steel, of that he was fully assured.  And he ended his
+speech with a merry: "Hold up your head, Margery."
+
+Then we all sat down at the laden table, Dame Clara sitting at the top,
+albeit she looked but sullen and ill to please.
+
+Ursula had chosen to set Sir Franz by her side.  Herdegen's seat, at her
+left hand, was vacant; and she bid her white Brabant hound, as though in
+jest, to leap into it.  The meal was served, but it all went in such
+gloomy silence that Master Muffel, of the town-council, whom they named
+Master Gall-Muffel, whispered across the table to my Uncle Christian
+"was it not strange to give a funeral feast without ever a corpse."
+Again I shuddered.  My jovial uncle had already lifted his glass, and
+stretching himself at his ease he nodded to me, and drank, saying loud
+enough for all to hear: "To the last pledged couple, and the faithfullest
+pair of lovers."
+
+I nodded back to him, for I wist what he meant, and drank with all my
+heart.  Ursula had meanwhile kept her ears and eyes intent on us, and she
+now signed to her father and he slowly rose, clinked on his glass, and
+seeing that many were hearkening for what he should say, he declared to
+his guests that he had bidden them to this banquet not alone to do honor
+to the name-day of his venerable mother, whose praises his friend Master
+Tucher had eloquently spoken, but rather that he might announce to them
+the betrothal of his daughter Ursula to the noble knight and baron Franz
+von Welemisl.  Then was there shouting and clinking and emptying of wine
+cups, whereat old Dame Clara Tetzel, who was deaf and had failed to
+gather the purport of her son's address, cried aloud "Is young Schopper
+come at last then?"
+
+Hereupon Sir Franz turned pale; he had gone up to the old woman, glass in
+hand, with Ursula, and she now spoke into her grand-dame's ear to explain
+the matter.  The old woman looked first at her son and then at my grand-
+uncle, and shook her head; nevertheless she put a good face on a bad
+case, gave Sir Franz her hand to kiss, and was duly embraced by Ursula;
+yet she sat nodding her head up and down, and ever more shrewdly as she
+heard the bridegroom cough.  Amazement sat indeed on the faces of all the
+guests; howbeit the ice was broken, and the silent and gloomy company had
+on a sudden turned right mirthful.  Cousin Maud, meseemed, was the most
+content of all.  Ursula's betrothal had rescued her favorite from great
+peril, and henceforth her plumed head-gear was at rest once more.
+
+All about me was talk and laughter, glasses ringing, voices uplifted in
+set speeches, and many a shout of gratulation.  When a betrothal is in
+the wind, folks ever believe that they have hold of the guiding clue to
+happiness, even if it be between a simpleton and a deaf mute.
+
+The seat on my left hand, which my lover should have filled, remained
+empty; on my right sat his reverence Master Sebald Schurstab, the
+minorite preacher and prior who, so soon as he had spoken in honor of one
+toast, fixed his eyes on the board and thought only of the next.  Thus,
+in the midst of all this mirthful fellowship, there was nought to hinder
+my fears and hopes from taking their way.  Each time that a cry of
+"Hoch!" was raised, I  roused me and joined in; scarce knowing, however,
+in whose honor.  Likewise the hall waxed hotter and hotter, and the air
+right heavy to breathe.
+
+To-day again, as yesterday, a storm burst over us.  Albeit the sun was
+not yet set, it was presently so dark that lights had been brought in and
+fifty tapers in the silver candlesticks added to the heat.  The lightning
+flashes glared in at the curtained windows like a flitting lamp, and the
+roar of the thunder shook the panes which rattled and clanked in their
+leaden frames.  The reverend Prior called on the blessed saints whose
+special protection this house had never neglected to secure, and crossed
+himself.  We all did the same, and had soon forgotten the storm without.
+The glasses ere long were clinking once more.  I watched the numberless
+dishes borne in and out-roasted peacocks, with showy spread tails and
+crested heads raised as it were in defiance: boars' heads with a lemon in
+their mouth and gaily wreathed; huge salmon lying in the midst of blue
+trout, with scarlet crawfish clinging to them; pasties and skilfully-
+devised sweetmeats; nay, now and again, I scarce consciously put forth my
+hand and carried this or that morsel to my mouth but whether it were
+bread or ginger my tongue heeded not the savor.  Silver tankards and
+Venetian glasses were filled from flasks and jugs; I heard the guests
+praising the wines of Furstenberg and Bacharach, of Malvoisie and Cyprus,
+and I marked the effects of the noble and potent grape-juice, nay, now
+and then I played the part of "warder" to Uncle Christian; yet meseemed
+that it was only by another's will or ancient habit that I raised a
+warning finger.  Was I in truth at a banquet or was I only dreaming that
+I sat as a guest at the richly spread board?  The only certain matter was
+that the storm was overpast, and that no hail nor rain now beat upon the
+window panes.  How wet must my Hans be, who had ridden forth in court
+array, without a cloke to cover him.
