die of laughing!--when that illustrious lady whispered the truth in my
ear that her intending kinsman had thrown me over, and, with me, old Im
Hoff's wealth, for the sake of a scrivener's wench. And to think that as
a boy he was wont to bring me posies, and wear my colors! Nay, and since
that time he has shot many a fiery glance at me. Only lately he wrote to
his uncle from Paris that he was minded to make me his wife. Ah, you may
open your eyes wide, most respected every-one's-cousin Maud, and you
likewise, prim and spotless Mistress Margery! Cross yourselves in the
name of all the Saints! A dead wolf cannot bite, and as for my love for
that man, I may boldly declare that it is dead and buried. But mark me,"
and she clapped her hand to her heaving bosom, "mark me, somewhat else
hath made entrance here, with drums and trumpets and high jubilee: Hate!
--I hate you, Herdegen, as I hate death, pestilence, and hell; and I hate
you twice as much since your skill with the rapier brought the combat
with the Brandenburger, into which I entrapped you, to so perverse an
end."

Hereupon Cousin Maud, wild with rage herself, gripped her again by the
arm to draw her forth from the chamber, but Ursula went on in a milder
tone:

"Only a few moments longer, I pray you; for by the Blessed Virgin and all
the Saints I swear that I would not have come hither at so late an hour
but to deliver my message to Herdegen."

My cousin released her, and she drew forth a written paper and again
enquired for Ann; howbeit my brother said that he did not purpose to call
her in, and desired that she would give him the paper, if indeed it
concerned him. To this she answered that he would presently know that
much, inasmuch as it was her intent to read it to the company, only she