The dependants13 of the household were one and all afraid of the new-comer, and indeed some among them were ready to swear on the book of the Gospels that this was the same man that in the guise14 of a beggar had been in the castle just before the going of Count Stephen von Rittenberg. They muttered among themselves that there was evil in the cripple, and Elsa even whispered in the ear of her mistress, crossing herself not a little meanwhile, that it was believed among the folk of the castle that Von Zimmern was really some demon15 of the forest who was striving to win power over the soul of Baron Albrecht, that he might lure16 it to destruction.
"Fy upon thee for a fool!" Lady Adelaide said testily17. "There be demons18 enough in the wood, it is true, but it is not to be believed that they would venture into the houses of Christian19 folk where mass is said by a consecrated20 priest. Leave thy silly gossiping, or it may hap21 that the countess shall get some hint of it, and then if it go not ill with those who dare to chatter22 about them that belong to the train of her future lord, I ken23 little of the Von Rittenberg blood."
It was evident that Herr von Zimmern had the happiness of Baron Albrecht much at heart, so greatly was he delighted at his approaching marriage. He was wellnigh oppressive in the warmth of his manner. He spoke24 with the greatest feeling to Erna, while to the Lady Adelaide he was so complimentary25 that her old heart, already perchance somewhat fluttered by the unusual doings at Rittenberg, was all in a tremble of delight, and had she been but the better part of a century younger there would have been no telling what might have come of her liking26 for the flattering guest.
It was in the evening of the day on which the squire returned, and it was on the morrow that the bridal rites27 were to be celebrated28, when after supper the household and their guests sat together by torchlight in the castle hall. The Baron Albrecht was in the wildest spirits, and played innumerable harmless little tricks upon the priest and upon his betrothed29. He was so full of glee that one could not but smile to behold30 his joyousness31, and to be touched by the sight of a happiness so genuine and so keen.
Erna had astonished them all that night by appearing in the hall clad in a robe of saffron-hued silken stuff, while on her neck she wore a triple string of pearls. So simple was her attire32 in general that they stared at her in surprise as she came in dressed in this sumptuous33 guise. She flushed a little as she felt their glances, but she only held her head somewhat higher, smiling on them all, but most upon her betrothed, and so took her place in the tall carved chair where she always sat at supper. Now that the meal was over, she had moved to a lower seat, and there she leaned back in a corner, as if she were half timid in her new robes; but the Lady Adelaide muttered to herself in satisfaction that this marriage was like to make a woman out of her niece after all; for the shrewd old dame34 knew that when a damsel begins to give her heart to the frivolities of attire she cannot long remain an iceberg35.
Not far from the young countess sat Herr von Zimmern, a dark figure, the more sombre by contrast with her golden brightness. He seemed to watch the company with the deepest interest, and if there were in his intentness something too eager to be wholly pleasing, no one regarded this, since the little company were all absorbed in observing the jocund36 merriment of Albrecht and the blushing fairness, half timid and half sportive, of Erna.
Suddenly Albrecht sprang up as they sat together chatting gayly, and seized a boar-spear which chanced to be standing37 in the corner where Erna sat.
"See!" he cried, aiming at the head of a deer which was fixed38 high against the wall over the great hollow fireplace.
Like a shaft39 of light the spear flew gleaming down the long hall, straight as a sun-ray and swift as the wind. It transfixed the brown head exactly between the eyes, although in the dim and flickering40 light of the torches such a shot might well have seemed impossible, and there stood quivering.
A cry of applause greeted this feat41.
"Bravo!" exclaimed Herr von Zimmern. "That is a pupil to be proud of."
"It is, indeed," responded Father Christopher. "If thou hast taught him to throw the spear, thou hast truly no reason to look upon thy pains as wasted."
"All that I know of knighthood he has taught me," Albrecht said heartily43. "He found me an unlicked whelp of the forest, and whatever I am he has made me."
"Then," Erna rejoined with tender archness, turning toward Von Zimmern, "I have to thank thee that thou hast trained a husband for me."
