had been conducted with but indifferent generalship, and that failure
had been richly earned by desertions from the attacking force, each
noble thinking himself justified in withdrawing himself and his men,
when offended, or when the conduct of affairs displeased him, so von
Schonburg informed the second deputation which waited on him, that he
was more accustomed to depend on himself than on the aid of others, and
that if any quarrel arose between Castle Schonburg and Schloss
Wiethoff, the Count would endeavour to settle the dispute with his own
sword, which reply greatly encouraged the Baron when he heard of it,
for he wished to try conclusions with the newcomer, and made no secret
of his disbelief in the latter's Saracenic exploits, saying the Count
had returned when there was none left of the band he took with him, and
had, therefore, with much wisdom, left himself free from contradiction.

There was some disappointment up and down the Rhine when time passed
and the Count made no warlike move. It was well known that the Countess
was much averse to war, notwithstanding the fact that she was indebted
to war for her stalwart husband, and her peaceful nature was held to
excuse the non-combative life lived by the Count, although there were
others who gave it as their opinion that the Count was really afraid of
the Baron, who daily became more and more obnoxious as there seemed to
be less and less to fear. Such boldness did the Baron achieve that he
even organised a slight raid upon the estate of Gudenfels which
belonged to the Count's wife, but still Herbert of Schonburg did not
venture from the security of his castle, greatly to the disappointment
and the disgust of his neighbours, for there are on earth no people who
love a fight more dearly than do those who reside along the banks of
the placid Rhine.

At last an heir was born to Castle Schonburg, and the rejoicings