v: 
 
J/ . XAzJ^'ZyO-^/'Z-^ 
 
"Gf)tllf>lj st<)])])e(l short, and, kneeling, lie reverently asked the monk 
 to bless him." — The Ilcidoiuiaiicr, pajje 53. 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER 
 
 OR, THE BENEDICTINES 
 
 A LEGEND OF THE RHINE 
 
 BY 
 
 J. FENIMORE COOPER 
 
 " From mighty wrongs to petty perfidy. 
 Have I not scon what human things could do." — Bvron 
 
 CHICAGO AND NEW YORK: 
 BELFOKD, CLAliKh] ct COMrANY, 
 
 PUBLiaUERS. 
 
Gir. 
 
 TROW'9 
 
 fniNTING AHO BOOKBINDING COMPANY, 
 
 "EW YORK. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 "I shall crave your forbearance a little ; may be, I will call upon you 
 anon, for some advantage to yourself." — Measure for Pleasure. 
 
 Contrary to a long-established usage, a summer had 
 been passed within the walls of a large town ; but, the 
 moment of liberation arrived, the bird does not quit its 
 cage with greater pleasure than that with which post- 
 horses w^ere commanded. We were four in a light 
 travelling caleche, which strong Nornian cattle transported 
 merrily towards their native province. For a time we 
 quitted Paris, the queen of modern cities, with its tumults 
 and its order ; its palaces and its lanes ; its elegance and 
 its filth ; its restless inhabitants and its stationary politi- 
 cians ; its theories and its practices ; its riches and its 
 poverty ; its gay and its sorrowful ; its rentiers and its 
 patriots ; its young liberals and its old illiberals ; its three 
 estates and its equality ; its delicacy of speech and its 
 strength of conduct ; its government of the people and its 
 people of no government ; its bayonets and its moral 
 force ; its science and its ignorance ; its amusements and 
 its revolutions ; its resistance that goes backward, and its 
 movement that stands still ; its milliners, its philosophers, 
 its opera-dancers, its poets, its fiddlers, its bankers, and its 
 cooks. Although so long enthralled within the barriers, 
 it was not easy to quit Paris entirely without regret — 
 Paris, wliich every stranger ccnsiu-es, and every stranger 
 seeks ; which moralists abhor and imitate ; which causes 
 the heads of the old to shake, and the hearts of the yotmg 
 to beat ; — Paris, the centre of so much that is excellent, 
 and of so much that cannot be named ! 
 
 That night we laid our heads on rustic pillows, far from 
 the Frencli capital. Tlie succeeding day we snuffed the 
 air of the sea. Passing through Artois and French Flan- 
 
 
4 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 dors, on the fifth morning we entered the new kingdom of 
 Belgium, by the historical and respectable town of Douai, 
 and Tournai, and Ath. At every step we met the flag 
 which tlutters over the pavilion of the Tuileries, and 
 recognized the confident air and swinging gait of French 
 soldiers. They had just been employed in propping the 
 crumbling throne of the house of Saxe. To us they 
 seemed as much at home as when they lounged on the 
 Ouai d'Orsay. 
 
 There was still abundant evidence visible at Brussels, of 
 the fierce nature of the struggle that had expelled the 
 Dutch. Forty-six shells were sticking in the side of a 
 single building of no great size, while ninety-three grape- 
 shot were buried in one of its pilasters! In our own 
 rooms, too, there were fearful signs of war. The mirrors 
 were in fragments, the walls broken by langrage, the 
 w^ood-work of the beds was pierced by shot, and the 
 furniture was marked by rude encounters. The trees of 
 the park were mutilated in a thousand places, and one of 
 the little Cupids, that we had left laughing above the 
 principal gate three years before, was now maimed and 
 melancholy, whilst its companion had altogether taken 
 flight on the wings of a cannon-ball. Though dwelling in 
 the very centre of so many hostile vestiges, w^e happily 
 escaped the sight of human blood ; for w^e understo(jd 
 from the obliging Swiss who presides over the hotel that 
 his cellars, at all times in repute, w^ere in more than usual 
 request during the siege. From so much proof we were 
 left to infer, that the Belgians had made stout battle for 
 their emancipation, one sign at least that they merited to 
 be "free. 
 
 Our road lay by Louvain, Thirlemont, Liege, Aix-la- 
 Chapellc, and Juliers, to the Rhine. The former of these 
 towns had been the scene of a contest between the hostile 
 armies, the preceding week. As the Dutch had been 
 accused of unusual excesses in their advance, we looked 
 out for the signs. How" many of these marks had been 
 already obliterated, we could not well ascertain ; but those 
 which were still visible gave us reason to think that the 
 invaders did not merit all the opprobrium they had re- 
 ceived. Each hour, as life advances, am I made to see 
 how capricious and vulgar is the immortality conferred by 
 a newspaper ! 
 
 It would be injustice to the ancient Bishopric of Liege 
 
i.ytroduction: 5 
 
 to pass its beautiful scenery without a comment. The 
 country possesses nearly every requisite for the milder 
 and more rural sort of landscape ; — isolated and innumer- 
 able farm-houses, herds in the fields, living hedges, a 
 waving surface, and a verdure to rival the emerald. By a 
 happy accident, the road runs for miles on an elevated 
 ridge, enabling the traveller to enjoy these beauties at his 
 ease. 
 
 At Aix-la-Chapelle we bathed, visited the relics, saw the 
 scene of so many coronations of emperors of more or less 
 renown, sat in the chair of Charlemagne, and went our way. 
 
 The Rhine was an old acquaintance. A few years earlier, 
 I had stood upon tiie sands, at Katwyck, and watched its 
 periodical flow into the North Sea, by means of sluices 
 made in the short reign of the good King Louis, and, the 
 same summer, I had bestrode it, a brawling brook, on the 
 icy side of St. Gothard. We had come now to look at its 
 beauties, in its most beautiful part, and to compare them, 
 so far as native partiality might permit, with the well- 
 established claims of our own Hudson. 
 
 Quitting Cologne, its exquisite but incomplete cathe- 
 dral, with the crane that has been poised on its unfinished 
 towers five hundred years, its recollections of Rubens and 
 his royal patroness, we travelled up the stream so leisurely 
 as to examine all tliat offered, and yet so fast as to avoid 
 the hazard of satiety. Here we met Prussian soldiers, pre- 
 paring, by mimic service, for the more serious duties of 
 their calling. Lancers were galloping, in bodies, across 
 the open fields ; videttes were posted, the cocked pistol in 
 hand, at every hay-stack ; while couriers rode, under the 
 spur, from point to point, as if the great strife, wliich is 
 so menacingly preparing, and which sooner or later must 
 come, had actually commenced. As Europe is now a camp, 
 these hackneyed sights scarce drew a look aside. We were 
 in quest of the interest wliich nature, in her liappier 
 hum(;rs, bestows. 
 
 Tliere were ruined castles, by scores ; gray fortresses, 
 abbeys, some deserted and others yet tenanted ; villages 
 and towns ; the seven mountains ; cliffs and vineyards. At 
 every step we felt how intimate is the association between 
 the poetry of Nature and that of art ; between the hill-side 
 with its falling turret, and the moral feeling that lends 
 them interest. Here was an island, of no particular excel- 
 lence, but the walls of a convent of the middle ages crimi- 
 
6 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 bled on its surface. There was a naked rock, destitute of 
 grandeur, and wanting in those tints which milder climates 
 bestow, but a baronial hold tottered on its apex. Here 
 Caesar led his legions to the stream, and there Napoleon 
 threw his corps-d'armee on the hostile bank ; this monu- 
 ment w\as to Hoche, and from that terrace the great 
 Adolphus directed his battalions. Time is wanting to mel- 
 low the view of our own historical sites ; for the sympathy 
 that can be accumulated only by the general consent of 
 mankind has not yet clothed them with the indefinable 
 colors of distance and convention. 
 
 In the mood likely to be created by a flood of such recol- 
 lections, we pursued our w^ay along the southern margin 
 of this great artery of central Europe. We wondered at 
 the vastness of the Rheinfels, admired the rare jewel of the 
 ruined church at Baccarach, and marvelled at the giddy 
 precipice on which a prince of Prussia even now dwells, in 
 the eagle-like grandeur and security of the olden time. On 
 reaching xMayence, the evening of the second day, we de- 
 liberately and, as we hoped, impartially compared what 
 had just been seen with that which is so well and so affec- 
 tionately remembered. 
 
 I had been familiar with the Hudson from childhood. 
 The great thoroughfare of all w^ho journey from the inte- 
 rior of the state toward the sea, necessity had early made 
 me acquainted with its windings, its promontories, its 
 islands, its cities, and its villages. Even its hidden chan- 
 nels had been professionally examined, and time was w^hen 
 there did not stand an unknown seat on its banks, or a 
 liamlet that had not been visited. Here then was the force 
 of deep imipressions to oppose to the influence of objects 
 still visible. 
 
 To me it is quite apparent that the Rhine, while it fre- 
 quently possesses more of any particular species of scenery, 
 within a given number of miles, than the Hudson, has 
 none of so great excellence. It wants the variety, the noble 
 beauty, and the broad grandeur of the American stream. 
 The latter, within the distance universally admitted to con- 
 tain the finest parts of the Rhine, is both a large and a 
 small river; it has its bays, its narrow passages among the 
 meadows, its frowning gorges, and its reaches resembling 
 Italian lakes ; whereas the most that can be said of its 
 European competitor, is that all these wonderful peculiari- 
 ties are feebly imitated. Ten degrees of a lower latitude 
 
INTRODUCTION. 7 
 
 supply richer tints, brighter transitions of light and shadow, 
 and more glorious changes of the atmosphere, to embellish 
 the beauties of our western clime. In islands, too, the ad- 
 vantage is with the Hudson, for, while those of the Rhine 
 are the most numerous, those of the former stream arc 
 bolder, better placed, and, in every natural feature, of more 
 account. 
 
 Wlien the comparison between these celebrated rivers is 
 extended to their artificial accessories, the result becomes 
 more doubtful. The buildings of the older towns and vil- 
 lages of Europe seemed grouped especially for effect, as 
 seen in the distant view, though security was in truth the 
 cause, while the spacious, cleanly, and cheerful villages of 
 America must commonly be entered, to be appreciated. 
 In the other liemisphere, the maze of roofs, the church- 
 towers, the irregular faces of wall, and frequently the 
 castle rising to a pinnacle in the rear, give a town the ap- 
 pearance of some vast and antiquated pile devoted to a 
 single object. Perhaps the boroughs of the Rhine have 
 less of this picturesque, or landscape effect, than the vil- 
 lages of France and Italy, for the Germans regard space 
 more than their neighbors, but still are they less common- 
 place than the smiling and thriving little marts that crowd 
 the borders of the Hudson. To this advantage must be 
 added that which is derived from the countless ruins, and 
 a crowd of recollections. Flere, the superiority of the 
 artificial auxiliaries of the Rhine ceases, and those of her 
 rival come into the ascendant. In modern abodes, in 
 villas, and even in seats, those of princes alone excepted, 
 the banks of the Hudson have scarcely an equal in any 
 region. There are finer and nobler edifices on the Brenta, 
 and in other favored spots, certainly, but I know no stream 
 that has so many that please and attract the eye. As ap- 
 plied to moving objects, an important feature in this com- 
 parison, the Hudson has perhaps no rival in any river that 
 can pretend to a picturesque character. In numbers, in 
 variety of rig, in beauty of form, in swiftness and dex- 
 terity of handling, and in general grace and movement, 
 this extraordinary passage ranks amongst the first of the 
 world. The yards of tall ships swing among the rocks 
 and forests of the highlands, while sloop, schooner, and 
 bright canopied steam-boat, yacht, periagua, and canoe 
 are seen in countless numbers, decking its waters. There 
 is one more eloquent point of difference that should not 
 
8 INTR OD UCTIOISr. 
 
 be neglected. Drawings and engravings of the Rhine lend 
 their usual advantages, softening and frequently rendering 
 beautiful t)l)jccts of no striking attractions when seen as 
 they exist ; while every similar attempt to represent the 
 Hudson, at once strikes the eye as unworthy of its original. 
 
 Nature is fruitful of line effects in every region, and it 
 is a mistake not to enjoy her gifts, as we move through 
 life, on account of some fancied superiority in this, or 
 that, quarter of the world. We left the Rhine, therefore, 
 with regret, for, in its way, a lovelier stream can scarce be 
 found. 
 
 At Mayence we crossed to the right bank of the river, 
 and passing by the Duchies of Nassau and Darmstadt, en- 
 tered that of Baden, at Heidelberg. Here we sat upon 
 the Tun, examined the castle, and strolled in the alleys of 
 the remarkable garden. Thence we proceeded to Man- 
 heim, turning our faces, once more, towards the French 
 capital. The illness of one of tlie party compelled us to 
 remain a few hours in the latter city, which presented little 
 for reflection, unless it were that this, like one or two other 
 towns we had lately seen, served to convince us, that the 
 symmetry and regularity which render large cities mag- 
 nificent, cause those that are small to appear mean. 
 
 It was a bright autumnal day when we returned to the left 
 bank of the Rhine, on the way to Paris. The wishes of 
 the invalid had taken the appearance of strength, and we 
 hoped to penetrate the mountains which bound the Palat- 
 inate on its south-western side, and to reach Kaiserslau- 
 tern, on the great Napoleon road, before the hour of rest. 
 The main object had been accomplished, and as with all 
 wlio have effected their purpose, the principal desire was 
 to be at home. A few posts convinced us that repose was 
 still necessary to the invalid. This conviction, unhappily 
 as I then believed, came too late, for we had already crossed 
 the plain of the Palatinate, and Avere drawing near to the 
 chain of mountains just mentioned which are a branch of 
 the Vosges, and are known in the country as the Haart. 
 We had made no calculations for such an event, and former 
 experience had caused us to distrust the inns of this isola- 
 ted portion of the kingdom of Bava,ria. I was just bit- 
 terly regretting our precipitation, when the church-tower 
 of Duerckheim peered above the vineyards ; for, on get- 
 ting nearer to the base of the hills, the land became 
 slightly undulating, and the vine abundant. As we ap- 
 
INTR OD UCTION. 9 
 
 proached, the village or borough promised little, but we 
 liad the word of the postilion that the post-house was an 
 inn fit for a king ; and as to the wine, he could give no 
 higher eulogium than a flourish of the whip, an eloquent 
 expression of pleasure for a German of his class. We de- 
 bated the question of proceeding, or of stopping, in a 
 good deal of doubt, to the moment when the carriage drew 
 up before the sign of the Ox. A substantial looking 
 burgher came forth to receive us. There was the pledge of 
 good cheer in the ample development of his person, which 
 was not badly typified by the sign, and the hale, hearty 
 character of his hospitality removed all suspicion of the 
 hour of reckoning. If he who travels much is a gainer in 
 knowledge of mankind, he is sure to be a loser in the 
 charities tliat sweeten life. Constant intercourse with 
 men who are in the habit of seeing strange faces, who only 
 dispose of their services to those that are likely never to 
 need them again, and wdio, of necessity, are removed from 
 most of the responsibilities and affinities of a more per- 
 manent intercourse, exhibits tlie selfishness of our nature 
 in its least attractive form. Policy may suggest a specious 
 blandishment of air, to conceal the ordinary design on tlie 
 pocket of the stranger ; but it is in the nature of things 
 that the design should exist. The passion of gain, like all 
 other passions, increases with indulgence ; and thus do we 
 find those who dwell on beaten roads more rapacious than 
 those in whom the desire is latent for v/ant of use. 
 
 Our liost of Ducrckhcim offered a pledge, in his honest 
 countenance, independent air, and frank manner, of his 
 also being above the usual mercenary schemes of another 
 portion of the craft, who, dwelling in places of little resort, 
 endeavor to take their revenge of fortune, by showing that 
 they look upon every post-carriage as an especial God- 
 send. He had a garden, too, into which he invited us to 
 enter, while the horses were changing, in a way that 
 showed he was simply desirous of being benevolent, and 
 that he cared little whether we staid an hour or a week. 
 In short, his manner was of an artless, kind, natural, and 
 winning character, that strongly reminded us of home, and 
 which at once established an agreeable confidence that is 
 of an invaluable moral effect. Though too experienced 
 blindly to confide in national characteristics, we liked, too, 
 his appearance of German faith, and more than all were 
 we pleased with the German neatness and comfort, of 
 
lo INTRODUCTION. 
 
 which there were abundance, unalloyed by the swaggering 
 pretension that neutralizes the same qualities among people 
 more artificial. The house was not a beer-drinking, smok- 
 ing caravanserai, like many hotels in that quarter of the 
 world, but it had detached pavilions in the gardens, in 
 which the wearied traveller might, in sooth, take his rest. 
 With such inducements before our eyes, w^e determined to 
 remain, and we were not long in instructing the honest 
 burgher to that effect. The decision was received with 
 great civility, and, unlike the immortal Falstaff, I began to 
 see the prospects of taking " mine ease in my inn" without 
 having a pocket picked. 
 
 The carriage w^as soon housed, and the baggage in the 
 chambers. Notwithstanding the people of the house spoke 
 confidently, but with sufficient modesty, of the state of the 
 larder, it wanted several hours, agreeably to our habits, 
 to the time of dinner, though we had enjoyed frequent 
 opportunities of remarking that in Germany a meal is 
 never unseasonable. Disregarding hints, which appeared 
 more suggested by humanity than the love of gain, our 
 usual hour for eating was named, and, by w^ay of changing 
 the subject, I asked, — 
 
 "Did I not see some ruins, on the adjoining mountain, 
 as we entered the villag-e ? " 
 
 "We call Duerckheim a city, mein Herr," rejoined our 
 host of the Ox ; " though none of the largest, the time has 
 been when it was a capital ! " 
 
 Here the worthy burgher munched his pipe and chuck- 
 led, for he was a man that had heard of such places as 
 London, and Paris, and Pekin, and Naples, and St. Peters- 
 burgh, or, haply, of the Federal City itself. 
 
 " A capital ! — it was the abode of one of the smaller 
 princes, suppose ; of what family was your sovereign, 
 pray?" 
 
 "You are right, mein Herr. Duerckheim, before the 
 French revolution, was a residence (for so the political 
 capitals are called in Germany), and it belonged to the 
 princes of Leiningen, w4io had a palace on the other side 
 of the city (tlie place may be about half as large as Hud- 
 son, or Schenectady), which was burnt in the war. After 
 the late wars, the sovereign was mediatise, receiving an in- 
 demnity in estates on the other side of the Rhine." 
 
 As this term of mediatise has no direct synonyme in Eng- 
 lish, it may be well to explain its signification. Germany, 
 
INTR OD UC 7VO.V. 1 1 
 
 as well as most of Europe, was formerly divided into a 
 countless number of petty sovereignties, based on the prin- 
 ciple of feudal power. As accident, or talent, or alliances, 
 or treachery advanced the interests of the stronger of these 
 princes, their weaker neighbors began to disappear alto- 
 gether, or to take new and subordinate stations in the social 
 scale. In this manner has France been gradually com- 
 posed of its original, but comparatively insignificant king- 
 dom, buttressed, as it now is, by Brittany, and Burgundy, 
 and Navarre, and Dauphiny, and Provence, and Normandy, 
 with many other states ; and, in like manner has England 
 been formed of the Heptarchy. The confederative system 
 of Germany has continued more or less of this feudal or- 
 ganization to our own times. The formation of the em- 
 pires of Austria and Prussia has, however, swallowed up 
 many of these principalities, and the changes produced by 
 the policy of Napoleon gave the death-blow, without dis- 
 tinction, to all in the immediate vicinity of the Rhine. Of 
 the latter number were the Princes of Leiningen, whose 
 possessions were originally included in the French repub- 
 lic, then in the empire, and have since passed under the 
 sway of the King of Bavaria, who, as the legitimate heir of 
 the neighboring Duchy of Deux Ponts, had a nucleus of 
 sufficient magnitude in this portion of Germany to induce 
 the Congress of Vienna to add to his dominions; their object 
 being to erect a barrier against the future aggrandizement 
 of France. As the dispossessed sovereigns are permitted 
 to retain their conventional rank, supplying wives and 
 husbands, at need, to the reigning branches of the different 
 l)rincely families, the term ni Jdiat is c h?is been aptly enough 
 applied to their situation. 
 
 " Tiie young prince was here, no later than last week," 
 continued our host of the Ox ; " he lodged in that pavilion, 
 where he passed several days. You know that he is a son 
 of the 'Duchess of Kent, and half-brother to the young 
 princess who is likely, one day, to be queen of England." 
 
 "Has he estates here, or is he still, in any way, con- 
 nected with your government? " 
 
 "■ All they have given him is in money, or on the other 
 side of the Rhine. He went to see the ruins of the old 
 caslle ; for he had a natural curiosity to look at a place 
 which his ancestors had built." 
 
 " It was the ruins of the castle of Leiningen, then, that 
 I saw on the mountain, as wc entered the town ? " 
 
12 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 " No, mcin Ilcrr. You saw the ruins of the Abbey of 
 Limburg ; those of Hartenburg, for so the castle was 
 called, lie farther back among the hills." 
 
 " What ! a ruined abbey, and a ruined castle, too ! — Here 
 is sufficient occupation for the rest of the day. An abbey 
 and a castle ! " 
 
 "And the Ileidenmauer, and tlie Teufelstein." 
 
 '' How ! a Pagan's wall, and a Devil's stone ! — You are 
 rich in curiosities ! " 
 
 The host continued to smoke on philosophically. 
 
 " Have you a guide who can take me, by the shortest 
 way, to these places ? " 
 
 " Any child can do that." 
 
 " But one who can speak French is desirable — for my 
 German is far from being classical." 
 
 The worthy inn-keeper nodded his head. 
 
 " Here is one Christian Kinzel," he rejoined, after a mo- 
 ment of thought, " a tailor wiio has not much custom, and 
 Avho has lived a little in France ; he may serve your turn." 
 
 I suggested that a tailor might find it healthful to stretch 
 his knee-joints. 
 
 The host of the Ox was amused with the conceit, and he 
 fairly removed the pipe, in order to laugh at his ease. His 
 mirth was hearty, like that of a man without guile. 
 
 The affair w%as soon arranged. A messenger was sent 
 for Christian Kinzel, and taking my little male travelling 
 companion by the hand, I went leisurely ahead, expecting 
 the appearance of the guide. But, as the reader will have 
 much to do with the place about to be described, it may be 
 desirable that he should possess an accurate knowledge of 
 its locality. 
 
 Duercklieim lies in that part of Bavaria which is com- 
 monly called the circle of the Rhine. The king, of the 
 country named, may have less than half a million of sub- 
 jects in this detached part of his territories, which extends 
 in one course from the river to Rhenish Prussia, and in 
 the other from Darmstadt to France. It requires a day of 
 hard posting to traverse this province in any direction, 
 from which it would appear that its surface is about equal 
 to two-thirds of that of Connecticut. A line of mountains, 
 resembling the smaller spurs of the Alleghanies, and which 
 are known by different local names, but which are a branch 
 of the Vosges, passes nearly through the centre of the dis- 
 trict, in a north and south course. These mountains cease 
 
INTR OD UCTION: 13 
 
 abruptly on their eastern side, leaving between them and 
 the river, a vast level surface of that description which is 
 called "flats," or "bottom land," in America. This plain, 
 part of the ancient Palatinate, extends equally on the other 
 side of the Rhine, terminating as abruptly on the eastern 
 as on the western border. In an air line, the distance be- 
 tween Heidelberg and Duerckheim, which lie opposite to 
 each other on the two lateral extremities of the plain, may 
 a little exceed twenty miles, the Rhine running equi-dis- 
 tant from both. There is a plausible theory, which says 
 tliat the plain of the Palatinate was formerly a lake, re- 
 ceiving the waters of the Rhine, and of course discharging 
 them by some inferior outlet, until time, or a convulsion 
 of the earth, broke through the barrier of the mountains 
 at Bingen, draining off the waters, and leaving the fertile 
 bottom described. Irregular sand-hills were visible, as we 
 approached Duerckheim, which may go to confirm this 
 supposition, for the prevalence of northerly winds miglit 
 easily have cast more of these light particles on the south- 
 western than on the opposite shore. By adding that the 
 eastern face of the mountains, or that next to the plain, is 
 sufficiently broken and irregular to be beautiful, while it 
 is always distinctly marked and definite, enough has been 
 said to enable us to proceed with intelligence. 
 
 It would appear that one of the passes that has com- 
 municated, from time immemorial, between the Rhine and 
 the country west of the Vosgcs, issues on the plain through 
 the gorge near Duerckheim. By following the windings 
 of the valleys, the post-road penetrates, by an easy ascent, 
 to the highest ridge, and following the water-courses tliat 
 run into the Moselle, descends nearly as gradually into 
 the Duchy of Deux Ponts, on the other side of the chain. 
 The possession of this pass, therefore, in the ages of law- 
 lessness and violence, was, in itself, a title to distinction 
 and power ; since all who journeyed by it, lay in person 
 and effects more or less at the mercy of the occupant. 
 
 On quitting the town, my little companion and myself 
 immediately entered the g<Jrge. The pass itself was nar- 
 row, but a valley soon opened to the width of a mile, out 
 of which issued two or three passages, besides that by 
 which we had entered, though only one of them preserved 
 its character for any distance. Tlie capacity of this valley, 
 or basin, as it must have been when the Palatinate was a 
 lake, is much curtailed by an insulated mountain, whose 
 
14 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 base, covering a fourth of the area, stands in its very centre, 
 and which doubtless was an island, when the valley was a 
 secluded bay. The summit of this mountain or island-hill 
 is level, of an irregularly oval form, and contains some six 
 or eight acres of land. Here stand the ruins of Limburg, 
 the immediate object of our visit. 
 
 The ascent was exceedingly rapid, and of several hun- 
 dred feet ; reddish free-stone appeared everywhere through 
 the scanty soil, the sun beat powerfully on the rocks ; and 
 I was beginning to weigh the advantages and disadvantages 
 of proceeding, when the tailor approached, with the zeal 
 of new-born courage. 
 
 " Voici Christian Kinzel ! " exclaimed , to whom 
 
 novelty was always an incentive, and who, in his young 
 life, had eagerly mounted Alp and Apennine, Jura and 
 Calabrian hill, tov/er, monument, and dome, or whatever 
 else served to raise him in the a,ir ; '' Allons, — grimpons ! " 
 
 We scrambled up the hill-side, and, winding among ter- 
 races on which the vine and vegetables were growing, soon 
 reached the natural platform. There was a noble view 
 from the summit, but it would be premature to describe it 
 here. The whole surface of the hill furnished evidence of 
 the former extent of the Abbey, a wall having encircled 
 the entire place ; but the principal edifices had been built, 
 and still remained, near the longitudinal centre, on the 
 very margin of the eastern precipice. Enough was stand- 
 ing to prove the ancient magnificence of the structure. 
 Unlike most of the ruins which border the Rhine, the ma- 
 sonry was of a workmanlike kind, the walls being not only 
 massive, but composed of the sand-stone just mentioned 
 neatly hewn, for immense strata of the material exist in all 
 this region. I traced the chapel, still in tolerable preser- 
 vation, the refectory, that never-failing solacer oi monastic 
 seclusion, several edifices apparently appropriated to the 
 dormitories, and some vestiges of the cloisters. There is 
 also a giddy tower, of an ecclesiastical form, that suffi- 
 ciently serves to give a character to the ruins. It was 
 closed, to prevent idlers from incurring foolish risks by 
 mounting the crazy steps ; but its having formerly been 
 appropriated to the consecrated bells was not at all doubt- 
 ful. There is also a noble arch near, with several of its 
 disjointed stones menacing the head of him who ventures 
 beneath. 
 
 Turning from the ruin, I cast a look at the surrounding 
 
INTR OD UCTION. 1 5 
 
 valley. Nothing could have been softer or more lovelv 
 than the near view. That sort of necessity, which induces 
 us to cherish any stinted gift, had led the inhabitants to 
 turn every foot of the bottom land to the best account. 
 No Swiss Alp could have been more closely shaved than 
 the meadows at my feet, and a good deal had been made of 
 two or three rivulets that meandered among them. The 
 dam of a rustic mill threw back the water into a miniature 
 lake, and some zealous admirer of Neptune had established 
 a bcer-housc on its banks, which was dignified with the 
 sign of the "Anchor!" But the principal object in the 
 interior or upland view, was the ruins of a castle, that oc- 
 cupied a natural terrace, or rather the projection of a rock, 
 against the side of one of the nearest mountains. The 
 road passed immediately beneath its walls, a short arrow- 
 llight from the battlements, the position having evidently 
 been chosen as the one best adapted to command the or- 
 dinary route of the traveller. I wanted no explanation 
 from the guide to know that this was the castle of Harten- 
 berg. It was still more massive than the remains of the 
 Abbey, built of the same material, and seemingly in differ- 
 ent centuries ; for while one part was irregular and rude, 
 like most of the structures of the middle ages, there were 
 salient towers filled with embrasures, for the use of artil- 
 lery. One of their guns, well elevated, might possibly 
 have thrown its shot on the platform of the Abbey-hill, 
 but with little danger even to the ruined walls. 
 
 After studying the different objects in this novel and 
 charming scene, for an hour, I demanded of the guide some 
 account of the Pagan's Wall and of the Devil's Stone. 
 Both were on the moimtain that lay on the other side of 
 the ambitious little lake, a long musket-shot from the Ab- 
 bey. It was even possible to see a portion of the for- 
 mer, from our present stand ; and the confused account of 
 the tailor only excited a desire to see more. We had not 
 come on this excursion without a fit supply of road-books 
 and maps. One of the former was accidentally in my pocket, 
 though so little had we expected anything extraordinary 
 on this unfrequented road, that as yet it had not been 
 opened. On consulting its pages now, I was agreeably 
 disappointed in finding that Duerckheim and its antiqui- 
 ties had not been tlujught unworthy of the traveller's es- 
 l)ecial attention. The Pagan's Wall was there stated to be 
 the spot in which Attila passed the winter before crossing 
 
i6 INTR OD UCTIOJSr. 
 
 tlic Rhine, in his celebrated inroad against the capital of 
 the civilized world, though its origin was referred to his 
 enemies themselves. In short, it w\as believed to be the 
 remains of a Roman camp, one of those advanced works 
 of the empire, by which the Barbarians were held in check, 
 and of which the Hun had casually and prudently availed 
 himself, in his progress south. The Devil's Stone was de- 
 scribed as a natural rock, in the vicinity of the encamp- 
 ment, on which the Pagans had offered sacrifices. Of 
 course the liberated limbs of the guide were put in requi- 
 sition, to conduct us to a spot that contained curiosities so 
 worthy of even his exertions. 
 
 As we descended the mountain of 'Limburg, Christian 
 Kinzel lighted the way, by relating the opinions of the 
 country concerning the places we had seen and were about 
 to see. It would appear by this legend, that when the 
 pious monks were planning their monastery, a compact 
 was made w^ith the Devil to quarry the stones necessary 
 for so extensive a work, and to transport them up the steep 
 acclivity. The inducement held forth to the evil spirit, for 
 undertaking a work of this nature, was the pretence of 
 erecting a tavern, in which, doubtless, undue quantities of 
 Rhenish w4ne were to be quaffed, cheating human reason, 
 and leaving the undefended soul more exposed to the usual 
 assaults of temptation. It would seem, by the legends of 
 the Rhine, that the monks often succeeded in outwitting 
 the arch foe in this sort of compact, though perhaps never 
 with more signal success than in the bargain in question. 
 Completely deceived by the artifices of the men of God, 
 the father of sin lent himself to the project with so much 
 zeal, that the Abbey and its appendages wxre completed 
 in a time incredibly short ; a circumstance that his em- 
 ployers took good care to turn to account, after their own 
 fashion, by ascribing it to a miracle of purer emanation. 
 By all accounts the deception was so well managed, that 
 notwithstanding his proverbial cunning, the Devil never 
 knew the true destination of the edifice until the Abbey- 
 bell actually rang for prayers. Then, indeed, his indigna- 
 tion knew no bounds, and he proceeded forthwith to the 
 rock in question, with the fell intent of bringing it into the 
 air above the chapelf and, by its fall, of immolating the 
 monks and their altar together, to his vengeance. But 
 the stone was too firmly rooted to be displaced even by 
 the Devil ; and he was finally compelled, by the prayers 
 
INTR on UC TION. 1 7 
 
 of the devotees, who were now, after their own fashion of 
 flighting, fairly in the field, to abandon this portion of tlie 
 country in shame and disgrace. The curious are shown 
 certain marks on the rock, which go to prove the violent 
 efforts of Satan, on this occasion, and among others the 
 prints of his form, left by seating himself on the stone, 
 fatigued by useless exertions. The more ingenious even 
 trace, in a sort of groove, evidence of the position of his 
 tail, during the time the baffled spirit was chewing the cud 
 of chagrin on his hard stool. 
 
