t take
fresh courage, and went on, still much moved: "It is nought but a
woman's shameless craft that troubles me so sorely. Ursula's hate hangs
over my brothers like a black storm-cloud; and on my way hither meseemed
I saw full plainly that the ransom is not the end of the matter. Nay, if
we had twice so much, yet Herdegen will never come home alive if we fail
to cross Ursula's scheming; has she not cause to fear the worst, if ever
he comes home in safety? But where is the envoy who would dare so much?
Kunz lies wounded in a strange land, Young Kubbeling would doubtless be
ready to cross the seas, notwithstanding his fever, but good-will
would not serve him, so little is he skilled in such matters. Our other
friends are over old, or forced to stay in Nuremberg. Thus do matters
stand. What then is left to us--to Ann and me, Grandmother? I ask
you--what, save to act on our first and only wise intent? And that which
it is our part to do, which we may not put off one day longer than
we need, is to take ship, under the grace of the Blessed Virgin, and
ourselves to carry fresh courage to those who are nearest and dearest to
us. Of a truth I am but an orphaned maid; my lover and my guardian are
both dead; and yet do I not fear to depart for a land beyond seas; true
and faithful love is the guiding-star which shall lead us, and we have
seen in Ann how true is the Apostle's saying that love conquereth all
things. Any creature who stands straight on a pair of strong legs, and
who is sound in soul and body, and who looks up to Heaven and trusts in
God's grace with joyful assurance, even if it be but a weak maiden, may
rescue a fellow-creature in need; and I, thank God, am sound and
whole. Nay, and I will even pledge my word that I will tear asunder the
subtlest web which Ursula may spin, in especial if I have Ann's keen wit
to aid me. So I will go forth, and away, through frost and snow, to find
my brethren; and if his pains keep Kubbeling at home in spite of his
catskins, and if Master Ulsenius should forbid Eppelein to ride so far,
yet will we find some other to be our faithful squire."

And with this I drew a deep breath; and when I turned to seek Ann, with
a lighter heart, to the end that she should signify her consent, on a
sudden me seemed as though the floor of the chamber rose up beneath my
feet, and I was nigh falling, by reason that the fine hangings which hid
the Cardinal's chamber from my eyes were drawn asunder, and a