+
+To judge by the voices and demeanor of the menfolk the end of the endless
+meal must surely be not far off, and indeed dishes were by this time
+being served with packets of spices and fruits and pies and sweetmeats
+for the little ones at home.  I drew a deeper breath, and methought the
+company would soon rise from the table, forasmuch as that Jost Tetzel had
+already quitted his seat.  Then I beheld his pale face through a curtain
+and his lean hand beckoning to my grand-uncle.  He likewise rose, and
+Ursula followed him.  Forthwith, from without came a strange noise of
+footsteps to and fro and many voices.  A serving man came to hail forth
+Master Ebner and Uncle Tucher, and the muttering and stir without waxed
+louder and louder.  The guests sat in silence, gazing and enquiring of
+each other.  Somewhat strange, and for certain somewhat evil, had
+befallen.
+
+My heart beat in my temples like the clapper of an alarm-bell.  That
+which was going forward, and to which one after another was called forth,
+was my concern; it must be, and mine alone.  I felt I could not longer
+keep my place, and I had pushed back my seat when I saw Uncle Tucher
+standing by Cousin Maud, and his kind and worthy face, still ruddy from
+the wine he had drunk, was a very harbinger of horror and woe.  He bent
+over my cousin to speak in her ear.
+
+My eyes were fixed on his lips, and lo! she, my second mother, started up
+hastily as any young thing and, clasping her hand to her breast she well-
+nigh screamed: "Jesu-Maria!  And Margery!"
+
+All grew dark before my eyes.  A purple mist shrouded the table, the
+company, and all I beheld.  I shut my eyes, and when presently I opened
+them once more, close before me, as it were within reach, behold the
+yellow headstone with black letters thereon, as in my dream; and albeit
+I closed my eyes again the name "Hans Haller" was yet there and the
+letters faded not, nay, but waxed greater and came nigher, and meseemed
+were as a row of gaping werewolves.
+
+I held fast by the tall back of my heavy chair to save me from falling,
+on my knees; but a firm hand thrust it aside, and I was clasped in a pair
+of old yet strong arms to a faithful heart, and when I heard Cousin
+Maud's voice in mine ear, though half-choked with tears, crying: "My
+poor, poor, dear good Margery!"  meseemed that somewhat melted in my
+heart and gushed up to my eyes; and albeit none had told me, yet knew I
+of a certainty that I was a widow or ever I was a wife, and that Cousin
+Maud's tears and my own were shed, not for Herdegen, but for him, for
+him....
+
+And behold, face to face with me, who was this?  Ursula stood before me,
+her blue eyes drowned in tears--tears for me, telling me that my woe was
+deep enough and bitter enough to grieve even the ruthless heart of my
+enemy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+The storm had cleared the air once more.  How fair smiled the blue sky,
+how bright shone the sun, day after day and from morning till night; but
+meseemed its splendor did but mock me, and many a time I deemed that my
+heart's sorrow would be easier to bear with patience if it might but
+rain, and rain and rain for ever.  Yea, and a grey gloomy day would have
+brought rest to eyes weary with weeping.  And in my sick heart all was
+dark indeed, albeit I had not been slow to learn how this terror had come
+about.
+
+That was all the tidings I had craved; as to how life should fare
+henceforth I cared no more, but let what might befall without a wish or a
+will.  Sorrow was to me the end and intent of life.  I spurned not my
+grief, but rather cherished and fed it, as it were a precious child, and
+nought pleased me so well as to cling to that alone.
+
+Howbeit I seldom had the good hap to be left to humor this craving.  I
+was wroth with the hard and bitter world for its cruelty; yet it was in
+truth that very world, and its pitiless call to duty, which at that time
+rescued me from worse things.  Verily I now bless each one who then
+strove to rouse me from my selfish and gloomy sorrow, from the tailor who
+cut my mourning weed to Ann, whose loving comfort even was less dear to
+me than the solitude in which I might give myself up to bitter grieving.
+All I cared for was to hear those who could tell of his last hours and
+departing from this life, till at last meseemed I myself had witnessed
+his end.
+
+From all the tidings I could learn, I gathered that old Henneleinlein,
+whose gall had been raised against me by the Court Fool, had no sooner
+parted from us at Master Pernhart's door than she had hastened to the
+school of arms to make known to Ursula that my brother had plighted his
+troth anew to his cast-off sweetheart.  Hereupon Ursula had dared to say
+to the Junker that Herdegen was her knight, who would pick up his glove
+which he had cast down at the former dance; but that he nevertheless was
+playing a two-fold game, and had treacherously promised Ann to wed her,
+to win her favor likewise.  Hereupon the Brandenburger had been filled
+with honest ire, had sworn to Ursula that he would chastise her false
+lover, and was ready, not alone to accept my brother's defiance, but to
+fight with ruthless fury.
+
+Thus Ursula's plot had prospered right well, inasmuch as, so long as
+she hoped to win Herdegen, she had been in deathly fear lest the Junker
+should fall out with him; whereas, now that in her wrath she only desired
+that the faithless wight should give an account to the Junker's sword,
+she thought fit in her deep and malignant fury to brand my brother as the
+challenger, knowing that if the combat had a bloody issue he would of a
+surety suffer heavy penalty.  And in truth she had not reckoned wrongly
+when she declared that my brother, whom she knew only too well, would be
+her ready, champion.