 We were at the foot of the second mountain when Chris- 
 tian Kinzel ended tliis explanation. 
 
 "And such is your Duerckheim tradition concerning the 
 Devil's Stone ?" I remarked, measuring the ascent with the 
 sight. 
 
 "Such is w^hat is said in the country, mcin Herr," re- 
 turned the tailor ; ''but there are people, hereabouts, who 
 do not believe it." 
 
 My little travelling companion laughed, and his eyes 
 danced with expectation. 
 
 " AUons, grimpons ! " he cried again — " AUons voir cc 
 Tcufelstein ! " 
 
 In a suitable time we were in the camp. It lay on an 
 advanced spur of the mountain, a sort of salient bastion 
 made by nature, and was completely protected on every 
 side, but that at which it w^as joined to the mass, by de- 
 clivities so steep as to be even descended with some pain. 
 There was the ruin of a circular wall, half a league in ex- 
 tent, the stones lying in a confused pile around the whole 
 exterior, and many vestiges of foundations and intersecting 
 walls within. The whole area was covered with a young 
 growth of dark and melancholy cedars. On the face ex- 
 posed to the adjoining mountain, there had evidently been 
 the additional protection of a ditch. 
 
 The Teufclstein was a thousand feet from the camp. It 
 is a weather-worn rock, that shows its bare head from a 
 high point in the uKjre advanced ranges of tlie hills. I 
 to(;k a scat on its most elevated pinnacle, and for a mo- 
 ment the ])ain of the ascent was forgotten. 
 
 Tlie plain of tlie Palatinate, far as eye could reach, lay 
 in the view. Here and tliere the Rhine and the Neckar 
 glittered like sheets of silver, among the verdure of the 
 lields, and tower of city and of town, of Manheim, Spires, 
 and Worms, of nameless villages, and of German resi- 
 2 
 
i8 introduction: 
 
 dences, were as plenty in the scene a,s tombs upon the 
 Appian Way. A dozen gray ruins clung against the sides 
 of the mountains of Baden and Darmstadt, while the castle 
 of Heidelberg was visible, in its romantic glen, sombre, 
 courtly, and magnificent The landscape was German, and 
 in its artificial parts slightly Gothic ; it wanted the warm 
 glow, the capricious outlines, and seductive beauty of 
 Italy, and the grandeur of the Swiss valleys and glaciers ; 
 but "it was the perfection of fertility and industry embel- 
 lished by a crowd of useful objects. 
 
 It was easy for one thus placed, to fancy himself sur- 
 rounded by so many eloquent memorials of the progress of 
 civilization, of the infirmities and constitution, of the 
 growth and ambition of the human mind. The rock re- 
 called the age of furious superstition and debased igno- 
 rance — the time wlien the country lay in forest, over which 
 the hunter ranged at will, contending with the beast for 
 the mastery of his savage domain. Still the noble creature 
 bore tlie image of God, and occasionally some master mind 
 pierced the shades, catching glimpses of that eternal truth 
 which pervades Nature. Then followed the Roman, with 
 his gods of plausible attributes, his ingenious and specious 
 philosophy, his accumulated and borrowed art, his con- 
 certed and overwhelming action, his love of magnificence, 
 so grand in its effects, but so sordid and unjust in its means, 
 and last, the most impressive of all, that beacon-like am- 
 bition which wrecked his hopes on the sea of its vastness, 
 with the evidence of the falsity of his system as furnished 
 in his fall. The memorial before me showed the means by 
 which he gained and lost his power. The Barbarian had 
 been taught, in the bitter school of experience, to regain 
 his rights, and, in the excitement of the moment, it was 
 not difficult to imagine the Huns pouring into the camp, 
 and calculating their chances of success by the vestiges 
 they found of the ingenuity and resources of their foes. 
 
 Tlie confusion of misty images that succeeded was an apt 
 emblem of the next age. Out of this obscinity, after the 
 long and glorious reign of Charlemagne, arose the baronial 
 castle, with feudal violence and its progeny of wrongs. 
 Then came the abbey, an excrescence of that mild and suf- 
 fering religion, which had appeared on earth, like a ray of 
 tlie sun, eclipsing the factitious brilliancy of a scene from 
 which natural light had been excluded for a substitute of 
 a meretricious and deceptive quality. Here arose the long 
 
INTR OD UCriOiV. 19 
 
 and selfish strife, between antagonist principles, that has 
 not yet ceased. The struggle was between the power of 
 knowledge and that of physical force. The former, neither 
 pure nor perfect, descended to subterfuge and deceit ; 
 while the latter vacillated between the dread of unknown 
 causes, and the love of domination. Monk and baron came 
 in collision ; this secretly distrusting the faith he professed, 
 and that trembling at the consequences of the blow which 
 his own sword had given ; the fruits of too much knowl- 
 edge in one, and of too little in the other, while both were 
 the prey of those incessant and unweai icd enemies of the 
 race, the greedy passions. 
 
 A laugh from the child drew my attcntic^i to the foot c^f 
 the rock. He and Christian Kinzel had just settled, to their 
 mutual satisfaction, the precise position that had been oc- 
 cupied by the Devil's tail. A more suitable emblem of his 
 country than that boy, could not have been found on the 
 whole of its wide surface. As secondary to the predomi- 
 nant English or Saxon stock, the blood of France. Sweden, 
 and Holland ran, in. nearly equal currents, in his veins. He 
 had not far to seek, to find among his ancestors the peace- 
 ful companion of Penn, the Huguenot, the Cavalier, the 
 Presbyterian, the follower of Luther and of Calvin. Chance 
 had even deepened the resemblance ; for, a wanderer from 
 •nfancy, he now blended languages in merry comments on 
 his recent discovery. The train of thought that his appear- 
 ance suggested was natural. It embraced the long and 
 mysterious concealment of so vast a portion of the earth as 
 America, from the acquaintance of civilized man ; its .dis- 
 covery and settlement ; the manner in which violence and 
 persecution, civil wars, oppression and injustice, had 
 thrown men of all nations upon its shores ; the effects of 
 this c(jllision of customs and opinions, unenthrallcd by 
 habits and laws of selfish origin ; the religious and civil 
 liberty that followed ; the novel but irrefutable principle 
 on which its g(n'erinnent was l)ased, the silent working of 
 its example, in the two hemispheres, one of which had al- 
 ready imitated the institutions that the other was struggling 
 t<j ap])r(jach, and all the immense results that were depend- 
 ent on this inscrutable and grand movement of Provi- 
 dence. I know lujt indeed but my thoughts might have ap- 
 l)roached the sublime, had not Christian Kinzel interrupted 
 them, by pointing out the spot where the Devil had kicked 
 the stone, in his anger. 
 
20 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Descending from the perch, we took the path to Duerck- 
 heim. As we came down the mountain, the tailor had many 
 philosophical remarks to make, that were chiefly elicited 
 by the forlorn condition of one who had much toil and lit- 
 tle food. In his view of things, labor was too cheap, and 
 wine and potatoes were too dear. To what depth he might 
 have pushed reflections bottomed on principles so natural, 
 it is impossible to say, had not the boy started some doubts 
 concerning the reputed length of the Devil's tail. He had 
 visited the Jardin des Plantes at Paris, seen the kangaroos 
 in the Zoological Garden in London, and was familiar 
 with the inhabitants of a variety of caravans encountered at 
 Rome, Naples, Dresden, and other capitals; with the 
 bears of Berne he had actually been on the familiar terms 
 of a friendly visiting acquaintance. Having also some 
 vague ideas of the analogies of things, he could not recall 
 any beast so amply provided with such an elongation of 
 the dorsal bone as was to be inferred from Christian Kin- 
 zel's gutter in the Teufelstein. During the discussion of 
 this i^notty point we reached the inn. 
 
 The host of the Ox had deceived us in nothing. The 
 viands were excellent, and abundant to prodigality. The 
 bottle of old Duerckheimer might well liave passed for 
 Joliannisberger, or for that still more delicious liquor, 
 Steinberger, at London or New York ; and the simple and 
 sincere civility with which everything was served, gave a 
 zest to all. 
 
 It would have been selfish to recruit nature, without 
 thought of the tailor, after so many hours of violent ex- 
 ercise in the keen air of the mountains. He, too, had his 
 cup and his viands, and when both were invigorated by 
 these natural means, we held a conference, to which the 
 worthy post-master was admitted. 
 
 The following pages are the offspring of the convocation 
 held in the parlor of the Ox. Should any musty German 
 antiquary discover some immaterial anachronism, a name 
 misplaced in the order of events, or a monk called prema- 
 turely from purgatory, he is invited to wreak his just in- 
 dignation on Christian Kinzcl, whose body and soul may 
 St. Benedict of Limburg protect, for evermore, against all 
 critics. 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER; 
 
 OR, THE BENEDICTINES. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 " Stand you both forth now; stroke your chins, and swear by your beards 
 that I am a knave." — As Von Like It. 
 
 The reader must imagine a narrow and secluded valley, 
 for the opening scene of this tale. The time was that in 
 which the day loses its power, casting a light on objects 
 most exposed, that resembles colors seen through glass 
 slightly stained ; a peculiarity of tiie atmosphere, which, 
 though almost of daily occurrence in summer and autumn, 
 is the source of constant enjoyment to the real lover of 
 nature. The hue meant is not a sickly yellow, but rather 
 a soft and melancholy glory, that lends to the liill-side and 
 copse, to tree and tower, to stream and lawn, those tinges 
 of surpassing loveliness that impart to the close of day its 
 proverbial and soothing charm. The setting sun touched 
 with oblique rays a bit of shaven meadow, that lay in a dell 
 so deep as to owe this parting smile of nature to an acci- 
 dental formation of the neighboring eminences, a distant 
 moimtain crest, that a Hock had cropped and fertihzcd, a 
 ri})pling current that glided in the bottom, a narrow beaten 
 path, more worn by IkxjI than wheel, and a vast range of 
 forest, that swelled and receded from the view, cc^vcring 
 leagues of a hill-chase, that even tradition had never peo- 
 pled. The spot was seemingly as retired as if it had been 
 chosen in one of our own solitudes of the wilderness, 
 while it was, in fact, near the centre of Europe, and in tlie 
 sixteenth century. Hut, notwithstanding the absence of 
 dwellings, and all the other signs of the immediate pres- 
 
22 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 ence of man, together with the wooded character of the 
 scene, an American eye w^ould not have been slow to de- 
 tect its distinguishing features from those which mark the 
 wilds of this country. The trees, though preserved with 
 care, and flourishing, wanted the moss of ages, the high 
 and rocking summit, the variety and natural wildness of 
 the western forest. No mouldering trunk lay where it had 
 fallen, no branch had been twisted by the gale and forgot- 
 ten, nor did any upturned root betray the indifference of 
 man to the decay of this important part of vegetation. 
 Here and there, a species of broom, such as is seen occasion- 
 ally on the mast-heads of ships, was erected above some 
 tall member of the woods that stood on an elevated point ; 
 land-marks which divided the rights of those who were 
 entitled to cut and clip ; the certain evidence that man had 
 long before extended his sway over these sombre hills, 
 and that, retired as they seemed, they w^ere actually subject 
 to all the divisions, and restraints, and vexations, which, in 
 peopled regions, accompany the rights of property. 
 
 For an hour preceding the opening of our tale, not a 
 sound of any nature, beyond that of a murmuring brook, 
 had disturbed the quiet of the silent little valley, if a gorge 
 so narrow, and in truth so wild, deserved tlie name. There 
 was not even a bird fluttering among the trees, nor a hawk 
 soaring above the heights. Once, and for a minute only, 
 did a roebuck venture from its cover, and descend to the 
 rivulet to drink. The animal had not altogether the elas- 
 tic bound, the timid and irresolute movement, nor tlie 
 wandering eye of our own deer, but it was clearly an in- 
 liabitant of a forest ; for while it in some decree confided 
 in the protection, it also distrusted the power of man. No 
 sooner was its thirst assuaged, than, listening with the 
 keenness of an instinct that no circumstances of accidental 
 condition could destroy, it went up the acclivity again, 
 and sought its cover with troubled steps. At the same 
 instant a grayhound leaped from among the trees, on the 
 opposite side of the gorge, into the path, and began 
 bounding back and forth, in the well-known manner of 
 that species of dog, when exercising in restlessness rather 
 than engaged in the hot strife of the chase. A whistle 
 called the hound back from its gambols, and its master 
 entered the path. 
 
 A cap of green velvet, bearing a hunting-horn above 
 the shade, a coarse but neat frock of similar color, equally 
 
THE IIEIDEJSfMAUER. 23 
 
 ornamented with the same badge of office, together with 
 the instrument itself suspended from a shoulder, and the 
 arms usual to one of that class, denoted a forester, or an 
 individual charged with the care of the chase, and other- 
 wise intrusted with a jurisdiction in the forest; functions 
 that would be much degraded by the use of the abused 
 and familiar term of gamekeeper. 
 
 The forester was young, active, and, notwithstanding 
 the rudeness of his attire, of a winning exterior. Laying 
 his fusee against the root of a tree, he whistled in the dog, 
 and renewing the call, by means of a shrill instrument 
 that was carried for that purpose, he soon succeeded in 
 bringing its fellow to his side. Coupling the grayhounds 
 in a leash, which he attached to his own person, he threw 
 the horn from its noose, and blew a lively and short strain, 
 that rolled up the valley in mellow and melodious notes. 
 When the instrument was removed from his lips, the youth 
 listened till the last of the distant echoes was done, as if 
 expecting some reply. He was not disappointed. Present- 
 Iv an answering blast came down the gorge, ringing among 
 the woods, and causing the hearts of many of its tenants 
 to beat quick and fearfully. The sounds of the unseen in- 
 strument were far more shrill and wild than those of the 
 hunting-horn, while they wanted not for melancholy sweet- 
 ness. They appeared both familiar and intelligible to the 
 young forester, who no sooner heard them, than he slung 
 the horn in its usual turn of the cord, resumed the fusee, 
 and stood in an attitude of expectation. 
 
 It might have been a minute before another youth ap- 
 peared in the path, higher in the gorge, and advancing 
 slowly towards the forester. His dress was rustic, and al- 
 together that of a peasant, while in his hand he held a long, 
 straight, narrow tulic of cherry wood, firmly wrapped 
 with bark, having a uKJUth-piecc and a small bell at the 
 opposite end, resembling those of a trumpet. As he came 
 forward, his face was not without an expression of ill- 
 liumor, th(jugh it was rather rendered comic than grave, 
 by a large felt hat, the front rim of which fell in an enor- 
 mous shade above his eyes, rendering the trim cock in the 
 rear, ludicrously pretending. His legs, like those of the 
 forester, were encased in a sort of leathern hose, that left 
 the limbs naked and free below the knee, while the gar- 
 miMit above set so looselv and unhultomul above that im- 
 portant joint, as to offer no restraint to his movements. 
 
24 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 "Thou art behind thy time, Gottlob," said the young 
 forester, as the boor approached, " and the good hermit 
 will not give us better welcome for keeping him from 
 prayer. What has become of thy herd ?" 
 
 " That may the holy man of the Heidenmauer declare, 
 for it is more than I could answer were Lord Emich him' 
 self to put the question, and say, in the manner he is wont 
 to use to the Abbot of Limburg — what hath become of thy 
 herd, Gottlob ? " 
 
 " Nay, this is no trifling matter, if thou hast, in sooth, 
 let the cattle stray ! Where hadst thou the beasts last in 
 sight?" 
 
 " Here in the forest of Hartenburg, Master Berchthold, 
 on the honor of an humble servitor of the Count." 
 
 '* Thou wilt yet lose this service, Gottlob, by thy cai^e- 
 lessness ! " 
 
 "It would be a thousand pities were thy words to be 
 true, for in that case Lord Emich would lose the honestest 
 cow-herd in Germany, and it would go near to break my 
 heart were the friars of Limburg to get him ! But the 
 beasts cannot be far and I will try the vu'tue of the horn 
 once more, before I go home to a broken head and a dis- 
 charge. Dost thou know, Master Berchthold, that the 
 disgrace of which thou speakest never yet befell any of my 
 family, and we have been keepers of cattle longer than the 
 Friedrichs have been electors ? " 
 
 The forester made an impatient gesture, patted his 
 hounds, and waited for the effects of the new blast, that 
 his companion was by this time preparing to sound. The 
 manner of Gottlob was that of entire confidence in his own 
 knowledge of his calling, for notwithstanding his words, 
 his countenance at no time betrayed uneasiness for the 
 fate of his trust. The valley was soon ringing with the 
 wild and plaintive tones of the cherry-wood horn, the hind 
 taking care to give the strains those intonations, which, 
 by a mute convention, had from time immemorial been 
 understood as the si2:nal for collectinsf a lost herd. His 
 skill and faith were soon rewarded, for cow after cow came 
 leaping out of the forest, as he blew his air, and ere long 
 the necessary number of animals were in the path, the 
 younger beasts frisking along the way, with elevated tails 
 and awkward bounds, while the more staid contributors 
 of the dairy hurried on, with business-like air but grave 
 steps, as better became their years and their characters in 
 
THE HETDENMAUER. 25 
 
 the hamlet. In a few minutes they were all collected 
 around the person of the keeper, who having counted his 
 charge, shouldered his horn, and disposed himself to pro- 
 ceed towards the lower extremity of the gorge. 
 
 " Thou art lucky to have gotten the beasts together, with 
 so little trouble, Gottlob," resumed the forester, as they 
 followed in the train of the herd. 
 
 "Say dexterous. Master Berchthold, and do not fear to 
 make me vain-glorious. In the way of understanding my 
 own merits there is little danger of doing me harm. Thou 
 shouldst never discourage modesty, by an over-scrupulous 
 discretion. It would be a village miracle, were a herd so 
 nurtured in the ways of the church to forget its duty ! " 
 
 The forester laughed, but he looked aside, like one who 
 would not see that to which he wished to be blind. 
 
 "At thy old tricks, friend Gottlob ! Thou hast let the 
 beasts roam upon the range of the friars ! " 
 
 " I have paid Peter's pence, been to the chapel of St. 
 Benedict for prayer, confessed to Fatlier Arnolph himself, 
 and all within the month : what more need a man do, to 
 be in favor with the Brothers ? " 
 
 " 1 could wish to know if thou ever entertainest Father 
 Arnolph with the history of thy visits to the pastures of 
 the convent, with Lord Emich's herd, honest Gottlob." 
 
 "So! Dost thou fancy. Master Berchthold, that, at a 
 moment when there is every necessity to possess a calm 
 and contemplative spirit, I should strive to put the pious 
 monk in a passion, by relating all the antics of some ill- 
 bred cow, or of a heifer, who is as little to be trusted with- 
 out a keeper, as your jung-frau before she reaches the 
 years of caution is to be trusted at ^a fair without her 
 mother, or a sharp-sighted old aunt, at tlie very least!" 
 
 *' Well, have a care, Gottlob, for Lord Emich, though 
 loving the friars so little, will be apt to order thee into a 
 dungeon, on bread and water for a week, or to make thy 
 back acquainted with the lash, should he come to hear that 
 one of his hinds has taken tliis liberty Avitli the rights (;f a 
 neighb(^r." 
 
 "Let Lord Emich tlien expel tlie l)r(»th(Mh()od from the 
 richest pasturage near the Jaegerthal. Mesii and bhjod 
 cannot bear to see the beasts of a noble digging into the 
 earth with their teeth, after a few bitter herbs, while the 
 carrion of a convent are rolling the finest and sweetest 
 grasses over their tongues. Look you. Master Berchthold, 
 
26 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 these friars of Limburg eat the fattest venison, drink the 
 warmest wine, and say the sliortest prayers of any monks 
 in Christendom! Potz-Tausend ! There are some who 
 accuse them, too, of shriving the prettiest girls ! As for 
 bread and water, and a dungeon, I know from experience 
 that neither of the remedies agrees with a melancholy 
 constitution, and I defy the Emperor, or even the Holy 
 Father himself, to work such a miracle as to make back 
 of mine acquainted with the lash." 
 
 " Simply because the introduction hath long since had 
 place." 
 
 " That is thy interpretation of the matter. Master Bercht- 
 hold, and I wish thee joy of a quick wit. But we are get- 
 ting beyond the limits of the forest, and we will dismiss the 
 question to another conversation. The beasts are full, and 
 will not disappoint the dairy girls, and little matters it 
 whence the nourishment comes — Lord Emich's pastures 
 or a churchly miracle. Thou hast hunted the dogs lightly 
 to-day, Berchthold ? " 
 
 " I have had them on the mountains for air and move- 
 ment. They got away on the heels of a roebuck for a short 
 run, but as all the game in this chase belongs to our 
 master, I did not see fit to let them go faster than there 
 was need." 
 
 " I rejoice to hear thee say it, for I count upon thy com- 
 pany in climbing the mountain wherj our work is ended ; 
 thy legs will only be the fresher for the toil." 
 
 '' Thou hast my word, and I will not fail thee ; in order 
 that no time be lost, we will part here to meet again in the 
 hamlet." 
 
 The forester and the cow-lierd made signs of leave-tak- 
 ing, and separated. The former quitted the public road, 
 turning short to the right by a private way, which led him 
 across narrow meadows, and the little river that glided 
 among them, towards the foot of the opposite mountain. 
 Gottlob held on his course to a hamlet that was now visi- 
 ble, and which completely filled a narrow pass in the val- 
 ley, at a point where the latter made a turn, nearly at a 
 right angle with its general direction. 
 
 The path of the fornier led him to a habitation very dif- 
 ferent from the rude dwellings towards which the steps of 
 the cow-herd tended. A massive castle occupied a pro- 
 jecting point of the mountain, overhanging the cluster of 
 houses in the gorge, and frowning upon all that attempt- 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER, 27 
 
 cd to pass. The structure was a vast but irregular pile. 
 The more modern parts were circular salient towers, that 
 were built upon the uttermost verge of the rock, from 
 whose battlements it would not have been difficult to cast 
 a stone into the road, and which denoted great attention 
 to strength in their masonry, while beauty of form and of 
 workmanship, as they were understood at the period of 
 which we write, were not entirely neglected. Tliese tow- 
 ers, though large, were mere appendages to the main 
 building, which, seen from the position now before tlie 
 mind of the reader, presented a confused maze of walls, 
 chimneys, and roofs. In some places, the former rose 
 from the greensward which covered the hill-side ; while in 
 (jthers, advantage had been taken of the living rock, which 
 was frequently so blended with the pile it supported, both 
 being of the same reddish free-stone, that it was not easy 
 at the first glance to say, what had been done by nature 
 and what by art. 
 
 The path of the forester led from the valley up the 
 mountain, by a gradual and lateral ascent to a huge gate 
 that opened beneath a high arch, communicating witli a 
 court within. On this side of the castle there was neither 
 ditch, nor bridge, nor any other of the usual defences, be- 
 vond a portcullis, for the position of the hold rendered 
 these precautions in a measure unnecessary. Still great 
 care had been taken to prevent a surprise, and it would 
 have required a sure foot, a steady head, and vigorous 
 limbs, to have effected an entrance into the edifice, by any 
 (Uher passage than its gate. 
 
 When Bcrchthoici I'eachcd the little terrace that lay be- 
 fore the portal, he loosened his horn, and, standing on the 
 verge of the precipice, blew a hunting strain, apparently 
 in glee. The music echoed among the hills as suited the 
 sput, and more than one crone of tlie hamlet suspended 
 her t(jil, in dull admiration, to listen to its wild effect. Re- 
 placing the instrument, the; youth spoke to his hounds and 
 passed beneath the jjurtcullis, which liappencd to be raised 
 at the moment. 
 
a8 THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 "What sayest thou to a hare, or the melancholy of moor-ditch ?" 
 
 — King Henry IV. 
 
 The light had nearly disappeared from the gorge, in 
 which the hamlet of Hartenburg lay, when Berchthold 
 descended from the castle, by a path different from that 
 by which he had entered it an hour before, and crossing 
 the rivulet by a bridge of stone, he ascended the opposite 
 bank into the street, or rather the road. The young for- 
 ester having kennelled the hounds, had laid aside his leash 
 and fusee, but he still kept the horn suspended from his 
 shoulder. At his side, too, he carried a couteau-de-chasse, 
 a useful instrument of defence in that age and country, as 
 well as a weapon he was entitled to carry, in virtue of his 
 office under the Count of Leiningen-Hartenburg, the mas- 
 ter of the hold he had just quitted, and the feudal lord of 
 most of the adjoining mountains, as well as of sundry 
 villages on the plain of the Palatinate. It would seem 
 that the cow-lierd expected his associate, or perhaps we 
 might venture to call him friend, for such in truth did he 
 appear to be, by the easy terms on wdiich they met. Gott- 
 lob was in waiting near the cottage of his mother, and 
 when the two joined each other they communicated by a 
 sign, and proceeded with swift steps, leaving the cluster of 
 houses. 
 
 Immediately on quitting the hamlet, the valley expanded, 
 and took that character of fertility and cultivation, which 
 has been described to the reader in the Introduction ; for 
 all who have perused that opening and necessary preface 
 to our labors, will at once recognize that the two youths 
 introduced to their acquaintance, were now in the moun- 
 tain basin which contained the Abbey of Limburg. But 
 three centuries, wliile they have effected little in altering 
 tlie permanent features of the place, have wrought essen- 
 tial changes in those which w^ere more perishable. 
 
 As the young men moved sw^iftly on, the first rays of the 
 moon touched the tops of the mountains, and ere they had 
 gone a mile, always holding the direction of the pass 
 which communicated with the valley of the Rhine, the 
 towers and roofs of the Abbey itself were illuminated. The 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 29 
 
 convcntUcil buildings were then perfect, resembling, by 
 their number and confusion, the grouping of some village, 
 while a strong and massive wall encircled the entire brow 
 of the isolated hill. The construction resembled one of 
 those warlike ecclesiastical princes of the middle ages, who 
 wore armor beneath the stole ; for while the towers and 
 painted windows, the pious memorials and votive monu- 
 ments, denoted the objects of the establishment, the de- 
 fences betrayed that as much dependence was placed on 
 human as on other means, for the protection of those who 
 composed the brotherhood. 
 
 " There is a moon for a monk as well as for a cow-herd, 
 it would seem," observed Gottlob, speaking, however, in a 
 voice subdued nearly to a whisper. " There comes the 
 light upon the high tower of the Abbey, and presently it 
 will be glistening on the bald head of every straggler of 
 the convent, who is abroad tasting the last vintage, or 
 otherwise prying into the affairs of some burgher of 
 Duerckheim [ " 
 
 "Thou hast not much reverence for the pious fathers, 
 honest Gottlob ; for it is seldom thou lettcst opportunity 
 pass to do them an ill turn, with tongue or hungry beast." 
 
 "Look you, Berchthold, we vassals are little more than 
 so much clear water in which our master may see his own 
 countenance, and at need his own humors. Whenever 
 Lord Emich has a sincere hatred for man or horse, 
 dog or cat, town or village, monk or count, I know 
 not why it is so, but I feel my own choler rise, until I 
 am both ready and willing to strike when he striketh, to 
 curse when he curseth, and even to kill when he killeth." 
 
 *"Tis a good temper for a servitor, but it is to be 
 hoped, for the sake of Christian credit, tiiat the sympathy 
 does not end here, but tliat thy affections are as social as 
 thy dislikes." 
 
 "More so, as there is faith in nian ! Count Emich is a 
 huge lover of a venison pasty of a nKjrning, and I feel a 
 yearning fcjr it the day long — Count l^nich will despatch 
 y(Mi a b(jttle of Deurckheim in an lioui", whereas two 
 would scarce show my zeal for his honor in the same time , 
 and as for other mortifications of this nature, I am not the 
 man to desert my master for want of zeal." 
 
 "I believe thee, Gottlob," said Berchthold, laughing, "and 
 even niore than thou canst find words to say in thine own 
 favor, on topics like these. But, after all, the Benedictines 
 
30 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 arc churchmen, and sworn to their faith and duty, as well 
 as any bishop in Germany ; and I do not see the cause of 
 all the dislike of either lord or vassal." 
 
 "Ay, thou art in favor with some of the fraternity, and 
 it is rare that the week passes in which thou art not kneel- 
 ing before some of their altars ; but with me the case is 
 different, for since the penance commanded for that affair 
 of dealing a little freely with one of their herds, I have 
 small digestion for their spiritual food." 
 
 "And yet thou hast paid Peter's pence, said thy prayers, 
 and confessed thy sins to Father Arnolph, and all within 
 the month ! " 
 
 " What wouldst thou have of a sinner ? I gave the 
 money on the promise of having it back with usury ; I 
 prayed on account of an accursed tooth that torments me, 
 at times, in a manner worse than a damned soul is liar- 
 rowed ; and as to confession, ever since my uncommon 
 candor, concerning the herd, got me into that penance, I 
 confess imder favor of a proper discretion. To tell the 
 truth, Master Berchthold, the church is something like a 
 two-year cjld wife ; pleasant enough when allowed her own 
 wav, but a devil of a vixen when fcjlded against her will." 
 
 The young forester was thoughtful and silent, and as 
 they were now in the vicinity of the hamlet whicli belonged 
 to the friars of Limburg, his loquacious and prurient 
 companion saw fit to imitate his reserve, from a motive of 
 prudence. The little artificial lake mentioned in tlie 
 Introduction was in existence, at the time of our talc ; but 
 the inn, with the ambitious sign of the anchor, is the fruit 
 of far more modern enterprise. When the young men 
 reached a ravine, that opened into the mountain near the 
 present site of this tavern, they turned aside from the high 
 road, first taking care to observe that no curious eye 
 watched tlieir movements. 
 
 Here commenced a long and somewhat painful ascent, 
 by means of a rough path, that was only lighted in spots 
 by the rising moon. The vigorous limbs of the forester 
 and the cow-herd, however, soon carried them to the sum- 
 mit of the most advanced spur of the adjoining mountain, 
 where they arrived upon an open heath-like plain. Al- 
 though the discourse between them had been maintained 
 during the ascent, it was in more subdued tones even than 
 when beneath the walls of Limburg, the spirits of Gottlob 
 appearing to ooze away the higher he mounted. 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 31 
 
 "This is a dreary and a courage-killing waste, Bercht- 
 hold," whispered the cow-herd, as his foot touched the 
 level ground ; "and it is even more disheartening to enter 
 on it by the aid of the moon, than in tlie dark. Hast ever 
 been nearer to the Teufelstein, at this hour ? " 
 
 " I came upon it once at midnight ; for it was there I 
 made acquaintance with liim that we are now about to 
 visit — Did I never relate the manner of that meeting? " 
 
 '' What a habit hast thou of taxing a memory ! Perhaps 
 if thou wert to repeat it, I might recall tlie facts by the 
 time thou wert ended ; and to speak truth, thy voice is 
 comfortable on this sprite's common." 
 
 The young forester smiled, but without derision, for he 
 saw that his companion, spite of his indifference to all 
 grave subjects, was, as is generally the case, the most af- 
 fected of the two when put to a serious trial, and perhaps 
 he also remembered the difference that education had 
 made in their powers of thinking. That he did not treat 
 the subject as one of light import himself, v/as also ap- 
 parent by the regulated and cautious manner in which he 
 delivered the following account. 
 
