an be, behind which there is nothing more
beautiful? Pardon me, I do not envy thee thy secret knowledge. Poor
fellow! this knowledge does not give thee a colour. Thy cheeks are
quite pale and sunken.'

"'Every one has his appointed path, one this, the other that,' replied
the scholar. 'It is not the bounding of blood that constitutes life.
Marble is white, and walls of marble generally enclose the spot in
which stand the statues of the gods, yet enough of this, and now for
thyself. What hast thou done since I last saw thee?'

"'Oh! of that,' cried the young knight Conrad, with his usual
light-heartedness, 'there is little to be told! I got upon horseback
and got off again, I went about to many a good prince's court, thrust
many a spear, gained many thanks, missed many thanks, and peeped into
many a lovely woman's eye. I can write my name, and press the knob of
my sword in wax by the side of it, and I can rhyme a song, though not
so well as Master Godfried of Strasburg.[1] I have gone through the
initiatory ceremonies, and was dubbed a knight at Firchheim. Now I am
riding to Mayence, where the emperor is going to hold a tournament, to
tumble about a little and enjoy life.'

"The student looked at the sun's place, and said: 'It is a pity that
after such a friendly meeting we must so soon part. Nevertheless it is
necessary, if we each design to fulfil our purpose to-day.'

"'Come with me to Mayence,' cried the other, as he jumped up, and eyed
the student with a singularly compassionate look, which, however,
allowed a smile to appear. 'Leave that gloomy Ratisbon, and the
cathedral and the sacristy; cheer up thy face among jolly fellows, by
the round table, in the wine-cellar, and before the flowery windows of
fair damsels. Let the sound of flute and shaum purify thine ears of
the awful vigils of the Templars, who are considered mischievous
heretics and Baffomets' priests over all Christendom. Come to Mayence,
Peter!'

"He was already in his saddle, when he uttered these last words, and
stretched out his hand as if in supplication, towards his friend, who
turned aside and drew back his arm in token of refusal. 'What has come
into your head?' he said, smiling reluctantly. 'Ah, friend Conrad, if
I had already said every one has his appointed way, I would cry out to
thee turn back, thou volatile heedless one! Youth fades away, the jest
becomes hushed, the laugh will one day be found suddenly to fail,
becau