+
+On the morning next after the great dance she had addressed a brief
+letter to Herdegen beseeching him, for the friendship's sake which had
+bound them from their youth up, and by reason that she had no brother, to
+teach Junker von Beust that a patrician's daughter of Nuremberg should
+not lack a true knight, when Brandenburg pride dared to cast scorn on her
+in the face of all the world.  My brother's response to this letter was a
+challenge to the Junker; yet had he not perchance been in such hot haste,
+save that he had long burned to punish the overweening young noble who
+had given him many an uneasy hour.  He scarce, indeed, would have drawn
+his sword at Ursula's behest, inasmuch as he could plainly see that what
+she had most at heart was to make their breach wear such seeming to other
+folks as though he, who had been looked upon by the whole city as her
+pledged husband, had not quitted her, but had been ready rather to shed
+his heart's blood in her service.
+
+Verily Ursula believed that she had found a sure instrument of vengeance,
+whereas she had heard say that Junker Henning von Beust was one of the
+most dreaded swordsmen in the Marches.  Herdegen, to be sure, was
+likewise famed in Nuremberg as a doughty champion; yet it is ever the way
+in Franconia, nay, and in all Germany, to esteem outlandish means more
+highly than the best at home.  Moreover she had many a time heard my
+grand-uncle declare that the gentlemen of our patrician families were not
+above half knights, and her intent was to sacrifice Herdegen to the
+Brandenburger's weapon.
+
+Howbeit she had reckoned ill.  Hans, who did service to my brother as his
+second at Altenperg, after striving faithfully to make peace between the
+two, was witness how our Nuremberg swordsman, who had had the finest
+schooling at Erfurt, Padua, and Paris, not merely withstood the
+Brandenburger, but so far outdid him in strength and swiftness that the
+Junker fell into the arms of his friends with wounds in the head and
+breast, while Herdegen came forth from the fray with no more hurt than a
+slight scratch on the arm.
+
+The witnesses saw what he could do with amazement, and Sir Apitz von
+Rochow avowed that at my brother's first thrust he foresaw his cousin's
+evil plight; and they said that during the combat the supple blade of the
+Nuremberger's bedizened sword was changed into a raging serpent, which
+wound in everywhere, and bit through iron and steel.  Afterwards he set
+forth that perchance Junker Schopper, who was said to be even better
+versed in all manner of writing than in the use of his weapon, had made
+use of some magic art, whereat a pious Knight of the Marches would fain
+cross himself.
+
+Now whereas Junker von Beust had been in attendance on the King's person,
+the end of the fray could not be hidden from his Majesty, and so soon as
+the wounded man had been carried into the priest's house at Altenperg for
+shelter and care, it was needful to remove his fortunate foe into surety
+from King Sigismund's wrath.  In this matter both Rochow and Muschwitz,
+who were the Junker's seconds, demeaned them as true nobles, inasmuch as
+they offered my brother refuge and concealment in their castles, albeit
+they accused him between themselves of some secret art; but he who was so
+soon to die counselled him to bide a while with Uncle Conrad at the
+forest lodge, and see what he himself and other of his friends might do
+to win his pardon.
+
+When, at length, my lover was about to depart, the storm had burst;
+wherefore the Brandenburgers besought him to tarry in the priest's house
+till it should be overpast.  This he would not do, by reason that his
+sweetheart looked for him with a fearful heart, knowing that her brother
+was in peril; and forthwith he rode away.  Herdegen gave him Eppelein to
+attend him, and to bring back to him such matters as he had need of, and
+so my beloved set forth for the town, the serving man riding behind him.
+
+It rained indeed and lightened and thundered, yet all was well till, nigh
+to Saint Linhart, the hail came down, beating on them heavily.  At that
+moment a burning flash, with a terrible crash of thunder, reft a tree
+asunder by the road-way; his powerful horse was maddened with fear, stood
+upright, fell back, and crushed his rider against the trunk of a poplar
+tree.  Never more did I look on the face of the true lover to whom I was
+so closely knit--save only in dreams; and I thank those who held me back
+from beholding his broken skull.  To this day he rises before me, a
+silent vision, and I see him as he was in that hour when he gave me a
+parting kiss on our threshold, in the pale gleam of early morning,
+solemnly glad and in his festal bravery.  Yet they could not hinder me
+from pressing my lips to the hands of the beloved body in its winding-
+sheet.
+
+It was on a fair and glorious morning--the day of the Assumption of the
+Blessed Virgin--when Hans Haller, Knight, Doctor, and Town councillor,
+the eldest of his ancient race, my dear lord and plighted lover, was
+carried to the grave.  The velvet pall wherewith his parents covered the
+bier of their beloved and firstborn son was so costly, that the price
+would easily have fed a poor household for years.  How many tapers were
+burnt for him, how many masses said!  Favor and good-will were poured
+forth upon me, and whereever I might go I was met with the highest
+respect.  Even in my own home I was looked upon as one set apart and
+dedicated, whose presence brought grace, and who should be spared all
+contact with the common and lesser troubles of life.  Cousin Maud, who
+was ever wont to mount the stair with an echoing tread and a loud voice,
+now went about stepping softly in her shoes, and when she called or spoke
+it was gently and scarce to be heard.
+
+As for me I neither saw nor heard all this.  It did not make me thankful
+nor even serve to comfort me.
