mind. Neither the Marchesa, whom he scorned from the
bottom of his heart, inasmuch as, with all her beauty, she was full of
craft and lies, no, nor event Dame Venus herself could now turn him aside
from the love and duty he had sworn to Ann. He would, indeed, take ship
from Genoa rather than from Venice, were it not for shame of such fears
of his own weakness, and that he longed once more to set eyes on our
brother Kunz whom he had not seen for so long a space.

I found it hard to see clear in this matter. Yet could I not deem it wise
to deny him the first chance of proving himself true and honest; likewise
meseemed that our younger brother's presence would be a safe guard
against temptation. Under the eye of our parent's pictures I bid him good
night for the few hours till he should depart, and when I pointed up to
them he understood me, and clasped me fondly in his arms saying: "Never
fear, little mother Margery!"

We were with Herdegen again or ever it was morning. While we had been
sleeping he had written a loving letter to my grand-uncle, who had
yesterday forbidden him his presence, to bear witness to his duty and
thankfulness.

The cocks still were crowing in the yards, and the country-folk were
coming into town with asses and waggons, when I mounted my horse to ride
forth with my brother. He was busied in the courtyard with the new
serving-man he had hired, by reason that Eppelein, who for safety's sake
had not been suffered to go with him into hiding, had vanished as it were
from the face of the earth. Nay, and we knew for what cause and reason,
for Dame Henneleinlein had counselled the King's men to seize him, to the
end that he might be put on the rack to give tidings of where his master
lay hid. If they had caught him his stout limbs would have fared ill
indeed; but the light-hearted varlet was a favorite with the serving men
and wenches of the court-folk, jolly at the wine cup and all manner of
sport, and thus they had bestowed him away. And so, while we were living
from day to day in great fear, an old charcoal wife would come in from
the forest twice or thrice in every week and bring charcoal to the
kitchen wench to sell, and albeit she was ever sent away, yet would she
come again and ask many questions.

While we were yet tarrying for Herdegen to be ready the old wife came by
with her cart, and when she had asked of some needful matters she pulled
off her kerchief with a loud laugh, and lo, in her wo