Herdegen could not refrain from smiling at this question, and we
likewise did the same; even Cousin Maud, who till this moment had sat on
the couch like one crushed, with her feet stretched out before her, made
a face and cried: "To fetch him! Ursula who has caught the Bohemian!
She is a monster! Were ever such doings seen in our good town?--And
her mother was so wise, so worthy a woman! And the hussy is but
nineteen!--Merciful Father, what will she be at forty or fifty, when
most women only begin to be wicked!" And thus she went on for some
while.

Ere long we forgot Ursula and all the hateful to-do, and passed the
precious hours in much content, till after midnight, when the Pernharts
sent to fetch Ann home. Herdegen and I would walk with her. After a
grievous yet hopeful leave-taking I came home again, leaning on his arm,
through the cool autumn night.

When I now admonished Herdegen as we walked, as to the fair Marchesa and
her letter, he declared to me that in those evil weeks he had spent in
bitter yearning as a serving man in the bee-keeper's hut, he had learned
to know his own mind. Neither the Marchesa, whom he scorned from the
bottom of his heart, inasmuch as, with all her beauty, she was full
of craft and lies, no, nor event Dame Venus herself could now turn him
aside from the love and duty he had sworn to Ann. He would, indeed, take
ship from Genoa rather than from Venice, were it not for shame of such
fears of his own weakness, and that he longed once more to set eyes on
our brother Kunz whom he had not seen for so long a space.

I found it hard to see clear in this matter. Yet could I not deem it
wise to deny him the first chance of proving himself true and honest;
likewise meseemed that our younger brother's presence would be a safe
guard against temptation. Under the eye of our parent's pictures I
bid him good night for the few hours till he should depart, and when I
pointed up to them he understood me, and clasped me fondly in his arms
saying: "Never fear, little mother Margery!"

We were with Herdegen again or ever it was morning. While we had been
sleeping he had written a loving letter to my grand-uncle, who had
yesterday forbidden him his presence, to bear witness to his duty and
thankfulness.

The cocks still were crowing in the yards, and the country-folk were
coming into town with asses and waggons, when I mounted my horse to
ride forth with my brother. He was busied in the courtyard with