A day that I shall scarce see, and it will be well if thou dost, returned her uncle, unless the hearts of the burghers of Ulm return to the liberality of their fathers, who devised that spire! But what trampling do I hear?
There was indeed a sudden confusion in the house, and, before the uncle and niece could rise, the door was opened by a prosperous apple-faced dame, exclaiming in a hasty whisper, Housefather, O Housefather, there are a troop of reitern at the door, dismounting already; and, as the master came forward, brushing from his furred vest the shavings and dust of his work, she added in a more furtive, startled accent, and, if I mistake not, one is thy brother!
He is welcome, replied Master Gottfried, in his cheery fearless voice; he brought us a choice gift last time he came; and it may be he is ready to seek peace among us after his wanderings. Come hither, Christina, my little one; it is well to be abashed, but thou art not a child who need fear to meet a father.
Christinas extreme timidity, however, made her pale and crimson by turns, perhaps by the infection of anxiety from her aunt, who could not conceal a certain dissatisfaction and alarm, as the maiden, led on either side by her adopted parents, thus advanced from the little studio into a handsomely-carved wooden gallery, projecting into a great wainscoated room, with a broad carved stair leading down into it. Down this stair the three proceeded, and reached the stone hall that lay beyond it, just as there entered from the trellised porch, that covered the steps into the street, a thin wiry man, in a worn and greasy buff suit, guarded on the breast and arms with rusty steel, and a battered helmet with the vizor up, disclosing a weather-beaten bronzed face, with somewhat wild dark eyes, and a huge grizzled moustache forming a straight line over his lips. Altogether he was a complete model of the lawless Reiter or Lanzknecht, the terror of Swabia, and the bugbear of Christinas imagination. The poor childs heart died within her as she perceived the mutual recognition between her uncle and the new comer; and, while Master Gottfried held out his hands with a cordial greeting of Welcome, home, brother Hugh, she trembled from head to foot, as she sank on her knees, and murmured, Your blessing, honoured father.
Ha? What, this is my girl? What says she? My blessing, eh? There then, thou hast it, child, such as I have to give, though theyll tell thee at Adlerstein that I am more wont to give the other sort of blessing! Now, give me a kiss, girl, and let me see thee! How now! as he folded her in his rough arms; thou art a mere feather, as slight as our sick Jungfrau herself. And then, regarding her, as she stood drooping, Thou art not half the woman thy mother wasshe was stately and straight as a column, and tall withal.
True! replied Hausfrau Johanna, in a marked tone; but both she and her poor babe had been so harassed and wasted with long journeys and hardships, that with all our care of our Christina, she has never been strong or well-grown. The marvel is that she lived at all.
Our Christina is not beautiful, we know, added her uncle, reassuringly taking her hand; but she is a good and meek maiden.
Well, well, returned the Lanzknecht, she will answer the purpose well enough, or better than if she were fair enough to set all our fellows together by the ears for her. Camilla, I sayno, whats her name, Christina?put up thy gear and be ready to start with me to-morrow morning for Adlerstein.
For Adlerstein? re-echoed the housemother, in a tone of horrified dismay; and Christina would have dropped on the floor but for her uncles sustaining hand, and the cheering glance with which he met her imploring look.
Let us come up to the gallery, and understand what you desire, brother, said Master Gottfried, gravely. Fill the cup of greeting, Hans. Your followers shall be entertained in the hall, he added.
Ay, ay, quoth Hugh, I will show you reason over a goblet of the old Rosenburg. Is it all gone yet, brother Goetz? No? I reckon there would not be the scouring of a glass left of it in a week if it were at Adlerstein.
So saying, the trooper crossed the lower room, which contained a huge tiled baking oven, various brilliantly-burnished cooking utensils, and a great carved cupboard like a wooden bedstead, and, passing the door of the bathroom, clanked up the oaken stairs to the gallery, the reception-room of the house. It had tapestry hangings to the wall, and cushions both to the carved chairs and deep windows, which looked out into the street, the whole storey projecting into close proximity with the corresponding apartment of the Syndic Moritz, the goldsmith on the opposite side. An oaken table stood in the centre, and the gallery was adorned with a dresser, displaying not only bright pewter, but goblets and drinking cups of beautifully-shaped and coloured glass, and saltcellars, tankards, &c. of gold and silver.
Just as it was in the old mans time, said the soldier, throwing himself into the housefathers chair. A handful of Lanzknechts would make short work with your pots and pans, good sister Johanna.
Heaven forbid! said poor Johanna under her breath. Much good they do you, up in a row there, making you a slave to furbishing them. Theres more sense in a chair like thisthat does rest a mans bones. Here, Camilla, girl, unlace my helmet! What, knowst not how? What is a woman made for but to let a soldier free of his trappings? Thou hast done it! There! Now my boots, stretching out his legs.
Hans shall draw off your boots, fair brother, began the dame; but poor Christina, the more anxious to propitiate him in little things, because of the horror and dread with which his main purpose inspired her, was already on her knees, pulling with her small quivering hands at the long steel-guarded boota task to which she would have been utterly inadequate, but for some lazy assistance from her fathers other foot. She further brought a pair of her uncles furred slippers, while Reiter Hugh proceeded to dangle one of the boots in the air, expatiating on its frail condition, and expressing his intention of getting a new pair from Master Matthias, the sutor, ere he should leave Ulm on the morrow. Then, again, came the dreaded subject; his daughter must go with him.
What would you with Christina, brother? gravely asked Master Gottfried, seating himself on the opposite side of the stove, while out of sight the frightened girl herself knelt on the floor, her head on her aunts knees, trying to derive comfort from Dame Johannas clasping hands, and vehement murmurs that they would not let their child be taken from them. Alas! these assurances were little in accordance with Hughs rough reply, And what is it to you what I do with mine own?
Only this, that, having bred her up as my child and intended heiress, I might have some voice.
Oh! in choosing her mate! Some mincing artificer, I trow, fiddling away with wood and wire to make gauds for the fair-day! Hast got him here? If I like him, and she likes him, Ill bring her back when her work is done.
There is no such person as yet in the case, said Gottfried. Christina is not yet seventeen, and I would take my time to find an honest, pious burgher, who will value this precious jewel of mine.
And let her polish his flagons to the end of her days, laughed Hugh grimly, but manifestly somewhat influenced by the notion of his brothers wealth. What, hast no child of thine own? he added.
None, save in Paradise, answered Gottfried, crossing himself. And thus, if Christina should remain with me, and be such as I would have her, then, brother, my wealth, after myself and my good housewife, shall be hers, with due provision for thee, if thou shouldst weary of thy wild life. Otherwise, he added, looking down, and speaking in an under tone, my poor savings should go to the completion of the Dome Kirk.