s I mistook
not, and knew the tones for Ursula's. Ann likewise heard and knew them,
and she quitted the chamber saying: "None shall trouble me in such an
hour, least of all shall Ursula!" The angelus had long since been tolled,
and somehap of grave import must have brought us so rare a guest at so
late an hour. My cousin, who would fain have hindered her from coming in,
held her by the arm; and her efforts to shake off the old lady's grasp
were all in vain till she caught sight of Herdegen. Then at length she
freed herself and, albeit she was gasping for breath, her voice was one
of sheer triumph as she cried: "I had to come, and here I am!"

"Aye, but if you come as a Mar-joy I will show you the way out, my word
for that!" my cousin panted; but the maid heeded her not, but went
straight toward Herdegen and said: "I felt I must see you once more ere
you depart--I must! Old Jorg attended me, and when I am gone forth again
Dame Maud will speak my 'eulogium'. Only look at her! But it is all one
to me. Find me a place, Herdegen, where I may speak with you and Ann
Spiesz alone. I have a message for you."

Hereupon my cousin broke in with a scornful laugh, such as I could never
have looked to hear from her, with her kind and single heart; and my
brother told Ursula shortly and plainly that with her he had no more to
do. To this she made answer that it would be a sin to doubt that,
inasmuch as he was now a pious pilgrim and honorably betrothed,
nevertheless she craved to see Ann. That, too, was denied her, and she
did but shrug her shoulders; then she turned to the Bohemian, who had
gone towards her, and asked him with icy politeness to remove from her
presence, inasmuch as he was an offence to her. Hereupon I saw the last
drop of red blood fade away from the young Knight's sickly cheek, and it
went to my heart to see him uplift his hands and implore her right
humbly: "You know, Ursula, all that hath befallen me for your sake, and
how hard a lot awaits me. Three times have I been plighted to you, my
promised bride, and as many times cast off. . . ."

"To spare you the like fate a fourth time; all good things being in
threes!" she put in, mocking him. "Verily you have cured me of any desire
ever to be your Dame, Sir Knight. And since meseems this day our speech
is free and truthful, I am fain to confess that such a wish was ever far
enough from me, and even when we stood betrothed. A strange thing is
love! 'Here's to fair Mar