CHAPTER XVTHE RIVAL EYRIE
EBBO trusted that his kinsman of Wildschloss was safe gone with theCourt, and his temper smoothed and his spirits rose in proportion whilepreparations for a return to Adlerstein were being completed—preparationsby which the burgher lady might hope to render the castle far morehabitable, not to say baronial, than it had ever been.
The lady herself felt thankful that her stay at Ulm had turned out wellbeyond all anticipations in the excellent understanding between her uncleand her sons, and still more in Ebbo’s full submission and personalloyalty towards the imperial family. The die was cast, and the firststep had been taken towards rendering the Adlerstein family the peaceful,honourable nobles she had always longed to see them.
She was one afternoon assisting her aunt in some of the duties of herwirthschaft, when Master Gottfried entered the apartment with an air ofsuch extreme complacency that both turned round amazed; the oneexclaiming, “Surely funds have come in for finishing the spire!” theother, “Have they appointed thee Provost for next year, house-father?”
“Neither the one nor the other,” was the reply. “But heard you not thehorse’s feet? Here has the Lord of Adlerstein Wildschloss been with mein full state, to make formal proposals for the hand of our child,Christina.”
“For Christina!” cried Hausfrau Johanna with delight; “truly that iswell. Truly our maiden has done honour to her breeding. A secondnobleman demanding her—and one who should be able richly to endow her!”
“And who will do so,” said Master Gottfried. “For morning gift hepromises the farms and lands of Grünau—rich both in forest and cornglebe. Likewise, her dower shall be upon Wildschloss—where the soil isof the richest pasture, and there are no less than three mills, whencethe lord obtains large rights of multure. Moreover, the Castle was addedto and furnished on his marriage with the late baroness, and might servea Kurfürst; and though the jewels of Freiherrinn Valeska must beinherited by her daughter, yet there are many of higher price which havedescended from his own ancestresses, and which will all be hers.”
“And what a wedding we will have!” exclaimed Johanna; “it shall be trulybaronial. I will take my hood and go at once to neighbour SophieLemsberg, who was wife to the Markgraf’s Under Keller-Meister. She willtell me point device the ceremonies befitting the espousals of a baron’swidow.”
Poor Christina had sat all this time with drooping head and claspedhands, a tear stealing down as the formal terms of the treaty sent herspirit back to the urgent, pleading, imperious voice that had said, “Now,little one, thou wilt not shut me out;” and as she glanced at the ringthat had lain on that broad palm, she felt as if her sixteen cheerfulyears had been an injury to her husband in his nameless bloody grave.But protection was so needful in those rude ages, and second marriages sofrequent, that reluctance was counted as weakness. She knew her uncleand aunt would never believe that aught but compulsion had bound her tothe rude outlaw, and her habit of submission was so strong that, onlywhen her aunt was actually rising to go and consult her gossip, she foundbreath to falter,
“Hold, dear aunt—my sons—”
“Nay, child, it is the best thing thou couldst do for them. Wonders hastthou wrought, yet are they too old to be without fatherly authority. Ispeak not of Friedel; the lad is gentle and pious, though spirited, butfor the baron. The very eye and temper of my poor brother Hugh—thyfather, Stine—are alive again in him. Yea, I love the lad the better forit, while I fear. He minds me precisely of Hugh ere he was ’prenticed tothe weapon-smith, and all became bitterness.”
“Ah, truly,” said Christina, raising her eyes “all would becomebitterness with my Ebbo were I to give a father’s power to one whom hewould not love.”
“Then were he sullen and unruly, indeed!” said the old burgomaster withdispleasure; “none have shown him more kindness, none could better aidhim in court and empire. The lad has never had restraint enough. Iblame thee not, child, but he needs it sorely, by thine own showing.”
“Alas, uncle! mine be the blame, but it is over late. My boy will rulehimself for the love of God and of his mother, but he will brook no handover him—least of all now he is a knight and thinks himself a man.Uncle, I should be deprived of both my sons, for Friedel’s very soul isbound up with his brother’s. I pray thee enjoin not this thing on me,”she implored.