 '* I had been on the chases of Lord Emich since the ris- 
 ing of the sun," commenced Berchthold, " for there was 
 need of more than common vigilance to watch the neigh- 
 boring boors. The search had led me far into the hills, 
 and the night came, not as it is now seen, but so pitchy 
 dark, that, accustomed as I was from childhood to the 
 forest, it w\as not possible to tell the direction of even a 
 star, much less that of the Castle. For hours I wandered, 
 hoping at each moment to reach the opening of the valley, 
 when I found myself of a sudden in a field that appeared 
 endless and uninhabited." 
 
 " Aye — That was this devil's ball-room ! — thou meanest 
 untenanted by man." 
 
 " Hast thou ever known the helplessness of being lost 
 in the forest, Gottlob ? " 
 
 "In my own person, never. Master Berchthold; but in 
 that of my herd, it is a misfortune that uften befalls me, 
 sinner that I am ! " 
 
 " I know not that sympathy with thy cows can teach thee 
 the humiliation and depression that come over the mind, 
 when we stand on this goodly earth, cut off from all com- 
 munication with our fellows, in a desert, though sur- 
 rounded by living men, deprived of the senses of sight and 
 
32 THE I/EIDENMA UER. 
 
 hearing for useful ends, and with all the signs of God be- 
 fore the eyes, and yet with none of the common means of 
 enjoying his bounty, from having lost the clew to his in- 
 tentions." 
 
 " Must the teeth, of necessity, be idle, or the throat dry, 
 Master Forester, because the path is hid ?" 
 
 "At such a moment the appetites are quieted, in the 
 grand desire to return to our usual communication with 
 the earth. It is like being restored to the helplessness of 
 infancy, with ail the wants and habits of manhood beset- 
 ting the character and wishes." 
 
 " If thou callest such a thing a restoration, friend Bercht- 
 hold, I shall make interest with St. Benedict that I may 
 remain deposed to the end of my days." 
 
 " I weigh not the meaning of every word I utter, with 
 the recollection of that helpless moment so fresh. But it 
 was when tlie desolate feeling was strongest, that I roved 
 out of the chase upon this mountain heath ; there ap- 
 peared something before my sight, that seemed a house, 
 and by a bright light that glittered, as I fancied, at a 
 window, I felt again restored to intercourse with my 
 kind." 
 
 '' Thou usest thy terms with more discretion now," said 
 the cow-herd, fetching a heavy breath, like one who was 
 glad the difficulty had found a termination. " I hope it 
 was the abode of some substantial tenant of Lord Emich, 
 who was not without the means of comforting a soul in 
 distress." 
 
 " Gottlob, the dwelling was no other than the Teufel- 
 stein, and the light was a twinkling star, that chance had 
 brought in a line with the rock." 
 
 " I take it for granted, Master Berchthold, thou didst 
 not knock twice for admission at that door ! " 
 
 " I am not much governed by the vulgar legends and 
 womanish superstitions of our hills, but " 
 
 *' Softly — softly — friend forester ; what thou callest by 
 names so irreverent, are the opinions of all who dwell in 
 or about Deurckheim ; knight or monk — burgher or count, 
 has equally a respect for our venerable traditions. Tausand 
 Sechs und Zvvanziges ! what would become of us if we 
 liad not a gory tale, or some alarming and reverend spec- 
 tacle of this sort, to set up against the penances, and 
 prayers, and masses of the Friars of Limburg ! — As much 
 wisdom and philosophy as thou wilt, foster-brother of 
 
THE JIEIDENMAUER. 33 
 
 mine, but leave us our Devil, if it be only to make battle 
 airainst the Abbot ! " 
 
 " Notwithstanding thy big words, I well know that none 
 among us has, at heart, a greater dread of tliis very hill 
 than thyself, Gottlob ! I have seen thee sweat cold drops 
 from thy forehead, in crossing the heath after night-fall." 
 
 '* Art quite sure 'twas not the dew? We have heavy 
 falls of tliat moisture in these hills, when the earth is 
 parched ! " 
 
 " Let it then be the dew." 
 
 " To oblige thee, Berchthold, I would willingly swear it 
 was a water-spout. But what didst thou make of the rock 
 and the star t " 
 
 "■ I could change the nature of neither. I pretend not to 
 thy indifference to the mysterious power that rules the 
 earth, but thou well knowest that fear never yet kept me 
 from this hill. When a near approach showed me my error, 
 I was abcmt to turn away, not without crossing myself and 
 repeating an Ave, as I am ready to acknowledge ; but a 
 glance upward convinced me that the stone was occu- 
 pied " 
 
 " Occupied ? — I have always known that it was possessed, 
 but never before did I think it was occupied !" 
 
 "There was one seated on its uppermost projection, as 
 plainly to be seen as the rock itself." 
 
 " Whereupon thou madest manifest that good speed 
 which had gained thee the favor of the Count, and thy 
 post of forester." 
 
 " I hope the nerve to put the duties of my office in prac- 
 tice, had their weight with Lord Emich," rejoined Bercht- 
 hold, a little quickly. "I did not run, Gottlob, but I spoke 
 to the being who had chosen a seat so remarkable, and at 
 that late hoin-." 
 
 vSpite (^f his spirit and affected humor, the cow-herd un- 
 consciously drew nearer to his companion, casting at the 
 same time an oblic[ue glance in the direction of the sus- 
 pected rock. 
 
 *'Thou seemest troubled, Gottlob." 
 
 "Dost thou think 1 am without ]:K)we]s ? What, shall a 
 friend oi mine be in this strait, and 1 not troubled ! Heaven 
 save thee, Berchtliold, were the best c(nv in my lierd 
 off her stomach, I could not be in greater concern, lladst 
 any answer ? " 
 
 " I had — and the result has gone to show me," returned 
 
 3 
 
34 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 the forester, musing as he spoke, like one who was ob- 
 taining glimpses of long-concealed truth, " that our fears 
 oftentimes prevent us from seeing things as they are, and 
 are the means of nourishing our mistakes. I got an an- 
 swer, and certainly, contrary to what most in Duerckheim 
 would have believed, it was given in a human voice." 
 
 '' That was encouraging, though it were hoarser than 
 the roaring of a bull ! " 
 
 " It spoke mildly and in reason, Gottlob, as thou wilt 
 readily believe, when I tell thee it was no other than the 
 voice of the Anchorite of the Cedars. Our acquaintance 
 then and there commenced, since which time, as thou 
 knowest well, it hath not flagged for want of frequent 
 visits to his abode, on my part." 
 
 The cow-herd walked on in silence, for more than a 
 minute, and then stopping short, he abruptly addressed his 
 companion : — 
 
 "And this then hath been thy secret, Berchthold, con- 
 cerning the manner of commencing on thy new friend- 
 ship." 
 
 "There is no other. I well knew how much thou wert 
 fettered by the opinions of the country, and was afraid of 
 losing thy company in these visits, were I, without cau- 
 tion, to tell all the circumstances of our interview. But 
 now thou hast become known to the anchorite, I do not 
 fear thy desertion." 
 
 " Never count upon too many sacrifices from thy friends, 
 Master Berchthold ! The mind of man is borne upon by so 
 many fancies, is ruled by so many vagaries, and tormented 
 by so many doubts, when there is question concerning the 
 safety of the body, to say nothing of the soul, that I know 
 no more rash confidence, than to count too securely on 
 the sacrifices of a friend." 
 
 "Thou knowest the path, and can return by thyself, to 
 the hamlet, if thou wilt," said the forester peevishly, and 
 not without severity. 
 
 " There are situations in which it is as difficult to go 
 back as to go forward," observed Gottlob ; "else, Bercht- 
 hold, I might take thee at thy word, and go back to my 
 careful mother, a good supper, and a bed that stands 
 between a picture of the Virgin, one of St. Benedict, and 
 one of my Lord the Count. But for my concern for thee, 
 I would not go another foot toward the camp." 
 
 " Do as thou wilt," said the forester, who appeared, how- 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 35 
 
 ever, to know the apprehension his companion felt of 
 being left alone in that solitary and suspected spot, and 
 who turned his advantage to good account by quickening 
 his pace in such a manner as would soon have left Gott- 
 lob to liis own thick-coming fancies, had he not diligently 
 imitated his gait. "Thou canst tell the people of Lord 
 Emich, that thou abandoned me on this hill." 
 
 "Nay," returned Gottlob, making a merit of necessity, 
 " if I do that, or say that, may they make a Benedictine of 
 me, and the Abbot of Limburg to boot ! " 
 
 As the cow-herd, who felt all his master's antipathies 
 against their religious neighbors, expressed this determin- 
 ation in a voice strong as his resolution, confidence was re- 
 stored between the friends, who continued their progress 
 with swift paces. The place was, sooth to say, one every 
 way likely to quicken any dormant seeds of superstition 
 that education, or tradition, or local opinions had im- 
 planted in the human breast. 
 
 By this time our adventurers had approached a wood of 
 low cedars, which, apparently encircled in a round wall 
 that was composed of a confused but vast pile of fallen 
 stones, grew upon tlie advanced spur of the hills. Behind 
 them lay the heatli-like plain, while the bald rock which 
 the moon-beams had just lighted, raising its head from out 
 of the earth, resembled some gloomy monument placed in 
 the centre of the waste, to mark and to render obvious, by 
 comparison, the dreary solitude of the naked fields. The 
 back-ground was the dark slopes and ridges of the forest 
 of the Haart mountains. On their right was the glen, or 
 valley, from which they had just ascended ; and on their 
 front, looking a little obliquely from the grove, the plain 
 of the Palatinate, wliich lay in misty obscurity, like a dim 
 sea of cultivation, hundreds of feet beneath their elevated 
 stand. 
 
 It was rare, indeed, that any immediate dependant of the 
 Count Emich, and more especially any of those who dwelt in 
 or about his castle, and who were likelv to be called into his 
 service at an unexpected moment, ventured so far from the 
 fortress, and in the direction of the hostile Abbey, without 
 providing himself with the means of offence and defence. 
 BerchtlKjld wore, as wont, his hunting-knife, or the short 
 straight sword, which to tliis day is carried by that descrip- 
 tion of European dependant called a chasseur, and who is 
 seen, degraded to the menial offices of a footman, standing 
 
36 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 behind the carriages of ambassadors and princes, remind- 
 ing the observant spectator of the regular and certain de- 
 cadency of the usages of feudal times. Neither had Gottlob 
 been neglectful of his personal security, as respects human 
 foes ; for on the subject of resisting all such attacks, his 
 manhood was above reproach, as had been proved in 
 more than one of those bloody frays, which in that age 
 were of frequent occurrence between the vassals of the 
 minor German princes. The cow-herd had provided him- 
 self with a heavy weapon that his father had often wielded 
 in battle, and which needed all the vigor of the muscular 
 arm of the son, to flourish with a due observance of the re- 
 quired positions and attitudes. Fire-arms were of too 
 much value and of too imperfect use to be resorted to on 
 every light occasion, like that which had now drawn the 
 foster-brothers, for such supported by long habit was the 
 secret of the intimacy between the forester and the cow- 
 herd, from their hamlet to the hill of Duerckheim. 
 
 Berchthold loosened his couteau-de-chasse, as he turned 
 by an ancient gate-way, whose position was known merely 
 by an interruption of the ditch that had protected this face 
 of the wall, and an opening in the wall itself, to enter the 
 inclosure, which the reader will at once recognize as the 
 Pagan's Camp of the Introduction. At the same moment 
 Gottlob cast his heavy weapon from his shoulder, and 
 grasped its handle in a more scientific manner. There was 
 certainly no enemy visible to justify these movements, but 
 the increasing solitude of the place, and that impression 
 of danger which besets the faculties, when we find our- 
 selves in situations favorable to deeds of violence, prob- 
 ably induced the double and common caution. The light of 
 the moon, which was not yet full, had not sufficient power 
 to penetrate the thick branches of the cedars ; and when 
 the youths were fairly beneath the gloomy foliage, al- 
 though not left in the ordinary darkness of a clouded 
 night, they were perhaps in that very species of dull and 
 misty ilhnnination, which, by leaving objects uncertain 
 while visible, is the best adapted to undermine the confi- 
 dence of a distrustful spirit. There was little wind, but 
 the sighs of the night air were plaintively audible, while 
 the adventurers picked their way among the fragments of 
 the place. 
 
 It has been elsewhere said, that the Ileidenmauer was 
 originally a Roman camp. The warlike and extraordinary 
 
THE HErDENMAUER, 37 
 
 people who had erected these advanced works on the re- 
 motest frontier of their wide empire, had, of course, neg- 
 lected none of the means that \vere necessary, under the 
 circumstances, either for their security or for their comfort. 
 The first iiad been sufficiently obtained by the nearly iso- 
 lated position of tlie hill, prcjtected, as it was, by walls so 
 massive and so high as those must have been, which had 
 consumed the quantity of materials still visible in the large 
 circuit that remained ; while the interior furnished abund- 
 ant proofs that the latter had not been neglected, in its in- 
 tersecting remains, over which Gottlob more than once 
 stumbled, as he advanced into the shadows of the place. 
 Here and there, a ruined habitation, more or less dilapi- 
 dated, was still standing, furnishing, like the memorable 
 remains of Pompeii and Herculaneum, interesting and in- 
 fallible evidence of the usages of those who have so long 
 since departed to their eternal rest. It would seem, by 
 the rude repairs w4iich rather injured than embellished 
 these touching, though simple monuments of what the in- 
 terior of the camp had been in its day of power and pride, 
 that modern adventurers had endeavored to turn them to 
 account, by converting the falling huts into habitations 
 appropriated to their own temporary uses. All, however, 
 appeared to have been long before finally abandoned ; for 
 as BerchthcUd and his companion stole cautiously among 
 the crumbling stones, the gaping rents and roofless walls 
 denoted hopeless decay. At length the youths paused, and 
 fastened their looks in a common direction, as if apprized 
 that they were near the goal of their expedition. 
 
 In a part of the gro\e, where the cedars grew more 
 dense and luxuriant than on most of that stony and broken 
 soil, stood a single low building, which, of all there, had 
 the air of being still habitable. I>ike the others, it either 
 had been originally constructed by the masters of the 
 world, or restored on tlie foundations of some Roman con- 
 struction by the followers of Attila, who, it will be remem- 
 bered, had passed a winter in this camp ; and it was now 
 rendered weather-proof by the usual devices of the poor 
 and laborious. There was a single window, a door, and a 
 rude chimney, whicli tlie climate and the elevated situation 
 of the place rendered nearly indispensable. The light of 
 a dim torch shone through the former, the only sign that 
 the hut was tenanted ; for on the exterior, with the excep- 
 tion of the rough repairs just mentioned, all around it lay 
 
38 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 ill the neglected and eloquent stillness of ruin. The reader 
 will not imagine, in this description, any of that massive 
 grandeur which so insensibly attaches itself to most that 
 is connected with the Roman name ; for while, in the nat- 
 ure of things, the most ponderous and the most imposing 
 of tlie public works of that people are precisely those 
 which are the most likely to have descended to our own 
 times, the traveller often meets with memorials of their 
 power, that are so frail and perishable in their construc- 
 tion, as to owe their preservation, in a great measure, to 
 an accidental combination of circumstances favorable to 
 such a result. Still, the Roman was ordinarily as much 
 greater in little things, if connected with a public object, 
 as he excelled all who have succeeded him, in those which 
 were of more importance. The Ringmauer,or Heidenmauer, 
 is a strong proof of what we say. There is not an arch, 
 nor a tomb, nor a gate, nor a paved road of any descrip- 
 tion in the vicinity of Duerckheim, to shovv' that the post 
 was more than a temporary military position ; and yet the 
 presence of its former occupants is established by more 
 evidence than would probably be found, a century hence, 
 were half of the present cities of Christendom to be sud- 
 denly abandoned. But these evidences are rude and 
 suited to the objects which had brought them into exist- 
 ence. 
 
 The forester and the cow-herd stood long regarding the 
 solitary hut, which had arrested their looks like men hesi- 
 tating to proceed. 
 
 '' I had more humor for the company of the honest 
 anchorite. Master Berchthold," said the latter " before 
 thou madcst me acquainted with his fondness for taking 
 the night air on the Teufelstein." 
 
 " Thou hast not fear, Gottlob ? Thou, who bearest so 
 good a name for courage among our youths ! " 
 
 " I shall be the las,t to accuse myself of cowardice or of 
 any other discreditable quality, friend forester, but pru- 
 dence is a virtue in a youth, as the Abbot of Limburg him- 
 self would swear, were he here " 
 
 *'He is not present in his own reverend and respected 
 person," said a voice so nigh the ear of Gottlob, as to cause 
 him to jump nimbly aside; "but one who may humbly 
 represent some portion of his sanctity, is not wanting to 
 affirm the truth of what thou sayest, son." 
 
 The startled young men saw that a monk of the opposite 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 39 
 
 mountain had unexpectedly appeared between them. 
 They were on the lands of the Abbey, or rather on ground 
 in dispute between the burghers of Duerckheim and the 
 convent, but actually in possession of the latter ; and they 
 felt the insecurity of their situation as the dependants of 
 the count of Hartenburg. Neither spoke, therefore, for 
 each was striving to invent some plausible pretext for his 
 appearance in a place so unfrequented, and which, in 
 general, was held in so little favor by the neighboring 
 peasantry. 
 
 "You are youths of Duerckheim?" asked the monk, en- 
 deavoring to observe their features by the imperfect light 
 that penetrated the foliage of the dark cedars. Gottlob, 
 whose besetting infirmity was a too exuberant fluency of 
 tongue, took on himself the task of answering. 
 
 *' We are youths, reverend father," he said, "as thy 
 quick and sagacious sight hath so well seen. I will not 
 deny my years, and if I would, the devil, who besets all 
 between fifteen and five-and-twenty in the shape of some 
 giddy infirmity, would soon betray the imposture." 
 
 "Of Duerckheim, son ?" 
 
 " As there is question between tlie Abbey and the town 
 concerning these hills, we might not stand any better in 
 thy favor, holy Benedictine, were we to say yes." 
 
 "In that suspicion thou dost little justice to the Abbey, 
 son ; we may defend the rights of the Church, confided in 
 their temporalities as they are to an unworthy and sinful 
 brotherhood, without feeling any uncharitableness against 
 those who believe they have claims better than our own. 
 Tiie love of mammon is feeble in bosoms that are devoted 
 to self-denying and repentant lives. Say then boldly that 
 that you are a Duerckheim, and dread not my displeasure." 
 
 '' Since it is thy good pleasure, benevolent monk, I will 
 say boldly that we are of Duerckheim." 
 
 *' And you come to consult the holy Anchorite of the 
 Cedars ? " 
 
 " It is not necessary that I should tell one of thy knowl- 
 edge of human nature, reverend Benedictine, that the fail- 
 ing of all dwellers in small towns, is an itching to look into 
 the affairs of their neighbors. Hiinmel ! If our worthy 
 burgomasters would spare a little time from the affairs 
 of other people to hxjk into their own, we should all 
 be greatly gainers ; they in their })roperty, and we in our 
 comfort !" 
 
40 THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 The Benedictine laughed, and he motioned for the youths 
 to follow, advancing himself towards the hut. 
 
 " Since you have given yourself this trouble, no doubt 
 with a praiseworthy and pious intention, my sons," he said, 
 "let not respect for my presence change your purpose. 
 We will go into the cell of the holy hermit, in company ; 
 and if there should be advantage from his blessing, or dis- 
 course, believe me I will not be so unjust as to envy either 
 of you a share." 
 
 "The manner in which the friars of Limburg deny 
 themselves advantages, in order to do profit to their fellow- 
 Christians, is in the mouths of all, far and near; and this 
 generosity of thine, reverend monk, is quite of a piece 
 with the well-earned reputation of the whole brother- 
 hood." 
 
 As Gottlob spoke gravely, and bowed with sufficient 
 reverence, the Benedictine was in a slight degree his 
 dupe ; though, as he passed beneath the low portal of 
 the luit, lie could not prevent a lurking suspicion of the 
 truth. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 ** He comes nt last in sullen loneliness, 
 And whence they know not, why they need not guess." — Lara. 
 
 In those ages in wiiich mortal wrongs were chiefly re- 
 paired by superstition, and the slaves of the grosser pas- 
 sions believed they were only to be rebuked by signal acts 
 of physical self-denial, the world often witnessed examples 
 of men retiring from its allurements, to caves and huts, for 
 the ostensible purposes of penitence and prayer. That this 
 extraordinary pretension to godliness was frequently the 
 cloak of ambition and deceit is certain, but it would be un- 
 charitable to believe that, in common, it did not proceed 
 from an honest, though it might be an ill-directed, zeal. 
 Hermitages are still far from infrequent in the more south- 
 ern parts of Europe, though they are of rare occurrence in 
 Germany ; but previously to the change of religion which 
 occurred in the sixteenth century, and consequently near 
 the period of this tale, they were perhaps more often met 
 with among the descendants of the northern race, than 
 among the more fervid fancies of the southern stock of that 
 
THE HEIDEyMAUER. 41 
 
 quarter of tlie world. It is a law of nature that the sub- 
 stances which most easily receive impressions, are the least 
 likely to retain them ; and possibly there may be requisite 
 a constancy and severity of character to endure the never- 
 ending and mortifying exactions of the anchorite, that were 
 not so easily found among the volatile and happy children 
 of the sun, as among the sterner offspring of the regions of 
 cold and tempests. 
 
 Whatever may be said of the principles of him who thus 
 aband(jned worldly ease fur the love of God, it is quite 
 sure, that in practice, there were present and soothing re- 
 wards in this manner of life, that were not without strong 
 attractions to morbid minds ; especially to those in which 
 the seeds of ambition were dormant rather than extinct. It 
 was rare, indeed, that a recluse established himself in the 
 vicinity of a simple and religious neighborhood, and few 
 were they who sought absolute solitude, without reaping a 
 rich harvest of veneration and moral dependence among 
 the untrained minds of his admirers. In this treacherous 
 manner does vanity beset us in our strong-holds of mental 
 security, and he who has abandoned the world, in the hope 
 of leaving behind him those impulses which endangered 
 his hopes, finds the enemy in a new shape, intrenched in 
 the very citadel of his defences. There is little merit, and 
 ccHnmonly as little safety, in turning the back on any dan- 
 ger, and he has far less claims to the honors of a hero who 
 outlives the contest in consequence of means so question- 
 able, than he who survives because he has given a mortal 
 blow to his antagonist. The task assigned to man is to 
 move among his fellows doing good, fjlling his part in the 
 scale of creation, and escaping from none of the iiigh 
 duties which God has allotted to his being; and greatly 
 should he be grateful, that, wliile his service is arduous, he 
 is not left without the powerful aid of tliat intelligence 
 which controls the harmony of the universe. 
 
 The Anchorite of the Cedars, as the recluse now visited 
 by the monk and his accidental companions was usually 
 termed by the peasants, and by the burghers of Duerck- 
 heim, had made his appearance about six months before 
 the opening of our story, in the Ringmauer. Whence he 
 had come, how long he intended to remain, and what had 
 been his [)revious career, were facts equally unknown to 
 those among whom lie so suddenly took up his abode. 
 None had seen him arrive, nor could any say from what 
 
42 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 sources he drew the few articles of household furniture 
 which were placed in his hut. They who left the camp 
 untenanted one week, or returning the next, had found it 
 occupied by a man, who had arranged one of the deserted 
 buildings in a manner to shelter him from the storms, and 
 who, by erecting a crucifix at his door, had sufficiently an- 
 nounced the motive of his retirement. It was usual to hail 
 the establishment of a hermit in any particular district, as 
 a propitious event ; and many were the hopes excited, and 
 plans of effecting temporal objects concocted, by the in- 
 tervention of the prayers of the stranger, before his pres- 
 ence had been known a fortnight. All within the influence 
 of the name of the hermit, except Emich of Leiningen- 
 Hartenburg, the burgomasters of Duerckheim, and the 
 monks of Limburg, heard of his arrival with satisfaction. 
 The haughty and warlike baron had imbibed a standing 
 prejudice against all devotees, from an inherited enmity to 
 the adjoining convent, which had contested the sovereignty 
 of tlie valley with his family for ages ; while the magistrates 
 had a latent jealousy of every influence wiiich custom and 
 the laws had not rendered familiar. As to the monks, the 
 secret of their distrust was to be found in that principle 
 of human nature, which causes us to dislike being outdone 
 in any merit of which we make an especial profession, 
 even though superior godliness be its object. Until now 
 the Abbot of Limburg was held to be the judge, in the 
 last resort, of all intercessions between earth and heaven ; 
 and as his supremacy had the support of time, he had long 
 enjoyed it in that careless security which lures so many of 
 the prosperous to their downfall. 
 
 These antipathies on the part of the honored and power- 
 ful might, to say the least, have rendered the life of the 
 anchorite very uncomfortable, if not positively insecure, 
 were it not for the neutralizing effect of the antagonistic 
 forces which were set in motion. Opinion, deepened by 
 superstition, held its shield over the humble hut, and 
 month after month glided away, after the arrival of the 
 stranger, during which he received no other testimonials 
 of the feelings excited by his presence, than those con- 
 nected with the reverence of the bulk of the population. 
 An accidental communication with Berchthold was ripen- 
 ing into intimacy, and, as will be seen in the course of the 
 narrative, there were others to whom his counsel, or his 
 motives, or his prayers, were not indifferent. 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 43 
 
 The latter fnct was made sufficiently apparent to those 
 who on account of their mutual distrust, now presented 
 themselves with less ceremony than usual, at the threshold 
 of the hut. The light within came from a fagot which was 
 burning on the rude hearth, but it was quite strong enough 
 to show the monk and his companions that the anchorite 
 was not alone. Their footsteps had evidently been heard, 
 and a female had time to arise from her knees, and to ar- 
 range her mantle in such a manner as effectually to con- 
 ceal her countenance. The hurried action was scarcely 
 completed, when the Benedictine darkened the door with 
 Kis gloomy robes, w^iile Berchthold and his friend stood 
 gazing over his shoulders, with lively curiosity mingled 
 with surprise. 
 
 The form and countenance of the anchorite were those 
 of middle age. His eye had lost nothing of its quickness 
 or intelligence, though his movements had the delibera- 
 tion and care that long experience insensibly interweaves 
 in the habits of those who have not lived in vain. He ex- 
 pressed neither concern nor wonder at the unexpected 
 visits, but regarding his guests earnestly, like one who as- 
 sured himself of their identity, he mildly motioned for all 
 to enter. There was jealous suspicion in the glance of 
 the Benedictine, as he complied : for until now, he had no 
 reason to believe that the recluse was usurping so inti- 
 mate and so extensive an infiuence over the minds of the 
 young, as the presence of the unknown female would give 
 reason to believe. 
 
 " I knew that thou wert of holy life and constant prav- 
 er, venerable hermit," he said, in a tone that questioned in 
 more than one meaning of the term, "but until this mo- 
 ment, I had not thought thee vested with the Church's 
 power to hearken to the transgressions of the faithful and 
 to forgive sins ! " 
 
 " The latter is an office, brother, that of right belongs 
 only to God. The head of the Church himself is but an 
 humble instrument of faith, in discharging this solemn 
 trust." 
 
 The countenance of the monk did not become more 
 amicable at this re{)ly, nor did he fail to cast a scrutinizing 
 glance at the muffled form of the stranger, in a fruitless 
 endeavor to recognize her person. 
 
 "Thou hast n(jt even the tonsure," he continued, while 
 his uneasy eye rolled from that of the recluse to the form 
 
44 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 of the stranger, who had shrunk, as far as the narrow place 
 would permit, from observation. 
 
 "Thou seest, father, I have all the hair that time and 
 infirmities have left me. But is it thought, in thy bene- 
 ficed and warlike abbey, that the advice of one who has 
 lived long enough to know and to lament his own errors, 
 can injure the less experienced? If unhappily I may have 
 deceived myself, thou art timely present, reverend monk, 
 to repair the wrong." 
 
 " Let the maiden come to the confessional of the Abbey 
 Church, if distrust or apprehension weigh upon her mind ; 
 doubt it not, she will find great comfort in the experi- 
 ment." 
 
 "As I will testify, from many trials — " abruptly inter- 
 posed the cow-herd, who advanced intrusively between 
 the two devotees, in a manner to occupy all their atten- 
 tion. " ' Go upon the hill, and ease thy soul, Gottlob,' is 
 my good and venerable mother in the practice of saying, 
 whenever my opinion of myself is getting to be too hum- 
 ble, ^and discourse with some of the godly fathers of the 
 Abbey, whose wisdom and unction will not fail to lighten 
 thy heart of even a heavier load. There is Father Ulrich, 
 he is a paragon of virtue and self-denial ; and Father Cuno 
 is even more edifying and salutary than he ; while Father 
 Siegfried is more balmy to a soul, than the most reverend 
 Abbot, the virtuous and pious Father Bonifacius himself! 
 Whatever thou doest, child, go upon the hill, and enter 
 boldly into the cliurch, like a loaded and oppressed sin- 
 ner as thou art, and especially seek counsel and prayer 
 from the excellent and beloved father Siegfried.' " 
 
 " And thou — who art thou ? " demanded the half-doubt- 
 ing monk, "that thus speakest of me, in terms that I so 
 little merit, to my face ?" 
 
 " I would I were Lord Emich of Hartenburg, or for that 
 matter, the Elector Palatine himself, in order to do justice 
 to those I honor ; in wdiich case certain Fathers of Lim- 
 burg should have especial favor, and that quickly too, 
 after my own flesh and blood ! Who am I, father? I won- 
 der that a face so often seen at the confessional should be 
 forgotten. What there is of me to boast of. Father Sieg- 
 fried, is of thine own forming — but it is no cause of sur- 
 prise that thou dost not recall me to mind, since the meek 
 and lowly of spirit arc sure to forget their own good 
 works ! " 
 
THE IIEIDKXMA UER. 
 
 45 
 
 "Thou callcst thyself Gottlob — but the name belongs to 
 many Christians." 
 
 "More bear it, reverend monk, than know how to do it 
 honor. There is Gottlob Frincke, as arrant a knave as 
 any in Duerckheim ; and Gottlob Popp miglit have moic 
 respect for his baptismal vow ; and as to Lord Gottlob of 
 Manheim " 
 
 ''We will overlook the transgressions of the remainder 
 of thy namesakes, for the good that thou thyself hast 
 done," interrupted the Benedictine, who, having insensibly 
 yielded to the unction of liattery in the commencement of 
 the interview, began now to be ashamed of the weakness, 
 as the fluent cow-herd poured forth his words in a manner 
 to excite some suspicion of the quality of praise that came 
 from such a source, " Come to me when thou wilt, son, 
 and such counsel as a weak head, but a sincere heart, can 
 render, shall not be withheld." 
 
 "How tills would lighten the heart of my old mother to 
 hear ! ' Gottlob,' would she say " 
 
 " What has become of thy companion, and of the maid- 
 en?" hastily demanded the Benedictine. 
 
 As the part of the cow-herd was successfully performed, 
 he stood aside, with an air of well-acted simplicity and 
 amazement, leaving the discourse to be pursued between 
 the recluse and the monk. 
 
 " Thy guests have suddenly left us," continued the latter, 
 after satisfying himself, by actual observation, that no one 
 remained in the hut but himself, its regular occupant, and 
 the honey-tongued Gottlob ; " and, as it would seem, in 
 companv ! " 
 
 "They are gone as they came, voluntarily and without 
 question." 
 
 " Thou knowcst them, by frequent visits, holy hermit ?" 
 
 *' Fatlier, I question none : were the Elector Friedricli 
 to come into my abode, lie would be welcome, and tliis 
 cow-herd is not less so. To both, at parting, I merely say, 
 * God speed ye ! ' " 
 
 "Thou keepest the cattle of tlie burghers, Gottlob ?" 
 
