Prior showed
indeed true Christian forbearance, thinking that the departing soul was
more sorely troubled than was in truth the fact. He heeded not the old
man's threats and struggles, but stood in silence at his post, and when
presently the old Baron's hand dropped lifeless from Ann's grasp he sent
us from the chamber.

We could hear through the door the good priest's voice in prayer and
benediction, pronouncing absolution over the dying man, and at times my
grand uncle's wrathful tones, feeble indeed, but terrible to hear. Each
time he broke in on the Prior's pious words we shuddered, and when
at last the priest rang his little bell a great terror fell upon us,
whereas this ordinance is wont to bring comfort and edification to the
soul.

We had been on our knees some long space, praying fervently for that
hapless, imperilled soul, when the door was opened, and my lord Prior
declared in a loud voice that the noble Baron and Knight Sebald Im Hoff
had made a good end after receiving the most holy Sacrament.

Then thought I, a good end peradventure, by the grace of Christ and the
Virgin, but a peaceful end alas! by no means. And this might be seen
even in the dead man's face. In later years, whensoever it has been my
lot to gaze on the face of the dead, I have ever perceived that death
hath lent them an aspect of peaceful calm so that the saying of common
folk, that the Angel of Death hath kissed them is right fitting; but
my grand-uncle's face was as that of a man whose dignity is broken by a
mightier than he, and who hath suffered it in silent, gloomy rebellion.

With all our might and soul we prayed for him again and again; howbeit,
as must ever befall, other cares came crowding in, to swallow up that
one. As soon as the tidings of the old noble's death were rumored
abroad, those who had known him in life came pouring in, and messengers
from the town-council, notaries with sealing-wax and seals, priests for
the burying, neighbors, and other good folk, and among them many
friars and nuns. Lastly came Doctor Holzschuher of the council, my
grand-uncle's notary, and one of our own father's most trusted friends,
in all points a man of such worth and honesty that no words befit him
so well as the Cardinal's saying: that he reminded him of an oak of the
German forests.

When, now, this man, who in his youth had been one of the goodliest
in all Nuremberg, and who was still of noble aspect with his long
silver-grey hair