“Child!” exclaimed Master Gottfried, “thou thinkst not that such acontract as this can be declined for the sake of a wayward Junker!”
“Stay, house-father, the little one will doubtless hear reason andsubmit,” put in the aunt. “Her sons were goodly and delightsome to herin their upgrowth, but they are well-nigh men. They will be away tocourt and camp, to love and marriage; and how will it be with her then,young and fair as she still is? Well will it be for her to have astately lord of her own, and a new home of love and honour springinground her.”
“True,” continued Sorel; “and though she be too pious and wise to reckgreatly of such trifles, yet it may please her dreamy brain to hear thatSir Kasimir loves her even like a paladin, and the love of a tried man ofsix-and-forty is better worth than a mere kindling of youthful fancy.”
“Mine Eberhard loved me!” murmured Christina, almost to herself, but heraunt caught the word.
“And what was such love worth? To force thee into a stolen match, andleave thee alone and unowned to the consequences!”
“Peace!” exclaimed Christina, with crimson cheek and uplifted head.“Peace! My own dear lord loved me with true and generous love! None butmyself knows how much. Not a word will I hear against that tenderheart.”
“Yes, peace,” returned Gottfried in a conciliatory tone,—“peace to thebrave Sir Eberhard. Thine aunt meant no ill of him. He truly wouldrejoice that the wisdom of his choice should receive such testimony, andthat his sons should be thus well handled. Nay, little as I heed suchtoys, it will doubtless please the lads that the baron will obtain of theEmperor letters of nobility for this house, which verily sprang of a goodWalloon family, and so their shield will have no blank. The Romish kingpromises to give thee rank with any baroness, and hath fully owned what apearl thou art, mine own sweet dove! Nay, Sir Kasimir is comingto-morrow in the trust to make the first betrothal with Graf von Kaulwitzas a witness, and I thought of asking the Provost on the other hand.”
“To-morrow!” exclaimed Johanna; “and how is she to be meetly clad? Lookat this widow-garb; and how is time to be found for procuring otherraiment? House-father, a substantial man like you should betterunderstand! The meal too! I must to gossip Sophie!”
“Verily, dear mother and father,” said Christina, who had rallied alittle, “have patience with me. I may not lightly or suddenly betrothmyself; I know not that I can do so at all, assuredly not unless my sonswere heartily willing. Have I your leave to retire?”
“Granted, my child, for meditation will show thee that this is too fair alot for any but thee. Much had I longed to see thee wedded ere thy sonsoutgrew thy care, but I shunned proposing even one of our worthyguildmasters, lest my young Freiherr should take offence; but thisknight, of his own blood, true and wise as a burgher, and faithful andGod-fearing withal, is a better match than I durst hope, and is no doubta special reward from thy patron saint.”
“Let me entreat one favour more,” implored Christina. “Speak of this tono one ere I have seen my sons.”