 " I keep a herd, reverend priest, such as my masters 
 please to trust to my care." 
 
 "We have grave cause of complaint against one of thv 
 fellows wlio serves the Count of Ilartenburg, and who is 
 in the daily habit of trespassing on the pastures of the 
 church. Dost know the hind ? " 
 
46 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 " Potz Tausend ! If all the knaves who do these wrongs, 
 when out of sight of their masters, were set in a row be- 
 fore the eyes of the most reverend Abbot of Limburg, he 
 would scarce know whether to begin with prayers or 
 stripes, and they say he is a potent priest at need, with 
 both ! I sometimes tremble for my own conduct, though 
 no one can have a better opinion of himself than I, poor 
 and lowly as I stand in your reverend presence ; for a hard 
 fortune, and some oversight in the management of my 
 father's affairs, have brought me to the need of living 
 among such associates. Were I not of approved honesty, 
 there might be more beasts on the Abbey lands ; and "they 
 who now pass their time in fasting in sheer humility, might 
 come to the practice of sheer necessity." 
 
 The Benedictine examined the meek countenance of 
 Gottlob with a keen distrustful eye ; he next invited the 
 hermit to bestow his blessing, and tlien motioning for the 
 hind to retire, he entered on the real object of his visit to 
 the hermitage. 
 
 We shall merely say, at this point of the narrative, that 
 the moment was extremely critical to all who dwelt in the 
 Palatinate of the Rhine. The Elector had, perhaps impru- 
 dently for a prince of his limited resources, taken an active 
 part in the vindictive warfare then raging, and serious re- 
 verses threatened to endanger not only his tranquillity but 
 his throne. It was a consequence of the feudal system, 
 which then so generally prevailed in Europe, that internal 
 disorders succeeded any manifest, though it might be only 
 a temporary derangement of the power of the potentate 
 that held the right of sovereignty over the infinite number 
 of petty rulers who, at that period, weighed particularly 
 heavy on Germany. To them he was the law, for they 
 were not apt to acknowledge any supremacy that did not 
 come supported by the strong hand. The ascending scale 
 of rulers, including baron, count, landgrave, margrave, 
 duke, elector, and king, up to the ncmiinal head of the 
 state, the emperor himself, with the complicated and varied 
 interests, embracing allegiance within allegiance, and duty 
 upon duty, was likely in itself to lead to dissension, had 
 the Imperial Crown been one of far more defined and posi- 
 tive influence than it was. But, uncertain and indirect in 
 the application of its means, it was rare that any very seri- 
 ous obstacle to tranquillity was removed without the em- 
 ployment of positive force. No sooner was the Emperor 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER, 47 
 
 involved in a serious struggle, than the great princes en- 
 deavored to recover that balance which had been lost by 
 the long ascendency of a particular family, while the 
 minor princes seldom saw themselves surrounded with ex- 
 ternal embarrassment, that internal discord did not come 
 to increase the evil. As a vassal was commonly but a rude 
 reflection of his lord's enmities and prejudices, the reader 
 will have inferred from the language of the cow-herd, that 
 affairs were not on the most amicable footing between 
 those near neighbors, the Abbot of Limburg and the Count 
 of Hartenburg. The circumstance of their existing so near 
 each otiier was, of itself, almost a certain cause of rivalry ; 
 to which natural motive of contention may be added the 
 unremitted strife between the influence of superstition and 
 the dread of the sword. 
 
 The visit of the monk had reference to certain interests 
 connected with the actual state of things, as they existed 
 between the Abbey and the Castle. As it would be 
 premature, however, to expose his object, we shall be con- 
 tent with saving, that the conference between the priest 
 and the hermit lasted for half an hour, when the former 
 took his leave, craving a blessing from one of a life so pure 
 and self-denying as his host. 
 
 At the door of the hut the monk found Gottlob, who 
 had early been gotten rid of, it will be remembered, but 
 who, for reasons of his own, had seen fit to await the ter- 
 mination of the conference. 
 
 ''Thou here, son ! " exclaimed the Benedictine. " I had 
 thought thee at peace in thy bed, favored with the bene- 
 diction of a hermit so holy ! " 
 
 " Good f(;rtune is sure to drive sleep from my eyes, 
 father," returned Gottlob, dropping in by the side of the 
 monk, wlio was walking through the cedars towards the an- 
 cient gateway of tlic camp. " I am not of your animal 
 kind, that is no sooner- filled with a good thing than it 
 lies down to rest ; but the happier 1 become, the more I 
 desire to be up t(j enjoy it." 
 
 "Thy wish is natural, and, although many natural de- 
 sires are to be resisted, I do not see the danger uf our 
 knowing our own happiness." 
 
 "Of the danger I will sav nothing, father, but of the 
 comfort, there is not a youth in Duerckheini, wlio can 
 speak with greater certainty than myself." 
 
 " Gottlob," said the Benedictine, insensibly edging near- 
 
4S THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 er his companion, like one willing to communicate con- 
 fidentially, "vsince thou namest Duerckheim, canst say- 
 aught of the humor of its people, in this matter of conten- 
 tion between our holy Abbot and Lord Emich of Harten- 
 burg ? " 
 
 " Were I to tell thy reverence the truth that lies deepest 
 in my mind, it would be to say, that the burghers wish to 
 see the affair brought to an end, in such a way as to leave 
 no doubt, herea,fter, to which party they most owe obedi- 
 ence and love, since they find it a little hard upon their 
 zeal, to have so large demands of these services made by 
 both parties." 
 
 "Thou canst not serve God and Mammon, son, so sayeth 
 one who could not deceive.'* 
 
 "And so sayeth reason, too, worshipful monk, but to 
 give thee at once my inmost soul, I believe there is not a 
 man in our Duerckheim, who believes himself strong 
 enough in learning to say, in this strife of duties, which is 
 God and which is Mammon !" 
 
 "How! do they call in question our sacred mission — 
 our divine embassy— in short, our being what we are ?" 
 
 " No man is so bold as to say that tlie monks of Lim- 
 burg are wliat they are ; that might be irreverent to the 
 Church, and indecent to Father Siegfried ; and the most 
 we dare to say is, that they seem to be what they are ; and 
 that is no small matter, considering the way things go in 
 this world. ' Seem to be, Gottlob,' said my poor father, 
 'and thou wilt escape envy and enemies ; for in this seem- 
 liness there is nothing so alarming to others ; it is only 
 when one is really the thing itself, that men begin to find 
 fault. If thou wishcst to live peaceably with thy neigh- 
 bors, push nothing beyond seeming to be, for that m.uch 
 all will bear, since all can seem ; whereas being oftentimes 
 sets a whole village in an uproar. It is wonderful the 
 virtue there is in seeming, and the heart-burnings and 
 scandal, ay, and the downright quarrels there are in being 
 just what one seems.' No, the most we say, in Duerck- 
 heim, is that the monks of Limburg seem to be men of 
 God." 
 
 "And Lord Emich?" 
 
 "As to Count Emich, father, we hold it wise to re- 
 member he is a great noble. The Elector has not a bold- 
 er knight, nor the Emperor a truer vassal ; we say, there- 
 fore, that he seems to be brave and loyal." 
 
THE IIEIDENMA UER. 
 
 49 
 
 " Thou makcst great account, son, of these apparent 
 quaHties." 
 
 '* Knowing the frailty of man, father, and the great like- 
 lihood of error, when we wish to judge of acts and rea- 
 sons, that lie deeper tlian our knowledge, we hold it to be 
 the most prudent. No, let us of Duerckheim alone, as 
 men of caution ! " 
 
 " For a cow-herd, thou wantest not wit — Canst read?" 
 
 " By God's favor. Providence put that little accident in 
 my way when a child, reverend monk, and I picked it up, 
 as I might swallow a sweet morsel." 
 
 " 'Tis a gift more likely to injure than to serve one of 
 thy calling. The art can do little benefit to thy herd ! " 
 
 " I will not take upon myself to sav, that any of the cat- 
 tle are much the better fcjr it ; though, to deal fairly by 
 tliee, reverend Benedictine, there are animals among them 
 that seem to be." 
 
 "How! wilt thou attempt to show a fact not only im- 
 probable but impossible ? Go to, tliou hast fallen upon 
 some silly work of a jester. There have been numberless 
 of these commissions of the devil poured forth, since the 
 discover)^ of that imprudent brother of Mainz. I would 
 ghidly hear in what manner a beast can profit by the art of 
 printing ! " 
 
 " Thy patience, Father Siegfried, and thou shalt know. 
 Now here is a hind that can read, and there is one that 
 cannot. We will suppose them botl) the servants of Emich 
 of Ilartcnburg. Well, they go forth of a morning with 
 their herds ; this taking the path to tlie hills of the Count, 
 and that, having read the description of the boundaries 
 between his Lord's land and that of the holy Abbot of 
 Limburg, taking another, because learning will not will- 
 ingly follow ignorance ; whereupon the reader reaciies a 
 nearer and better pasture than he who hath gone about 
 to feed upon ground that has only been trodden upon too 
 often before, by hoof of benst and foot of man." 
 
 "Thy learning hath not done much towards clcaringthy 
 head, G(Jttlob, wiiatever it may have done for the condi- 
 tion of thy lierd ! " 
 
 " If your worship has an^' doubts of my being what I 
 say, here is proof of its justice, then — I know nothing that 
 so crams a man and confuses him as learning! He who 
 has but one horn can take it and go his way ; whereas he 
 that hath many, may lose his herd while choosing between 
 
 4 
 
50 THE IIEIDENMAUER. 
 
 instruments that are better or worse. He that hath but 
 one sword, will draw it and slay his enemy ; but he tliat 
 hath much armor, may lose his life while putting on his 
 buckler or head-piece." 
 
 " I had not thought thee so skilful in answers. And thou 
 thinkest the good people of Duerckheim will stand neuter 
 between the Abbey and the Count ? " 
 
 " Father, if tliou wilt show me by which side they will 
 be the greatest gainers, I think I might venture to say, 
 with some certainty, on which side they will be likely to 
 draw the sword. Our burghers are prudent towmsmen, as 
 I have said, and it is not often that they are found fighting 
 against their own interests." 
 
 " Thou shouldst know, son, that he who is most favored 
 in this life, may find the balances of justice weighing 
 against him in the next ; while he who suffers in the 
 flesh, will be most likely to find its advantage in the 
 spirit." 
 
 " Himmel ! In that case, reverend Benedictine, the 
 most holy Abbot of Limburg liimself may fare worse here- 
 after than even a hind who now lives like a dog!" ex- 
 claimed Gottlob, with an air of admiration and simplicity 
 that completely misled his listener. " The one is said to 
 comfort the body in various ways, and to know the dif- 
 ference between acup of pure Rhenish and adraughtof the 
 washy liquors that come from the other side of our moun- 
 tains ; while the other, wdiether it be of necessity or in- 
 clination I will not take upon myself to say, drinks only 
 of the spring. 'Tis a million of pities that one never 
 knoweth which to choose, present ease with future pain, 
 or a starving body v/ith a happy soul ! Believe me. Father 
 Siegfried, were thy reverence to think more of these trials 
 that befall us ignorant youths, thou wouldst not deal so 
 heavily with the penances, as thine own severe virtue 
 often tempts thee to do." 
 
 "What is tiuis done is done for thy health, future and 
 present. By chastening the spirit in this manner, it is grad- 
 ually prepared for its final purification, and thou art not a 
 loser in the eyes of thy fellows, by leading a chaste life. 
 Thou wilt have justice at the settlement of the great ac- 
 count." 
 
 " Nay, I am no greedy creditor, to dun Providence for 
 my dues. I very well know that what will come cannot 
 be prevented, and therefore I take patience to be a virtue. 
 
THE IIEIDENMAUER. 51 
 
 But I hope tlicse accounts, of which you tell us so often, 
 are kept with sufficient respect for a poor man ; for, to 
 deal fairly with thee, father, we have not overmuch favor 
 in settUnir those of the world." 
 
 o 
 
 " Thou hast credit for all thy good deeds with thy fel- 
 lows, Gottlob." 
 
 " I wish it were true ! To me it seems that the world 
 is ready enough to charge, while it is as niggardly as a 
 miser in giving credit — I never did an evil act — and as we 
 arc all mortal and frail, most holy monk, th^se accidents 
 will befall even your saint or a Benedictine — that the deed 
 itself and all its consequences were n(jt set down against 
 me, in letters that a short-sighted man might read ; wiiile 
 most of my merits — and considering I am but a cow-herd 
 they are of respectable quality — seem to be forgotten. 
 Now your Abbot, or his Highness the Elector, or even 
 Count Emich " 
 
 "The Summer Landgrave!" interrupted the monk, 
 hiughing. 
 
 "Summer or winter, as thou wilt. Father Siegfried, he is 
 Count of Hartenburg, and a noble of Leiningen. Even he 
 does no deed of charity, or even of simple justice, that all 
 men do not seize upon the occasion to proclaim it, as ea- 
 gerly as they endeavor to upbraid me for the accidental loss 
 of a beast, or any other little backsliding, that may befall 
 one, who being bold under thy holy instruction, some- 
 times stumbles against a sin." 
 
 " Thou art a casuist, and, at another time, I must look 
 more closely into the temper of thy mind. At present, 
 thou mayst purchase favor of the Church by enlisting a 
 little more closely in her interests. I remember thy clev- 
 erness and thy wit, Gottlob, for both have been remarked 
 in thy visits to the convent ; but, until this moment, there 
 has not been sufficient reason to use the latter in the man- 
 ner that we may fairly claim to do, considering our fre- 
 quent prayers, and the other consolations afforded in thy 
 behnlf." 
 
 ''''\)(y not l)e too particular, Father vSiegfried, for thy 
 W(jrds reveal grievous penance !" 
 
 " Which may be much mitigated in future, if not en- 
 tirely avoided, by a service that 1 would now propose to 
 thee, honest (xottlob, and which 1 will venture to say, from 
 my knowledge of thy reverence for holv tilings, as is man- 
 ifest in thy attentions to the pious hermit, and thy love for 
 
52 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 the Abbey of Limburg, thou wouldst not refuse to under-, 
 take." 
 
 " So ! " 
 
 " Nay, I have as good as pledged myself to Father Boni- 
 facius to procure either thee, or one shrewd and faithful as 
 thee, to do a trusty service for the brotherhood." 
 
 " The latter might not be easy among the cow-herds ! " 
 
 " Of that I am sure. Thy skill in the management of 
 the beasts may yet gain thee the office of tending the am- 
 ple herds of the abbey. Thou art already believed fit for 
 the charge." 
 
 " Not to deny my own merits, sagacious father, I have 
 already some knowledge of the pastures." 
 
 " And of the beasts, too, Gottlob ; we keep good note 
 of the characters of all who come to our confessionals. 
 There are worse than thine among them, I do assure thee." 
 
 "And yet have I never told thee half that I might say of 
 myself, father ! " 
 
 " It is not important now. Thou knowest the state of 
 the contest between Count Emich and our Abbey. The 
 service that I ask of thee, son, is this ; and by discliarging 
 it, with thy wonted readiness, believe me thou wilt gain 
 favor with St. Benedict and his children. We have had reason 
 to know, that there is a strong band of armed men in the 
 castle, ready and anxious to assail our wails, under a vain 
 belief that they contain riches and stores to repay the sac- 
 rilege ; but we want precise knowledge of their numbers 
 and intentions. Were we to send one of known pursuits 
 on tliis errand, the Count would find means to mislead 
 him ; whereas, we think a hind of thy intelligence might 
 purchase the Church's kindness without suspicion." 
 
 " Were Count Emich to get wind of the matter, he would 
 not leave me an ear with which to listen to thy holy ad- 
 monitions." 
 
 " Keep thine own counsel, and he will not suspect one of 
 thy appearance. Hast no pretext for A'isiting the castle ?" 
 
 " Nay, it would be easy to make a thousand. Here, I 
 might say, I wished to ask the cow-herd of Lord Emich 
 for his cunning in curing diseased hoofs, or I might pre- 
 tend a wish to change my service, or, there is no want of 
 laughing damsels in and about the hold." 
 
 " Enough : thou art he, Gottlob, for whom I have sought 
 daily for a fortnight. Go thy way, then, without fail, and 
 seek me after to-morrow's mass, in the Abbey." 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 53 
 
 " It may be enough on the side of Heaven, father, but 
 men of our prudence must not forget their mortal state. 
 Am I to risk my ears, do discredit to my simplicity, and 
 neglect my herd, without a motive ?" 
 
 " Thou wilt serve the Church, son ; get favor in the eyes 
 of our reverend Abbot, and thy courage and dexterity will 
 be remembered in future indulgences." 
 
 *'That I shall serve the Church it is well known to me, 
 reverend Benedictine, and it is a privilege of which a cow- 
 herd hath reason to be proud ; but, by serving the Churcli, 
 I shall make enemies on earth, for two sufficient reasons: 
 first, that the Church is in no great esteem in this valley ; 
 and second, because men never love a friend for being any 
 better than themselves. ' No, Gottlob,' used my excellent 
 father to say, 'seem to all around thee conscious of thy 
 unworthiness, after which thou mayst be what thou seem- 
 cst. On this condition only can virtue live at peace with 
 its fellow-creatures. But if thou wouldst have the respect 
 of mankind,' would he say, ' set a fair price on all thou 
 doest, for the world will not give thee credit for disinter- 
 estedness ; and if thou workest for naught, it will think 
 thou deservest naught. No,' did he shake his head and 
 add, ' that which cometh easy is little valued, while that 
 which is costly, do men set a price upon.' " 
 
 " Thy father was, like thyself, one that looked to his ease. 
 Thou knowest that we inhabitants of cells do not carry silver." 
 
 " Nay, righteous Benedictine, if it were a tritle of gold, 
 I am not one to break a bargain for so small a difference." 
 
 " Thou shalt have gold, then. On the faith of my holy 
 calling, I will give thee an image of the Emperor in gold, 
 shouldst thou succeed in bringing tlie tidings we require." 
 
 Gottlob stopped short, and kneeling, he reverently asked 
 the monk to bless him. The latter complied, half doubt- 
 ing the discretion of emphjying such an emissary, between 
 wh(jse cunning and simplicity he was completely at fault. 
 Still, as he risked nothing, except in tlie nature of tlie in- 
 formation he was to receive, he saw no sufficient reason for 
 recalling the commission he had just bestowed. He gave 
 the desired benediction, therefore ; and our two conspir- 
 ators descended the mountain in conij^any, discoursing, as 
 tliey went, of the business on which the cow-herd was about 
 to proceed. When so near the road as to be in danger of 
 observation, they separated, each taking the direction nc« 
 cessary to his object. 
 
54 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 *' And not a matron, sitting at her wheel, 
 But could repeat their story. — " Rogers. 
 
 The female, enveloped in her mantle, had so well profi- 
 ted by the timely interposition of Gottlob Frincke, as to 
 quit the hermit's hut without attracting the notice of the 
 Benedictine. But the vigilance of young Berchthold had 
 not been so easily eluded. He stepped aside as she glided 
 through the door, then stooping merely to catch the eye 
 of the cow-herd, to whom he communicated his intention 
 by a sign, he followed. Had the forester felt any doubts 
 as to the identity of her he pursued, the light and active 
 movement would have convinced him that age, at least, 
 had no agency in inducing her to conceal her features. 
 The roe-buck of his own forests scarce bounded with more 
 agility than the fugitive fled, on first quitting the abode of 
 the recluse ; nor did her speed sensibly lessen, until she 
 had crossed most of the melancholy camp, and reached a 
 spot where the opening of the blue and star-lit void showed 
 that she was at the verge of the wood, and near the 
 margin of the summit of the mountain. Here she paused, 
 and stood leaning against a cedar, like one whose strength 
 was exhausted. 
 
 Berchthold had followed swiftly, but without losing that 
 appearance of calmness and of superior physical force 
 which gives dignity to the steps of young manhood, as 
 compared with the timid but more attractive movements 
 of the feebler sex. He seemed consciotis of his greater 
 powers, and unwilling to increase a flight that was already 
 swifter than circumstances required, and whicli he knew 
 to be far more owing to a vague and instinctive alarm, 
 than to any real cause for apprehension. When the speed 
 of the female ceased, his own relaxed, and he approached 
 the spot where she stood panting for breath, like a cautious 
 boy, who slackens his haste in order not to give new alarm 
 to the bird that has just alighted. 
 
 *' What is there so fearful in my face, Meta, that thou fleest 
 my presence, as I had been the spirit of one of those 
 Pagans that they say once peopled this camp ? It is not 
 thy wont to have this dread of a youth thou hast known 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 55 
 
 from childhood, and I will say, in my own defence, known 
 as honest and true! " 
 
 ''It is not seemly in a maiden of my years — it was fool- 
 lish, if not disobedient, to be here at this hour," answered 
 the hurried girl ;— " I would I had not listened to the desire 
 of hearing more of the holy hermit's wisdom ! " 
 
 "Thou art not alone, Meta! " 
 
 "That were unbecoming, truly, in my father's child!" 
 returned the young damsel, with an expression of pride of 
 condition, as she glanced an eye toward the fallen wall, 
 among whose stones Berchthold saw the well-known form 
 of a female servitor of his companion's family. " Had I 
 carried imprudence to this pass, Master Berchthold, thou" 
 wouldst have reason to believe, in sooth, that it was the 
 daugliter of some peasant, that by chance iiad crossed thy 
 footstep." 
 
 " There is little danger of that error," answered Bercht- 
 hold quickly. "I know thee well; thou art Meta, the 
 only child (/f Heinrich Frey, the Burgomaster of Duerck- 
 hcim. None know thy quality and hopes better than I, for 
 none have heard them oftener ! " 
 
 The damsel dropped her head in a movement of natural 
 regret and sudden repentance, and when her blue eye, 
 softened by a ray of the moon, met the gaze of the forester, 
 he saw that better feelings were uppermost. 
 
 " I did not wish to recount my father's honors, nor any 
 accidental advantage of my situation, and, least of all, to 
 tliee," answered the maiden, with eagerness; "but I felt 
 concern lest thou shouldst imagine I had forgotten the 
 modesty of my sex and condition — or, I had fear that thou 
 mightest — thy manner is much changed of late, Bercht- 
 hold !" 
 
 " It is then without my knowledge or intention. But we 
 will forget the past, and thou wilt tell me, what wonder 
 hath brought thee to this suspected and dreaded moor, at 
 an hour so unusual ?" 
 
 Meta smiled, and the expression of her countenance 
 proved, that if she li.ad moments of uncharitable weakness, 
 they were mcjre the offspring (jf the world's opinions, than 
 of her own frank and generous nature. 
 
 " I might retort the question on tiiee, Berchthold, and 
 ]")lead a woman's curiosity as a rcascjn why I should be 
 (piickly answered — Wliy art thou here, at an hour when 
 most young hunters sleep ? " 
 
56 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 '' I am Lord Emich's forester ; but thou, as there has 
 just been question, art a daughter of the Burgomaster of 
 Duerckheim." 
 
 '' I give thee credit for all the difference. Did my mother 
 know that I was thus about to furnish a reason for my con- 
 duct, she would say, ' Keep thy explanations, Meta, for 
 those who have a right to demand them ! ' " 
 
 " And Heinrich Frey ? " 
 
 " He would be little likely to approve of either visit or 
 explanation." 
 
 " Thy father loves me not, Meta ? " 
 
 *' He does not so much disapprove of thee, Master 
 Berchthold, as that thou art only Lord Emich's forester. 
 Wert thou as thine own parent was, a substantial burgher 
 of our town, he might esteem thee much. But thou hast 
 great favor with my dear mother ! " 
 
 " Heaven bless her, that in her own prosperity she hath 
 not forgotten those who have fallen ! I think that, in thy 
 heart as in thy looks, Meta, thou more resemblest thy 
 mother than thy father." 
 
 " I would have it so. When I speak to thee of my being 
 the child of Heinrich Frey, it is witliout thought of any 
 present difference between us, I do affirm to thee, Bercht- 
 hold, but rather as showing that in not forgetting my 
 station, I am not likely to do it discredit. Nay, I know not 
 that a forester's is a dishonorable office ! They who serve 
 the Elector in this manner are noble." 
 
 " And they who serve nobles, simple. I am but a menial, 
 Meta, though it be in a way to do little mortification to my 
 pride." 
 
 ''And what is Count Emich but a vassal of the Elector, 
 who, in turn, is a subject of the Emperor ! Thou shalt not 
 dishonor thyself in this manner, Berchthold, and no one 
 say aught to vindicate thee." 
 
 '' Thanks, dearest Meta. Thou art tlie child of my 
 mother's oldest and closest friend, and whatever the world 
 may proclaim of the difference that now exists between us, 
 thy excellent heart whispers to the contrary. Thou art 
 not only the fairest, but, in truth, the kindest and gentlest 
 damsel of thy town ! " 
 
 The daughter, only child, and consequently tlie heiress 
 of the wealthiest burgher of Duerckheim, did not hear this 
 opinion of Lord Emich's handsome forester without great 
 secret gratification. 
 
THE HEIDEyATAUER. 57 
 
 "And now thou shalt know the reason of tliis imusinil 
 visit," said Meta, wlien the silent pleasure excited by the 
 last speech of young Berchthold had a little subsided ; 
 *' f(jr this have I, in some measure, promised to thee ; and 
 it would little justify thy good opinion to forget a pledge. 
 Thou knowcst the holy hermit, and the sudden manner of 
 his appearance in the Hcidcnmaucr ? " 
 
 **None are ignorant of the latter, and thou hast already 
 seen that I visit him in his hut." 
 
 " I shall not pretend to give, or to seek, the reason, but 
 sure it is, that he had not been a week in the old Roman 
 abode, when he sought occasion to show me greater notice 
 than to any other maiden of Duerckheim, or than any 
 merit of mine might claim." 
 
 " How ! is the knave but a pretender to this sanctitv, 
 after all ! " 
 
 " Thou canst not be jealous of a man of his years ; and, 
 judging by his worn countenance and hollow eyes, years 
 too of mortification and suffering! lie truly is of a 
 character to give a youth of thy age, and gentle air, and 
 active frame, and comely appearance, uneasiness ! But I 
 see the color in thy cheek. Master Berchthold, and will not 
 offend thee with comparisons that are so much to thy dis- 
 advantage. Be the motive of the holy hermit what it will, 
 on the two occasions when he visited our town, and in the 
 visits that we maidens have often made to his cell, he hath 
 shown kind interest in my welfare and future hopes, both 
 as they are connected with this life, and with that to whicii 
 we all liasten, although it be with steps that are not heard 
 even by our own ears." 
 
 " It does not surprise me, that all who see and know 
 thee, Meta, should act thus. And yet I find it very 
 strange !" 
 
 "Nay," said the amused girl, "now thou justificst the 
 exact words of old Use, who hath often said to me, ' Take 
 heed, Meta, and put not thy faith too easily in the lan- 
 guage of the yoinig tcnvnsmen ; for, by looking closely into 
 tlieir meaning, thou wilt see that they contradict them- 
 selves. Youtii is so eager to obtain its end, tiiat it stops 
 not to separate the true from the plausible.' These are 
 her very words, and oft repeated too, which thou has just 
 verified — I believe the crone fairly sleepeth on that pile of 
 the fallen wall !" 
 
 " Disturb her not. One of her years hath great need of 
 
58 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 rest ; nav, it would be thoughtless to rob her of this little 
 pleasure ! " 
 
 Meta had made a step in advance, seemingly with intent 
 to arouse her attendant, when the hurried words and rapid 
 action of the youth caused her to hesitate. Receding to 
 her former attitude, beneath the shadow of the cedar, she 
 more considerately resumed — 
 
 " It would be ungracious, in sooth, to awaken one who 
 hath so lately toiled up this weary hill." 
 
 " And she so aged, Meta ! " 
 
 *' And one that did so much for my infancy ! I ought 
 to go back to my father's house, but my kind mother will 
 overlook the delay, for she loveth Use little less than one 
 of her own blood." 
 
 " Thy mother knoweth of this visit to the hermit's hut, 
 then ? " 
 
 " Dost think, Master Berchthold, that a Burgomaster of 
 Duerckheim's only child would go forth, at this hour, 
 without permission had ? There would be great unseem- 
 liness in such secret gossiping, and a levity that would 
 better suit thy damsels of Count Emich's village ; they 
 say indeed, in our town, that the castle damsels are none 
 too nice in their manner of life." 
 
 ''They belie us of the mountain strangely, in the towns 
 of the plain ! I swear to thee, there is not greater modesty 
 in thy Duerckheim palace than among our females, 
 whether of the village or of the castle." 
 
 " It may be true in the main, and, for the credit of my 
 sex, I hope it is so ; but thou wilt scarce find courage, 
 Berchthold, to say aught in favor of her they call Gisela, 
 the warder's child ? More vanity have I never seen in 
 female form ! " 
 
 " They think her fair, in Hartenburg." 
 
 " 'Tis that opinion which spoileth the creature's manner ! 
 Thou art much in her society. Master Berchthold, and I 
 doubt not that use causeth thee to overlook some qualities 
 that are not concealed from strangers. * Do but regard 
 that Haunting bird from the pass of the Jacgerthal,' said 
 the excellent old Use, one morn that we had a festival in 
 our venerable church, to which the country round came 
 forth in their best array; 'one would imagine from its 
 fluttering, and the movements of its feathers, that it fan- 
 cied the eye of every young hunter was on its plumage, 
 and that it dreaded the bolt of the archer unexpectedly ! 
 
THE HF.IDE.yMAUF.R. 59 
 
 And yet have I known animals of this breed that did not 
 so greatly fear tiie fowler's hand, if truth were said ! ' " 
 
 "Thou judgest Gisela harshly; for though of some 
 lightness of speech, and haply not without admiration of 
 her own beauty, the girl is far from being uncompaniona- 
 ble, or, at times, of agreeable discourse." 
 
 "Nay, I do but repeat the w^ords of Use, Master Bercht- 
 hold ! '' 
 
 " Thy Use is old, and garrulous, and is like to utter fool- 
 ishness." 
 
 " This mav be so — but let it be foolish, if thou wilt — • 
 the foUv of my nurse is my folly. I have gained so much 
 from her discourse, that I fear it is now too late to amend. 
 To deal fairly with thee, she did not utter a syllable con- 
 cerning thy warder's daughter that f do not believe." 
 
 Berchthold was but little practised in the ways of the 
 human heart. Free in the expression of his own senti- 
 ments as the air he breathed on his native hills, and entire- 
 Iv without thought of guilt, as respects the feeling which 
 bound him to Meta, he had never descended into the 
 arcana of that passion of which he was so completely the 
 subject, without indeed knowing even the extent of his 
 own bondage. He viewed this little ebullition of jealousy, 
 therefore, as a generous nature regards all injustice, and 
 he entered only the more warmly into the defence of the 
 injured party. One of those sieve-like hearts that have 
 been perforated a hundred times by the shots that Cupid 
 fires, right and left, in a capital, would probably have had 
 recourse to the same expedient, merely to observe to what 
 extent he could trille with the feelings of a being he pro- 
 fessed to love. 
 