+
+All things were alike to me, even the Queen's gracious admonitions.  The
+diligent humility of great and small alike in their demeanor chilled me
+in truth; sometimes meseemed it was in scorn.
+
+To my lover, if to any man, Heaven's gates might open; yet had he
+perished without shrift or sacrament, and I could never bear to be absent
+when masses were said for his soul's redemption.  Nay, and I was fain to
+go to churches and chapels, inasmuch as I was secure there from the
+speech of man.  All that life could give or ask of me, I had ceased to
+care for.
+
+If, from the first, I had been required to bestir myself and bend my
+will, matters had not perchance have gone so hard with me.  The first
+call on my strength worked as it were a charm.  The need to act restored
+the power to act: and a new and bitter experience which now befell was as
+a draught of wine, making my heavy heart beat high and steady once more.
+Nought, indeed, but some great matter could have roused me from that dull
+half-sleep; nor was it long in coming, by reason that my brother
+Herdegen's safety and life were in peril.  This danger arose from the
+fact that, not long ere the passage of arms at Altenperg, in despite of
+strait enactments, the peace of the realm had many times been broken
+under the very eyes of his Majesty by bloody combats, and the Elector
+Conrad of Maintz had gone hand in hand with him of Brandenburg to entreat
+his Majesty to make an example of this matter.  These two were likewise
+the most powerful of all the electors; the spiritual prince had, at
+the closing of the Diet, been named Vicar of the Empire, and he of
+Brandenburg was commander-in-chief of all the Imperial armies.  And his
+voice was of special weight in this matter, inasmuch as the great
+friendship which had hitherto bound him to the Emperor had of late cooled
+greatly, and both before and during the sitting of the Diet, his Majesty
+had keenly felt what power the Brandenburger could wield, and with what
+grave issues to himself.
+
+Thus, when my lord the Elector and the high constable Frederick demanded
+that the law should be carried out with the utmost rigor in the matter of
+Herdegen, it was not, as many deemed, by reason that the King was not at
+one with our good town and the worshipful council, and that he was well
+content to vent his wrath on the son of one of its patrician families,
+but contrariwise, that his Majesty, who hated all baseness, had heard
+tidings of Herdegen's bloody deeds at Padua and his wild ways at Paris.
+Likewise it had come to his Majesty's ears that he had falsely plighted
+his troth to two maidens.  Nay, and my grand-uncle had made known to King
+Sigismund that Ursula, who had been known to the Elector from her
+childhood up, had been driven by despair at Herdegen's breach of faith to
+give her hand to the sick Bohemian Knight, Sir Franz von Welemisl.
+
+Moreover the Knight Johann von Beust, father of Junker Henning, had
+journeyed to Nuremberg to visit his wounded son; and whereas he learnt
+many matters from his son's friends around his sick-bed, he earnestly
+besought the Elector so to bring matters about that due punishment should
+overtake the Junker's foeman.
+
+My lord the Elector had many a time showed his teeth to the knighthood of
+Brandenburg, appealing to law and justice when he had taken part with the
+citizens and humbled the overbearing pride of the nobles.  It was now his
+part to show that he would not suffer noble blood to be spilt unavenged,
+though it were by the devilish skill of a citizen; forasmuch as that if
+indeed he should do so all men would know thereby that he was the sworn
+foe of the nobles of Brandenburg and kept so tight a hand on them, not
+for justice' sake, but for sheer hatred and ill-will.
+
+When at a later day, I saw the old knight, with his ruddy steel-eaters'
+face and great lip-beard, and was told that in his youth he had been a
+doughty free booter and highway robber, who by his wealth and power had
+made himself to be a mainstay of the Elector in Altmark, I could well
+imagine how his threats had sounded, and that all men had been swift to
+lend ear to his words.  Yet that just King to whom he accused Herdegen
+gave a hearing to von Rochow and the other witnesses; they could but
+declare that all had been done by rule, and that Rochow had said from the
+first that of a certainty the devil himself guided Herdegen's sword.
+Muschwitz, indeed, was sure that he had seen his blade flash forth fire.
+Hereupon the father was urgent on the King's Majesty that he should seek
+to seize my brother, pronounce him a banished outlaw, and that whenever
+his person should be taken he was to be punished with death.
+
+All this I learnt not till some time after, inasmuch as folks would not
+add new cause of grief to my present sorrow.
+
+The way I was going could lead no-whither save to madness or the
+cloister; I had so lost my wits in self, that I weened that I had done
+my part for my brother when I had humbly entreated their Majesties to
+vouchsafe him their gracious pardon, and had signed my name to certain
+petitions in favor of the accused.  Of a truth I wist not yet in what
+peril he stood, and rarely enquired for him when Uncle Conrad had assured
+me that he lay in safe hiding.
+
+Sometimes, indeed, meseemed as though Ann and the others kept somewhat
+privy from me; but even all care to enquire was gone from me, nor cared
+I for aught but to be left in peace.  And thus matters stood till rumor
+waxed loud and roused me from my leaden slumber.