She made her way to her own chamber, there to weep and flutter. Marriagewas a matter of such high contract between families that the partiesthemselves had usually no voice in the matter, and only the widowed hadany chance of a personal choice; nor was this always accorded in the caseof females, who remained at the disposal of their relatives. Goodsubstantial wedded affection was not lacking, but romantic love wasthought an unnecessary preliminary, and found a vent in extravagantadoration, not always in reputable quarters. Obedience first to thefather, then to the husband, was the first requisite; love might shiftfor itself; and the fair widow of A
dlerstein, telling her beads in sheerperplexity, knew not whether her strong repugnance to this marriage andwarm sympathy with her son Ebbo were not an act of rebellion. Yet eachmoment did her husband rise before her mind more vividly, with his ruggedlooks, his warm, tender heart, his dawnings of comprehension, hisgenerous forbearance and reverential love—the love of her youth—to beequalled by no other. The accomplished courtier and polished man of theworld might be his superior, but she loathed the superiority, since itwas to her husband. Might not his one chosen dove keep heart-whole forhim to the last? She recollected that coarsest, cruellest reproach ofall that her mother-in-law had been wont to fling at her,—that she, therecent widow, the new-made mother of Eberhard’s babes, in her grief, herterror, and her weakness had sought to captivate this suitor by herblandishments. The taunt seemed justified, and her cheeks burned withabsolute shame “My husband! my loving Eberhard! left with none but me tolove thee, unknown to thine own sons! I cannot, I will not give my heartaway from thee! Thy little bride shall be faithful to thee, whateverbetide. When we meet beyond the grave I will have been thine only, norhave set any before thy sons. Heaven forgive me if I be undutiful to myuncle; but thou must be preferred before even him! Hark!” and shestarted as if at Eberhard’s foot-step; then smiled, recollecting thatEbbo had his father’s tread. But her husband had been too much in awe ofher to enter with that hasty agitated step and exclamation, “Mother,mother, what insolence is this!”
“Hush, Ebbo! I prayed mine uncle to let me speak to thee.”
“It is true, then,” said Ebbo, dashing his cap on the ground; “I hadsoundly beaten that grinning ’prentice for telling Heinz.”
“Truly the house rings with the rumour, mother,” said Friedel, “but wehad not believed it.”
“I believed Wildschloss assured enough for aught,” said Ebbo, “but Ithought he knew where to begin. Does he not know who is head of thehouse of Adlerstein, since he must tamper with a mechanical craftsman,cap in hand to any sprig of nobility! I would have soon silenced hisovertures!”
“Is it in sooth as we heard?” asked Friedel, blushing to the ears, forthe boy was shy as a maiden. “Mother, we know what you would say,” headded, throwing himself on his knees beside her, his arm round her waist,his cheek on her lap, and his eyes raised to hers.
She bent down to kiss him. “Thou knewst it, Friedel, and now must thouaid me to remain thy father’s true widow, and to keep Ebbo from beingviolent.”
Ebbo checked his hasty march to put his hand on her chair and kiss herbrow. “Motherling, I will restrain myself, so you will give me your wordnot to desert us.”
“Nay, Ebbo,” said Friedel, “the motherling is too true and loving for usto bind her.”
“Children,” she answered, “hear me patiently. I have been communing withmyself, and deeply do I feel that none other can I love save him who isto you a mere name, but to me a living presence. Nor would I put anybetween you and me. Fear me not, Ebbo. I think the mothers and sons ofthis wider, fuller world do not prize one another as we do. But, my son,this is no matter for rage or ingratitude. Remember it is no smallcondescension in a noble to stoop to thy citizen mother.”
“He knew what painted puppets noble ladies are,” growled Ebbo.
“Moreover,” continued Christina, “thine uncle is highly gratified, andcannot believe that I can refuse. He understands not my love for thyfather, and sees many advantages for us all. I doubt me if he believes Ihave power to resist his will, and for thee, he would not count thineopposition valid. And the more angry and vehement thou art, the morewill he deem himself doing thee a service by overruling thee.”
“Come home, mother. Let Heinz lead our horses to the door in the dawn,and when we are back in free Adlerstein it will be plain who is master.”
“Such a flitting would scarce prove our wisdom,” said Christina, “to runaway with thy mother like a lover in a ballad. Nay, let me first dealgently with thine uncle, and speak myself with Sir Kasimir, so that I mayshow him the vanity of his suit. Then will we back to Adlerstein withoutleaving wounds to requite kindness.”
Ebbo was wrought on to promise not to attack the burgomaster on thesubject, but he was moody and silent, and Master Gottfried let him alone,considering his gloom as another proof of his need of fatherly authority,and as a peace-lover forbearing to provoke his fiery spirit.
But when Sir Kasimir’s visit was imminent, and Christina had refused tomake the change in her dress by which a young widow was considered to layherself open to another courtship, Master Gottfried called the twinsapart.
