his legs.

"Hans shall draw off your boots, fair brother," began the dame; but
poor Christina, the more anxious to propitiate him in little things,
because of the horror and dread with which his main purpose inspired
her, was already on her knees, pulling with her small quivering hands
at the long steel-guarded boot--a task to which she would have been
utterly inadequate, but for some lazy assistance from her father's
other foot. She further brought a pair of her uncle's furred
slippers, while Reiter Hugh proceeded to dangle one of the boots in
the air, expatiating on its frail condition, and expressing his
intention of getting a new pair from Master Matthias, the sutor, ere
he should leave Ulm on the morrow. Then, again, came the dreaded
subject; his daughter must go with him.

"What would you with Christina, brother?" gravely asked Master
Gottfried, seating himself on the opposite side of the stove, while
out of sight the frightened girl herself knelt on the floor, her head
on her aunt's knees, trying to derive comfort from Dame Johanna's
clasping hands, and vehement murmurs that they would not let their
child be taken from them. Alas! these assurances were little in
accordance with Hugh's rough reply, "And what is it to you what I do
with mine own?"

"Only this, that, having bred her up as my child and intended
heiress, I might have some voice."

"Oh! in choosing her mate! Some mincing artificer, I trow, fiddling
away with wood and wire to make gauds for the fair-day! Hast got him
here? If I like him, and she likes him, I'll bring her back when her