 Europeans, wlio are little addicted to looking into the 
 eye of their cis-Atlantic kinsman in search of the mote, 
 say, that the master passion of life is but a sluggish emotion 
 in the Americaii bosom. That those who are chiefly em- 
 ])loyed in the affairs of this world should be content with 
 the natural course of the affections, as tiicy arise in the 
 honest relations of the domestic circle, is quite as proba- 
 ble, as it is true that they who feed their passions by vani- 
 ty and variety, are mistaken when they think that casual 
 and fickle sensations compose any of tlu.' true ingredients 
 of that purifying and elevated sentiment, which, by invest- 
 ing the admired object witii all that is estimable, leads us 
 to endeavor to be worthy of the homage we insensibly 
 
6o THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 pay to virtue. In Berchthold and Mcta, the reader is to 
 look for none of that constitutional fervor, which some- 
 times substitutes impulse for a deeper feeling, or for any 
 of that factitious cultivation of the theory of love, that so 
 often tempts the neophyte to mistake his own hallucina- 
 tions for the more natural attachment of sympathy and 
 reason. For the former they lived too far north, and for 
 the latter it might possibly be said, that fortune had cast 
 their lot a little too far south. That subtle and nearly in- 
 definable sympathy between the sexes, which we call love, 
 to which all are subject, since its principle is in nature 
 itself, exists perhaps in its purest and least conventional 
 form precisely in the bosoms of those whom Providence 
 has placed in the middle state, between extreme cultiva- 
 tion and ignorance ; between the fastidious and sickly per- 
 version of over-indulgence, and the selfishness that is the 
 fruit of constant appeals to exertion ; or the very condition 
 of the two young persons that have been placed before 
 the reader in this chapter. Enough has been seen to show 
 that Bercluhold, though exercising a menial office, had re- 
 ceived opinions superior to his situation ; a circumstance 
 that is sufficiently explained by the allusions already made 
 to the decayed fortunes of his parents. His language and 
 manner, therefore, as he generously vindicated Gisela, the 
 daughter of the person charged to watch the approaches 
 of Lord Emich's castle, w^as perhaps superior to what would 
 have been expected in a mere forester. 
 
 " I shall not take upon myself the office of pointing out 
 the faults of our castle beauty, if faults she hath," he said ; 
 " but this much may I say in her defence, without fear of 
 exceeding truth ; her father is grown gray imder the livery 
 of Leiningen, and there is not a child in the world that 
 showeth more reverence or affection to him who gave her 
 being, than this same bird of thine, with its flaunting 
 plumes, and the coquetry with the archer's bolt ! " 
 
 " 'Tis said, a dutiful daughter will ever make an excel- 
 lent and an obedient wife." 
 
 *'The luckier then will he be who weds old Friedrich's 
 child. I have known her keep the gates, deep into the 
 night, that her father might take his rest, when the nobles 
 have frequented the forest later than common ; aye, and to 
 watch weary hours, when most of her years and sex would 
 find excuses for being on their pillows. Now this have I 
 often seen, going forth, as thou may'st be certain by my 
 
THE IIEIDENMAUER. 6i 
 
 ofllcc, in Count Eniich's company, in most of his hunts. 
 Nay, Gisela is fair, none will deny ; and it may be that, 
 among her otiier qualities, the girl knows it." 
 
 *' She appeareth not to be the only one of thy Har- 
 tenburg pile that is aware of the fact. Master Bercht- 
 hold ! " 
 
 " Dost thou mean, Meta, the revelling abbe, from Paris, 
 or the sw^orn soldier-monk of Rhodes, that now abide in 
 the castle ?" asked the young forester, with a simplicity 
 that would have set the heart of a coquette at ease, by its 
 perfect nature and openness. "Now thou touchest on 
 the matter, I will own, though one of my office should be 
 wary of opinions on those his master loves, but I know thy 
 prudence, Meta — Therefore will I say, that I have half sus- 
 pected these two ill-assorted servants of the church, of 
 thinking more of the poor girl thari is seemlv." 
 
 " Thy poor Gisela hath cause to hang herself. Truly, 
 were wassailers, like these thou namcst, to regard me with 
 but a free look, the Burgomaster of Duerckheim should 
 know of their boldness ! " 
 
 " ]\Icta, they would not dare ! Poor Gisela is not the 
 ofTspring of a stout citizen, but the warder of Hartenburg's 
 child, and there may be some difference in thy natures, too 
 — nay, there is ; for thou art not one of those that seek 
 the admiration of each cavalier that passeth, but a maiden 
 that knoweth her worth, and the meed tlint is her due. 
 That thou hast, in something, wronged our beauty of the 
 hold, I needs must say ; but to compare thee with her, 
 cither in the excellence of tlie body or that of the mind, is 
 what could never be done justly. If she is fair, thou art 
 fairer ; if she is witty, thou art wise ! " 
 
 "Nay, do not mistake me, Berchthcjld, bv tliinking thnt 
 I have uttered aught against thy warder's daughter that is 
 harsh and unseemly. I know the girl's cleverness, and 
 moreover I am willing to acknowledge, tliat one cruelly 
 placed by fortune in a condition of servitude, like her's, 
 may find it no easy matter to be always what one of her 
 sex and years could wish. I daie \\) sav, that Gisela, did 
 fortune and opportunity permit, would do no discredit to 
 her breeding and looks, both of wiiich, sooth to say, are 
 somewhat above lier condition." 
 
 "And thou saidst, thy nuHher knew of this visit to the 
 hermit ? " 
 
 "And said truth. My mother has never made objection 
 
62 THE HEIDENxMAUER. 
 
 to any reverence paid by her daughter to the Church or 
 to its servants." 
 
 *' Tliat hath she not ! — Thou art amongst the most fre- 
 quent of those who resort to the Abbey in quest of holy 
 offices thyself, Meta ! " 
 
 '' Am I not a Christian ? Wouldst have a well-respected 
 maiden forget her duties ? " 
 
 " I say not that ; but there is discourse amongst us hunt- 
 ers, that of late the prior hath much preferred his ycjung 
 nephew, Brother Hugo, to the duty (;f quieting the con- 
 sciences of the penitents. It were better that some father, 
 whose tonsure liatli a ring of gray, were put into the con- 
 fessional, in a church so much frequented by the young 
 and fair of Duerckheim." 
 
 " Thou wouldst do well to write of this to the Bisliop of 
 Worms, or to our holy Abbot, in thine own scholarly hand. 
 Thou hast the clerkly gifts, Master Berchthold, and might 
 persuade ! " 
 
 " I would that the little I have done in tins way had not 
 so failed of its design. Thou hast had frequent proofs of 
 its sincerity, if not of its skill, Meta." 
 
 " Well, this is idle, and leads me to forget the hermit : 
 My mother — I know not why — and now thou makest me 
 think of it, I ilud it different from her common rule ; but 
 it is certain that she in nowise discourages these visits to 
 the Heidenmauer. We are very young, Berchthold, and 
 may not yet understand all that enters into older and wiser 
 heads ! " 
 
 '^ It is strange that the holy man should seek just us ! If 
 he most urges his advice on you among the damsels of the 
 town, lie most gives his counsel to me among the youths 
 of the Jaegerthal ! " 
 
 There was a charm in this idea which held these two 
 young and unpractised minds in sweet thraldom for many 
 fleeting minutes. They conversed of the unexplained 
 sympathy between the man of God and themselves, long 
 and with undiminishing interest in the subject, for it 
 seemed to both tliat it contained a tie to imite them still 
 closer to each other. Whatever philosopliy and experience 
 may pretend on such subjects, it is certain that man is dis- 
 posed to be superstitious in respect to the secret influences 
 that guide his fortunes, in the dark passage of the world. 
 Whether it be the mystery of the unforeseen future, or the 
 consciousness of how much of even his most prized sue- 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 63 
 
 cess is tlic result of circumstances that lie never could or 
 did control, or whether God, with a view to liis own har- 
 monious and sublime ends, has implanted tiiis principle in 
 the human breast, in order to teach us dependence on a 
 superior power, it is certain that few reach a state of mind 
 so calculating and reasoning as not to trust some portion 
 of thatAvhich is to come, to the chances of Fortune, or to 
 Providence ; for so we term the directing power, as the 
 mind clings to or rejects the immediate agency of the 
 Deity, in the conduct of the subordinate concerns of life. 
 In the age of which we write, intelligence had not made 
 sufficient progress to elevate ordinary minds above the 
 arts of necromancy. Men no longer openly consulted the 
 entrails of brutes, in order to learn the will of fate, but 
 they often submitted to a dictation scarcely less beastly, 
 and few indeed were they who were able to separate piety 
 from superstition, or the grand dispensations of Providence 
 from the insignificant interests of sellishness. It is not 
 surprising, therefore, that Berchthold and Meta sliould 
 cling to the singular interest that the hermit manifested in 
 them respectively, as an omen propitious to their common 
 hopes ; common, for though the maiden had not so far 
 relinquished the reserve she still deemed essential to her 
 sex, as to acknowledge all slie felt, that subtle instinct 
 which unites the young and innocent left little doubt in 
 the mind of either, of the actual state of the other's in- 
 clinations. 
 
 Old Use had consequently ample time to rest her frame, 
 after the painful toil of the ascent between the town and 
 the camp. When Meta at length approached to arouse 
 her, the garrulous woman broke out in exclamations (jf 
 surprise at tlie shortness of the interview witli tlie hermit, 
 for the soundness of her slumbers left her in utter igno- 
 rance of the appearance and disappearance of Berchthold. 
 
 " It is but a moment, Meta, dear," she said, *' since we 
 came up the hill, and I fear thou hast not given sufficient 
 heed to the wise words of the holy man. We shcjuld not 
 reject a wholesome draught because it proves bitter to the 
 mouth, child, but swalhjw all to the last dn^p, when we 
 think there is healing in the cu}). Didst deal fairly by tlie 
 hermit, and tell him honestly of thy evil nature ?" 
 
 ** Thou forgettest, Use, the heimit has not even the ton- 
 sure, and cannot shrive and pardon." 
 
 "Nay, nay — 1 know nut tliat ! A hermit is a man of 
 
64 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 God ; and a man of God is holy ; and any Christian may, 
 aye, and should pardon ; and as to shriving, give me a self- 
 denying recluse, who passes his time in prayer, mortifying 
 soul and body, before any monk of Limburg, say I ! 
 There is more virtue in one blessing from such a man, 
 than in a dozen from a carousing Abbot — I know not but 
 I might say fifty." 
 
 '' But I liad his blessing, nurse." 
 
 "Well, that is comforting, and we have not wearied our 
 limbs for naught ; but thou shouldst have told him of thy 
 wish to wx\ir the laced bodice, at the last mass, in order 
 that thy equals might envy thy beauty. It would have 
 been wholesome to have acknowledged that sin, at least." 
 
 "But he questioned me not of my sins. All his dis- 
 course was of my father's house, and of my good motlier, 
 and— and of other matters." 
 
 "Thou shouldst then have edged the bodice in among 
 the other matters. Have I not always forewarned thee, 
 Meta, of the danger of pride, and of stirring envy in the 
 bosom of a companion? There is naught more uncom- 
 fortable than envy, as I know by experience. Oh ! I am 
 no longer young ; and come to me if thou wouldst wish 
 to know what envy is, or any other dangerous vice, and I 
 warrant thee thou shalt hear it well explained ! Aye, thou 
 wert very -wrong not to have spoken of the bodice ! " 
 
 " Had it been fit to confess, I might have found more 
 serious sins to own than any that belong to dress." 
 
 " I know not that ! Dress is a great beguiler of the 
 young heart, and of the handsome face. If thou hast 
 beauty in thy house, break thy mirrors that the young 
 should not know it, is what I have heard a thousand times ; 
 and as thou art both young and fair, I will repeat it, 
 though all Duerckheim gainsay my words, thou art in dan- 
 ger if thou knowest it. No, hadst thou told the hermit of 
 that bodice, it might have done much good. What mat- 
 ters it to such a man, whether he hath the tonsure or not ? 
 He hath prayers, and fastings, and midnight thought, and 
 great bodily suffering, and these are surely worth as much 
 hair as hath ever fallen from all the monks in the Palatin- 
 ate. I would that thou hadst told him of that bodice, 
 child ! " 
 
 "Since thou so wishest it, at our next meeting it shall 
 be said, dear Use ; so set thy heart at peace." 
 
 " Tliis will give thy dear mother great pleasure; else, 
 
THE I/E/DF..VMAUER. 65 
 
 why should she consent that a daughter of her's should 
 visit a heathenish camp, at so late an hour? I warrant 
 thee that she thought of the bodice ! " 
 
 " Do cease speaking of the garment, nurse ; my thoughts 
 are bent on something else." 
 
 " Well, if indeed thou thinkest of something else, it may- 
 be amiss to sav more at present, though. Heaven it knows ! 
 thou hast great occasion to recall that vain-glorious mass 
 to thy mind. How suddenly thy communion with the her- 
 mit ended to-night, Meta ! " 
 
 "We have not been long on the mountain, truly, Use. 
 But we must hasten back, lest my mother should be un- 
 easy." 
 
 "And why should she be so ? Am I not with thee ? Is 
 age nothing, and experience, and prudence, and an old 
 head, aye, and, for that matter, an old body, too, and a good 
 memory, and such eyes as no other in Duerckheim of my 
 years hath — I say of my years, for thou hast better ; and 
 thy dear mother's are little worse than thine — but of my 
 years, few have their equal. At thy age, girl, I was not 
 the old Use, but the lively Use, and the active, and, God 
 forgive me if there be vain-glory in the words ! but truth 
 should always be spoken — the handsome Use, and this too 
 without aid from any such bodice as that of thine." 
 
 " Wilt never forget the bodice! here, lean on me, nurse, 
 or thy foot may fail thee in the steep descent." 
 
 Here they began to descend, and as they were now at a 
 point of the path where much caution was necessary, the 
 conversation in a great measure ceased. 
 
 He who visits iJiicrckheim now, will find sufficient re- 
 maining evidence to show that the town formerly extend- 
 ed more towards the base of the mountain than its present 
 site would prove. There arc the ruins of walls and towers 
 among the vineyards that ornament the foot of the hill, 
 and tradition speaks of furtificaticnis that have long since 
 disafjpeared, rendered useless by those improvements in 
 warfare that have; robbcxl so many other strong places of 
 their importance. Tlirn, every group of houses on an 
 eminence was more or k:ss a place of defence ; but the use 
 of gunpowder and artillery centuries ago rendered all these 
 targets useless, and he who would now seek a citadel, is 
 most sure to find it buried in some plain or morass. The 
 world has reached another crisis in im])r(n'ement, for the 
 introduction of steam is likely to alter all its systems of 
 
 5 
 
66 THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 offence and defence both by land and sea ; but, be the fut- 
 ure as it may, the skill of the engineer had not so far 
 ripened at the period of our tale as to prevent Meta and 
 her attendant from entering within walls of ancient con- 
 struction, clumsily adapted to meet the exigencies of the 
 imperfect state of the existing art. As the hour was early, 
 they had no difficulty in reaching the Burgomaster's door 
 without attracting remark. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 "What news?" 
 "None, my lord ; but that the world is grown honest." 
 " Then is doomsday near ! " — I/amlei. 
 
 Within the whole of these widely extended states, there 
 is scarcely a single vestige of the manner of life led by 
 those who first settled in the wilderness. Little else is 
 found to arrest the eye of the antiquary in the shape of a 
 ruin, except the walls of some fortreos or the mounds of an 
 intrenchment of the war of independence. We have, it is 
 true, some faint remains of times still more remote ; and 
 there are even a few circumvallations, or other inventions 
 of defence, that are believed to have once been occupied 
 by the red man ; but in no part of the country did there 
 ever exist an edifice, of either a public or a private nature, 
 that bore any material resemblance to a feudal castle. In 
 order, therefore, that the reader shall have as clear a pict- 
 ure as our feeble powers can draw, of the hold occupied 
 by the sturdy baron who is destined to act a conspicuous 
 part in the remainder of this legend, it has become neces- 
 sary to enter at some length into a description of the sur- 
 rounding localities, and of the building itself. We say of 
 the reader, for we profess to write only for the amusement 
 — fortunate shall we be if instruction may be added — of our 
 own countrymen : should others be pleased to read these 
 crude pages, we shall be flattered and of course grateful ; 
 but with this distinct avowal of our object in holding the 
 pen, we trust they will read with the necessary amount of 
 indulgence. 
 
 And here we shall take occasion to hold one moment's 
 communion with that portion of the reading public of all 
 
THE HEIDENMAURR. 67 
 
 nations, that, as respects a writer, composes what is termed 
 the world. Let it not be said c" ns, because we make 
 frequent reference to opinions and circumstances as they 
 exist in our native land, that we arc profoundly ignorant of 
 the existence of all others. We make these references, 
 crime though it be in hostile eyes, because they best an- 
 swer our end in writing at all, because they allude to a 
 state of society most familiar to our own minds, and be- 
 cause we believe that great use has hitherto been made of 
 the same things, to foster ignorance and prejudice. Should 
 we unheedingly betray the foible of national vanity— that 
 foul and peculiar blot of American character! we solicit 
 forgiveness ; urging, in our own justification, the aptitude 
 of a young country for falling insensibly into the vein of 
 imitation, and praying the critical observer to overlook 
 any blunders in this way, if perchance we should not mani- 
 fest that felicity of execution which is the fruit only of 
 great practice. Hitherto we believe that our modesty 
 cannot justly be impeached. As yet we have left the 
 cardinal virtues to mankind in the gross, never, to our 
 knowledge, having w^ritten of " American courage, '* or 
 "American honesty," nor yet of "American beauty," nor 
 haply of "American manliness," nor even of "American 
 strength of arm," as qualities abstracted and not common 
 to our fellow-creatures ; but have been content, in the un- 
 sophisticated language of tliis western clime, to call virtue, 
 virtue — and vice, vice. In this we well know how much 
 we have fallen short of numberless but nameless classical 
 writers of our time, though we do not think Ave are greatly 
 losers by the forbearance, because we have sufficient proof 
 that when we wish to make our pages unpleasant to the 
 foreigner, we can effect that object by much less imposing 
 allusions to national merits ; since we have good reason to 
 believe, there exists a certain querulous class of readers 
 who consider even the most delicate and reserved com- 
 mendations of this western world as so much praise un- 
 reasonably and dishonestly abstracted from themselves. 
 As for that knot in our own fair country who aim at suc- 
 cess by flattering the stranger, and who hope to shine in 
 their own little (jrbits by means of borrowed light, we 
 commit them to the correction of a reproof wliich is cer- 
 tain t(j come, and, in tlnir cases, to come embittered by the 
 consci(jusncss of its being tncritod by a servility as degrad- 
 ing as it is unnatural. As they dive deeper into the 
 
68 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 secrets of the human heart, they will learn there is a 
 healthful feeling that '-;annot be repulsed with impunity, 
 and that as none are so respected as they who fearlessly 
 and frankly maintain their rights, so none are so contemned 
 as those who ignobly desert them. 
 
 During the time tiiat Berchthold was holding converse 
 with Meta, on the mountain of the Heidenmauer, Emich 
 of Leiningen was at rest in his castle of Hartenburg. It 
 has already been said, that the hold was of massive ma- 
 sonry, the principal material being the reddish sand-stone, 
 that is so abundantly found in nearly the whole region of 
 the ancient Palatinate. The building had grown with 
 time, and that which had originally been a tower had 
 swelled into a formidable and extensive fortress. In the 
 ages which succeeded the empire of Charlemagne, he 
 who could rear one of these strong places, and maintain 
 it in opposition to his neighbors, became noble, and in 
 some measure a sovereign. He established his will as law 
 for the contiguous territory, and they who could not enjoy 
 their own lands, without submitting to his pleasure, were 
 content to purchase protection by admitting their vassal- 
 age. No sooner was one of these local lords firmly es- 
 tablished in his hold, by receiving service and homage 
 from their husbandmen, than he began to quarrel with his 
 nearest neighbor of his own condition. The victor neces- 
 sarily grew more powerful by his conquests, until, from 
 being the master of one castle and one village, he became 
 in process of time the master of many. In this manner 
 did minor barons swell into power and sovereignty, even 
 mighty potentates tracing their genealogical and political 
 trees into roots of this wild growth. There still stands on 
 an abrupt and narrow ledge of land in the confederation 
 of Switzerland and in the Canton of Argovie, a tottering 
 ruin, that, in past ages, was occupied by a knight, who 
 from his aerie overlooked the adjoining village, and com- 
 manded the services of its handful of boors. This ruined 
 castle was called Hapsbourg, and is celebrated as the 
 cradle of that powerful family which has long sat upon the 
 throne of the Caesars, and which now rules so much of 
 Germany and Upper Italy. The King of Prussia traces 
 his line to the House of Hohenzollern, the offspring of 
 another castle ; and numberless are the instances in which 
 he who thus laid the corner-stone of a strong place, in ages 
 when security was only to be had by good walls, also laid 
 
THE nr.lDENMAUER. 69 
 
 the foundalion of a long line of prosperous and puissant 
 princes. 
 
 Neither the position of the castle of Ilartenburg, how- 
 ever, nor the period in which it was founded, was likely to 
 lead to results as great as these just named. As has been 
 said, it commanded a pass important for local purposes, 
 but not of so much moment as to give him who held the 
 hold any material rights beyond its immediate influence. 
 Still, as the family of Leiningen was numerous, and had 
 other branches and other possessions in more favored por- 
 tions of Germany, Coimt Emich was far from being a mere 
 mountain chief. The feudal system had become method- 
 ized long before his birth, and the laws of the Empire se- 
 cured to him many villages and towns on the plain, as the 
 successor of those wdio had obtained them in more remote 
 ages. He had recently claimed even a higher dignity, and 
 wider territories, as the heir of a deceased kinsman ; but 
 in this attempt to increase his powers, and to elevate his 
 rank, he had been thwarted by a decision of his peers. It 
 was to this abortive assumption of dignity, that he owed 
 the sobriquet of the Summer Landgrave ; for such was the 
 rank he had claimed, and the period for which he had 
 been permitted to bear it. 
 
 With this knowledge of the power of their family, the 
 reader will not be surprised to hear that the castle of the 
 Counts of Hartenburg, or, to be more accurate, of the 
 Counts of Hartenburg-Lciningen, was on a commensurate 
 scale. Perched on the advanced spur of the mountain, 
 just where the valley was most confnied, and at a point 
 where the little river made a short bend, tlie pass beneath 
 lay quite at the mercy of the arclier on its battlements. In 
 the fore-ground, all that part of the edifice which came 
 into the view w^as military, and, in some slight degree, fitted 
 to the imperfect usetiiat was then made of artillery ; while 
 in the rear arose that maze of courts, chapels, towers, gates, 
 p(;rtculliscs, state-rooms, offices, and family apartments, 
 that marked tiie usages and tastes of the day. The liamlet 
 wliich lay in the dell, immediately beneath the walls of the 
 salient towers, or bastions, for they partcjok of both char- 
 acters, was insignificant, and of little account in estimating 
 the wealth and resources of the feudal h^'d. These came 
 principally fnjm Duerckheim, and tlie fertile plains beyond, 
 though the forest was not without its value, in a country 
 in wliich the axe had so long been used. 
 
70 THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 We liave said that Emich of Leiningen was taking his 
 rest in the hold of Hartenburg. Let the reader imagine a 
 massive building, in the centre of the confused pile we 
 have mentioned, rudely fashioned to meet the wants of the 
 domestic economy of that age, and he will get a nearer 
 view of the interior. The walls were wainscoted, and had 
 much uncouth and massive carving; the halls were large 
 and gloomy, loaded with armor, and at this moment preg- 
 nant with armed men ; the saloons of a medium size which 
 suited a baronial state, and all the appliances of that min- 
 gled taste in which comfort and luxury, as now understood, 
 were unknown, but which w^as not without a portion of the 
 effect that is produced by an exhibition of heavy magnifi- 
 cence. Witli few but signal exceptions, Germany, even at 
 this hour, is not a country remarkable for the elegancies of 
 domestic life. Its very palaces are of simple decoration, 
 its luxuries of a homebred and inartificial kind, and its 
 taste is rarely superior, and indeed not always equal, to 
 our own. There is still a shade of the Gothic in the habits 
 and opinions of this constant people, who seem to cultivate 
 the subtle refinements of the mind, in preference to the 
 more obvious and material enjoyments which address 
 themselves to the senses. 
 
 Quaint and complicated ornaments, wrought by the pa- 
 tient industry of a race proverbial for this description of 
 ingenuity; swords, daggers, morions, cuirasses, and all sorts 
 of defensive armor then in use ; such needle-work, as it 
 befitted a noble dame to produce ; pictures that possessed 
 most of the faults and few of the beauties of the Flemish 
 school ; furniture that bore some such relation to the gar- 
 niture of the palaces of electors and kings, as the decora- 
 tions of a village drawing-room in our own time, bear to 
 those of the large towns ; a profuse display of plate, on 
 which the arms of Leiningen wxre embossed and graven in 
 every variety of style, with genealogical trees and heraldic 
 blazonry in colors, were the principal features. 
 
 Throughout the whole pile, there was little appear- 
 ance, however, of the presence of females, or even of the 
 means of their accommodation. Few of that sex were seen 
 in the corridors, or offices, or courts ; though men crowded 
 the place in unusual numbers. The latter were chiefly 
 grim and whiskered warriors, who loitered in the halls, or 
 in the more public parts of the castle, like idlers waiting 
 for the expected movement of exertion. None among them 
 
TffE HEIDENMAUER. 71 
 
 were armed at all points, though this carelessly wore his 
 morion, that had buckled on a breast-plate, and another 
 leaned listlessly on his arquebuse or handled his pike. 
 Here a group exercised, in levity, with their several weap- 
 ons of offence ; there a jester amused a crowd of sluggish 
 listeners, with his ribaldry and humor : and numberless 
 were those who quaffed of the Rhenish of their lord. Al- 
 though this continent had then been discovered, the goodly 
 portion whicli has since fallen to our heritage was still in 
 the hands of its native proprietors ; and the plant, so long 
 known as the weed of Virginia, but which has since be- 
 come a staple of so many other countries in this hemi- 
 sphere, was not in its present general use amongst the 
 Germans ; else would it have been our duty to finish this 
 hasty sketch, by enveloping it all in mist. Notwithstand- 
 ing the general air of indifference and negligence, which 
 reigned within the walls of Hartenburg without the gates, 
 in the turrets, and on the advanced towers, there was the 
 appearance of more than the customary watchfulness. Had 
 one been there to note the circumstance, he would have 
 seen, in addition to the sentries who always guarded the ap- 
 proaches of the castle, several swift-footed spies on the 
 look-out, in the hamlet, on the rocks of the mountain-side, 
 and along the winding paths ; and as all eyes were turned 
 towards the valley in the direction of Limburg, it was evi- 
 dent that the event they awaited was expected to arrive 
 from that quarter. 
 
 While such was the condition of his hold and of so strons: 
 a body of his vassals. Count Emich himself had retired 
 from observation, to one of the quaint, half-rude, half- 
 magnificent saloons of the place. The room was lighted by 
 twenty tapers, and other well-known signs indicated the 
 near approach of guests. He paced the large apartment 
 with a heavy and armed heel ; while care, or at least se- 
 vere tiiought, contracted the muscles around a hard and 
 iron brow, which bore evident marks of familiar acquaint- 
 ance with the casque. Perhaps this is the only country 
 of Christendom, even now, in which the profession of the 
 law is a pursuit still more honorable and esteemed than 
 that of arms — the best proof of a high and enviable civili- 
 zation — but at the age of our narrative, the gentleman that 
 was not of the Churcli, the calling which nearly monopo- 
 lized all the learning of the times, was of necessity a sol- 
 dier. Emich of Lciniiigcn carried arms therefore as much 
 
72 
 
 THE HEIDENMA UER. 
 
 in course, as the educated man of this century reads his 
 Horace or Virgil ; and as nature had given him a vigorous 
 frame, a hardy constitution, and a mind whose indifference 
 to personal suffering amounted at times to ruthlessness, he 
 was more successful in his trade of violence, than many 
 a pale and zealous student proves in the cultivation of 
 letters. 
 
 The musing Count scarce raised his looks from the oaken 
 floor he trod, as menial after menial appeared, moving with 
 light step in the presence of one so dreaded and yet so 
 singularly loved. At length a female, busy in some of the 
 little offices of her sex, glided before his half-unconscious 
 sight. The youth, the bloom, the playful air, the neat coif, 
 the tight bodice, and the ample folds of the falling gar- 
 ments, at length seemed to fill his eye with the form of his 
 companion. 
 
 " Is it thou, Gisela ? " he said, speaking mildly, as one 
 addresses a favored dependant. " How fareth it with the 
 honest Karl ? " 
 
 *' I thank my lord the Count, his aged and wounded 
 servant hath less of pain than is commonly his lot. The 
 limb he has lost in the service of the House of Leining- 
 en " 
 
 " No matter for the leg, girl — thou art too apt to dwell 
 upon that mischance of thy parent." 
 
 " Were my lord the Count to leave a limb on the field, it 
 might be missed w^hen he was hurried ! " 
 
 " Thinkest, thou, child, that my tongue would never ad- 
 dress the Emperor without naming the defect ? Go to, Gise- 
 la ; thou art a calculating hussy, and rarely permittest oc- 
 casion to pass without allusion to this growing treasure of 
 thy family. Are my people actively on the watch, with or 
 without their limbs ? " 
 
 " They are as their natures and humors tend. Blessed 
 Saint Ursula knows where the officers of the country have 
 picked up so ungainly a band, as these that now inhabit 
 Hartenburg! One drinketh, from the time his eyes open 
 in the morn until they shut at even ; another sweareth 
 worse than the northern warriors that do these ravages in 
 the Palatinate ; this a foul dealer in ribaldry : that a glut- 
 ton who never moveth lip but to swallow ; and none, nay, 
 not a swaggerer of them all, hath civil word for a maiden, 
 though she be known as one esteemed in their master's 
 household." 
 
THE HEIDEXMAUKR. 73 
 
 " They are my vassals, girl, and stouter men at need are 
 not mustered in Germany." 
 
 '* Stout in speech, and insolent of look, my Lord Count, 
 but most odious company to all, of modest demeanor and 
 of good intentions, in the hold." 
 
 *' Thou hast been humored by thy mistress, girl, until 
 thou sometimes forgcttest discretion. Go and look my 
 guests are informed that the hour of the banquet is at 
 hand ; — I await the pleasure of their presence." 
 
 Gisela, whose natural pertncss had been somewhat 
 heightened by an indulgent mistress, and in whom con- 
 sciousness of more beauty than ordinarily falls to the 
 share of females of her condition had produced freedom 
 of language that sometimes amounted to temerity, be- 
 trayed her discontent in a manner very common to her 
 sex, when it is undisciplined, or little restrained by a 
 wholesome education. She pouted, taking care however 
 that Emich's eye was again turned to the floor, tossed her 
 head and quitted the room. Left to himself, the Count re- 
 lapsed into his reverie. In this manner did several minutes 
 pass unheeded. 
 
 " Dreaming, as usual, noble Emich, of escalades and ex- 
 communication ! " cried a gay voice at his elbow, the speaker 
 having entered the saloon imseen — "of revengeful priests, 
 of vassalage, of shaven abbots, the confessional and pen- 
 ance dire, thy rights redressed, the frowning conclave, the 
 Abbey cellar, thy morion, revenge, and, to sum up all, in 
 a word that covers every deadly sin, that fallen angel the 
 Devil!" 
 
 Emich forced a grim smile at this unceremonious and 
 comprehensive salutation, accepting the offered hand of 
 him who uttered it, however, with the frank freedom of a 
 boon companion. 
 
 " Thou art right welcome, Albrecht," he replied, '' for 
 the moment is near when my ghostly guests should arrive ; 
 and to deal fairly by thee, I never feel myself quite ecjual 
 to a single combat of wits with the pious knaves ; but thy 
 support will be enough, though the whole Abbey commu- 
 nity were of the party." 
 
