lodged again at our grand-uncle's, while the Junker dwelt at
the Waldstromer's townhouse. My Lord Duke found quarters at the
Hallerhof, and his Highness the Prince Elector, and Archbishop Conrad of
Mainz likewise lodged there, with a great following. Cousin Maud had made
ready to welcome the Margrave of Baden and the Count von Henneberg under
our roof. The upper floor of the Pernhart's house was given up to his
Eminence Cardinal Branda, the most steadfast friend at Rome of Master
Ulman's brother the bishop. His Holiness the Pope had sent that
right-reverend prelate as his legate to the assembly, and he presently
celebrated mass with great dignity in the presence of their Majesties and
of the assembled lords and princes.

To this day my memory is right good in all ways; and of what followed on
these events much is yet as clear and plain in my mind as though I saw
and heard it all at this present time; albeit I, an old woman, would fain
hide my face in my hands and weep thereat. For, notwithstanding there
were certain hours in those days which brought me sweet love-making, and
others of sheer mirth and vanity, yet is the spirit of man so tempered
that, when great sorrow follows hard on the greatest joy it sufficeth to
darken it wholly. And thus we may liken heaviness of heart to the chiming
of bells, which hurts the ear if they sound over near, but at a distance
make a sweet and devout music. Now, in sooth, inasmuch as I must make
record of the deepest woe of my life, the brazen toll is a sad one, and
the long-healed wounds ache afresh.

Those two months of the Imperial Diet! They lie behind me like distant
hills. I can no more discern them apart, albeit certain landmarks, as it
were, stand forth plainly to be seen, like the church-tower, the
windmill, and the old oak on the ridge on the horizon.

How the night sped after our return from the forest and the morning next
after--the 27th of July in the year of our Lord 1422--I can no longer
call to mind; but I can see myself now as, the afternoon of that day, I
set forth with Ann, attired in silk and lace--all white and new from head
to foot, as it were for a wedding--to go to the open place between St.
James' Church and the German House, within the Spital Gate. Whichever way
we looked, behold flowers, green garlands, hangings, pennons, and
banners; it was as though all the gardens in Franconia had been stripped
of their blossoms. Never had such a brave show been seen, and