When we all took leave my grand-uncle bid Herdegen stay, and Kunz waited on us; but notwithstanding all his merry quips as we went home, not once could we be moved to laughter.  My heart was indeed right heavy; a bitter drop had fallen into it by reason of Cousin Maud.  I had ever deemed her incapable of anything but what was truest and best, and she had proved herself a double-dealer; and young as I was, and rejoicing in life, I said, nevertheless, in my soul’s dejection, that if life was such that every poor human soul must be ever armed with doubt, saying, “Whom shall I trust or doubt?” then it was indeed a hard and painful journey to win through.

I slept in my cousin’s room, and albeit Cousin Maud wist not that I had overheard her counsel given to my grand-uncle, she kept out of my way that night, and we neither of us spoke till we said good-night.  Then could I no longer refrain myself, and asked whether it were verily and indeed her intent to part Herdegen from Ann.

And her ill-favored countenance grew strangely puckered and her bosom heaved till suddenly she cried beside herself:  “Cruel!  Unhappy!  Oh!  It will eat my heart out!” And she sobbed aloud, while I did the same, crying: 

“But you love them both?”

“That I do, and that is the very matter,” she broke in sadly enough.  “Herdegen, and Ann!  Why, I know not which I hold the dearer.  But find me a wiser man in all Nuremberg than your grand-uncle.  But verily, merciful Virgin, I know not what I would be at—­I know not....!”

On this I forgot the respect due to her and put in:  “You know not?” And whereas she made no reply, I railed at her, saying:  “And yet you gave her the linen, and half the matters for her house-gear as a Christmas gift, as though they were known for a bride and groom to all the town.  As old as you are and as wise, can you take pleasure in a love-match and even speed it forward as you have done, and yet purpose in your soul to hinder it at last?  And is this the truth and honesty whereof early and late you have ever taught me?  Is this being upright and faithful, or not rather speaking with two tongues?”

My fiery blood had again played me an evil trick, and I repented me when I perceived what great grief my violent speech had wrought in the dear soul.  Never had I beheld her so feeble and doubting, and in a minute I was in her arms and a third person might have marvelled to hear us each craving pardon, she for her faint-hearted fears, and I for my unseemly outbreak.  But in that hour I became her friend, and ceased to be no more than her child and fondling.

Herdegen was to be ready to set forth before Passion week; but ere he quitted home he made all the city ring with his praises, for, whereas he had hitherto won fame in the school of arms only, by the strength and skill of his arm, he now outdid every other in the procession of masks.  Albeit this custom is still kept up to this very day, yet many an one may have forgotten how it first had its rise, although in my young days it was well known to most folks.