“My young lords,” he said, “I fear me ye are vexing your gentle mother byneedless strife at what must take place.”
“Pardon me, good uncle,” said Ebbo, “I utterly decline the honour of SirKasimir’s suit to my mother.”
Master Gottfried smiled. “Sons are not wont to be the judges in suchcases, Sir Eberhard.”
“Perhaps not,” he answered; “but my mother’s will is to the nayward, norshall she be coerced.”
“It is merely because of you and your pride,” said Master Gottfried.
“I think not so,” rejoined the calmer Friedel; “my mother’s love for myfather is still fresh.”
“Young knights,” said Master Gottfried, “it would scarce become me tosay, nor you to hear, how much matter of fancy such love must have beentowards one whom she knew but for a few short months, though her puresweet dreams, through these long years, have moulded him into a hero.Boys, I verily believe ye love her truly. Would it be well for her stillto mourn and cherish a dream while yet in her fresh age, capable of newhappiness, fuller than she has ever enjoyed?”
“She is happy with us,” rejoined Ebbo.
“And ye are good lads and loving sons, though less duteous in manner thanI could wish. But look you, you may not ever be with her, and when yeare absent in camp or court, or contracting a wedlock of your own, wouldyou leave her to her lonesome life in your solitary castle?”
Friedel’s unselfishness might have been startled, but Ebbo boldlyanswered, “All mine is hers. No joy to me but shall be a joy to her. Wecan make her happier than could any stranger. Is it not so, Friedel?”
“It is,” said Friedel, thoughtfully.
“Ah, rash bloods, promising beyond what ye can keep. Nature will be toostrong for you. Love your mother as ye may, what will she be to you whena bride comes in your way? Fling not away in wrath, Sir Baron; it was sowith your parents both before you; and what said the law of the good Godat the first marriage? How can you withstand the nature He has given?”
“Belike I may wed,” said Ebbo, bluntly; “but if it be not for my mother’shappiness, call me man-sworn knight.”
“Not so,” good-humouredly answered Gottfried, “but boy-sworn paladin, whotalks of he knows not what. Speak knightly truth, Sir Baron, and ownthat this opposition is in verity from distaste to a stepfather’s rule.”
“I own that I will not brook such rule,” said Ebbo; “nor do I know whatwe have done to deserve that it should be thrust on us. You have neverblamed Friedel, at least; and verily, uncle, my mother’s eye will lead mewhere a stranger’s hand shall never drive me. Did I even think she hadfor this man a quarter of the love she bears to my dead father, I wouldstrive for endurance; but in good sooth we found her in tears, praying usto guard her from him. I may be a boy, but I am man enough to preventher from being coerced.”
“Was this so, Friedel?” asked Master Gottfried, moved more than by allthat had gone before. “Ach, I thought ye all wiser. And spake she notof Sir Kasimir’s offers?—Interest with the Romish king?—Yea, and a grantof nobility and arms to this house, so as to fill the blank in yourscutcheon?”
“My father never asked if she were noble,” said Ebbo. “Nor will I barterher for a cantle of a shield.”
“There spake a manly spirit,” said his uncle, delighted. “Her worth hathtaught thee how little to prize these gewgaws! Yet, if you look tomingling with your
own proud kind, ye may fall among greater slights thanye can brook. It may matter less to you, Sir Baron, but Friedel here,ay, and your sons, will be ineligible to the choicest orders ofknighthood, and the canonries and chapters that are honourableendowments.”
Friedel looked as if he could bear it, and Eberhard said, “The order ofthe Dove of Adlerstein is enough for us.”
“Headstrong all, headstrong all,” sighed Master Gottfried. “One romanticmarriage has turned all your heads.”
The Baron of Adlerstein Wildschloss, unprepared for the opposition thatawaited him, was riding down the street equipped point device, and with agoodly train of followers, in brilliant suits. Private wooing did notenter into the honest ideas of the burghers, and the suitor was usheredinto the full family assembly, where Christina rose and came forward afew steps to meet him, curtseying as low as he bowed, as he said, “Lady,I have preferred my suit to you through your honour-worthy uncle, who isgood enough to stand my friend.”
