d, and the Burgrave von Zollern, his sister, had graciously
greeted her, and Eva with modest thanks had also bowed low before the
Emperor Rudolph, a smile, spite of her timidity, flitted over her lips,
for as she bent the knee her head barely reached above his belt. The
Burgravine, a vivacious matron, must have noticed it, for she beckoned
to her, and with a few kind words mentioned the name of the young knight
who stood behind her, between her own seat and that of the young Duchess
Agnes of Austria, and recommended him as an excellent dancer. Heinz
Schorlin, the master of the true and steadfast Biberli, had bowed
courteously, and answered respectfully that he hoped he should not prove
himself unworthy of praise from such lips.

Meanwhile his glance met Eva's, and the Burgravine probably perceived
with what, ardent admiration the knight's gaze rested on the young
Nuremberg beauty, for she had scarcely stepped back after the farewell
greeting when the noble lady said in a low tone, but loud enough for
Eva's quick ear to catch the words, "Methinks yonder maiden will do well
to guard her little heart this evening against you, you unruly fellow!
What a sweet, angelic face!"

Eva's cheeks crimsoned with mingled shame and pleasure at such words
from such lips, and she would have been only too glad to hear what the
knight whispered to the noble lady.

The attention of the young Duchess Agnes, daughter of King Ottocar of
Bohemia and wife of the Emperor's third son, who also bore the name of
Rudolph, had been claimed during this incident by the Duke of Nassau,
who had presented his ladies to her, but they had scarcely retired when
she beckoned to Heinz Schorlin, and while talking with him gazed into
his eyes with such warm, childlike pleasure that Eva was incensed; she
thought it unseemly for a wife and a duchess to be on such familiar
terms with a simple knight. Nay, her disapproval of the princess's
conduct must have been very deep, for during the whole time of her
conversation with the knight there was a loud singing in the young
girl's ears. The Bohemian's face might be considered pretty; her dark
eyes sparkled brightly, animating the immature features, now slightly
sunburnt; and although four years younger than Eva, her figure, though
not above middle height, was well developed and, in spite of its
flexibility, aristocratic in bearing. While conversing with Heinz
Schorlin she seemed joyously excited, unrestrainedly cordia