s 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 s