flies over seas faster than we can."

While he spoke thus Uncle Christian had recovered his temper, and he
followed after Kubbeling with such a haste as his huge body would allow,
nor was it to quarrel with him any more.

The rest, who had sat at breakfast, had by good hap heard nought of our
disputing, by reason that Master Windecke had so much new matter for
discourse that every ear hung on his words; and he, again, forgot to eat
while he talked. In Cousin Maud, indeed, as she hearkened to my
godfather's wrathful speech, certain doubts had arisen; yet even stronger
resistance would never have turned her aside from anything she deemed
truly good and right; howbeit she was more than willing to leave it to us
to settle matters with Aunt Jacoba. We went up-stairs to her, and at her
chamber door our courage failed us, inasmuch as we could hear through the
door my uncle's angry speech, and that laugh which my aunt was wont to
utter when aught came to her ears which she was not fain to hear.

"And if she were to say No?" said I to Ann. Hereupon a right sorrowful
and painful cloud overspread her face, and it was in a dejected tone that
she answered me that then indeed all must be at an end, and her fondest
hopes nipped, by reason that she owed more to Mistress Waldstromer than
ever she could repay, and whatsoever she might undertake against her will
would of a certainty come to no good end. And we heard my aunt's laugh
again; but then I took heart, and raised the latch, and Ann led the way
into the chamber.

Howbeit, if we had cherished the smallest hope without, within it failed
us wholly. As we went in my uncle was standing close by my aunt; his
back was towards us, and he saw us not; but his mien alone showed us that