e day and
night alike it weighed on our souls, and we made ready for a long time to
come of want and humble cheer. The Virgin be my witness that at that time
I was ready and willing to give up many matters which we were forced to
forego; howbeit, we found out that it was easier to eat bread without
butter and no flesh meat, than to give up certain other matters. As for
my jewels, which Cousin Maud would not sell, but pledged them to a
goldsmith, I craved them not. Only a heart with a full great ruby which I
had ever worn as being my Hans' first lovetoken, I would indeed have been
fain to keep, yet whereas Master Kaden set a high price on the stone I
suffered him to break it out, notwithstanding all that Cousin Maud and
Ann might say, and kept only the gold case. It was hard likewise to send
forth the serving-folk and turn a deaf ear to their lamenting. Most of
the men, when they heard how matters stood, would gladly have stayed to
serve us for a lesser wage, and each and all went about looking as if the
hail had spoilt their harvest; only old Susan held her head higher than
ever, by reason that we had chosen her to share our portion during the
years of famine. Likewise we were glad to promise the old horse-keeper,
who had served our father before us, that we would care for him all his
days; he besought me eagerly that I would keep my own Hungarian palfrey,
for, to his mind, a damsel of high degree with no saddle nor steed was as
a bird that cannot rise on its wings. Howbeit, we found those who were
glad to buy the horse, and never shall I forget the hour when for the
last time I patted the smooth neck of my Bayard, the gift of my lost
lover, and felt his shrewd little head leaning against my own. Uncle
Tucher bought him for his daughter Bertha, and it was a comfort to me to
think that she was a soft, kind hearted maid, whom I truly loved. All the
silver gear likewise, which we had inherited, was pledged for money, and
where it lay I knew not; yet of a truth the gifts of God taste better out
of a silver spoon than out of a tin one. Cousin Maud, who would have no
half measures, carried many matters of small worth to the pawn-broker;
yet all this grieved us but lightly, although the sky hung dark over the
town, by reason that other events at that time befell which gave us
better cheer.

The Magister, as soon as he had tidings of our purpose, came with right
good will to offer us his all, and declared his intent to share our