fire for you. I have already
written a protest against the doctrine of the Trinity. I will send this
to the body-surgeon of the Woywode, Blandrata. I will add that you
think as I do, and I hope Davidis will be satisfied with this. Here is
the protest."

Vehe took the papers and read out the title: "Against the idolatry of
the Trinity and the worship of the two-fold Nature." "That title is
rather strong," said he, casting his wolfish eyes distrustfully in the
direction of the Italian.

"The stronger the better," rejoined Sylvan. "The Ambassador of the
Woywode, and our friends in Transylvania must be convinced, that we
seriously mean going over, otherwise we shall never receive any
suitable livings. I am leaving here, because I have been thrust to one
side, and these Northgerman and French starvelings have been stuck
under my nose. A beggarly parish in Transylvania will therefore not
suit me. I am better off in Ladenburg; are you not also of my opinion,
Neuser?"

The latter raised his wine-sodden head. "What, another Superintendent,"
said he, "who requires a covenant? Is the whole world filled with this
breed that one cannot live even in Klausenburg as one likes. Klaus is
right, rather under the Turks than under the Superintendents; I will
to-day write a memorial to the Sultan Selim. I will be freed from these
bloodsuckers. Shall I leave the Palatinate to let myself be knocked
about in Klausenburg."

"Don't shout so loud," said Sylvan, yon Jesuit pretends to be busily
conversing with his brother, but I see how he pricks up his ears. I
know these gentry from my experience at Wuerzburg.

"Klaus," cried Parson Vehe in his coarse voice to the waiter, "why have
asses such long ears?"

"Because their mothers did not put caps on their heads when they were
young."

"A bad guess."

"So that they may better hear the sermons from the streets, since the
Clergy forbid their entrance into the Church."

"That is better," said Vehe with a spiteful glance towards the Italian:
"that they may overhear."

"Let us away from such a crowd," roared Neuser. "Nowhere now is a man at
peace. Everywhere is listening, spying, ferreting out, denouncing,
counting the drops in one's glass, I will be a free man."

"We are in the way here," said Felix to his brother, who apparently
undisturbed by the conversation at the other side of the table, fixed
his eyes on his brother's face, but none the less had kept his ears
open to what had been