 " Aye, we are akin, we sons of Saint John and these bas- 
 tards of Saint Benedict. Though more martial than your 
 monks of the hill, we of the island are sworn to quite as 
 many virtues. Let me see," lie added, counting on his 
 fingers with an air of bold licentiousness ; " firstly are wc 
 
74 
 
 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 vowed to celibacy, and your Benedictine is no less so — 
 then are we self-dedicated to chastity, as is your Limburg 
 monk ; next we respect our oaths, as does your Father 
 Bonifacius ; then both are servants of the holy cross ;" by 
 a singular influence the speaker and the Count made the 
 sacred symbol on their bosoms, as the former uttered the 
 word, "and, doubt it not, I shall be the equal of the rever- 
 end brotherhood. They say sin can match sin, and saint 
 should surely be saint's equal ! But, Emich, thou art 
 graver than becometh a hot carousal, like this we medi- 
 tate ! " 
 
 " And thou gay as if about to gallant the dames of 
 Rhodes to one of thy island festivals ! " 
 
 The Knight of Saint John regarded his attire with com- 
 placency, strutting by the side of his host, as the latter re- 
 sumed his walk, with the air of a bird of admired plumage. 
 Nor was -the remark of the Count of Hartenburg misap- 
 plied, since his kinsman and guest had, in reality, expend- 
 ed more labor on his toilet than was customary in the ab- 
 sence of females, and in that rude liold. Unlike the stern 
 and masculine Emich, who rarely divested himself of all 
 his warlike gear, the sworn defender of the Cross appeared 
 entirely in a peaceful guise, if the long rapier that dangled 
 at his side, and which to a much later period formed an 
 indispensable accompaniment of one of gentle condition, 
 could be excepted from the implements of war. His doub- 
 let, fully decorated with embroidery, fringes, and loops, 
 and dotted with buttons, was of a pale orange stuff, that 
 w^as puffed and distended about his person, in the liberal 
 amplitude of the prevailing fashion. The nether garment, 
 which scarce appeared, however, essential as it might be, 
 was of the same material, and cut with a similar expendi- 
 ture of cloth. The hose were pink, and, rolling far above 
 the knee, gave the effect of a rich coloring to the whole 
 picture. He wore shoes whose upper-leather rose high 
 ao-ainst the small of the lesr, buckles that covered the 
 instep, and about the throat and wrists there was a lavish 
 display of lace. The well-known Maltese cross dangled by 
 a red ribbon, at a button-hole of the doublet ; not above 
 the heart, as is the custom at present among the chevaliers 
 of the other hemisphere, but, by a vagary of taste, so low 
 as to demonstrate, if indeed, there is any allusion intended 
 by the accidental position of these jewels, that the honora- 
 ble badsfe was assumed in direct reference to that material 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 75 
 
 portion of the human frame which is believed to be the 
 repository of good cheer ; an interpretation that, in the 
 case of Albrecht of Viederbach, the knight in question, 
 was perhaps much nearer to the truth than he wxjuld have 
 been willing to own. After poising himself, first on the 
 point of .one shoe, and then on the other, smoothing his 
 ruffles, shoving the rapier more aside, and otherwise ad- 
 justing his attire to his mind, the professed soldier of Saint 
 John of Jerusalem pursued the discourse. 
 
 '' I am decent, kinsman," he replied ; " fit to be a guest 
 at thy hospitable board, if thou wilt, in the absence of its 
 fair mistress, but beyond that unworthy to be named. As 
 for the dames of our unhappy and violated Rhodes, dear 
 cousin, thou knowest little of their humors, if thou fanciest 
 that this rude guise w^ould have any charm in their refined 
 eves. Our knights were used to bring into the island the 
 taste and improvements of every distant land ; and small 
 though it be, there are few portions of the earth, in which 
 the human arts, for so I call the decoration of the human 
 body, nourished more than in our circumscribed, valiant, 
 and much-regretted Rhodes. Thus was it, at least, until 
 the fell Ottoman triumphed !" 
 
 "'Fore God, I had thought thee sworn to all sorts of 
 modesty, in speech, life, and other abstinences ! " 
 
 "And art thou not sworn, most mutinous Emich, to 
 obey thy liege lords, the Emperor and the Elector — nay, 
 for certain of thy lands and privileges, art thou not 
 l)ound to knight's service and obedience to the holy Abbot 
 of Limburg ? " 
 
 ** God's curse on him and on all the others of that grasp- 
 ing brotherhood ! " 
 
 " Aye, that is but the natural consequence of thy oath, as 
 this doublet is of mine. If the rigid performance of avow 
 is as agreeable to the body, as we are taught it may be 
 liealthful to the soul, CoiuU of Leiningen, where would be 
 the merit of observance? I never i\(^\\ these graceful gar- 
 ments, but a wholesome remembrance of watcliful nights 
 passed on the ramparts, of painful sieges and watery 
 trenches, or of sicklv cruises against the Mussulmans, do 
 not present themselves in the sliape of past penances. In 
 this manner do we sweeten sin, by our bodily pains, and by 
 the memory of hours of virtuous hardships ! " 
 
 " Hy tlie three sainted Kings of Koeln, and the eleven 
 thousand virgins of that honored city, Master Albrecht ! 
 
76 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 but thou wert much favored in thy narrow island, if it 
 were permitted to thee to sin in this fashion, with the cer- 
 tainty of tempering punishment with so light service ! 
 These griping monies of Limburg make much of their fa- 
 vors, and he who would go with a safe skin, must needs 
 look to an indulgence had and well paid for, in advance. 
 I know not the number of goodly casks of th*e purest 
 Rhenish that little sallies of humor may have cost me, first 
 and last, in this manner of princely expenditure ; but cer- 
 tain am I, that did occasion offer, the united tributes would 
 leave little empty space in Prince Friedrich's vaunted Tun, 
 in his ample cellars of Heidelberg! " 
 
 ''I have often heard of that royal receptacle of generous 
 liquor, and have meditated a pilgrimage in honor of its 
 capacity. Does the Elector receive noble travellers with a 
 hospitality suited to his rank and means ? " 
 
 " That doth he, and right willingly, though this war 
 presses sorely, and giveth him other employment. Thy 
 wayfaring will not be weary, for thou mayst see the towers 
 of Heidelberg from off these hills, and a W(jrthy steed might 
 be pricked from this court of mine into that of Duke Fried- 
 rich in a couple of hours of hard riding." 
 
 " When the merits of thy cellar are exhausted, noble 
 Ernich, it will be in season to put the Tun to the proof," 
 replied the Knight of Rhodes, " as our esteemed friend 
 here, the Abbe, will maintain, in the face of all the re- 
 formers with which our Germany is infested." 
 
 In introducing another character, we claim the reader's 
 patience for a moment of digression. Whatever may be 
 said of the merits and legality of the Reformation, effected 
 chiefly by the courage of Luther (and we are neither sec- 
 tarian nor unbeliever, to deny the sacred origin of the 
 churcli from which he dissented,) it is very generally ad- 
 mitted, that the long and undisputed sway of the prevail- 
 ing authority of that age, had led to abuses, which called 
 loudly for some change in its administration. Thousands 
 of those who had devoted their lives to the administrations 
 of the altar, were quite as worthy of the sacred office as it 
 falls to man's lot to become ; but thousands had assumed 
 the tonsure, the cowl, or the other symbols of ecclesiastical 
 duty, merely to enjoy the immunities and facilities the 
 character conferred. A long and nearly undisputed mo- 
 nopoly of letters, the influence obtained by the unnatural 
 union between secular and religious power, and the de- 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 77 
 
 pendent condition of tlic public mind, the legitimate con- 
 sequence of both, induced all who aspired to moral pre- 
 eminence, to take tliis, the most certain, because the most 
 beaten, of the paths that led to this species of ascendency. 
 It is not alone to the religujn of Christendom, as it existed 
 in the time of Lutlier, that we are to look for an example 
 of the baneful consequence of spiritual and temporal au- 
 thority, as blended in human institutions. Christian or 
 Mahommedan, Catholic or Protestant, the evil comes in 
 every case from the besetting infirmity which tempts the 
 strong to oppress the weak, and the powerful to abuse their 
 trusts. Against this failing there seems to be no security 
 but an active and certain responsibility. So long as the 
 severe morality required of its ministers, by the Christian 
 faith, is uncorrupted by any gross admixture of worldly 
 advantage, there is reason to believe that the altar, at least, 
 will escape serious defilement ; but no sooner are these 
 fatal enemies admitted to the sanctuary, than a thousand 
 spirits, prompted b)^ cupidity, rush rashly into the temple, 
 willing to bear with the outward exactions of the faith, in 
 order to seek its present and visible rewards. 
 
 However piu-c may be a social system, or a religion, in 
 the commencement of its power, the possession of an un- 
 disputed ascendency lures all alike into excesses fatal to 
 consistency, to justice, and to truth. This is a consequence 
 of the independent exercise of human volition, that seems 
 nearly inseparable from human frailty. We gradually 
 come to substitute inclination and interest for right, until 
 the moral foundations of the mind are sapped by indul- 
 gence, and what was once regarded with the aversion that 
 wrong excites in the innocent, gets to be not only familiar, 
 but justifiable by expediency and use. There is no more 
 certain symptom of the decay of the principles requisite t(^ 
 maintain even our imperfect standard of virtue, than when 
 the plea of necessity is urged in vindication of any depart- 
 ure from its mandate, since it is calling in the aid of inge- 
 nuity to assist the passi(jns, a coalition tiiat rarely fails to 
 lay prostrate the feeble defences of a tottering morality. 
 
 It is no wonder, then, that the world, at a period when 
 religious abuses drove even churchmen reluctantly to seek 
 relief in insubordination, should exhibit bold instances of 
 the flagrant excesses we have named. Military ambition, 
 venality, love of ease, and even love of dissi[)ation, equally 
 sought the mantle of religion as cloaks to their several ob- 
 
yS THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 jects, and if the reckless cavalier was willing to flesh his 
 sword on the body of the infidel, in order that he might 
 live in men's estimation as a hero of the cross, so did the 
 trifler, the debauchee, and even the wit of the capital, con- 
 sent to obtain circulation by receiving an impression which 
 gave currency to all coin, whether of purer or of baser 
 metal, since it bore the outward stamp of the Church of 
 God. 
 
 " Reformers, or rather revilers, for that is the term they 
 most merit," returned the Abbe, alluded to in the last 
 speech of Albrecht of Veiderbach, " I consign without re- 
 morse to the devil. As for this pledge of our brave Knight 
 of Saint John, noble Count Emich, so far as I am con- 
 cerned, it shall be redeemed : for I am certain the cellars 
 of Heidelbero; can resist a heavier inroad than any that is 
 likely to invade them by such means. But 1 am late from 
 my chamber, and I had hoped, ere this, to have seen our 
 brethren of Limburg ! I hope no unnecessary misunder- 
 standing is likely to deprive us of the satisfaction of their 
 presence. Lord Count ? " 
 
 " Little fear of that, so far as it may depend on any dis- 
 appointment in a feast. If ever the devil tempted these 
 monks of the hill, it has been in the shape of gluttony. 
 Were I to judge by the experience of forty years passed 
 in their neighborhood, I should think they deem absti- 
 nence an eighth deadly sin." 
 
 "Your Benedictine is privileged to consider hospitality 
 a virtue, and the Abbot has fair license for the indulgence 
 of some little cheer. We will not judge them harshly, 
 therefore, but form our opinions of their merits by their 
 deeds. Thou hast many servitors without, to do them 
 honor to-night, Lord Emich." 
 
 The Count of Leiningen frowned, and, ere he answered, 
 his eye exchanged a glance with that of his kinsman, which 
 the Abbe might have interpreted into a hidden meaning, 
 had it attracted his observation. 
 
 *'My people gather loyally about their lord, for they 
 have heard of his succor sent by the Elector to uphold the 
 lazy Benedictines," was the reply. "Four hundred mer- 
 cenaries lie within the Abbey walls this night, Master La- 
 touche, and it should not cause surprise that the vassals of 
 Emich of Hartenburg are ready with hand and sword to 
 do service in his defence. God's mercy ! The cunning 
 priests may pretend alarm, but if any here hath cause to 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 79 
 
 be afraid, truly it is the rightful and wronged lord of the 
 Jaegertlial ! " 
 
 " Thy situation, Cousin of Hartenburg," observed the 
 wearer of the cross of Saint John, " is, in sooth, one of mas- 
 terly diplomacy. Here dost thou stand at sword's point 
 with the Abbot of Limburg, ready at need to exchange 
 deadly thrusts, and to put this long-disputed supremacy 
 on the issue of battle, while thou callest on the keeper of 
 thy cellar to bring forth the choicest of its contents, in or- 
 der to do hospitality and honor to thy mortal foe ! This 
 beateth, in all niceties, Monsieur Latouche, the situation 
 of an abbe of thy quality, who is scarce churchman enough 
 to merit salvation, nor yet deep enough in sin to be in- 
 continently damned in the general mass of evil-doers." 
 
 " It is to be hoped that we shall share the common lot 
 of mortals, which is to receive more grace tiian they merit," 
 returned the Abb^, a title that in fact scarce denoted one 
 seriously devoted to the Church. " But I trust this pres- 
 ent meeting between the hostile powers may prove amica- 
 ble ; for, not to conceal the truth, unlike our friend the 
 Knight here, I am of none of the belligerent orders." 
 
 " Hark ! " exclaimed the host, lifting a finger to com- 
 mand attention : " Heard ye aught ? " 
 
 "There is much of the music of thy growlers in the 
 courts, cousin, and some oaths in a German that needs be 
 translated to be understood ; but that blessed signal the 
 supper-bell is still mute." 
 
 "Go to ! — 'Tis the Abbot of Limburg and his brethren, 
 Fathers Siegfried and Cuno. Let us to the portal, to do 
 them usual honor." 
 
 As this was welcome news to both the Knight and the 
 Abbe, they manifested a suitable desire to be foremost in 
 paying the required attention to a personage, as important 
 in that region as the rich and powerful chief of the neigh- 
 boring religious establishment. 
 
 CHAPTER Vr. 
 
 "Why not? — Tlic dcei)cr sinner, l)t.'ltcr s.iint." — BVRON. 
 
 A WILD and plaintive note had l)ecn sounded on a horn 
 far in the valley towards the hill of Limburg. This melo- 
 dious music was of common occurrence, for of all that 
 
So THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 dwell in Europe, they who inhabit the banks of the Rhine, 
 the Elbe, the Oder, and the Danube, with their tributaries, 
 are tlie most addicted to the cultivation of sweet sounds. 
 We hear much of the harshness of the Teutonic dialects, 
 and of the softness of those of Latin origin ; but, Venice 
 and the regions of the Alps excepted, nature has amply 
 requited for the inequality that exists between the lan- 
 guages, by the difference in the organs of speech. He 
 who journeys in those distant lands must, as a rule, expect 
 to hear German warbled and Italian in a grand crash, 
 though exceptions are certainly to be found in both cases. 
 But music is far more common on the vast plains of Sax- 
 ony than on the Campagna Felice, and it is no uncommon 
 occurrence to be treated by a fair-haired postilion of the 
 former country, as he slowly mounts a hill, with airs on 
 the horn that would meet with favor in the orchestra of a 
 capital. It was one of these melancholy and peculiar 
 strains which now gave the signal to the spies of Count 
 Emich that his clerical guests had quitted the convent. 
 
 " Heard ye aught, brothers ? " demanded Father Boni- 
 facius of the companions who rode at his side, nearly at 
 the same moment that the Lord of Leiningen put the same 
 question in his hold ; " that horn spoke in a meaning 
 strain ! " 
 
 " We may be defeated in our wish to reach the castle 
 suddenly," returned the monk, already known to the 
 reader as Father Siegfried ; " but though we fail in look- 
 ing into Count Emich's secret with our own eyes, I have 
 engaged one to do that office for us, and in a manner, I 
 trust, tliat shall put us on the scent of his designs. Cour- 
 age, most holy Abbot, the cause of God is not likely to 
 fail for want of succor. When were the meek and right- 
 eous ever deserted ? " 
 
 The Abbot of Limburg ejaculated, in a manner to ex- 
 press little faith in any miraculous interposition in behalf 
 of his cure, and he drew about him the mantle that served 
 in some degree to conceal his person, spurring the beast 
 he rode onl^ the quicker, from a feverish desire, if possi- 
 ble, to outstrip the sounds, which he intuitively felt were 
 intended to announce his approach. The prelate was not 
 deceived, for no sooner did the wild notes reach the castle, 
 than the signal, which had caught the attention of its 
 owner, was communicated to those within the walls. 
 
 At the expected summons there was a general movement 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER, Si 
 
 among the idlers of the courts. Subordinate officers passed 
 among the men, hurrying those away to their secret lodging 
 places who were intractable from excess of liquor, and com- 
 manding the more obedient to follow. In a very few min- 
 utes, and long before the monks, who, however, pricked 
 their beasts to the utmost, had time to get near the ham- 
 let even, all in tlie hold was reduced to a state of tranquil 
 repose ; the castle resembling the abode of any other pow- 
 erful baron, in moments of profound security. Emich 
 had seen to this disposition of his people in person, taking 
 strict caution that no straggler should appear, to betray 
 the preparations that existed within his walls. When this 
 wise precaution was observed, he proceeded, with his two 
 companions, to take a station near the door of tiie build- 
 ing more especially appropriated to the accommodation 
 of himself and his friends, in order to await the arrival of 
 the monks. 
 
 The moon had ascended high enough to illuminate the 
 mountain-side, and to convert tlie brown towers and ram- 
 parts of Ilartenburg into picturesque forms, relieved by 
 gloomy shadows. The signals appeared to have thrown 
 all who dwelt in the hamlet, as well as they who inliabited 
 the frowning hold wdiich overhung that secluded spot, 
 into mute attention. For a few minutes the quiet was so 
 deep and general, that the murmuring of tlie rivulet which 
 meandered through the meadows was audible. Then came 
 the swift clattering of hoofs. 
 
 *' Our churchmen are in haste to taste thy Rhenish, 
 noble Emich," said Albrccht of Viedcrbach, who rarely 
 thought ; **or is it a party of their sumpter mules that I 
 hear in the vallcv ! " 
 
 '*Were the Abbot about to journey to some other con- 
 vent of his order, or were he ready to visit his spiritual 
 master of Spires, there is no doubt that many such cattle 
 wcjuld be in his train ; for of all lovers of fat clieer, Wilhelni 
 of Venloo, who has been styled Bonifacius in his baptism 
 of office, is he that most worships the fruits of the earth. I 
 would he and all his brothcrliood were spiritually planted 
 in the garden of Eden ! They should be well watered 
 with my tears ! " 
 
 "The wisli hath a saintly odor, but may not be accom- 
 plished without mortal aid — unless thou hast favor with 
 the Prince Elector of Koeln, who might haply do thee that 
 service, in the way of miracle." 
 6 
 
82 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 "Thou triflest, knight, in a matter of great gravity," 
 answered Emich roughly, for, notwithstanding his inher- 
 ited and deadly dislike of the particular portion of the 
 Church whicli interfered with his own power, the Count of 
 Hartenburg had all the dependence on superior knowledge 
 that is the unavoidable offspring of a limited education. 
 " The Prince Elector hath served many noble families in 
 the way thou namest, and he might do honor to houses 
 less deserving of his grace than that of Leiningen. But 
 here cometh the Abbot and his boon associates. God's 
 curse await them for their pride and avarice ! " 
 
 The clattering of hoofs had been gradually increasing, 
 and was now heard even on the pavement of the outer 
 court ; for in order to do honor to his guests, the count 
 had especially ordered there should be no delay or impedi- 
 ment from gate, portcullis, or bridge. 
 
 "Welcome, and reverence for tliy churchly (jfifice, right 
 holy Abbot! " cried Emich, from whose lips had just part- 
 ed the malediction, advancing officiously to aid the prel- 
 ate in dismounting — " Thou art welcome, brothers both ; 
 worthy companions of thy respected and honored chief." 
 
 The churchmen alighted, assisted by the menials of 
 Hartenburg, with much show of honor on the part of the 
 Count himself, and on that of his friends. When fairly 
 on their feet, they courteously returned the greetings. 
 
 '* Peace be with thee, son, and with this cavalier and ser- 
 vitor of the Church ! " said Father Bonifacius, signing wdth 
 the rapid manner in which a Catholic priest scatters his 
 benedictions. "St. Benedict and the Virgin take ye all 
 in their holy keeping ! I trust, noble Emich, we have not 
 given thee cause of vexation, by some little delay ?" 
 
 "Thou never comest amiss, father, be it at morn, or be 
 it at even ; I esteem Hartenburg more than honored, when 
 thy reverend head passeth beneath its portals." 
 
 "We had every desire to embrace thee, son, but certain 
 offices of religion, that may not be neglected, kept us from 
 the pleasure. But let us within ; for T fear the evening 
 air may do injury to those that are uncloaked." 
 
 At this considerate suggestion, Emich, wnth much show 
 of respect to liis guests, ushered them into the apartment 
 he liad himself so lately quitted. Here recommenced the 
 show of those wily courtesies which, in that semi-barbarous 
 and treacherous age, often led men to a heartless and some- 
 times to a blasphemous trifling with the most sacred obliga- 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 83 
 
 tions, to effect their purposes, and which, in our times, has 
 degenerated to a deception, that is more measured perliaps, 
 but which is scarcely less sophisticated and vicious. Much 
 was said of mutual satisfaction at this opportunity of com- 
 mingling spirits, and the blunt professions of the sturdy but 
 politic baron were more than met by the pretending sane- 
 tity and official charity of the priest. 
 
 The Abbot of Limburg and his companions had come 
 to the intended feast with vestments that partially con- 
 cealed their characters ; but when the outer cloaks and the 
 other garments were removed, they remained in the usual 
 attire of their order, the prelate being distinguished from 
 his inferiors by those symbols of clerical rank which it 
 was usual for one of his authority to display when not en- 
 gaged in the ministrations of the altar. 
 
 When the guests were at their ease, the conversation 
 took a less personal direction, for though rude and unnur- 
 tured as his own war-horse, as regards most that is called 
 cultivation in our bookish days, Emich of Hartenburg 
 wanted for none of tlie courtesies that became his rank, 
 more especially as civilities of this nature were held to be 
 worthy of a feudal lord, and in that particular region. 
 
 "'Tis said, reverend Abbot," continued the host, pushing 
 the discourse to a point that might favor his own secret 
 views, ''that our common master, the Prince Elector, is 
 sorely urged by his enemies, and that there are even fears 
 a stranger may usurp the rule in the noble Castle of 
 Heidelberg. Hast thou heard aught of his late distresses, 
 or of the necessities that bear upon his house ?" 
 
 " Masses have been said for his benefit in all our chapels, 
 and there are hourly prayers that he may prevail against 
 his enemies. In virtue of a concession made to the abbey, 
 by our common father at Rome, we offer liberal indul- 
 gences, too, to all that take up arms in this behalf." 
 
 " Thou art much unitc^d in love with Duke Friedrich, 
 lioly prelate I " muttered Emich. 
 
 " VVe owe liim such respect as all should willingly pay 
 to the str(jng temporal arm that shields them ; our serious 
 fealty is due alone to heaven. Hut liow comes it that so 
 stout a baron, one so much esteemed in warlike exercises, 
 and so well knf>wn in dangerous enterprises, rests in his 
 doublet, at a time when his sovereign's throne is tottering? 
 We had h(\'ird that thou weit summoning ihv pet^ple, Herr 
 Count, and thought it had been in the Elector's interest." 
 
84 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 '■'■ Friedrich hath not of late given me cause to love him. 
 If I have called my vassals about me, 'tis because the times 
 teach every noble to be wary of his rights. I have con- 
 sorted so much of late with my cousin of Vicderbach, this 
 self-denying Knight of Rhodes, that martial thoughts will 
 obtrude even on the brain of one, peaceful and homebred 
 as thy poor neighbor and penitent." 
 
 The Abbot bowed and smiled, like one who gave full 
 credit to the speaker's words, while a by-play arose be- 
 tween the wandering and houseless knight, the abbe, and 
 the brothers of Limburg. In this manner did a few min- 
 utes wear away, when a flourish of trumpets announced 
 that the expected banquet awaited its guests. Menials 
 lighted the party to the hall in which the board was spread, 
 and much ceremonious form was observed in assigning to 
 each of the individuals the place suited to his rank and 
 character. Count Emich, who in connnon was of a nature 
 too blunt and severe to waste his efforts in superfluous 
 breeding, now showed himself earnest to please, for he 'had 
 at heart an object that he knew was in danger of being 
 baffled by the more practised artifices of the monks. 
 During the preliminary mov^ements of the feast, which 
 had all the gross and all the profuse hospitality which dis- 
 tinguished such entertainments, he neglected no custom- 
 ary observance. The robust and sensual Abbot was fre- 
 quently plied with both cup and dish, while the inferior 
 monks received the same agreeable attentions from Al- 
 brecht of Viederbach, and Monsieur Latouche, who, not- 
 withstanding it suited his convenience to pass through life 
 under the guise of a churchman, was none the worse at 
 board or revel. As the viands and the generous liquors 
 began to operate on the physical functions of the brothers, 
 however, they insensibly dropped their masks, and each 
 discovered more of those natural qualities which usually 
 lay concealed from casual observation. 
 
 It was a rule of tlie Benedictines to practise hospitality. 
 ThiC convent door was never closed against the wayfarer, 
 and he who applied for shelter and food was certain of ob- 
 taining both, administered more or less in a manner suited 
 to the applicant's ordinary liabits. The practice of a 
 virtue so costly was a sufficient pretence for accumulating 
 riches, and he who travels at this day in Europe will find 
 ample proofs that the means of carrying into effect this 
 law of the order were abundantly supplied. Abbeys of 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 85 
 
 this particular class of monks are still of frequent occur- 
 rence in the forest cantons of Switzerland, Germany, and 
 in most of the other Catholic states. But the gradual and 
 healthful transfer of political power from clerical to laical 
 hands, has long since shorn them of their temporal lustre. 
 Many of these abbots were formerly princes of the empire, 
 and several of the communities exercised sovereign sway 
 over territories that have since taken to themselves the 
 character of independent states. 
 
 While the spiritual charge and the mortifications believed 
 to characterize a brotherhood of Benedictines were more 
 especially left to a subordinate monk termed the prior, 
 the abbot, or head of the establishment, was expected to 
 preside not only over the temporalities, but at the board. 
 This frequent communication with the vulgar interests of 
 life, and the constant indulgence in its grosser gratifica- 
 tions, were but ill adapted to the encouragement of the 
 monastic virtues. We have already remarked that the in- 
 timate connection between the interests of life and those of 
 tiie church is destructive of apostolical character. This 
 blending of God with Mammon, this device of converting 
 the revealed ordinances of the Master of the Universe 
 into a species of buttress to uphold temporal SAvay, though 
 habit has so long rendered it familiar to the inhabitants of 
 the other hemisphere, and even to a large portion of those 
 who dwell in this, is, in our American eyes, only a little re- 
 moved from blasphemy ; but the triumphs of the press, 
 and the changes made by the steady advances of public 
 opinion, have long since done away with a multitude of 
 still more equivocal usages, that were as familiar to those 
 who existed three centuries ago, as our own customs to us 
 at this hour. When prelates were seen in armor, leading 
 their battalions to slaughter, it is not to be supposed that 
 the other dignitaries of this jirivileged class would be 
 more tender of appearances than was exacted by the opin- 
 ions of the age. 
 
 Willielni of Venloo, known since his elevation as Boni- 
 facius of Limburg, was not possessed of all tiiat temporal 
 authority, however, which tempted so many of his peers 
 to sin. Still he was the head of a rich, ]:)owerful, and re- 
 spected brotherhood, that had many allodial rights in lands 
 beyond the abbey walls, and which was not without its 
 claims to the fealtv of simdry dependants. Of vigorous 
 mind and body, this dignified churchman commanded 
 
86 THE HE IDENM ALTER. 
 
 much influence by means of a species of character that 
 often crosses us in life, a sturdy independence of thought 
 and action that imposed on the credulous and timid, and 
 which sometimes caused the bold and intelligent to hesitate. 
 His reputation was far greater for learning than for piety, 
 and his besetting sin was well known to be a disposition to 
 encounter the shock between the powers of mind and mat- 
 ter, as both were liable to be affected by deep potations 
 and gross feeding — a sort of degeneracy to which all are 
 peculiarly liable who place an unnatural check on the or- 
 dinary and healthful propensities of nature — just as one 
 sense is known to grow in acuteness as it is deprived of a 
 fellow. The abbot loosened his robe, and threw his cowl 
 still farther from his neck, while Emich pledged him in 
 Rlienish, cup after cup ; and by the time the meats were 
 removed, and the powers of digestion, or we might better 
 say of retention, would endure no more, his heavy cheeks be- 
 came flushed, his bright, deeply-seated, and searching gray 
 eyes flashed with a species of ferocious delight, and his lip 
 frequently quivered, as the clay gave eloquent evidence of 
 its enjoyment. Still his voice, though it had lost its re- 
 buked and schooled tones, was firm, deep, and authoritative, 
 and ever and anon he threw into his discourse some severe 
 and pointed sarcasm, bitingly scornful. His subordinates, 
 too, gave similar proofs of the gradual lessening of their 
 caution, though in degrees far less imposing, we had almost 
 said less grand, than that which rendered the sensual excite- 
 ment of their superior so remarkable, Albrecht and the abbe 
 also betrayed, each in his own manner, the influence of the 
 banquet, and all became garrulous, disputative, and noisy. 
 
 Not so with Emich of Hartenburg. He had eaten in a 
 manner to do justice to his vast frame and bodily wants, 
 and he drank fairly ; but, until this moment, the nicest 
 observer would have been puzzled to detect any decrease 
 of his powers. The blue of his large leaden eyes became 
 brighter, it is true, but their expression was yet in com- 
 mand, and their language courteous. 
 
 *'Thou dost but little compliment to my poor fare, most 
 holy Abbot," cried the host, as he witnessed a lingering 
 look of the prelate, whose eye followed the delicious frag- 
 ments of a wild boar from the hall — '' If the knaves have 
 stinted thee in the choice of morsels, by St. Benedict ! but 
 the mountains of my chase can still furnish other animals 
 of the kind — How now •" 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. S7 
 
 " I pray thee, mercy, noble Emich ! Thy forester halh 
 done thee fair justice with his spear ; more savory beast 
 never smoked at table." 
 
 " It fell by the hand of young Berchthold, the Burgher 
 of Duerckheim's orphan. 'Tis a bold youth in the forest, 
 and I doubt not, his will one day be a ready hand in bat- 
 tle. Thcju knowcst him I mean, father, for he is often at 
 thy abbey confessionals." 
 
 " He is better known to the prior than to one so busied 
 with worldly cares as I. Is the youth at hand? I would 
 fain render him thanks." 
 
 " Hear ye that, varlet ! Bid my head forester appear. 
 The reverend and noble Abbot of Limburg owes him 
 grace." 
 
 " Didst thou say tlie youth was of Duerckheim ? " 
 
 " Of that goodly town, reverend priest ; and, though re- 
 duced by evil chances to be the ranger of my woods, a lad 
 of mettle in the chase, and of no bad discourse in moments 
 of ease." 
 
 " Thou claimest hard service, Cousin of Hartenburg, 
 of these peaceful townsmen ! Were they left freely to 
 choose between the ancient duty of our convent, and this 
 stirring life thou leadest the artisans, we slujuld have more 
 penitents within our walls." 
 
 The fealty of Duerckheim was a long mooted point be- 
 tween the corporation of Limburg and the house of Lein- 
 ingen, and the allusion of the monk was not thrown away 
 upon his host. Emich's brow clouded, and for a moment 
 it threatened a storm ; but, recovering his self-command, 
 he answered in a tone of hilarity, tlujugh with sufficient 
 coolness : — 
 
 " Thy words remind me of present affairs, reverend Boni- 
 facius, and I thank thee that thou hast put a sudden check 
 on festivities which were getting warm without an object." 
 The Count arose, and filled to the brim a cup of h(3rn, 
 elaborately ornamented witii gold, drawing the attention 
 of all at table to himself by the acticm. " Nobles and rev- 
 erend seiA'ants of i\(M\'' he continued, "I drink to the 
 health and iiappiness of the lumored Wilhelm of Venloo, 
 the holy Abbot of Limburg, and my k)ving neighbor. 
 May his brotherhood never know a worse guide, and may 
 the lives and conttMitment (jf all that now belong to it be 
 as lasting as the abbey walls." 
 
 Emich concluded the potent cup at a single draught. 
 