“You are over good, sir. I feel the honour, but a second wedlock may notbe mine.”
“Now,” murmured Ebbo to his brother, as the knight and lady seatedthemselves in full view, “now will the smooth-tongued fellow talk her outof her senses. Alack! that gipsy prophecy!”
Wildschloss did not talk like a young wooer; such days were over forboth; but he spoke as a grave and honourable man, deeply penetrated withtrue esteem and affection. He said that at their first meeting he hadbeen struck with her sweetness and discretion, and would soon after haveendeavoured to release her from her durance, but that he was bound by thecontract already made with the Trautbachs, who were dangerous neighboursto Wildschloss. He had delayed his distasteful marriage as long aspossible, and it had caused him nothing but trouble and strife; hischildren would not live, and Thekla, the only survivor, was, as his soleheiress, a mark for the cupidity of her uncle, the Count of Trautbach,and his almost savage son Lassla; while the right to the Wildschlossbarony would become so doubtful between her and Ebbo, as heir of the maleline, that strife and bloodshed would be well-nigh inevitable. Thesecauses made it almost imperative that he should re-marry, and his ownstrong preference and regard for little Thekla directed his wishestowards the Freiherrinn von Adlerstein. He backed his suit with courtlycompliments, as well as with representations of his child’s need of amother’s training, and the twins’ equal want of fatherly guidance,dilating on the benefits he could confer on them.
Christina felt his kindness, and had full trust in his intentions. “No”was a difficult syllable to her, but she had that within her which couldnot accept him; and she firmly told him that she was too much bound toboth her Eberhards. But there was no daunting him, nor preventing heruncle and aunt from encouraging him. He professed that he would wait,and give her time to consider; and though she reiterated thatconsideration would not change her mind, Master Gottfried came forward tothank him, and express his confidence of bringing her to reason.
“While I, sir,” said Ebbo, with flashing eyes, and low but resentfulvoice, “beg to decline the honour in the name of the elder house ofAdlerstein.”
He held himself upright as a dart, but was infinitely annoyed by thelittle mocking bow and smile that he received in return, as Sir Kasimir,with his long mantle, swept out of the apartment, attended by MasterGottfried.
“Burgomaster Sorel,” said the boy, standing in the middle of the floor ashis uncle returned, “let me hear whether I am a person of anyconsideration in this family or not?”
“Nephew baron,” quietly replied Master Gottfried, “it is not the use ofus Germans to be dictated to by youths not yet arrived at years ofdiscretion.”
“Then, mother,” said Ebbo, “we leave this place to-morrow morn.” And ather nod of assent the house-father looked deeply grieved, thehouse-mother began to clamour about ingratitude. “Not so,” answeredEbbo, fiercely. “We quit the house as poor as we came, in homespun andwith the old mare.”
“Peace, Ebbo!” said his mother, rising; “peace, I entreat, house-mother!pardon, uncle, I pray thee. O, why will not all who love me let mefollow that which I believe to be best!”
“Child,” said her uncle, “I cannot see thee domineered over by a youthwhose whole conduct shows his need of restraint.”
“Nor am I,” said Christina. “It is I who am utterly averse to thisoffer. My sons and I are one in that; and, uncle, if I pray of you toconsent to let us return to our castle, it is that I would not see thevisit that has made us so happy stained with strife and dissension!Sure, sure, you cannot be angered with my son for his love for me.”
“For the self-seeking of his love,” said Master Gottfried. “It is togratify his own pride that he first would prevent thee from beingenriched and ennobled, and now would bear thee away to the scant—Nay,Freiherr, I will not seem to insult you, but resentment would make youcruel to your mother.”
