The old man's whispered exhortation to his young friend to spare the imperial master, to whom he was so deeply indebted, a fresh sorrow, restored to the infuriated young knight his power of self-control.

Pushing the thick locks back from his brow with a hasty movement, he answered in a tone of the most intense contempt: "Do what you will, but remember this: Beware that, ere the joust begins, you do not ride the rail instead of the charger.

The maidens whose pure name you so yearn to sully are of noble birth, and if they appear to complain of you----" "Then I will proclaim the truth," Siebenburg retorted, "and the Court of Love and Pursuivant at Arms will deprive you, the base seducer, of the right to enter the lists rather than me, my handsome knight!" "So be it," replied Heinz quietly.

"You can discuss the other points with my herald.

Wolff Eysvogel, too--rely upon it--will challenge you, if you fulfil your base design." Then, turning his back upon Seitz without a word of farewell, he motioned the monk towards the open door of the antechamber, and letting him lead the way, closed it behind them.
"He will come to you, you boaster!" Siebenburg shouted contemptuously after the Swiss, and then turned to Biberli and the maid with a patronising question; but the former, without even opening his lips in reply, hastened to the door and, with a significant gesture, induced the knight to retire.
Seitz submitted and hastened down the stairs, his eyes flashing as if he had won a great victory.