But, hotly as his blood boiled, the Junker refrained himself, inasmuch as knightly courtesy forbade him to repay Ursula in the like coin; and as it fell Cousin Maud was enabled to aid him in this praiseworthy selfrule.  She came forward with long strides, and her eyes flashed wrathful threats, till meseemed they were more fiery than the jewels in the tall plumes she wore on her head.  She thrust aside the young men and maid who made up the Court of Love as a swift ship cuts through the small fry in the water.  Without let or pause she pushed on, and as soon as she caught sight of Ann she seized her by the arm, stroked her hair and cheeks, and flung a few sharp words at Ursula: 

“I will talk to you presently!” Then she bid me remain behind with Hans and withdrew, carrying Ann with her, while Junker Henning followed praying to be forgiven for all the discomfort she had suffered by reason of him.  This Ann gladly granted, and besought us and him alike to come with her no further.

When he came back to us Ursula, who was aggrieved by the looks of displeasure she met on all sides, cried out:  “Back already, Sir Junker?  If you had so lightly yielded your rights to kiss of mine, you may be certain that I would have appealed to any one who would do my behest to call you to account for such scorn!”

She eyed the young nobleman with a bold gaze, never weening that this challenge was all he waited for.  He tossed his curly head, and cried with sparkling eyes:  “Then, mistress, I would have you to know that I would take no kiss from you, even if you were to offer it.  I have spoken —­now call forth your champions.”

He was silent a moment, and then, glancing round at the bystanders with defiant looks, he went on:  “If any gentleman here present sets a higher price than I, the high-born Henning Beust, heir and Lord of Busta and Schadstett, on a kiss from the lips which have wronged my fair lady with spiteful speech, let him now stoop and pick up my glove.  There it lies!”

And he flung it on the ground, while Ursula turned pale.  Her eyes turned from one to another of the young gentlemen who paid her court and they were many—­and the longer silence reigned the faster came her breath and the hotter waxed her ire.  But on a sudden she was calm; her eyes had lighted on Sir Franz von Welemisl, and all might read what she demanded of him.  The Bohemian understood her; he picked up the glove and muttered to the Junker with a shrug:  “Mistress Ursula commands me!”

A look of pain passed over the brave youth’s merry face, for that heretofore the young knight and he had been in good fellowship, and he hastily answered:  “Nay, Sir Knight; I would have crossed swords with you readily enough or ever you had felt the prick of Swabian steel; but now you are not yet fully yourself again, and to fight with a friend who is sick is against the rule of my country.”

The words were spoken from a kind and honest heart, and I saw in Sir Franz’s face that he knew their intent was true; but as he put forth his hand to grasp the Junker’s, Ursula tossed her head in high disdain.  Sir Franz hastily changed his mien, and cried:  “Then you will do well to act against the rule of your country, and fight the champion of the lady you have offended.”