his blowing and harpchord playing, even
the common people are wise enough for that, my Godfred alone suffers
himself to betaken in. But this quick dreampeter-blower is an arrant
rogue. He tices my old husband out of his chimistical experiments and
begins to doctor patients, but he principally makes use of symphonies,
which besides is much easier when one is once in the way of it, and the
silly peasants therefore begin to have faith in the spoil-trade. What
does a physician know of symphony; books and study appertain to that,
and no little dreampeters. Moreover, he is for ever telling his stupid
dreams. The times are so very bad, because now children, and old
people, women and maid-servants, almost every one in the country, when
they at once gave up the faith, began with prophecying and prediction
to prepare misfortune; formerly my husband was asked this thing and
that, he also looked at the hands to see whether they would get rich
husbands and so forth; he drew their line of life longer, once even he
cast the Hurenskorp of a right noble lady, yonder in Florac, for he was
much renowned at that time; but since this new-fashioned superstition
has arisen, hardly any one inquires after him, all tell their own
fortunes, or run to the unbelieving children, and what can these
urchins know of philosophy or chiromantic and particularly of the
stars; as if one only needed to take a horn in the mouth in order to
obtain any knowledge of astrology and of all the abstract or dried-up
sciences; for which purpose a great deal more is required." The old
dame would have still run on, if she had not thought that she heard a
pot boiling over in the kitchen; she ran therefore hastily out, leaving
the Counsellor of Parliament alone with the young man. "My son," began
the Lord of Beauvais, "could you be the same of whom a friend of mine
has spoken to me? perhaps your name may be Martin?"

"It is so," said the youth; approaching nearer and seizing the
Counsellor's hand, over which he bent with deep emotion.

"And this blood."----

"It is mine, mingled with that of your son." "Thanks then," exclaimed
the father and embraced the youth much affected. "You know then who I
am?"

"Yes," replied Martin, "in the fight your son pointed you out to me;
Vila spoke of you, and now, my honoured sir, as I have discovered you,
as I enjoy such kind care here, and as I shall soon be cured, grant
that I may remain by you, and be your servant. Your domestic ho