Queen Barbara, of her grace, had bidden me attend with her ladies.  At the jousting-place I found Ann; her mother had remained at home by reason that the old mother was sick.  My faithful Uncle Christian Pfinzing, who played the host to the Emperor and Empress at the Castle as representing the town council, had brought his “dear watchman” hither and placed her in the keeping of certain motherly dames.  Presently, seeing a moment when she might speak with me, Ann said in my ear:  “I will end this sport, Margery; I can no longer endure it.  He hath sworn to renounce all and everything that may keep us apart!” There was no time for more.  Each one had to take his seat.  As yet their Majesties were not come, and there was time to gaze about.

The lists were in the midst of the market-place.  The benches were decked with hangings, the lords and ladies who filled them, the feathers waving, the sparkle of jewels, the glitter of gold and silver, the sheen of silk and velvet, the throng of common folk, head over head in the topmost places, the music and uproar, nay, the very savor of the horses dwell still in my mind; yet far be it from me to write of things well-known to most men.

Then my grand-uncle came forth.  He had Ursula on his arm as he walked through the gate-way into the lists and across the sanded ring to his seat on the far side.  This was in truth forbidden, but the unabashed old man defied the rules, and as for Ursula she was well pleased to be gazed at.  The old knight was smiling; how stately was his mien, and how well the silver breast plate beseemed him, with the golden lion rampant of the Im Hoffs!  That helmet and breastplate had been forged for his special use of the finest silver and gold plate, and were better fit to turn the point of my pen-knife than that of sword and lance.  Yet many an one admired the stalwart gait of the old man in his heavy harness.  Even Tetzel’s dull face was less dull than its wont, and Ursula’s eyes sparkled as though her knight had carried off the prize.

Presently my grand-uncle saw where I was sitting, and waved and bowed to me as though he had some good tidings to give me.  Tetzel did likewise, seeming like the old man’s pale and creeping shadow.  Ursula’s triumphing eyes proclaimed that now she had indeed gained her end; the dullest wit might not miss her meaning.  In spite of Ann, Herdegen had pledged his troth to Ursula.  The lists and seats, meseemed, whirled round me in a maze, and scarce had they settled down again, as it were, when Cousin Maud sat down heavily in her place, and by her face made me aware that some great thing had befallen; for now and again she drew in her cheeks and pursed her lips as though she would fain blow out a light.  When my eyes met hers she privily pointed with her fan to show me Herdegen and Ursula, and shrugged her shoulders so high that her big head with its great feathered turban sank between them.  And if there was surging and wrath in her breast not less was there in mine.  Howbeit I had to put on a guise of content, nay of gladness, for the Royal pair had bidden me to their side and it was my task to explain all they desired to learn.