I
scarce consciously put forth my hand and carried this or that morsel to
my mouth but whether it were bread or ginger my tongue heeded not the
savor. Silver tankards and Venetian glasses were filled from flasks
and jugs; I heard the guests praising the wines of Furstenberg and
Bacharach, of Malvoisie and Cyprus, and I marked the effects of the
noble and potent grape-juice, nay, now and then I played the part of
"warder" to Uncle Christian; yet meseemed that it was only by another's
will or ancient habit that I raised a warning finger. Was I in truth
at a banquet or was I only dreaming that I sat as a guest at the richly
spread board? The only certain matter was that the storm was overpast,
and that no hail nor rain now beat upon the window panes. How wet must
my Hans be, who had ridden forth in court array, without a cloke to
cover him.

To judge by the voices and demeanor of the menfolk the end of the
endless meal must surely be not far off, and indeed dishes were by
this time being served with packets of spices and fruits and pies and
sweetmeats for the little ones at home. I drew a deeper breath, and
methought the company would soon rise from the table, forasmuch as that
Jost Tetzel had already quitted his seat. Then I beheld his pale face
through a curtain and his lean hand beckoning to my grand-uncle. He
likewise rose, and Ursula followed him. Forthwith, from without came
a strange noise of footsteps to and fro and many voices. A serving man
came to hail forth Master Ebner and Uncle Tucher, and the muttering and
stir without waxed louder and louder. The guests sat in silence, gazing
and enquiring of each other. Somewhat strange, and for certain somewhat
evil, had befallen.

My heart beat in my temples like the clapper of an alarm-bell. That
which was going forward, and to which one after another was called
forth, was my concern; it must be, and mine alone. I felt I could not
longer keep my place, and I had pushed back my seat when I saw Uncle
Tucher standing by Cousin Maud, and his kind and worthy face, still
ruddy from the wine he had drunk, was a very harbinger of horror and
woe. He bent over my cousin to speak in her ear.

My eyes were fixed on his lips, and lo! she, my second mother, started
up hastily as any young thing and, clasping her hand to her breast she
well-nigh screamed: "Jesu-Maria! And Margery!"

All grew dark before my eyes. A purple mist shrouded the table, the
company, and all I beheld. I