+
+I had passed the day for myself alone, refusing to see our noble guests;
+I was sitting in silence and dreaming by my spinning-wheel, which I had
+long ceased to turn, when on a sudden there were heavy steps and wrathful
+voices on the stairs.  The door of the room was thrown open and, in spite
+of old Susan's resistance, certain beadles of the city came in, with two
+of the Emperor's men-at-arms.  My cousin was not within doors, as had
+become common of late, and I was vexed and grieved to be thus
+unpleasantly surprised.  I rose to meet the strangers, making sharp
+enquiry by what right they broke the peace of a Nuremberg patrician's
+household.  Hereupon their chief made answer roundly that he was here by
+his Majesty's warrant, and that of the city authorities, to make certain
+whether Junker Herdegen Schopper, who had fled from the Imperial ban,
+were in hiding or no in the house of his fathers.  At first it was all I
+could do to save myself from falling; but I presently found heart and
+courage.  I assured the bailiffs that their search would be vain, albeit
+I gave them free leave to do whatsoever their office might require of
+them, only to bear in mind that great notables were guests in the house;
+and then I drew a deep breath and meseemed I was as a child forgotten and
+left in a house on fire which sees its father pressing forward to rescue
+it.
+
+Hitherto no man had told me what fate it was that threatened my brother,
+and now that I knew, I hastily filled up the meaning of many a word to
+which I had lent but half an ear.  My cousin's frequent absence in court
+array, Ann's tear-stained eyes and strange mien, and many another matter
+was now full plain to me.
+
+My newly-awakened spirit and restored power asserted their rights, and,
+as in the days of old, neither could rest content till it knew for a
+certainty what it might do.
+
+While Susan and the other serving folks, with certain of the retainers
+brought by our guests, were searching the house through, I hastily did on
+my shoes and garments for out-door wear, and albeit it was already dusk,
+I went forth.  Yea, and I held my head high and my body straight as I
+went along the streets, whereas for these weeks past I had crept about
+hanging my head; meseemed that a change had come over my outward as well
+as my inner man.  And as I reached Pernhart's house, with long swift
+steps, more folks would have seen me for what in truth I was: a healthy
+young creature, with a long span of life before me yet and filled with
+strength and spirit enough to do good service, not to myself alone, but
+to many another, and chiefest of all to my dearly beloved brother.
+
+And when I was at my walk's end and stood before the old mother,--who was
+now recovered from her sickness and sitting upright and sound in her arm-
+chair with her youngest grandchild in her lap,--I knew forthwith that I
+had come to the right person.
+
+The worthy old dame had not been slow to mark what ailed me; nay, if
+Cousin Maud had not besought her to spare my sorrowing soul, she long
+since had revealed to me what peril hung over Herdegen.  She had not
+failed to perceive that my weary submission to ills which might never be
+remedied, had broken my power and will to fulfil what good there was in
+me.  And now I stood before her, freed from that sleepwalking dulness of
+will, eager to know the whole truth, and declared myself ready to do all
+that in me lay to attain one thing alone, namely to rescue my brother.
+On this I learnt from the venerable dame's lips that now I was indeed the
+old Margery, albeit Cousin Maud had of late denied it, and with good
+reason; and the old woman was right, inasmuch as that the more terrible
+and unconquerable the danger seemed, the more my courage rose and the
+greater was my spirit.  Now, too, I heard that what I had taken for love-
+sick weakness in Ann was only too-well founded heart-sickness; and that
+she likewise, on her part, had not been idle, but, under the guidance of
+Cousin Maud and Uncle Christian, had moved heaven and earth to succor her
+lover, albeit alas! in vain.
+
+In truth the cause was as good as lost; and Uncle Christian, who ever
+hoped for the best, made it no secret that, in the most favorable, issue
+Herdegen must begin life afresh in some distant land.  Yet was neither
+Ann nor I disposed to let our courage fail, and it was at that time that
+our friendship put forth fresh flowers.  We fought shoulder to shoulder
+as it were, comrades in the struggle, full of love towards each other and
+of love for my brother; and when I bid her farewell and she would fain
+walk home with me, all those who dwelt in the coppersmith's house were of
+the same mind as men might be in a beleaguered town, who had been about
+to yield and then, on a sudden, beheld the reinforcements approaching
+with waving banners and a blast of trumpets.
+
+In truth there was a shrewd fight to be waged; and the stronghold which
+day by day waxed harder to conquer was my lord chief Constable, the
+Elector Frederick; his peer, the Elector of Maintz, put all on him when
+Cardinal Branda, who was Ann's kind patron, besought his mercy.
+
+Until I had been roused to this new care in life I had never been to
+court, in spite of many a gracious bidding from my lady, the Queen.  My
+supplications found no answer, and when Queen Barbara granted me audience
+at my entreaty, though she received me graciously, yet would she not hear
+me out.  She would gladly help, quoth she, but that she, like all, must
+obey the laws; and at last she freely owned that her good will would
+come to nought against the demands of the Elector of Brandenburg.  The
+greatness of that wise and potent prince was plainly set before our eyes
+that same day, for on him, as commander-in-chief of the crusade to be
+sent forth against the Hussite heresy, the Emperor's own sword was
+solemnly bestowed in the church of Saint Sebald.  It was girt on to him
+by reverend Bishops, after that he had received from the hand of the
+Pope's legate a banner which his Holiness had himself blessed, and which
+was borne before him by the Count of Hohenlohe as he went forth.
