longing a gaze, meseems that
Giacomo must have read the book of my soul and have known right well how
to present that he saw therein; at that time in truth I was a happy young
creature, and the aching and longing which would now and again come over
me, in part for him who was gone, and in part I wist not for what, were
but the shadow which must ever fall where there is light. And verily I
had good cause to be thankful and of good cheer; I was in health as sound
as a trout in the brook, and had good chances for making the most of
those humble gifts and powers wherewith I was blessed.

As to Herdegen, it was no small comfort to us to learn that my lord
Cardinal Bernhardi had taken that matter in hand, and had bidden all the
priests and friars in the Levant to make enquiry for tidings of him.

The good prelate was to be nine months journeying abroad, and whereas
five months were now spent we were rejoicing in hope of his homecoming;
but there was one in Nuremberg who looked for it even more eagerly than
we did, and that was my grand-uncle Im Iloff. The old knight had, as I
have said, done us thank-worthy service as our guardian; yet had he never
been dear to me, and I could not think of him but with silent wrath.
Howbeit he was now in so sad and cruel a plight that a heart of stone
must have melted to behold him. Thus pity led me to him, although it was
a penance to stay in his presence. The old Baron,--for of this title
likewise he could boast, since he had poured a great sum into the
Emperor's treasury,--this old man, who of yore had but feigned a false
and evil show of repentance--as that he would on certain holy days wash
the feet of beggar folk who had first been cleansed with care, now in
sickness and the near terror of death was in terrible earnest, and of
honest intent would fain open the gates of Heaven by pious exercises. He
had to be sure at the bidding of Master Ulsenius the leech, exchanged the
coffin wherein he had been wont to sleep for a common bedstead of wood;
yet in this even he might get no rest, and was fain to pass his sleepless
nights in his easy chair, resting his aching feet in a cradle which, with
his wonted vain-glory, he caused to be made of the shape and color of a
pearl shell. But his nights in the coffin, and mockery of death, turned
against him; he had ever been pale, and now he wore the very face of a
corpse. The blood seemed frozen in his veins, and he was at all times so
cold that the gre