afraid. The
duke, however, did comfort them with the following words:

"'This is on your account; hasten and put on proper attire; ye still
have got on your old clothes, and must adorn yourselves.'

"The damsels ran gleefully and quickly into their rooms; whither the
duchess sent after them two other damsels to aid them in plaiting their
hair. They soon returned; and each of the damsels about to be betrothed
had put on the bridal wreath belonging to her mother.

"The duke now ordered the lovers to be summoned from the guard-house.
They were sore abashed when they entered the room; especially when his
gracious lordship addressed the following questions to them:

"'What are your names? Have you passports? and what is your will?'

"The young men twirled their caps in their hands; stared first at their
loves, and then at their gracious lieges; but could not utter a word,
and stood looking very sheepish.

"'Ah!' said his lordship, 'never in my life did I meet with two such
dumb fellows. My dominions will soon touch those of Oppeln, and you
serve excellent well as landmarks! can neither of ye say 'yea or nay?'
Answer me straight! Have ye got the consent of your parents to propose
for those two chits; and are ye ready to affirm the same on your word of
honor, as gentlemen?'

"Then did the young men recover their speech, and they both answered,
'Yea.'

"'Well,' said the duke, 'I will now believe ye, and keep you at my court
some few days; but as ye may be rogues and vagabonds for all that I
know, I will therefore send a messenger on horseback to your parents to
get further intelligence, and ye must have patience the while.'

"Hereupon the damsel, Mary, turned to the duchess, and said to her with
great simplicity,

"'Most gracious lady, the gentlemen have spoken truth! Their parents
have given them permission to woo us. We have concealed nothing from
them, but confessed in the presence of the old lady Wentzkin, that we
were poor orphan girls, and have no dower. But the mothers of our two
lovers said that all was well; if only we brought a blessing from
Darling Dorel, they should value it more than an earldom! This Agnes and
I can affirm on oath.'

"On hearing this, the duchess folded her hands in prayer, looked toward
heaven with tears in her eyes, and still praying, and gave the signal
with her kerchief. Immediately the damsels placed the rings on the
fingers of their lovers, knelt down before the duchess, and bes