"Only," burst in Albrecht, with a rich laugh, "if in anything I do not suit, remember it is he and not I who is to bear the blame."
"Nay," she said, giving the black-browed guest her white hand with a gesture of infinite grace, "I thank thee for thy work, even though he should contrive44 to spoil it himself."
"Come!" cried Albrecht, playfully threatening her with his hand, "that is rank insubordination, and as such—"
"As such, Sir Baron," interrupted his foster-father, with a smile that hardly made him less ugly than before, "you must bear it still a while. There has been no promise to obey or to honor as yet."
The Lady Adelaide simpered, and laid her hand upon the arm of her niece.
"Think of it, Erna," she whispered, "how wilt45 thou like to obey?"
"Oh, of that I have small notion!" the countess retorted aloud. "When it comes to that, we shall see!"
The gay spirits of her lover had infected her, and she answered with a manner quite unlike her own. Herr von Zimmern chuckled46, and drew from his otter-skin pouch47 a tiny roll of soft leather.
"So well doth this sentiment approve itself to me," he said, "that humbly48 and with my Lord Baron's permission I make bold to offer you a token in honor of a marriage to be conducted on principles so reasonable."
There was a mocking note in his voice, albeit49 his face was too perfectly50 controlled to betray any undesirable51 emotion. As he spoke he unrolled the leather, and brought to light a ring of red gold in which was set a large carbuncle engraved52 with strange characters. Erna could not restrain a cry of admiration53 at sight of so splendid a jewel, and Lady Adelaide broke out into voluble expressions of delight.
"It is not so much," Herr von Zimmern said coolly, as he cast a side glance at Albrecht, "but it is cunningly fashioned, and—"
"But on the wedding eve," interrupted Albrecht, somewhat abruptly54, "no one gives a ring to the bride save only her betrothed. All in good season, Herr Frederich, she will doubtless be glad to wear thy ring, but to-night it is mine that must fetter55 her."
As he spoke, he leaned forward, and took the carbuncle ring from the hand of Erna, who was about to slip it on her slender finger, and before any one could object or protest he had thrust it into the embroidered56 pouch by his side, and had in its place produced a second ring in which blazed a ruby57 so splendid that it seemed to emit sparks of fire.
Across the face of Von Zimmern shot a glance of baffled rage and anger so fierce that the priest, who alone caught sight of it, shuddered58 and secretly crossed himself under his robe; but it was gone as quickly as it came, and Herr Frederich smiled as he said:
"My gems59 must needs be poor beside yours, my master, but the ring had powers which made it not unworthy the acceptance of the bride."
"Do not I know its power?" responded Albrecht, gayly. "There is time enough for the proving of its might without troubling the bridal therewith."
As he spoke, he put the glowing ruby on the white finger of his betrothed, and raising the hand to his lips, he kissed it fervently62.
"Body of Saint Fridolin!" exclaimed Lady Adelaide, "what a gem60! It is like a coal of fire. It is worth a king's ransom63."
"It is not rich enough to be worthy61 of the hand that graces it," Albrecht cried joyously64.
Then, without waiting for further speech, he suddenly caught up a lute65 which lay upon the broad ledge12 of the open window, and after a few notes by way of prelude66 burst out into this song:
"My love has eyes like the roe67,
And a voice like the wood-dove's call;
While her bosom68 is white as the snow
Of the foam69 on the torrent's fall.
Fine her hair as the mist
By the sun golden kissed,
And my heart she holds in its thrall70.
"My love has lips like the glow
Of rubies71 red from the mine;
And her glances thrill me so
For her I'd life resign.
For their fire makes my heart
Wake to tremble and start,
With a passion no words may divine.
"My love has a throat like the swan
That haunts the river reeds;
Not shapelier the dappled fawn72
That feeds in the flower-set meads.
When I clasp her, no bliss73
Has all earth like her kiss,
No sweetness her sweetness exceeds!"
