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.