uccumb to disgraceful ruin."

Years of life spent together may inspire and increase aversion instead
of love, but they undoubtedly produce a certain community of existence.
The bitter anguish of his aged household companion, the father of his
wife, to whom bonds of love still unsevered united him, touched even
Seitz Siebenburg. Besides, nothing moves the heart more quickly than the
grief of a proud, stern man. Herr Casper's confession did not make him
dearer to the knight, but it induced him to drop the irritating tone
which he had assumed, and in an altered voice he begged him not to give
up his cause as lost without resistance. For his daughter's sake old
Herr Ortlieb must lend his aid. Els, with whom he had just spoken, would
cling firmly to Wolff, and try to induce her father to do all that was
possible for her lover's house. He would endeavour to settle with his
own creditors himself. His sharp sword and strong arm would be welcome
everywhere, and the booty he won----Here he was interrupted by the
grandmother's query in a tone of cutting contempt: "Booty? On the
highway, do you mean?"

Once more the attack from the hostile old woman rendered the knight's
decision easier, for, struggling not to give way to his anger, he
answered: "Rather, I think, in the Holy Land, in the war against
the infidel Saracens. At any rate, my presence would be more welcome
anywhere than in this house, whose roof shelters you, Countess. If,
Herr Casper, you intend to share with my wife and the twins what is left
after the old wealth has gone, unfortunately, I cannot permit you to do
so. I will provide for them also. True, it was your duty; for ever
since Isabella became my wife you have taken advantage of my poverty and
impaired my right to command her. That must be changed from this very
day. I have learned the bitter taste of the bread which you provide.
I shall confide them to my uncle, the Knight Heideck. He was my dead
mother's only brother, and his wife, as you know, is the children's
godmother. They are childless, and would consider it the most precious
of gifts to have such boys in the castle. My deserted wife must stay
with him, while I--I know not yet in what master's service--provide that
the three are not supported only by the charity of strangers---"

"Oh, Seitz, Seitz!" interrupted Isabella, in a tone of urgent entreaty.
She had risen from her cushions, and was hurrying towards him. "Do not
go! You must not go so!"

Her