“Not cruel!” said Friedel, hastily. “My mother is willing. And verily,good uncle, methinks that we all were best at home. We have benefitedmuch and greatly by our stay; we have learnt to love and reverence you;but we are wild mountaineers at the best; and, while our hearts arefretted by the fear of losing our sweet mother, we can scarce be aspatient or submissive as if we had been bred up by a stern father. Wehave ever judged and acted for ourselves, and it is hard to us not to doso still, when our minds are chafed.”
“Friedel,” said Ebbo, sternly, “I will have no pardon asked formaintaining my mother’s cause. Do not thou learn to be smooth-tongued.”
“O thou wrong-headed boy!” half groaned Master Gottfried. “Why did notall this fall out ten years sooner, when thou wouldst have been amenable?Yet, after all, I do not know that any noble training has produced a morehigh-minded loving youth,” he added, half relenting as he looked at thegallant, earnest face, full of defiance indeed, but with a certainwistful appealing glance at “the motherling,” softening the liquidlustrous dark eye. “Get thee gone, boy, I would not quarrel with you;and it may be, as Friedel says, that we are best out of one another’sway. You are used to lord it, and I can scarce make excuses for you.”
“Then,” said Ebbo, scarce appeased, “I take home my mother, and you, sir,cease to favour Kasimir’s suit.”
“No, Sir Baron. I cease not to think that nothing would be so much foryour good. It is because I believe that a return to your own old castlewill best convince you all that I will not vex your mother by furtheropposing your departure. When you perceive your error may it only not betoo late! Such a protector is not to be found every day.”
“My mother shall never need any protector save myself,” said Ebbo; “but,sir, she loves you, and owes all to you. Therefore I will not be atstrife with you, and there is my hand.”
He said it as if he had been the Emperor reconciling himself to all theHanse towns in one. Master Gottfried could scarce refrain from shrugginghis shoulders, and Hausfrau Johanna was exceedingly angry with thepetulant pride and insolence of the young noble; but, in effect, all weretoo much relieved to avoid an absolute quarrel with the fiery lad to takeexception at minor matters. The old burgher was forbearing; Christina,who knew how much her son must have swallowed to bring him to thisconcession for love of her, thought him a hero worthy of all sacrifices;and peace-making Friedel, by his aunt’s side, soon softened even her, bysome of the persuasive arguments that old dames love from gracious,graceful, great-nephews.
And when, by and by, Master Gottfried went out to call on Sir Kasimir,and explain how he had thought it best to yield to the hot-tempered lad,and let the family learn how to be thankful for the goods they hadrejected, he found affairs in a state that made him doubly anxious thatthe young barons should be safe on their mountain without knowing ofthem. The Trautbach family had heard of Wildschloss’s designs, and theyhad set abroad such injurious reports respecting the Lady of Adlerstein,that Sir Kasimir was in the act of inditing a cartel to be sent by CountKaulwitz, to demand an explanation—not merely as the lady’s suitor, butas the only Adle
rstein of full age. Now, if Ebbo had heard of therumour, he would certainly have given the lie direct, and taken the wholedefence on himself; and it may be feared that, just as his cause mighthave been, Master Gottfried’s faith did not stretch to believing that itwould make his sixteen-year-old arm equal to the brutal might of Lasslaof Trautbach. So he heartily thanked the Baron of Wildschloss, agreedwith him that the young knights were not as yet equal to the maintenanceof the cause, and went home again to watch carefully that no reportreached either of his nephews. Nor did he breathe freely till he hadseen the little party ride safe off in the early morning, in much morelordly guise than when they had entered the city.
As to Wildschloss and his nephew of Trautbach, in spite of theirrelationship they had a sharp combat on the borders of their own estates,in which both were severely wounded; but Sir Kasimir, with themisericorde in his grasp, forced Lassla to retract whatever he had saidin dispraise of the Lady of Adlerstein. Wily old Gottfried took carethat the tidings should be sent in a form that might at once moveChristina with pity and gratitude towards her champion, and convince hersons that the adversary was too much hurt for them to attempt a freshchallenge.