+
+That it would be a hard matter to get speech with so potent a lord at
+such a time was plain to see; howbeit I was able to speak privily at any
+rate with his chamberlain, and from him I learned in what peril my
+brother was, inasmuch as not the Junker's father alone was bent on
+bringing him to extreme punishment, but likewise no small number of
+Nuremberg folk, who had of yore been aggrieved by my brother's over-
+bearing pride.
+
+Every one who had ever met him in the streets with a book under his arm,
+or had seen him, late at night, through the lighted window-pane, sitting
+over his papers and parchments, was ready to bear witness to his study of
+the black arts.  Thus the diligence which he had ever shown through all
+his wild ways was turned to his destruction; and it was the same with the
+open-handed liberality which had ever marked him, by reason that the
+poor, to whom he had tossed a heavy ducat instead of a thin copper piece,
+would tell of the Devil's dole he had gotten, and how that the coin had
+burnt in his hand.  Nay and Eppelein's boasting of the gold his young
+lord had squandered in Paris, and wherewith he had filled his varlet's
+pockets, gave weight to this evil slander.  Many an one held it for a
+certainty that Satan himself had been his treasurer.
+
+Thus a light word, spoken at first as a figure of speech by the Knight
+von Rochow, had grown into a charge against him, heavy enough to wreck
+the honor and freedom of a man who had no friends, and even to bring him
+to the stake; and I know full well that many an one rejoiced beforehand
+to think that he should see that lordly youth with all his bravery
+standing in the pointed cap with the Devil's tongue hung round his neck,
+and gasping out his life amid the licking flames.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+The Diet was well-nigh over, yet had we not been able to gain aught in
+Herdegen's favor.  One day my Forest Aunt, who had marked all our doings
+with wise counsel and hearty good-will, sent word that he on whose mighty
+word hung Herdegen's weal or woe, the Elector Frederich himself, had
+promised to visit at the Lodge next day to the end that he might hunt,
+and that we should ride thither forthwith.
+
+By the time we alighted there his Highness had already come and gone
+forth to hunt the deer; wherefor we privily followed after him, and at a
+sign from Uncle Christian we came out of the brushwood and stood before
+him.  Albeit he strove to escape from us with much diligence and no small
+craftiness, we would not let him go, and kept up with him, pressing him
+so closely that he afterwards declared that we had brought him to bay
+like a hunted beast.  Of a truth no bear nor badger ever found it harder
+to escape the hounds than he, at that moment, to shut his eyes and ears
+against bright eyes and women's tongues made eloquent by Dame Love
+herself.  Moreover my mourning array, worn as it was for a youth who had
+stood above most others in his love, would have checked any hard words on
+his lips; thus was he once more made to know that Eve's power was not yet
+wholly departed.  Yet were we far from believing in any such power in
+ourselves, as we appeared before that great and potent sovereign, whose
+manly, calm, and withal fatherly dignity made him, to my mind, more
+majestic than the tall but unresting Emperor.
+
+I can see him as he stood with his booted foot on the hart's neck, and
+turned his noble head, with its long, smooth grey hair, gazing at us with
+his great blue eyes, kindly at first, but presently with vexation and
+well-nigh in wrath.
+
+We held our hands tight on our hearts, striving to call to mind some few
+of the words we had meditated with intent to speak them in defence of
+Herdegen.  And our love, and our steadfast purpose that we would win
+grace and mercy for him came to our aid; and whereas my lord's first
+enquiry was to know whether I were that Mistress Margery Schopper who
+had been betrothed to his dear Hans Haller, too soon departed, my eyes
+filled with tears, but the memory of the dead gave me courage, so that
+I dared to meet the great man's eye, and was right glad to find that the
+words which in my dread I had forgot, now came freely to my mind.
+Likewise meseemed that, in overriding my own fears, I had conquered
+Ann's; whereas she had been pale and speechless, clinging to the folds of
+my dress, she now stood forth boldly by my side.
+
+Then, when I had presented her to his Highness as Herdegen's promised
+bride, to whom he had been plighted in love from their childhood, I made
+known to his lordship that it was not my brother's desire, but that of
+my grand-uncle, that Ursula should be his wife.  Likewise I strove to
+release my brother from the charge of making gold, by diligently showing
+that the old Knight had ever showered ducats on him to beguile him to his
+will.  Then I spoke at length of Herdegen's skill with the sword, and
+hereupon Ann made bold to say that it would be well to bid her lover
+return in safe-keeping to Nuremberg, and there let him give proof of his
+skill with a weapon specially blessed by my lord Cardinal Julianus
+Caesarinus, the Pope's legate, which could have no taint of devilish
+arts.
+
+Thus did we give utterance to everything we had meditated beforehand; and
+albeit the Elector at first made wrathful answer, and even made as though
+he would turn his back on us, each time we made shift to hold him fast.
+Nay, or ever we had ceased he had taken his foot from the stag's neck,
+and at length we walked with him back to the forest lodge, half amused,
+yet half grieved, with the mocking words he tormented us with.  Then he
+bid us quit him, promising that he would once more examine into the
+matter of that young criminal.
