The Dove in the Eagle's Nest

ave been fatal to many apparently stronger persons. The events of that frightful Easter Monday morning did indeed almost kill her; but the effects, though severe, were not lasting; and by t

fretted, the child had pined, and had been given back to his mother to save his life; and ever si

rstein Wildschloss had renewed all her hatred, and she had no scruple in abusing "the burgher-woman" to the whole household for her artful desire to captivate another nobleman. She, no doubt, expected that degenerate fool of a Wildschlosser to co

he various attendants at the Friedmund Wake, came up and knocked at the door. He h

is for the L

ness. I levy toll for

e must have the charge, and nee

Schneiderlein! Come down with the toll instantly. It shall

vex her not," ent

undle, and explain that it had been entrusted to him by a pedlar from Ulm, who would likewise take charge of anything

nvas covering, within which lay folds on folds of linen, and in the midst a rich silver goblet, long ago brought by her fa

d Master Gottfried's part whether she were still truly worthy of love or honour. The slaughter at Jacob Müller's had been already known to him, and he expressed himself as relieved, but greatly amazed, at t

ald should be withheld from injuring them so long as no molestation was offered to travellers. It was plain that Sir Kasimir had well and generously done his best to protect the helpless twins, and he sent respectful but cordial greetings to their mother. These however were far less heeded by her than the coldness of her uncle's letter. She had drifted beyond the reckoning of her kindred, and they were sending her her property and brid

tle ones left her any leisure, she spent this her first wedding-day in writing so earnest and loving a letter as, in spite of medi?val formality,

ther with two ivory boxes of comfits, and two little purple silk, gold-edged, straight, narrow garments and tight round brimless lace caps, for the two little Barons. Nor did henceforth a wake-day pass by w

ein would have been insane had they attempted to contend with such superior numbers. That the castle remained unattacked was attributed by the elder Baroness to its own merits; nor did Christina undeceive her. They had no intercourse with the outer world, except that once a pursuivant arrived with a formal intimation from their kinsman, the Baron of Adlerstein Wildschloss, of his marriage wi

ed his broad lands on the Danube, instead of contributing to the fees of his pursuivant. The cup could indeed be ill spared. The cattle and swine, the dues of the serfs, and the yearly toll at the wake were the sole resources of the household; and tho

urchins themselves would feel for cross or medal, ere naming themselves "Ebbo," or "Friedel." They were tall for their age, but with the slender make of their foreign ancestry; and, though their fair rosy complexions were brightened by mountain mists and winds, their rapidly darkening hair, and large liquid brown eyes, told of their Italian blood. Their grandmother looked on their colouring as a taint, and Christina herself had

put into the baronial chair with the eagle carved at the back; every member of the household, from his grandmother downwards, placed him foremost, and Friedel followed their example, at the less loss to himself, as his hand was always in Ebbo's, and all their doings were in common. Sometimes however the mother doubted whether there would have been this perfect absence of all contest had the meda

urt, smiling and applauding every large handful held up to her, every laughing combat, every well-aimed hit, as the hardy little fellows sc

ng replies to all advances had begun to weary and irritate Ebbo. He dragged it out by its chain, and, tethering it to a post, made it a mark for his snowballs, which, kneaded hard, and delivered with hearty good-will by his sturdy arms, made the poor little beast yelp with pain and terror, till the more tender-hearted Friedel threw himself on his brother to withhold him, while M?tz stood by laughing and applauding the Baron. Seeing Ebbo sh

me, Ebbo,

Let me alone, mother!" cried Ebbo, stamping on the snow,

aroness, appearing on the scen

e deal with yonder savag

tand thee here. At thy peril!" she added, turning on Christina. "What, art not content to have

rue courage, not crue

o! That's my gallant young knight! Out of the way, girl, with thy whining looks! What, Friedel, be a man, and aid thy brother! Has she made thee a puling woman already?" And Kun

unted the old lady; "never he

sobbed out, "Oh, mother, the poor little wolf! Oh, mother, are you weeping too? The grandmother sh

o should learn that it i

d Friedel, whose mind had been much impress

my poor boys, must you be taught foul cruel

l, lifting his head from her shou

r child; it does

his grandmother and of M?tz, he had furiously pelted the poor animal with all missiles that came to hand, till a blow, either from him or M?tz, had produced such a howl and struggle of agony, and then such terrible stillness, as had gone to the young Baron's very heart, a heart as soft as that of his father had been by nature. Indeed, his sobs were so p

et thee another

have another cub! Why

piteful brute! That's no bette

iedel! They would have withh

s mother; "you know not what you s

t to be checked here, and thwarted there, and taught to mince his words like a cap-in-hand pedlar.

es will not cure the wolf whelp.

e gone; but alas! what augury for the fut