As I, on my ride home through the wood, turned over in my mind who might be the wise and trusty friend to whom we could confide our case and our fears, if Kubbeling should leave us in the lurch, verily I found no reply.  If indeed Cousin Gotz—­that wise and steadfast wayfaring man, rich with a thousand experiences of outlandish life—­if he were willing to make common cause with his Little Red-riding-hood, and the companion of his youth!  But a terrible oath kept him far away, and where in the wide world might he be found?

Ann likewise had much to cause her heaviness, and I thanked the Saints that I was alone with Eppelein when he told me that his dear lord was sorely changed, albeit having seen him only from afar, he could scarce tell me wherein that change lay.

Thus we rode homewards in silence, through the evening dusk, and as we came in sight of the lights of the town all my doubting and wandering fears vanished on a sudden in wonderment as to who should be the first person we might meet within the gate, inasmuch as Cousin Maud had ever set us the unwise example of considering such a meeting as a sign, or token, or Augury.

Now, as soon as we had left the gate behind us, lo, a lantern was lifted, and we saw, by the light twinkling dimly through the horn, instead of old Hans Heimvogel’s red, sottish face, a sweet and lovely maiden’s; by reason that he had fallen into horrors, imagining that mice were rushing over him, so that his fair granddaughter Maria was doing duty for him.  And I greeted her right graciously, inasmuch as Cousin Maud held it to be a good sign when a smiling maid should be the first to meet her as she came into the city gates.

As for Ann, she scarce marked that it was Maria; and when, after we were come home, I spoke of this token of good promise, she asked me how, in these evil days, I could find heart to think of such matters; and she sighed and cried:  “Oh, Margery, indeed I am heavy at heart!  For three long years have I taken patience and with a right good will.  But the end, meseems, is further than ever, and he who should have helped us is disabled or ever he has stirred a finger, and even my lord Cardinal’s home-coming is put off, albeit all men know that Herdegen is as a man in a den of lions—­and I, my spirit sinks within me.  And even my wise grandmother can give me no better counsel than to ‘wait patiently’ and yet again ‘Wait’ . . .”

Whereupon Susan, who had taken off from us our wet hoods, broke in with:  “Aye, Mistress Ann, and that has ever from the days of Adam and Eve, been the best of all counsel.  For life all through is but waiting for the end; and even when we have taken the last Sacrament and our eyes are dim in death then most of all must we take Patience, waiting for that we shall find beyond the grave.  Here below!  By my soul, I myself grew grey waiting in vain for one who long years ago gave me this ring.  Others had better luck; yet if the priest had wed us, would