+
+Within doors supper was now ready, but we, as beseemed us, kept out of
+the way.  My brother's case was now in safe hands, inasmuch as my Uncle
+Conrad and Christian sat at table with my lord.  Likewise we were much
+comforted, whereas my aunt told us that the elder Knight, Junker Henning
+von Beust's father, who was here in the Elector's following, had, of his
+own free will, said to her that he now rued his deed in so violently
+accusing Herdegen, by reason that his son, who was now past all danger,
+had earnestly besought him to save this man, whose skill was truly a
+marvel, and had likewise said that he whom Hans Haller had honored with
+his friendship could not have practised black arts.  Also he held me dear
+as the widowed maid to whom his friend was to have been wed, and he could
+never forgive himself if fresh woe came upon me through him or his kith
+and kin.
+
+All this was glad tidings indeed, not alone for Herdegen's sake, but also
+by reason that there are few greater joys than that of finding good cause
+to approve one whom we respect, and yet whom we have begun to doubt.
+
+Ann and I went to our chamber greatly comforted, and in such good heart
+as at that time I could be, and when from thence I heard Uncle
+Christian's great voice, as full of jollity as ever, I was certain that
+matters were all for the best for Herdegen.  Our last fears and doubts
+were ere long cleared away; while the gentlemen beneath were still over
+their cups a heavy foot tramped up the stairs, a hard finger knocked at
+our chamber door, and Uncle Christian's deep voice cried: "Are you asleep
+betimes or still awake, maidens?"
+
+Whereupon Ann, foreboding good, answered in the gladness of her heart
+that we were long since sleeping sweetly, and my uncle laughed.
+
+"Well and good," quoth he, "then sleep on, and let me tell you what
+meseems your very next dream will be: You will be standing with all of us
+out in a green mead, and a little bird will sing: 'Herdegen is freed from
+his ban.'  At this you will greatly rejoice; but in the midst of your joy
+a raven shall croak from a dry branch: 'Can it be!  The law must be
+upheld, and I will not suffer the rascal to go unpunished.'  Whereupon
+the little bird will twitter again: 'Well and good; 't will serve him
+right.  Only be not too hard on him.'  And we shall all say the same, and
+thereupon you will awake."
+
+And he tramped down the stair again, and albeit we cried after him, and
+besought him to tell us more of the matter, he heard us not at all.
+
+When we were at home again, lo, the Elector had done much to help us.
+I found a letter waiting for me, sealed with the Emperor's signet,
+wherein it was said that, by his Majesty's grace and mercy, my brother
+Herdegen was purged of his outlawry, but was condemned in a fine of a
+thousand Hungarian ducats as pain and penalty.
+
+Thus the little bird and the raven had both been right.  Howbeit, when I
+presently betook me to the castle to speak my thanks to the Empress, I
+was turned away; and indeed it had already been told to me that at Court
+this morning that sorrowful Margery, with her many petitions, was looked
+upon with other eyes than that other mirthful Margery, who had come with
+flowers and songs whensoever she was bidden.  None but Porro the jester
+seemed to be of the same mind as ever; when he met me in the castle yard
+he greeted me right kindly and, when I had told him of the tidings in the
+Emperor's letter, he whispered as he bid me good day: "If I had a fox for
+a brother, fair child, I would counsel him to lurk in his cover till the
+hounds were safe at home again.  In Hungary once I met a certain fellow
+who had been kicked by a highway thief after he had emptied his pockets.
+I tell you what.  A man may well pawn his last doublet, if he may thereby
+gain a larger.  He need never redeem the first, and it is given some
+folks to coin gold ducats out of humbler folks' sins.  Ah!  If I had a
+fox for a brother!"
+
+He sang the last words to himself as it were, and vanished, seeing
+certain persons of the Court.
+
+Now I took this well-meant warning as it was intended; and albeit Ann and
+I were heartsick with longing to see Herdegen and to release him from his
+hiding, we nevertheless took patience.  The legal guardians of our
+estate, having my uncle's consent, took my Cousin Maud's suretyship,
+and expressed themselves willing to pay the fine out of the moneys left
+by our parents, into the Imperial treasury.  And that which followed
+thereafter showed us how wise the Fool's admonition had been.
+
+The knight, Sir Apitz von Rochow, who had served as Junker Henning's
+second in the fight, tarried yet in Nuremberg, and this rude, arrogant
+youth had devoted himself with such true loving-kindness to the care of
+his young cousin, at first in the priest's house at Altenpero and
+afterwards in the Deutsch-haus in the town, that he had taken no rest,
+day nor night, until the Junker's father came, and then he fell into a
+violent fever.  It was but of late that the leech had granted him to go
+out of doors, and his first walk was to our house to show me his sorrow
+for my grief, and to thank my cousin for many pleasant trifles which she
+had sent to him and the Junker during their sickness, to refresh them.
+At the same time he broke forth in loud and unstinted wrath against Sir
+Franz von Welemisl, and gave us to wit that with his whole heart he
+grudged him the fair Ursula, whose favor he himself had so diligently
+sued for since the first days of the Diet.  From our house he went to the
+Tetzels', and then he and the Bohemian forthwith came to high words and
+defiant glances.