88 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 In order to do honor to the mitred monk, there had been 
 placed by the side of Bonifacius a vessel of agate richly 
 decorated with jewelry, an heir-loom of the house of Lein- 
 ingen. While his host was speaking, the looks of the lat- 
 ter watched every expression of his countenance, through 
 gray, overhanging, shaggy brows, that shaded the upper 
 part of his face like a screen of shrubbery planted to shut 
 out prying eyes from a close ; and he paused when the 
 health was given. Then, rising in his turn, he quaffed a 
 compliment in return. 
 
 "I drink of this pure and wholesome liquor," he said, 
 '' to the noble Emich of Leiningen, to all of his ancient 
 and illustrious house, to his and their present hopes, and 
 to their final deliverance. May this goodly hold, and the 
 happiness of its lord, endure as long as those walls of Lim- 
 burg of which the Count has spoken, and which, were his 
 loving wishes consulted, would doubtless stand for ever." 
 
 " By the life of the emperor, learned Bonifacius ! " ex- 
 claimed Emich, striking his fist on the table with force, 
 "you as much exceed one of my narrow wit in wishes, as 
 in godliness and other excellences ! But I pretend not to 
 set limits to my desires in your behalf, and throw the fault 
 of my imperfect speech on a youth that had more to do 
 with the sword than with the breviary. And now let us 
 to serious concerns. It may not be known to you. Cousin 
 of Viederbach, or to this obliging churchman who honors 
 Hartenburg with his presence, tliat there has been subject 
 of amicable dispute between tlie brotheihood of Limburg 
 and my unworthy house, touching the matter of certain 
 wines, that are believed by the one party to be its dues, 
 and by the other to be a mere pious grace accorded to the 
 Church " 
 
 "Nay, noble Emich," interrupted the Abbot, "we have 
 never held the point to be disputable in any manner. The 
 lands in question are held of us in socage ; and, in lieu of 
 bodily service, we have long since commuted for the prod- 
 uce of vines that might be named." 
 
 " I cry you mercy ; if there be dues at all, they come of 
 naught else than knight's service. None of my name or 
 lineage ever paid less to mortal ! " 
 
 "Let it be tlius," Bonifacius answered more mildly. 
 " The question is of the amount of liquor, and not of the 
 tenure whence it comes." 
 
 " Thou sayest right, wise Abbot, and I cry mercy of 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 89 
 
 these listeners. State thou the matter, reverend Bonifa- 
 cius, that our friends may know the humor on which we 
 are madly bent." 
 
 Tlie Count of Hartenburg succeeded in swallowing his 
 rising ire, and made a gesture of courtesy towards the Ab- 
 bot, as he concluded. Father Bonifacius rose again, and 
 notwithstanding the physical ravages tliat excess was mak- 
 ing within, it was still with the air of calmness and disci- 
 pline that became his calling. 
 
 "As our upright and esteemed friend has just related," 
 he said, *' there is truly a point, of a light but unseemly nat- 
 ure to exist between so dear nciglibors, open between him 
 and us servants of God. The Coimts of Leiningen have 
 long considered it a pleasure to do favor to the Church, 
 and in this just and commendable spirit, it is now some fifty 
 years that, at the termination of each vintage, without re- 
 gard to seasons or harvest, without stooping to change 
 their habits at every change of weather, they have paid to 
 our brotherhood " 
 
 " Presented, priest ! " 
 
 " Presented, — if such is thy will, noble Emich, — fifty 
 casks of this gentle liquor that now warms our hearts 
 towards each other, with brotherly and praiseworthy af- 
 fection. Now, it has been settled between us, to avoid all 
 future motive of controversy, and either the better to gar- 
 nish our cellars, or to relieve the house of Hartenburg al- 
 together of future imposition, that it shall be decided this 
 night, whether the tribute henceforth shall consist of one 
 hundred casks, or of nothing." 
 
 " By' re Lady! A most important issue, and one likely 
 to impoverish or to enrich !" exclaimed the Knight of 
 Rhodes. 
 
 " As such we deem it," continued tlie monk, "and in that 
 view, parchments of release, witli all due appliances and 
 seals, have been prepared by a clerkly scholar of Heidel- 
 berg. This indenture, duly executed," he added, drawing 
 from his bosom the instruments in question, "yieldeth 
 to Emich all the Abbey's rights to the vines in dispute, 
 and this wanteth but his sign of arms and noble name, to 
 double their present duty." 
 
 " Hold ! " c:ried the Ciievalicr of the Cross, whose facul- 
 ties began already to give way,, though it was only in the 
 commencement of the debaucli : "Here is matter might 
 puzzle the Grand Turk, who sits in judgment in the very 
 
90 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 seat of Solomon ! If thou renderest thy claims, and my 
 cousin Emich yieldeth double tribute-money, both parties 
 will be the worse, and neitlier possessed of the liquor! " 
 
 " In a merry mood, it hath been proposed that there shall 
 be the trial of love and not of battle, between us, for the 
 vines. The question is of liquor, and it is agreed, — St. 
 Benedict befriend me, if there be sin in the folly ! to try 
 on whose constitution the disputed liquor is the most apt 
 to work good or evil. Let the Count of Hartenburg give 
 to liis parchment the virtue that hath already been given 
 to this of ours, and we shall leave both in some place of 
 observation ; — then, when he alone is able to rise and seize 
 on both, let him give the victor's cry ; but should he fail 
 of that power, and there be a servant of the Church ready, 
 and able to grasp the instruments, why let him go, and 
 think no more of land that he hath right merrily lost." 
 
 " By St. John of Jerusalem, but this is a most unequal 
 contest — three monks against one poor baron, in a trial of 
 heads ! " 
 
 " Nay, we think more of our lionor, than to permit this 
 wrong. The Count of Hartenburg hath full riglit to call 
 in equal succor, and I have taken thee, gallant cavalier of 
 Rhodes, and this learned Abbe, to be his chosen backers ! " 
 
 "Let it be so!" cried the two in question, — "We ask 
 no better service than to drain Count Emich's cellars to 
 his honor and profit ! " 
 
 But the lord of the hold had taken the matter, as in- 
 deed it was fully understood between the principals, to be 
 a question on which depended a serious amount of rev- 
 enue, for all futurity. The wager had arisen, in one of 
 those wild contests for physical and gross supremacy, 
 which characterize ages and countries of imperfect civili- 
 zation ; for next to deeds in arms and other manful exer- 
 cises, like those of the chase and saddle, it was deemed 
 honorable to be able to undergo the trials of the festive 
 board with impunity. Nor should it occasion surprise to 
 find churchmen engaged in these encounters ; for, inde- 
 pendently of our writing of an age when they appeared in 
 the field, there is sufficient evidence that our own times 
 are not entirely purified from so coarse abuses of the 
 gown. But Bonifacius of Limburg, though a man of ex- 
 tensive learning and strong intellectual qualities, had a 
 weakness on this particular point, for which we may be 
 driven to seek an explanation in his peculiar animal con- 
 
THE HEIDENMAURR. 91 
 
 struction. He was of a powerful frame and sluggish tem- 
 perament, both of which required strong excitement to be 
 wrought up to the highest point of physical enjoyment ; 
 and neither the examples around him, nor his own partic- 
 ular opinions, taught liim to avoid a species of indulgence 
 that he found so agreeable to hisconstitiaion. With these 
 serious views of a contest, to which neither party would 
 probably have consented, had not each great confidence in 
 iiimself as a well-tried champion, both Etnich and the Ab- 
 bot required that the instruments siicmld be openly read. 
 The discharge of this duty Vv'as assigned to Monsieur La- 
 touche, who forthwith proceeded to wade through a tor- 
 rent of unintelligible terms, that were generated in the ob- 
 scurity of feudal tmies for the benefit of the strong, and 
 which are continued to our own period through pride of 
 professional knowledge, a little quickened by a view to 
 professional gain. On the subject of tiie true considera- 
 tion of the respective releases, the instruments themselves 
 were silent, though nothing material was wanting to give 
 them validity, especially when supported by a good sword ; 
 or the power of tlie Church, to which the parties looked 
 respectively in the event of Haws. 
 
 Count Emich listened warily as his guest the Abbe read 
 clause after clause of the deed. Occasionally his eye wan- 
 dered to the firm countenance of the Abbot, betraying 
 habitual distrust of his hereditary and powerful enemy, 
 but it was quickly riveted again on the heated features of 
 the reader. 
 
 "This is well," he said, w^hen both papers had been ex- 
 amined : " These vines are to remain forever with me and 
 mine, witliout claim from any grasping churchman, so long 
 as grass shall grow or water rim, or henceforth they pay 
 do'ihh.' tribute, a tax that will leave little for the cellar of 
 tlieir rightful lord." 
 
 "Such are our terms, noble Emich. But to confirm the 
 latter condition, thy seal and name are wanting to the in- 
 strument." 
 
 "Were the latter to be written by a good sword, none could 
 do the office better than this poor arm, reverend Abbot ; 
 but th(^u knowest well, that my youth was too much given 
 \.u warlike and other manly exercises befitting my rank, to 
 allow much time for acquiring clerkly skill. By the holy 
 Virgins of Koeln ! It were, in sooth, a shame to confess, 
 that one of my class in these stirring times had leisure for 
 
92 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 such lady games ! Bring hither an eagle's feather — hand 
 of mine never yet touched aught from meaner wing — tliat 
 I may do justice to the monks." 
 
 The necessary implements being produced, the Count of 
 Hartenburg proceeded to execute the instrument on liis 
 part. The wax was speedily attached and duly impressed 
 with the bearings of Leiningen, for the noble wore a signet- 
 ring of massive size, ready at all times to give this token 
 of his will. But when it became necessary to subscribe 
 the name, a signal was made to a domestic, who disap- 
 peared in quest of the Count's man of charge. This 
 individual manifested some reluctance to perform the 
 customary office, but, as there was just then a clamorous 
 dialogue among the party at table, he seized the moment 
 to examine into the nature of the document, and the con- 
 sideration that was to decide the ownership of the vineyard. 
 Grinning in satisfaction, at a species of payment in which 
 he held it to be impossible Lord Emich could fail to acquit 
 himself honorably, the dependant took the hand of his 
 master, and, accustomed to the duty, he so guided it as to 
 leave a very legible and creditable signature. When this 
 had been done, and the papers were properly witnessed, 
 the Count of Hartenburg glanced suspiciously from the 
 deed in his hand to the indomitable face of the Abbot, as 
 if he still half repented of the act. '' Look you, Bonifa- 
 cius," he said, shaking a finger, — ^' Should there be flaw, 
 or doubt of any intention in this our covenant, sword of 
 mine shall cut it ! " 
 
 " First earn the right, Count of Leiningen. The deeds 
 are of equal virtue, and he who would lay claim to their 
 benefits must win the wager. We are but poor brothers 
 of St. Benedict, and little worthy to be named with war- 
 like barons and devoted followers of St. John, but we have 
 an humble trust in our patron." 
 
 *' By St. Benedict, it shall pass for a miracle, if thou pre- 
 vailest ! " shouted Emich, yielding the deed in a burst of 
 delight. " Away with these cups of agate and horn, and 
 bring forth vessels of glass, that all may see we deal fairly 
 by each other, in this right manly encounter. Look to 
 your wits, monks. — By the word of a cavalier, your Latin 
 will do little service in this dispute." 
 
 " Our trust is in our patron," answered Father Siegfried, 
 who had already done so much honor to the banquet, as to 
 give reason to believe, that, in his case, the fraternity 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 93 
 
 leaned upon a fragile staff. *' He never yet deserted his 
 children, when fairly enlisted in a good cause." 
 
 " You are cunning in reasons, fathers," put in the knight 
 — **and I doubt not that sufficient excuses would be forth- 
 coming, were you pushed to justify service to the devil." 
 
 *' We suffer for the church," was the Abbot's answer, 
 after taking a bumper in obedience to a signal from his 
 host. *' We hold it to be commendable to struggle with 
 the flesh, that our altars may flourish." 
 
 As soon as executed, the two deeds had been placed on 
 a high and curiously wrought vessel of silver, that con- 
 tained cordials, and which occupied the centre of the 
 board, and more fitting cups having been brought, the 
 combatants were compelled to swallow draught after 
 draught, at signals from Emicli, who, like a true knight, 
 saw that each man showed loyalty. But, as tiie conflict 
 was between men of great experience in this species of 
 contention, and as it endured hours, we deem it unworthy 
 of the theme to limit its description to a single chapter. 
 Before closing the page, however, we shall digress for a 
 UKMiicnt, in order to express our opinions concerning the 
 great human {)roperties involved in this sublime strife. 
 
 It has been the singular fortune oi America to be the 
 source of numberless ingenious theories, that, taking their 
 rise in the other hcmisf^hcre, have been let loose upon the 
 world to answer ends that we shall not stop t(j investigate. 
 The dignified and beneficed prelate maintains there is no 
 worship of G(jd within our land, ])robably becnuse there 
 are no dignified and beneficed ])re1ates ; a sufficiently logi- 
 cal conclusion for all who believe in the efficacy of that 
 self-denying class of Christians ; while the neophvte, in 
 some lately invented religion, denounces us all in a body, 
 as so many miserable bigots devoted to Christ ! In this 
 manner is a ])ains-taking and |)lain-dealing nation of near 
 fcnuteen millicms of souls ke|)t, as it were, in abeyance in 
 the opinions of the rest of mankind, one deeming tiiem as 
 much beyond, as another fancies them to be short of, truth. 
 In the fearfid catalogue of our deadly sins, is included a 
 propensity to indulge in excesses similar to that it is now 
 our office to record. As we are confessedlv democrats, 
 dram-drinking in particular has been pronounced to be a 
 "democratic vice." 
 
 It has been our fortune to have lived in familiarity with 
 a greater variety of men, either considered in reference to 
 
94 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 their characters or their conditions, than ordinarily (alls to 
 the lot of any one person. We have visited many lands, 
 not in the capacity of a courier, but staidly and soberly, as 
 becomes a grave occupation, setting up our household 
 gods, and abiding long enough to see with our eyes and to 
 hear with our ears ; and we feel emboldened to presume 
 on these facts, in order to express a different opinion, amid 
 the flood of assertions that has been made by those who 
 certainly have no better claim to be heard. And, firstly, 
 we shall here say that, as in the course of justice, an in- 
 telligent, upright, single-minded, and discriminating wit- 
 ness is, perhaps, the rarest of all desirable instruments in 
 effecting its sacred ends, so do we acknowledge a traveller, 
 entitled to full credit, to be the mortal of all others tlie 
 least likely to be found. 
 
 Tiie art of travelling, we apprehend, is far more prac- 
 tised than understood. To us it has proved a laborious, 
 harassing, puzzling, and oftentimes a painful pursuit. To 
 divest one's self of impressions made in youth ; to investi- 
 gate facts without referring their merits to a standard bot- 
 t(micd on a foundation no better than habit ; to analyze, 
 and justly to compare the influence of institutions, climate, 
 natural causes, and practice ; to separate what is merely 
 exception from that which forms the rule ; or even to ob- 
 tain and carry away accurate notions of physical things, 
 and, most of all, to possess the gift of imparting these re- 
 sults comprehensively and with graphical truth, requires 
 a combination of time, occasion, previous knowledge, and 
 natural ability, that rarely falls to the lot oi a single in- 
 dividual. One assumes the task prepared by acquaintance 
 with established opinions, which are commonly no more 
 than prejudices, the result of either policy, or of the very 
 difficulties just enumerated ; and he goes on his way, not 
 only ready but anxious to receive the proofs of what he 
 expects, limiting his pleasure to the sort of delight, that 
 dependent minds feel in following the course pointed out 
 by those that are superior. As the admitted peculiarities 
 of every people are sufficiently apparent, he converts self- 
 evident facts into collateral testimony, and faithfully be- 
 lieves and imagines all that is concealed on the strength 
 of that which is obvious. For such a traveller time wears 
 away men and things in vain ; he accords his belief to the 
 last standard opinion of his sect, with a devotion to con- 
 vention that might purchase salvation in a better cause. 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER, 95 
 
 To him Vesuvius is just as high, produces the same effect 
 in the view, and has exactly the same outline as before the 
 crater fell ; and he watches the workmen disinterring a 
 house at its base, and goes away rejoicing at having wit- 
 nessed the resurrection of a Roman dwelling after eighteen 
 hundred years of interment, simply because it is the vul- 
 gar account that Pompeii was lost for that period. If lie 
 should happen to be a scholar, what is his delight in fol- 
 lowing a cicerone (a title assumed by some wily scrviiore 
 di Piazza) to the little garden that overlooks the Roman 
 Forum, and in fancying that lie stands upon the Tarpeian 
 Rock ! His faith in moral qualities, his graduation of 
 national virtue, and his views of manners, are equally the 
 captives of the last popular rumor. A Frenchman may 
 roll incontinently in \\\q ^^7'as de Paris, filled with an nlco- 
 h(jl inllammable as gunpowder, and in his eyes it shall 
 pass for pure animal light-heartedness, since it is out of 
 all rule for a Frenchman to be intoxicated, while the 
 veriest tyro knows that the nation dances to a man ! Tlie 
 gallant general, the worshipful alderman, the right hon- 
 orable adviser of the king, may stammer around a subject 
 for half an hour, in St. Stephen's, in a manner to confound 
 all conclusion, and generalize so completely as to bnflle 
 particularity, and vour hearer shall go away convinced of 
 the excellence of the great school of modern eloquence, 
 because the orator has been brought up at the "feet of 
 Gamaliel." When one thoroughly imbued with this pliant 
 faculty, gets into a foreign land, with what a diminished 
 reverence for his own does he journey ! As few men arc 
 end(3wed with sufficient penetration to pierce the mists of 
 received opinion, fewer still are they that are so strong in 
 right as to be able to stem its tide. He who precedes his 
 age is much less likely to be lieard, than he who lingers in 
 its rear : and when the unwieldy body of tlie mass reaches 
 the eminence on which he has long stood the object of 
 free comment, it may be assumed as certain, that they who 
 were his bitterest deriders when his doctrine was new, will 
 be foremost in claiming the honors of the advance. In 
 short, to instruct the world, it is necessary to watch the 
 ciuTcnt, and t(i act on the public mind like the unseen rud- 
 der, by slight and imperceptible variations, avoiding, as 
 a seaman wcndd express it, any very rank sheer, lest the 
 vessel should refuse to mind her helm and go down with 
 the stream. 
 
96 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 We have been led into these reflections, by frequent op- 
 portunities of witnessing the facility with which opinions 
 are adopted concerning ourselves, because they have come 
 from the pens of those who have long contributed to amuse 
 and instruct us, but which are perfectly valueless, both 
 from the unavoidable ignorance of those who utter them, 
 and from the hostile motives that gave them birth. To that 
 class which would wish to put in a claim to bon ion, by 
 undervaluing their countrymen, we have nothing to say, 
 since they are much beyond improvement, and are quite 
 unable to understand all the high and glorious conse- 
 quences dependent on the great principles of which this 
 republic is the guardian. Their fate was long since settled 
 by a permanent and wise provision of human feeling ; but, 
 presuming on the opportunities mentioned, and long habits 
 of earnest observation in the two hemispheres, we shall 
 conclude this digression by merely adding, that it is the 
 misfortune of man to abuse the gifts of God, let him live 
 in what country or under what institutions he may. Ex- 
 cess of the description in question is the failing of every 
 people, nearly in proportion to their means ; nor are there 
 any certain preventives against a vice so destructive, but 
 absolute want, or a high cultivation of the reasoning facul- 
 ties. 
 
 He who has accurately ascertained how far the people 
 of this republic are behind or before the inhabitants of 
 other lands, in mental improvement and moral qualities, 
 will not be far from the truth in assigning to them a cor- 
 respondent place in the scale of sobriety. It is true that 
 many foreigners will be ready enough to deny this position, 
 but we have had abundant opportunities of observing, that 
 all those who visit our shores do not come sufficiently pre- 
 pared, by observation at home, to make just comparisons, 
 and what we have here said has not been ventured with- 
 out years of close and honest investigation. We shall 
 gladly hail the day when it can be said, that not an Ameri- 
 can exists, so lost to himself as to trifle with the noblest 
 gift of the Creator ; but we cannot see the expediency of 
 attaining an end, desirable even as this, by the concession 
 of premises that are false. 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER, 97 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 ** What a thrice-double ass 
 Was I, to take this drunkard for a god !" — Caliban. 
 
 Physical qualities are always prized in proportion to the 
 value that is attached to those that are purely intellectual. 
 So long as power and honor depend on the possession of 
 brute force, strength and agility are endowments of the 
 last importance, on the same principle that they render the 
 tumbler of more account in his troop ; and he who has 
 ever had occasion to mingle much with the brave, and sub- 
 ject to a qualification that will readily be understood, we 
 might add, the noble savages of this continent, will have 
 remarked that, while the orators are in general a class who 
 have cultivated their art for want of qualifications to excel 
 in that which is deemed still more honorable, the first re- 
 quisite in the warrior is statiii"e and muscle. There exists 
 a curious document to prove how much even their success- 
 ors, a people in no degree deficient in acuteness, have been 
 subject to a similar influence. We allude to a register that 
 was made of the thews and sinews among the chiefs of the 
 army of Wasliington, during the moment of inaction that 
 preceded the recognition of Independence. By this report 
 it would seem, that the animal entered somewliat into the 
 ideas of our fathers, when they made their original selec- 
 tion of leaders, a circumstance that we attribute to the 
 veneration tiiat man is secretly disposed to show to physi- 
 cal perfection, until a better training and experience have 
 taught him there is still a superior power. Our first im- 
 pressions are almost always received through the senses, 
 and the connexion between martial prowess and animal 
 force seems so natural, that we ought not to be surprised 
 that a people so peaceful and unpractised, in their sim- 
 plicity, betrayed a little of this deference to appearances. 
 Happily, if they sometimes put matter into stations which 
 would have been better filled by mind, the lionesty and 
 zeal that were so general in the patriotic ranks carried the 
 coiuitry through in triumj^h. 
 
 It was a conscqu(;nce of the liigh favor enjo3'ed by all 
 manly or physical ([ualities in the sixteenth century, that 
 men were even prized for their excesses. Thus he who 
 
 7 
 
98 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 could longest resist the influence of liquor was deemed, in 
 a more limited sense, as much a hero as he who swung the 
 heaviest mace, or pointed the surest cannon in battle. The 
 debauch in which the Abbot of Limburg and his neighbor 
 Emich of Leiningen, were now engaged, was one of no 
 unusual nature ; for, in a country in which prelates ap- 
 peared in so many other doubtful characters, it should not 
 excite surprise that some of the class were willing to en- 
 gage in a strife that had little danger, while it was so 
 highly in favor with the noble and the great. 
 
 The reader will have seen that great progress had been 
 made towards the issue of the celebrated encounter it is 
 our duty to relate, even before its precise object had been 
 formally introduced among the contending parties. But 
 while the monks came to the struggle apprized of its mo- 
 tive, and prepared at all points to maintain the reputation 
 of their ancient and hospitable brotherhood, the Count of 
 Leiningen, with a sullen reliance on his own powers, that 
 was somewhat increased by his contempt for priestcraft, 
 had neglected to bestow the same care on his auxiliaries. 
 It is scarcely necessary to add that both the Abbe and the 
 Knight of Rhodes had become heated to garrulousness, 
 before they perfectly understood the nature of the service 
 that was expected at their hands, or, we ought rather to 
 say, of their heads. With this explanation we shall resume 
 the narrative, taking up its thread some two hours later 
 than the moment when it was last dropped. 
 
 At this particular juncture of the strife, Fathers Sieg- 
 fried and Cuno had become thoroughly warmed with their 
 endeavors, and habitual and profound respect for the Ab- 
 bot was gradually giving way before the quickening cur- 
 rents of their blood. The eyes of the former glistened 
 with a species of forensic ferocity, for he was ardently en- 
 gaged on a controversial point with Albrecht of Vieder- 
 bach, all of whose faculties appeared to be rapidly exhaling 
 with his potations. The other Benedictine and the Abbe 
 from time to time mingled in the dispute, in the character 
 of seconds, while the two most interested in tiie issue sat, 
 warily collecting their powers, and sternly regarding eacli 
 other, like men who knew they were not engaged in idle 
 sport. 
 
 "This is well, with thy tales of LTsle Adam, and the 
 Ottoman power," continued Father Siegfried, pursuing th* 
 discourse from a point, beyond which we consider it uo 
 
THE HEJDENMAUER. 99 
 
 necessary to record all that passed — *' This will do to re- 
 peat to the dames of our German courts, for the journey 
 between tliese Rhenish plains and yonder island of Rhodes 
 is far, and few are inclined to make it, in order to convict 
 thy chiefs of neglect, or their sworn followers of forgetful- 
 ness of their vows." 
 
 " By the quality of my order ! reverend Benedictine, 
 thou pushest words to unseemliness! Is it not enough, 
 that the chosen and the gentlest of Europe should devote 
 soul and body to services that would better become thy 
 lazy order — that all that is noble and brave should aban- 
 don the green fields and pleasant rivers of their native 
 lands, to endure hot suns and sultry winds from Africa, in 
 order to keep the unbeliever in his limits, but they must 
 be taunted with gibes like these ? Go, count the graves 
 and number the living, if thou wouldst learn the manner 
 in which our illustrious master held out against Solyman, 
 or wouldst know the services of his knights ! " 
 
 " It would sound ill in thy ears, were I to bid thee enter 
 purgatory, to inquire into the fruits of our masses and 
 prayers, and yet one and the other are equally easy to per- 
 form. Thou knowest well, that Rhodes is no longer a 
 Christian island, and that none bearing the cross dare 
 be seen on its shores. Go to, Count Albrecht, thy order is 
 fallen into disuse, and it is better where it is, hid beneath 
 the snowy mountains of the country of Nice, than it might 
 be in the front ranks of Christendom. There is not a crone 
 in Germany that does not bewail the backsliding of an or- 
 der so esteemed of old, or a maiden that does not speak 
 lightly of its deeds!" 
 
 "Heavenly patience! hcarest thou this. Monsieur La- 
 touche ? and from the mouth of a chanting Benedictine, 
 who passeth his days between safe walls of stone, here in 
 the heart of the Palatinate, and his nights on a warm pallet, 
 beyond sound even of the rushing winds, unless, in sooth, 
 he be not sent on offices of midnight charity among the 
 believing wives (jf the faithful!" 
 
 '* B(jy ! dost presume to scandalize the Church, and dare 
 its anger?" demanded Bonifacius, in a voice of thunder. 
 
 "Reverend Abbot," answered Albrecht, crossing him- 
 self, iox habit and policy ccpially held liim subject to the 
 predominant authority of the age, "the liltle I say is more 
 directed to the man than to his cloth." 
 
 " Let him give utterance to all he fancies," interrupted 
 
loo THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 the wily Siegfried. " Is not a knight of Rhodes immacu- 
 late, and shall we refuse him right of speech ? " 
 
 " It is held at the court of tiie chivalrous Valois," ob- 
 served the Abbe, who perceived it was necessary to inter- 
 fere, in order to preserve the peace, "that the defence of 
 Rhodes was of exceeding valor, and few survived it, who 
 did not meet with high honors from Christian hands. We 
 have seen numberless of the brave knights among us, in 
 the most esteemed houses of Paris, and at the merry castle 
 of Fontainebleau, and believe me, none were more sought 
 or better honored. The scars of even Marignano and of 
 Pavia are less prized than those given by the hands of the 
 infidel." 
 
 " Thou dost well, my learned and self-denying brother," 
 answered Siegfried, with a sneer, '' to remind us of the 
 fight of Pavia, and of thy great master's present abode ! 
 Are these tidings of late from the Castiles, or is it not 
 permitted to thy prince to dispatch couriers to his own 
 capital ? " 
 
 " Nay, reverend monk, thou pressest with unkind allu- 
 sions, and forgettest that, like thee, we are both servitors 
 of the Church." 
 
 " We count thee not — one nor the other. Martyred St. 
 Peter ! what would become of thy keys were they intrust- 
 ed to the keeping of such hands I — Go, doff thy vanities — 
 lay aside that attire of velvet, if though wouldst be known 
 as of the flock." 
 
 " Master Latouche," exclaimed Emich, who w^as boiling 
 with indignation, but who preserved his self-command in 
 order to circulate the cups, and to see that each man did 
 true service in the prescribed contest, " tell him of liis 
 brother of Wittenberg, and of these late doings in the 
 hive. • Stick that thorn into his side, and thou shalt see 
 him shrink like a jaded and galled steed under a pointed 
 spur ! Who art thou, and why dost thou disturb my 
 pleasures ? " 
 
 This sudden interruption of himself was addressed by 
 the baron to a youth, in neat but modest attire, who had 
 just entered the banqueting-room, and wiio, passing by the 
 menial that filled the glasses at the beck of his master's 
 hand, now stood, with a firm but respectful mien, at the 
 elbow of the speaker. 
 
 "'Tis Berchthold, my lord's forester. They bid me come 
 to do your pleasure, noble Count." 
 
THE I/KIDEXMAUER. loi 
 
 " Thou art seasonably arrived to keep the peace between 
 a sworn knight of Rhodes and a garrulous monk of Lim- 
 burg. Tliis reverend Abbot would do thee favor, boy." 
 
 Berchthold bowed respectfully, and turned towards the 
 prelate. 
 
 " Thou art the orphan of our ancient liegeman, he who 
 bore thy name, and was well esteemed among the towns- 
 men of Duerckheim ?" 
 
 " I am the son of him your reverence means, but that 
 he was liegeman of any of Limburg, I deny." 
 
 '' Bravely answered, boy!" shouted Emich, striking his 
 fist on the table so hard as to threaten destruction to all it 
 held : " Aye, and as becomes thy master's follower! Hast 
 enough. Father Bonifacius, or wilt dip deeper into the 
 youth's catechism ? " 
 
 " The young man has been tutored to respect his pres- 
 ent ease," returned the Abbot, affecting indifference 
 equally to the exultation of the Count and to the disre- 
 spect of his forester. " When he next comes to our con- 
 fessionals, there will be occasion to give him other school- 
 
 ing." 
 
 "God's truth! that hour may never happen. We are 
 half disposed to live on in our sins, and to take soldier's fort- 
 une, in these stirring times, which is ever the chance of 
 sudden death, without the Church's passport. We are fast 
 getting of this mind — are we not, brave Berchthold ? " 
 
 The youth bowed respectfully, but without answering, 
 for he saw by the inflamed countenances and swimming 
 eyes of all at the table, that the moment was one in which 
 explanations would be useless. Had it been possible to 
 doubt the cause of the scene he witnessed, the manner in 
 which glass after glass was swallowed, at the will of the 
 cup-bearer, wcnild have explained its nature. But, far ad- 
 vanced as Father Bonifacius had now become in inebriety, 
 in common with the other guests, he retained enough of 
 his faculties, to see that the words of Emich contained an 
 allusion of a dangerously heretical character. 
 
 "Thou art resolved to despise our counsel and our warn- 
 ings!" he exclaimed, glancing fiercely at one and the 
 other. " 'Twere better to say at once, that thy wish is to 
 sec the walls of Limburg Abbey lying on the side of Lim- 
 burg hill." 
 
 " Nay, reverend and honored priest, thou pushcst a few 
 hasty words beyond their meaning. What is it to a Count 
 
I02 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 of the noble house of Leiningen, that a few monks find 
 shelter for their heads, and ease for their souls, beneath a 
 consecrated roof within cannon-shot of his own towers. If 
 thy walls do not tumble until hand of mine helps to unset- 
 tle them, they may stand till the fallen x\ngel that set them 
 up, shall aid in their overthrow. Truly, Father Bonifacius, 
 for a godly community, this tale of thy sanctuary's origin 
 makes it of none of the best parentage ! " 
 
 " Hear ye that ! " sputtered Albrecht of Viederbach, 
 who, though his tongue had continued to sound a sort of 
 irregular accompaniment to his cousin's speeciies, was 
 no longer able to articulate clearly — " Hear ye that! imp 
 of St. Benedict ! The devil set ye up, and the devil will 
 be your downfall. L'Isle Adam is a saint to thy holiest ; 
 and his— good — sword " 
 
 At this word, the Knight of Rhodes succumbed, losing 
 Ins balance in an animated effort to gesticulate, and fairly 
 falling under the table, A sarcastic smile crossed the Ab- 
 bot's face, at this overthrow of one of his adversaries, while 
 Emich scowled in disdain at the ignoble exhibition made 
 by his kinsman ; who, finding it impossible to rise, re- 
 signed himself to sleep on the spot where he had fallen. 
 