The effect of these ardent74 verses upon the company was apparently rather one of astonishment75 than of admiration. The Lady Adelaide simpered and assumed an expression of virtuous76 disapproval77; Herr von Zimmern laughed significantly and openly; while a look of pain came over the face of Father Christopher.
"It is a ballad78 rather for the singing of an effeminate and sensual Southron," he said, "than for the brave and virtuous lips of a Northern knight42."
"It is a foolish tune79 which Herr Frederich here taught me," returned Albrecht, in too good spirits to be cast down by the reproof80. "There is no harm in it that I can see, save that it cannot tell half that a lover feels!"
"Body of Saint Fridolin!" muttered Lady Adelaide, greatly scandalized.
Erna cast down her eyes and said nothing; but though her glance fell only upon the rushes with which the stone floor was strewn, she saw still the form of Albrecht as he stood erect81 in splendid manly82 beauty, with the boar-spear poised83 above his head, ready to fling it like a dart84 of light down the long hall to transfix the head of the deer above the chimney-place.
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1
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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3
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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7
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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clenching
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的现在分词 ) | |
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10
marred
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| adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
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shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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12
ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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13
dependants
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| 受赡养者，受扶养的家属( dependant的名词复数 ) | |
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14
guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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15
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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lure
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| n.吸引人的东西，诱惑物；vt.引诱，吸引 | |
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17
testily
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| adv. 易怒地, 暴躁地 | |
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18
demons
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| n.恶人( demon的名词复数 )；恶魔；精力过人的人；邪念 | |
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19
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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20
consecrated
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| adj.神圣的，被视为神圣的v.把…奉为神圣，给…祝圣( consecrate的过去式和过去分词 )；奉献 | |
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21
hap
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| n.运气；v.偶然发生 | |
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chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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23
ken
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| n.视野，知识领域 | |
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24
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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25
complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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26
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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27
rites
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| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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28
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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29
betrothed
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| n. 已订婚者 动词betroth的过去式和过去分词 | |
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30
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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31
joyousness
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| 快乐，使人喜悦 | |
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32
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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33
sumptuous
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| adj.豪华的，奢侈的，华丽的 | |
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34
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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35
iceberg
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| n.冰山，流冰，冷冰冰的人 | |
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36
jocund
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| adj.快乐的，高兴的 | |
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37
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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38
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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39
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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40
flickering
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| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
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41
feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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42
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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43
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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44
contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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45
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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46
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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47
pouch
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| n.小袋，小包，囊状袋；vt.装...入袋中，用袋运输；vi.用袋送信件 | |
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48
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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49
albeit
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| conj.即使；纵使；虽然 | |
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50
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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51
undesirable
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| adj.不受欢迎的，不良的，不合意的，讨厌的；n.不受欢迎的人，不良分子 | |
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52
engraved
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| v.在（硬物）上雕刻（字，画等）( engrave的过去式和过去分词 )；将某事物深深印在（记忆或头脑中） | |
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53
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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54
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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55
fetter
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| n./vt.脚镣，束缚 | |
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56
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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57
ruby
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| n.红宝石，红宝石色 | |
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58
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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59
gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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60
gem
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| n.宝石，珠宝；受爱戴的人 [同]jewel | |
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61
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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62
fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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63
ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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64
joyously
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| ad.快乐地, 高兴地 | |
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65
lute
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| n.琵琶，鲁特琴 | |
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66
prelude
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| n.序言，前兆，序曲 | |
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67
roe
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| n.鱼卵；獐鹿 | |
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68
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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69
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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70
thrall
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| n.奴隶；奴隶制 | |
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71
rubies
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| 红宝石( ruby的名词复数 )； 红宝石色，深红色 | |
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72
fawn
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| n.未满周岁的小鹿；v.巴结，奉承 | |
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73
bliss
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| n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福 | |
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74
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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75
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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76
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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disapproval
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| n.反对，不赞成 | |
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78
ballad
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| n.歌谣，民谣，流行爱情歌曲 | |
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79
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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80
reproof
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| n.斥责，责备 | |
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81
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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82
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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83
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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84
dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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