uardian 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 velve