fore
when, after the battle of Marchfield, he remained several weeks in
Nuremberg. They had sat side by side at a tournament, and, recognising
each other as Swiss-born by the sharp sound of the letters "ch" and the
pronunciation of other words, were mutually attracted.

Katterle had a kind heart; yet at that time she almost yielded to the
temptation to pray Heaven not to hasten the cure of a brave man's wounds
too quickly, for she knew that Biberli was a squire in the service
of the young Swiss knight Heinz Schorlin, whose name was on every lip
because, in spite of his youth, he had distinguished himself at the
battle of Marchfield by his rare bravery, and that the young hero would
remain in Nuremberg only until his severe injuries were completely
healed. His departure would bring to her separation from his servant,
and sometimes when homesickness tortured her she thought she would be
unable to survive the parting. Meanwhile Biberli nursed his master with
faithful zeal, as if nothing bound him to Nuremberg, and even after his
departure Katterle remained in good health.

Now she had him again. Directly after the Emperor Rudolph's entrance,
five days before, Biberli had come openly to the Ortlieb house and
presented himself to Martsche,--[Margaret]--the old house keeper, as the
countryman and friend of the waiting maid, who had brought her a message
from home.

True, it had been impossible to say anything confidential either in
the crowded kitchen or in the servants' hall. To-night's meeting was to
afford the opportunity.

The menservants, carrying sedan chairs and torches, had all gone out
with their master, who had taken his younger daughter, Eva, to the
dance. They were to wait in front of the Town Hall, because it was
doubtful whether the daughter of the house, who had been very reluctant
to go to the entertainment, might not urge an early departure. Count
von Montfort, whose quarters were in the Ortlieb mansion, and his whole
train of male attendants, certainly would not come back till very late
at night or even early morning, for the Countess Cordula remained at a
ball till the close, and her father lingered over the wine cup till his
daughter called him from the revellers.

All this warranted the lovers in hoping for an undisturbed interview.
The place of meeting was well chosen. It was unsatisfactory only to the
moon for, after Biberli had closed the heavy door of the house behind
him, Luna found no chink or