+
+Shortly after this, and a few hours only after my brother's penalty had
+been paid into the Treasury, the two young gentlemen met in the nobles'
+wine-room by the Frohnwage, and von Rochow, heated by wine and heeding
+neither moderation nor manners, began to taunt Ursula's betrothed.  After
+putting it to him that he had left the task to Herdegen of picking up the
+glove, "which peradventure he had thought was of too heavy leather," to
+which the other made seemly reply, he enquired, inasmuch as they were
+discoursing of marriage, whether the Church, which forbids the joining of
+those who are near of kin, hath not likewise the power to hinder a young
+and blooming maid from binding herself for life to a sickly husband.
+Such discourse was ill-pleasing by reason of the Bohemian's presence
+there: and the Junker went yet further, till to some speech made by old
+Master Grolaud, he made answer by asking what then might be a priest's
+duty, if the sick bridegroom failed to say "yes" at the altar by reason
+of his coughing?  And as he spoke he cast a challenging look at Welemisl.
+
+The hot blood of the Bohemian flew to his brain; or ever any one could
+hinder him, his knife was buried to the hilt in the other's shoulder.
+All hastened to help the Brandenburger, and when presently some turned to
+seize the criminal he was no more to be seen.
+
+This dreadful deed caused just dismay, and most of all at Court, inasmuch
+as the chamberlain and the maid of honor in close attendance on their
+Majesties' persons were near kin to the Bohemian, whose mother was of
+the noble Hungarian house of Pereny.
+
+As to the Emperor, he flew into great fury and threatened to cancel the
+murderer's coat of arms and punish him with death.  Never within the
+peace of his realm, nay and under his very eyes, had so much noble blood
+been shed in base brawling as here in our sober city, and he would
+forthwith make an example of the guilty men.  He would make young
+Schopper pay some penalty yet more than a mere fine, to that he pledged
+his royal word, and as for young Welemisl, he was minded to devise some
+punishment that should hinder many an over-bold knight from drawing his
+sword!  And he commanded that not only his own constables and men-at-
+arms, but likewise the town bailiffs, should forthwith seek and take both
+those young men.
+
+Only two days later Sir Franz was brought in by the city watch; he had
+dressed himself in the garments of a waggoner, but had betrayed himself
+in a tavern at Schwabach by his coughing.  Howbeit his Majesty had by
+this time come to another mind; nay, Queen Barbara left him less peace
+than even the court-folks, for indeed her father, Count Cilly, was near
+of kin to the Perenys, and through them to the Welemisl.
+
+The Emperor Sigismund was a noble-minded and easy-living prince, who
+once, when forty thousand ducats had been poured into his ever-empty
+treasure chest, divided it forthwith among his friends, saying: "Now
+shall I sleep well, for that which broke my rest you bear away with you."
+And this light-hearted man, who was ever tossed hither and thither
+against his will, now saw that his peace was in evil plight by reason of
+Sir Franz.  This was ill to bear; and whereas his royal wife called to
+mind in a happy hour that Welemisl had been provoked out of all measure
+by Rochow's scorn, and had done the deed out of no malice aforethought
+but, being heated with wine, in a sudden rage, and that he was in so far
+more worthy of mercy than young Schopper, who had shed noble blood with
+a guilty intent, counting on his skill as a swordsman, the Emperor
+surrendered at discretion.  In this he was confirmed by his privy
+secretary, Caspar Slick, whom the Queen had beguiled; and this man,
+learned in the law, was ready with a decision which the Imperial
+magistrate gladly agreed to forthwith, as mild yet sufficient.  Matters
+in short were as follows: About ten years ago the Knight Sir Endres von
+Steinbach had slain a citizen of Nuremberg in a fray with the town, and
+had made his peace afterwards with the council under the counsel of the
+Abbot of Waldsassen: by taking on himself, as an act of penance, to make
+a pilgrimage to Vach and to Rome, to set up stone crosses in four
+convents, and henceforth to do service to the town in every quarrel, in
+his own person, with a fellowship of ten lances for the space of two
+years.  All this he had duly done, and it came about that the Emperor now
+condemned the Bohemian and my brother both alike to make a pilgrimage,
+not only to Rome--inasmuch as their guilt was greater than Steinbach's--
+but likewise to Jerusalem, to the Holy Sepulchre and other sacred places.
+Welemisl was to pay the same penalty in money as Herdegen had paid, and
+in consideration of their having thus made atonement for the blood they
+had shed, and as their victims had escaped death, they were released from
+the doom of outlawry.  On returning from their pilgrimage they were to be
+restored to their rank and estates, and to all their rights, lordships,
+and privileges.
+
+Not long after this sentence was passed the Court removed from Nuremberg
+through Ratisbon, where the Emperor strove to make up his quarrel with
+the Duke Bavaria and then to Vienna; but ere his departing he gave strait
+orders to the chief magistrate to see that the two criminals should fare
+forth on their pilgrimage not longer than twenty-four hours after the
+declaration of their doom.
+
+
+
+
+ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS:
+
+All things were alike to me
+Fruits and pies and sweetmeats for the little ones at home
+Were we not one and all born fools
+
+
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARGERY, BY GEORG EBERS, V5 ***
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