“I have learned little about shivering, but a chill ran down my spine.  Of course, I did not let her notice anything.  Poor child! after the honour bestowed yesterday, I thought there would be nothing to-day except laughter and loud singing.  But my grandmother used to say that the grief which tortures a young girl—­she herself knows not why—­is the hardest to bear, and then Barbara must now make up her mind about marriage, for, besides you, there are Peter Schlumperger and young Crafft to be considered.

“I remembered all this, and so, as usual, I took her face between my hands to give her her morning kiss.  She always offers me her lips, but to-day she turned away so that my mouth barely brushed her cheeks.  ‘Women’s whims!’ I thought, and therefore let it pass.  You can imagine how glad I should have been to hear something more about yesterday evening, but I made no objection when she wished to go to the chapel at once, because she had overslept the hour of mass.  She would be back again before the porridge was heated.  But the little bowl has stood there probably three quarters of an hour, and we are still waiting in vain.”

Here he paused in his voluble flow of speech, and then burst forth angrily:  “The devil may understand such a girl’s soul!  Usually Wawerl does just the opposite of what one expects; but if she does accept you, she will—­as an honest man I ought not to conceal it from you—­she will give you many a riddle to guess.  Whims and freaks are as plenty with her as buttercups in spring turf; but you can’t find a more pious girl in all Ratisbon.  From ancient times the motto of the Blombergs has been ’Faith, Courage, and Honour,’ and for that very reason it seems to me highly improbable that Wawerl would advise you to accept an office which, after all, will force you to yield to the will of heretical superiors.  The high pay alone will hardly win her.”

“It will not?” asked Wolf in astonishment.  “It is for her alone, not for myself, that I value the increased income.”

“For her?” repeated the old man, shrugging his shoulders incredulously.  “Open your eyes, and you will see what she cares for gold and jewels.”

“The splendid bouquet there—­do you suppose that she even looked at it?  Bright pinks, red roses, and stately lilies in the centre.  Where were they obtained, since April is scarcely past?  And yet she threw the costly birthday gift aside as if the flowers were apple parings.  It was not she, but I, who afterward put them in the pitcher, for I can’t bear to see any of God’s creatures thirst, even though it is only a flower.  Besides, we both know that the fullest purse in the city, and a man worthy of all respect to boot, are attached to the bouquet.  Yes, indeed!  For a long time she has been unwilling to share my poverty, and if Herr Peter had remained loyal to our holy religion, I would persuade her myself.”

Here, exhausted by his eager speech, he paused with flushed cheeks—­for it was a hot day—­and raised his long arm to take his hat from the hook, to refresh his dry palate at the tavern.