 " Swallow thy Rhenish, monk, and count not on the slight 
 advantage thou hast got in the overthrow of that prating 
 fool," said the host, whose tones grew less and less ami- 
 cable, as the plot thickened — " But to a more fitting sub- 
 ject ; Berchthold is worthy of his lord, and is a youth that 
 thinks of things as things appear. We may quit thy con- 
 fessionals for divers reasons, as thou knowest. Here is the 
 Monk of Erfurth ! Ha ! what think you of his new teach- 
 ing, and of the manner in which he advises the faithful to 
 come to the altar ? You have had him at Rome, and at 
 Worms, and among ye in many councils, yet the honest 
 man stands fast in all reasonable opinions. Thou hast heard 
 of Luther, is it not so, young Berchthold ? " 
 
 *' 'Tis certain, my Lord Count, that few in the Jaerger- 
 thal escape the tidings of his name." 
 
 " Then are they in danger of a most damnable heresy ! " 
 interrupted Bonifacius, in a voice of thunder. "Why tell 
 me of this driveller of Erfurth, Lord Emich, if thou art 
 not in secret praying that his rebellious wishes may pros- 
 per at the Church's cost! But we mark thee, irreverent 
 Count, and hard and griping penance may yet purge thee 
 of these prurient fancies — " Here the Abbot, inflamed as 
 
THE IIK/DE.VMA rEA\ 
 
 iP3 
 
 he was with wine and resentment, paused ; for the silent 
 monk, Father Cuno, fell from his seat like a soldier shot 
 in battle ; the simple inferior having entered into the trial 
 of heads, more with a relish for the liquor than with any- 
 thought of victory, and having, in consequence, done so 
 much honor to the potations, as to become an easy sacri- 
 fice to the common enemy. The Abbot looked at his pros- 
 trate follower with grim indifference, showing by his hard, 
 scowling, and angry eye, that he deemed the loss of little 
 moment to the main result. " What matters the impo- 
 tency of a fool ! " he muttered, turning away to his princi- 
 pal and only dangerous opponent, with a full return of all 
 his angry feelings : — " Tliat the devils are suffered to gain 
 a momentary and specious triumph, we are well aware, 
 Baron of Hartenburg " 
 
 "By my father's bones, proud priest, but thou strangely 
 forgettest thyself! Am I not a prince of Leiningen, that 
 one of the cowl should please to call me less ? " 
 
 " I should have said the Summer Landgrave ! " answered 
 Bonifacius sneeringly, for long-smothered hatred was 
 beginning to break through the feeble barriers that their 
 reeling faculties still preserv^ed. " I crave pardon of your 
 highness ; but a short reign leaves brief recollections. 
 Even thy subjects, illustrious Emich, may be forgiven, that 
 they know not their sovereign's title. The coronet that is 
 worn from June to September scarce gets the fit of the 
 head ! " 
 
 " It was worn longer, Abbot, than ever head of thine will 
 wear a saintly crown. But I forget my ancient house, and 
 the forbearance due to a guest, in honest anger at an artful 
 and malignant monk !" 
 
 Bonifacius bowed with seeming composure, and while 
 each appeared to recover his moderation, in a misty recol- 
 lection of the true affair in hand, the dialogue between the 
 Abbe and Father Siegfried, which iiad been drowned by 
 the stentorian lungs (jf the principal disputants, broke out 
 in the momentary pause. 
 
 "Thou sayest true, reverend father," said the former, 
 "but were our fair and sprigiitly dames of France to per- 
 f(jrm these pilgrimages to distant shrines, of which thou 
 spcakest, rude treatment in the wayfaring, evil company, 
 and, haply, designing confessors, migiu tarnish the present 
 lustre of their graces, and leave them less ornaments to 
 our brilliant and gallant court than they at present prove. 
 
I04 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 No, I espouse no such dangerous opinions, but endeavor, 
 by gentle persuasion and courtly arguments, to lead their 
 precious souls nearer to the heaven they so well merit, 
 and which it were scarce impious to say they will so rarely 
 become." 
 
 *'This may be well for the towering fancies of thy 
 French imaginations, but our slower German minds must 
 be dealt with differently. By the mass! I would give little 
 for the success of the confessor, that should deal only in 
 persuasive and gentle discourse ! Here, we throw our 
 manifold hints of damnation, in plainer speech." 
 
 " I condemn no usage on speculation, Benedictine ; but 
 truly this directness of condemnation would be thought 
 indecorous in our more refined presences. As yet, thou 
 wilt acknowledge, we are less tainted with heresies than 
 thy northern courts." 
 
 Here the deep voice of Emich, who had recovered a 
 little self-command, again drowned the by-play of the 
 subordinates. 
 
 *' We are not children, most reverend Bonifacius," he re- 
 sumed, " to irritate ourselves with names. That I have been 
 denied the honors and rights of my birth and line, for one 
 come of no direct descent, is admitted ; but let it be for- 
 gotten. Thou art welcome to my board, and there is no 
 dignitary of the church, or of thy brotherhood, that I es- 
 teem more than thee and thine, within a hard ride of these 
 towers. Let us be friends, holy Abbot, and drink to our 
 loving graces." 
 
 '* Count Emich, I pledge thee, and pray for thee, as thou 
 meritest. If there have been misunderstandings between 
 our convent and thy house, they have come of the mis- 
 guiding of the devil. We are a peaceful community, and 
 one given more to prayer and a just hospitality than to 
 any grasping desire to enrich our coffers." 
 
 " On these points we will not dwell, father, for it is not 
 easy for baron and abbot, layman and priest, to see at all 
 times with the same eyes. I would that this question of 
 authority in Duerckheim were fairly disposed of, that there 
 might always be good neighborhood in the valley. Our 
 hills shut in no wide plain, like yon of the river, that we 
 must needs turn the little level land we have into a battle- 
 ground. By the mass, most holy Abbot, but thou wouldst 
 do well to dismiss the Elector's troops, and trust this mat- 
 ter between us to gentle and friendly argument." 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 105 
 
 ** If it were the last prnyer I uttered before passing into 
 the fruition of a self-denying and holy life, princely Emich, 
 thy wish should not want support ! Have we not often 
 professed a willingness to refer the question to the Holy 
 Father, or any other high church authority, that can fit- 
 tingly take cognizance of so knotty a point. Less than 
 this arbitration would scarce become our apostolic mis- 
 sion." 
 
 '' God's truth ! mein Herr Wilhclm, but ye are too 
 grasping for those who mortify the flesh ! Is it meet, I 
 ask ye, that a goodly number of valiant and pains-taking 
 burghers should be led by shaven crowns in the day of 
 strife, in fair and foul, evil and good, like so many worth- 
 less women, who, having lived in the idleness and vanities 
 of gossip and backbiting, are fain to hope that their sex's 
 sins may be hid beneath a monk's frock ? Give me up, 
 therefore, this question of Duerckheim, and certain other 
 rights that might be fairly written out, and the saints in 
 Paradise shall not live in more harmony than we of the 
 Jaegerthal." 
 
 "Truly, Lord Emich, the means of fitting us for the 
 heavenly state thou namest have not been forgotten, since 
 thou hast made a purgatory of the valley these many years 
 
 " By the mass, priest, thou again pushest thy remarks 
 beyond discreet speech ! In what manner have I done 
 aught to bring this scandal on the neighborhood, beyond 
 a mere forctlunight to mine own interest. Hast thou not 
 (jpened thy abbey-gates to receive armed and irreligious 
 men ? — are not thy ears hourly wounded by rude oaths, 
 and thy eyes affronted by sights tliat should be thought 
 unseemly in a sanctuary ? — \ay, that tluui maycst not 
 suppose I am ignorant of thy hidden intentions, do not the 
 armed bands of Duke Friedrichlie at watch, this very mo- 
 ment, within thy cloisters?" 
 
 " We have a just caution oi our riglits and cjf the churcli's 
 honor," answered Bonifacius, who scarce endeavored to 
 conceal the contemi)tuous smile the question excited. 
 
 " Believe me, Abbot of Limburg, so far from being the 
 enemy of our holy religion, I am its sworn friend ; else 
 should I long since have joined the proselytes of this 
 brother Luther, and have done thee harm openly." 
 
 " 'Twere better than to pray at our altars by day, and to 
 plot their fall at night." 
 
io6 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 " I swear by the life of the Emperor that thou urgest 
 me too far, haughty priest ! " 
 
 The clamor created by the Abbe and Father Siegfried 
 here caused the two principal speakers to direct their at- 
 tention, for the moment, to the secondary combatants. 
 From a courtly dispute, the argument had got to be so con- 
 fused and warm, between the latter, that each raised his 
 voice in a vain endeavor to drown that of his adversary. 
 It was but an instant before the whirling senses of M. 
 Latouche, who had only maintained his present place in 
 the debauch by fraud, gave way to so rude an assault, and 
 he staggered to a settee, where, gesticulating wildly, he soon 
 sunk at his length, unable to lift his head. Father Siegfried 
 witnessed the retreat of his mercurial foe with a grin of 
 exultation ; then he raised a ferocious shout, which, coming 
 from lungs that had so lately chanted to the honor of God, 
 caused the young Berchthold to sluidder with horror. But 
 the glazed eyes of the monk, and his failing countenance, 
 betrayed an inability to endure more. After staring wild- 
 ly about him, with the unmeaning idiocy of a drunkard, 
 he settled himself in his chair, and closed his eyes in the 
 heavy sleep that nature unwillingly furnishes to those who 
 abuse her gifts. 
 
 The Abbot and the Count witnessed the manner in 
 which their respective seconds were thus put hors de combat ^ 
 in sullen silence. Their growing w^armth, and the feelings 
 excited by the mention of their several grievances, had in- 
 sensibly drawn their attention from the progress of the 
 contest, but each now regained a certain glimpse of its 
 nature and of its results ; the recollection served to recall 
 the temper of both, for they were too well practised in 
 these scenes not to understand the value of presence of 
 mind in maintaining the command of their faculties. 
 
 " Our brother Siegfried hath yielded to the frailties of 
 nature, noble Emich," resumed Boniface, smiling as plac- 
 idly on his remaining companion, as flushed features and 
 a heated eye would permit. " The flesh of priest can en- 
 dure no more than that of layman, else would he have seen 
 thy flasks drained of the last drop, for better intention 
 never filled grateful heart, in doing honor to the gifts of 
 Providence." 
 
 " Aye, thou passest thy debauches to the account of this 
 subtilty, while we of the sword. Master Abbot, sin to-night, 
 and ask forgiveness to-morrow, without other pretence 
 
THE HEIDEXMA UER. 
 
 107 
 
 than our pleasures. But the hood of a monk is a mask, 
 and he who wears it thinks he hath a right to the benefit of 
 the disguise. I would I knew, to a bodice, the number of 
 burghers' wives thou hast shrived since Corpus Domini ! " 
 
 *'Jest not wdth the secrets of the confessional, Count 
 Emich ; the subject is too sacred for profane tongues. 
 There has been bitter penance for greater than thou ! " 
 
 ''Nay, mistake me not, holy Abbot," returned the baron, 
 hurriedly crossing himself; "but your bold talkers say 
 there is discontent in Duerckheim on this point, and I 
 deem it friendly to communicate the accusations of the 
 enemy. This is a moment in which our German monks 
 are in danger ; for, in sooth, thy brother of Erfurth is no 
 driveller in his cry against Rome." 
 
 The eye of FatherBoniface flashed fire, for none are so 
 quick to meet, or so violent to resent attacks, on what they 
 consider their rights, as those who have long been per- 
 mitted to enjoy monopolies, however frail or unjust may 
 be the tenure of their possession. 
 
 " In thy heart, rude Emich, thou clingest to the 
 heresy ! " he said ; " Beware, in what manner thou castest 
 the weight of thy example and name into tlie scale against 
 the commands of God and the authority of the Church ! 
 As for this Luther, a backsliding wretch, that unquiet 
 ambition and love for a professed but misguided nun, 
 having urged to rebellion, the devils are rejoicing in his 
 iniquity, and imps of darkness stand ready to riot in his 
 final and irretrievable fall." 
 
 " By the mass ! Father, to a plain soldier it seemeth bet- 
 ter to wive the sister honestly, than to give all this scandal 
 in Duerckheim, and otherwise to do violence to the peace 
 of families on the fair plains of the Palatinate. If Brother 
 Luther hath done no more than thou sayest here, he hath 
 fairly cheated Satan, which is what thy community did of 
 old, when it got the evil spirit to aid in raising thy chapel, 
 and then, with no great regard to a debtor's obligations, 
 sent him away penniless." 
 
 "Were the truth known, Emich, I fear it would be found 
 that thou hast faitii in this silly legend !" 
 
 " If thou hast not outwitted the devil, priest, it hath 
 been that his prudence hatli kept him from bargaining 
 with those he knows to be his betters in cunning. IJy tlie 
 rood ! 'twas a bold spirit that would grapple, wit to wit, 
 with the monks of Limburij ! " 
 
 O 
 
io8 THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 Disdain kept the Abbot from answering, for he was too 
 superior to vulgar tradition to feel even resentment at an 
 imputation of this kind. His host perceived that he 
 was losing ground, and he began to see, by the manner in 
 which his senses were slowly receding, that he was in im- 
 minent danger of forfeiting the important stake that now 
 depended wholly on his powers of endurance. The Abbot 
 had a well-earned reputation of having the strongest head 
 of all the churchmen of the Palatinate, and Count Emich, 
 who was nowise wanting in physical excellence of this 
 sort, began to feel that species of failing which is com- 
 monly the forerunner, as it is often the cause, of defeat. 
 He swallowed bumper after bumper, with a reckless de- 
 sire to overwhelm his antagonist, without thought of the 
 inroads that he was producing on his own faculties. Boni- 
 facius, who saw and felt his superiority, willingly in- 
 dulged his antagonist in this feverish desire to drive the 
 struggle to a premature issue, and several glasses were 
 taken in a sort of sullen defiance, without a syllable issu- 
 ing from the lips of either. In this strait, the Count 
 turned his swimming eyes towards the attendants, in a 
 vague hope that they who served liim so faithfully on 
 ordinary occasions, might aid him in the present desperate 
 emergency. 
 
 Young Berchthold Hintermayer stood near his lord, in 
 respectful attendance on his pleasure, for habit prevented 
 liim from withdrawing without an order. Enough had 
 fallen from the p^^rties in this singular contest to let him 
 into the secret of its object. He appeared to understand 
 the appeal, and advancing to do the office of cup-bearer, a 
 duty that in truth required some such interference, for he 
 who should have discharged it had been too diligently 
 imitating those at the board to be able any longer to 
 acquit himself with propriety of his functions. 
 
 " If my Lord Abbot would but relieve the passing 
 time," said Berchthold, as he poured out the wine, " by 
 descanting more at large on this heresy, he might be the 
 instrument of saving a doubting soul ; I freely confess, 
 that for one, I find much reason to distrust the faith of my 
 fathers." 
 
 This was attacking the Abbot on his weakest, not to say 
 his only vulnerable, point. 
 
 '* Thou shalt smart for this, bold boy ! " he cried, striking 
 the table with a clenched fist. " Thou harborest heresies, 
 
THE IIEIDEN'MAUER. 109 
 
 unfledged and paltry rcasoner on apostolic missions ! 'Tis 
 well — 'tis well — the impudent avowal is noted ! " 
 
 Emich made a sign of gratitude, for in his rage the priest 
 took a heavy draught, unconscious of what he was about. 
 
 "Nay, my lord, the most reverend Abbot will pardon 
 imprudent speech in one little gifted in knowledge of tliis 
 sort. Were it to strike a wild boar, or to stop a roebuck, 
 or haply to do harm to my master's enemies, this hand 
 might prove of some account ; but is it matter of fair sur- 
 prise that we of simple wit should be confounded, when 
 the most learned of Germany are at a loss what to believe ? 
 I liave heard it said, that Master Luther made noble answers 
 in all the councils, and wise bodies, in which he hath of 
 late appeared." 
 
 " He spoke with the tongue of Lucifer ! " roared the 
 Abbot, fairly frothing wnth the violence of ungovernable 
 rage. "Whence cometh this new and late-discovered re- 
 ligion ? Of what stock and root is it ? Why hath it been 
 so long hid, and where is its early history ? Doth it mount 
 to Peter and Paul, or is it the invention of modern arro- 
 gance and rank conceit ? " 
 
 " Nay, father, the same might be asked of Rome itself, 
 before Rome knew an apostle. The tree is not less a tree 
 after it hath been trimmed of its decayed branches, though 
 it may be more comely." 
 
 Father Bonifacius was both acute and learned, and, under 
 ordinary circumstances, even the monk of Wittenberg 
 might have found him a stubborn and subtle casuist ; but 
 in his actual condition, the most sophistical remark, if it 
 had but tlie aspect of reason, was likely to inflame liim. 
 Thus assailed, therefore, he exhibited an awful picture of 
 the ferocity of human passions when brutalized by indul- 
 gence. His eyes seemed starting from his head, his lips 
 quivered, and his tongue refused its functions. He was 
 now in the predicament in which the Count had so lately 
 stood ; and, though he foresaw the consequences, with the 
 desperation of an inebriated man, he sought the renewal 
 of liis forces in the very agent which had undermined them. 
 Count Emich himself was pnst intelligible utterance, but 
 eloquence not being his strongest arm, he still maintained 
 sufficient conmiand of his ])hysical powers to continue tiie 
 conflict. He flourished his hand in defiance, and muttered 
 words that seemed to breathe hatred and scorn. In this 
 manner did a noble of an illustrious and princely house, 
 
no THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 and a mitred prelate of the church, stand at bay, with little 
 oth':r consciousness of the existence of the nobler faculties 
 of their being than that connected with the common mer- 
 cenary object which had induced this trial of endurance. 
 
 " The Church's malediction on ye all ! " Boniface at 
 length succeeded in uttering : — then falling back in his el- 
 bowed and well-cushioned chair, he yielded his faculties to 
 the sinister influence of the liquor he had swallowed. 
 
 When Emich of Leiningen witnessed the overthrow of 
 his last antagonist, a gleam of intelligence and triumph 
 shot from beneath his shaggy brows. By a desperate 
 effort he raised himself, and stretching forth an arm, he 
 gained possession of the deed by which the community of 
 Limburg formally released its claims upon the products of 
 the disputed vineyards. Arising, with the air of one ac- 
 customed to command even in his cups, he signed for his 
 forester to approach, and aided by his young and nervous 
 arm, he tottered from the room, leaving tlie banqueting- 
 hall, like a deserted field, a revolting picture of human in- 
 firmity in its degradation and neglect. 
 
 As the Count fell heavily upon his couch, clad as he had 
 been at table, he shook the parchment towards his young 
 attendant, till the folds rattled. Then closing his eyes, his 
 deep and troubled breathing soon announced that the victor 
 of this debauch lay like the vanquished, unconscious, fever- 
 ish, and unmanned. 
 
 Thus terminated the well-known debauch of Harten- 
 burg, a feat of physical endurance on the part of the stout 
 baron who prevailed, that gained him little less renown 
 among the boon companions of the Palatinate than he 
 would have reaped from a victory in the field ; and which, 
 strange as it may now appear, derogated but little from 
 any of the qualities of the vanquished. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 "And from the latticed gallery came a chant 
 Of psalms, most saint-like, most angelical, 
 Verse after verse sung out most holily," — Rogers. 
 
 The succeeding day was the Sabbath. The morning of 
 the weekly festival was always announced to the peasants 
 of the Jaegcrthal with the usual summons to devotion. 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. in 
 
 The matin bell had been heard on the abbey walls, even 
 before the light penetrated to the bottom of the deep vale ; 
 and all the pious had bent, in common, wherever the 
 sounds happened to reach their ears, in praise and thanks- 
 giving. But as the hours wore on, a more elevated display 
 of Roman worship was prepared in the high mass, a cere- 
 mony addressed equally to the feelings and the senses. 
 
 The sun was fairly above the hills, and the season bland 
 to seduction. Tlie domestic cattle, relieved from their 
 weekly toil, basked against the hill-side, ruminating in con- 
 tentment, and filled with the quiet pleasures of their in- 
 stinct. Children gambolled before the cottage doors ; the 
 husbandman loitered, in the habiliments that had borne 
 the fashions of the Haard through many generations, re- 
 garding the silent growth of his crops, and the housewife 
 hurried from place to place, in the excitement of simple do- 
 mestic enjoyment. The month was the most grateful of the 
 twelve, and well filled with hopes. The grass had reached 
 its height, and was throwing out its exubera.nce, the corn 
 was filling fast, and the vine began to give forth its clus- 
 ters. 
 
 In the midst of this scene of rural tranquillity, the deep- 
 toned bells of the abbey called the llock to its usual fold. 
 Long practice had made the brotherhood of Limburg ex- 
 pert in all the duties that were necessary to the earthly 
 administration of their functions. Even the peals of tlie 
 bells were regulated and skilful. Note mournfully suc- 
 ceeded note, and there was not a silent dell, for miles, into 
 which the solemn call did not penetrate. Bells were heard 
 too from Duerckheim, and even from the wide plains be- 
 yond ; but none rose fuller upon the air, or came so sweet 
 and melancholy to the ear, as those which hung in the al;- 
 bcy towers. 
 
 Obedient to the summons, there was a gathering of all 
 in the valley towards the gate of Limburg. A crowd ap- 
 peared also in the direction of the gorge, for devotion, 
 superstition, or curiosity, never failed to attract a multi- 
 tude on these occasions, to witness mass in that celebrated 
 conventual chapel. Among the latter came equally tiie 
 skeptical and the believing, the young and the old, the fair 
 and her who deemed it ])ru(l(mt to shade a matronly coun- 
 tenance with the veil, the idle, the half-converted follower 
 of Luther, and the lover of music. It was customary for 
 one of the brothers to preach, when mass was ended ; and 
 
112 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 Limburg had many monks that were skilled in the subtle- 
 tics of the times, and some even who had names for elo- 
 quence. 
 
 With a management and coquetry that enter into most 
 human devices that are intended to act on our feelings, es- 
 pecially in matters that it is not thought sa,fe to confide 
 too much to naked reason, the peals of the bells were con- 
 tinued long, with a view to effect. As group after group 
 arrived, the court of the abliey slowly filled, until there 
 appeared a congregation sufficiently numerous to gratify 
 the self-love of even a clerical star of our own times. 
 There was mucli grave salutation among the different dig- 
 nitaries that were here assembled, for of all those who doff 
 the cap in courtesy, perhaps the German is the most 
 punctilious and respectful. As the neighboring city was 
 fully represented in this assembly of the religious and cu- 
 rious, there was also a profitable display of the duties that 
 are due to station. A herald might have obtained many 
 useful hints, had lie been there to note the different de- 
 grees of simple homage that were paid, from the Burgo- 
 master to the Bailiff. Among the variety of idle and ill- 
 digested remarks that are lavished on the American people 
 and their institutions, it is a received pleasantry to joke on 
 their attachment to official dignities. But he who has not 
 only seen, but observed both his own countrymen and 
 strangers, will have liad numberless occasions to remark 
 that this, like most similar strictures, is liable to the im- 
 putation of vapidity, and of being proof of a narrow obser- 
 vation. The functionary that is literally a servant of the 
 people, whatever may be his dispositions, can never tri- 
 umph over his masters ; and, thougli it be an honest and 
 commendable ambition to wish to be so distinguished, we 
 need only examine the institutions to see that in this, as 
 in most other similar circumstances, there is no strict an- 
 alogy between ourselves and European nations. The re- 
 mark has probably been made, because a respect for official 
 authority has been found among us, when there was the 
 expectation, and possibly the wish, to find anarchy. 
 
 At the high mass of Limburg there was more ceremony 
 observed in ushering the meanest village dignitary to his 
 place in the church than would be observed in conducting 
 the head of this great republic to the high station he 
 occupies ; and care was had, by an agent of the convent, 
 to see that no one should approach the altar of the Lord 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER, 113 
 
 of the Universe, witliout his receiving the deference lie 
 miglit claim in virtue of liis temporal rank ! Here, where 
 all appear in the temple as they must appear in their 
 graves, equals in dependence on divine support as they 
 are equals in frailty, it will not be easy to understand the 
 hardihood of sophistry which thus teaches humility and 
 penitence with the tongue, and invites to pride and pre- 
 sumption in the practice ; and which, when driven to a 
 reason for its conduct, defends itself against the accusation 
 of inconsistency by recriminating the charge of envy ! 
 
 There had been a suitable display of ceremony when 
 several functionaries of Duerckheim appeared, but the 
 strongest manifestation of respect was reserved for a burgh- 
 er, who did not enter the gates until the people were 
 assembled in the body of the church. This personage, a 
 man whose hair was just beginning to be gray, and whose 
 solid, vigorous frame denoted full healtli and an easy life, 
 came in the saddle ; for at the period of which we write, 
 there was a bridle path to the portal of Limburg. He was 
 accompanied by a female, seemingly his spouse, who rcjde 
 an ambling nag, bearing on the crupper a crone that clung 
 to her well-formed waist, with easy, domestic familiarity, 
 but like one unused to her seat. A fair-haired, rosy girl 
 sat the pillion of the father, and a serving-man, in a spe- 
 cies of official livery, closed the cavalcade. 
 
 Sundry of the more substantial citizens of Duerckheim 
 hastened to the reception of this little party, for it was 
 Heinrich Frey, with Meta, her mother, and Use, that came 
 unexpectedly to the mass of Limburg. The affluent and 
 flourishing citizen was ushered to the part of the church 
 or chapel, where especial chairs were reserved for such 
 casual visits of the neighboring functionaries, or for any 
 noble that devotion, or accident, might lead to worship at 
 the abbey's altars. 
 
 Heinrich Frey was a stout, hale, obstinate, sturdy burgh- 
 er, in whom prosperity had a little cooled benevolence, 
 but who, had he escaped the allurements of office and the 
 recollection of his own success, might liave passed through 
 life as one that was wanting in neither modesty nor hu- 
 manity. He was, in short, on a diminished scale, one of 
 those examples of desertion from the ranks of mankind 
 to the corps d'clite of the lucky, that we constantly wit- 
 ness among the worldly and fortunate. While a youth, he 
 had been sufficiently considerate for the burdens and 
 S 
 
114 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 difficulties of the unhappy ; but a marriage with a small 
 heiress, and subsequent successes, had gradually brought 
 him to a view of things that was more in unison with his 
 own particular interests, than it was either philosophical 
 or Christian-like. He was a firm believer in that dictum 
 which says none but the wealthy have sufiicient interest in 
 society to be intrusted with its control, though his own in- 
 stinct might liave detected the sophistry, since he was daily 
 vacillating between opposing principles, just as they hap- 
 pened to affect his own particular concerns. Heinrich 
 Frey gave freely to the mendicant, and to the industrious ; 
 but when it came to be a question of any serious meliora- 
 tion of the lot of either, he shook his head, in a manner 
 to imply a mysterious political economy, and uttered 
 shrewd remarks on the bases of society, and of things as 
 they w^ere established. In short, he lived in an age when 
 Germanv, and indeed all Christendom, was much agitated 
 by a question that was likely to unsettle not only the re- 
 ligion of the day, but divers other vested interests ; and 
 he might have been termed the chief of the conservative 
 party, in his own particular circle. These qualities, united 
 to his known wealth ; a reputation for high probity, which 
 was founded- on the belief that he was fully able to repair 
 any pecuniary wrong he might happen to commit ; a sturdy 
 maintenance of his own opiniuns, that passed with the 
 multitude for the consistency of rectitude ; and a perfect 
 fearlessness in deciding against all those who had not the 
 means of disputing his decrees, had procured for him the 
 honor of being the first Burgomaster of Duerckheim. 
 
 Were the countenance a certain index of the qualities 
 of the mind, a physiognomist might have been at a loss to 
 discover the motives which had induced Ulricka Hailtzin- 
 ger, not only the fairest but the wealthiest maiden of the 
 town, to unite herself in marriage w4th the man we have 
 just delineated. A mild, melanclioly, blue eye, that re- 
 tained Its lustre in despite of forty years, a better outline 
 of features than is common to the region in which she 
 dwelt, and a symmetry of arm and bust tiiat, on the other 
 liand, is rather peculiar to the natives of Germany, still 
 furnished sufficient evidence of the beauty for which she 
 must have been distinguished in early life. In addition 
 to these obvious and more vulgar attractions, the matronly 
 partner of Heinrich had an expression of feminine delica- 
 cy and intelligence, of elevated views, and even of mys-* 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 115 
 
 tcrious aspirations, which rendered her a woman that a 
 nice observer of nature might have loved to study — and 
 have studied to love. 
 
 In personal appearance, Meta was a copy of her mother, 
 engrafted on the more ruddy health and less abstracted 
 habits of the father. Her character will be sufficiently 
 developed as we proceed in the tale. We commit Use to 
 tlie reader's imagination, which w'ill readily conceive the 
 sort of attendant that has been introduced. 
 
 The Herr Heinrich did not take possession of his cus- 
 tomary post before the high altar, witliout causing the stir 
 and excitement among the simple peasants of the Jaeger- 
 thal, and the truant Duerckheimers who were present, that 
 became his condition in life. But even citv importance 
 cannot predominate for ever in the house of God, and the 
 bustle gradually subsiding, expectation began to take pre- 
 cedency of civic rank. 
 
 The Abbey of Limburg stood high among the religious 
 communities of the Rhine, for its internal decorations, its 
 wealth, and its hospitality. The chapel was justly deemed 
 a rare specimen of monastic taste, nor was it wanting in 
 most of those ornaments and decorations that render the 
 superior buildings, devoted to the service of the Church of 
 Rome, so imposing to the senses, and so pleasing to the 
 admirers of solemn effect. The building was vast, and, as 
 prevailed throughout that region and in the century of 
 which we write, sombre. It had numerous altars, rich in 
 marbles and pictures, each celebrated in the Palatinate for 
 the kind mediation of the particular saint to whom it was 
 dedicated, and each loaded with the vcjtive offerings of the 
 suppliant, or of the grateful. The walls and the nave were 
 painted al fresco^ not indeed with the pencil of Raphael, 
 or Buonorotti, but creditably, and in a manner to heighten 
 tlie beauty of the place. The choir was carved in high 
 relief, after a fashion much esteemed, and that was admi- 
 rably executed in tlie middle states of Europe, no less than 
 in Italy, and wliole Hocks of cherubs were seen poising on 
 the wing anjund the organ, the altar, and the tombs. The 
 latter were numerous, and indicated, by their magnificence, 
 that the bodies of those who had enjoyed the world's ad- 
 vantages slept within the hallowed precincts. 
 
 At length a docjr, communicating with tlie cloisters, 
 opened, and the monks appeared, walking in procession. 
 At their head came the Abbot, wearing his mitre, and 
 
ii6 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 adorned with the gorgeous robes of his ecclesiastical office. 
 Two priests, decorated for the duties of the altar, followed, 
 and then succeeded the professed and the assistants, in 
 pairs. The whole procession swept through the aisles in 
 stately silence ; and, after making the tour of most of the 
 church, paying homage and offering prayers at several of 
 the most honored altars, it passed into the choir. Father 
 Bonifacius was seated on his episcopal throne, and the rest 
 of the brotherhood occupied the glossy stalls reserved for 
 such occasions. During the march of the monks, the organ 
 breathed a low accompaniment, and, as they became sta- 
 tionary, its last strain died in the vaulted roof. At this 
 moment the clattering of horses' hoofs was audible with- 
 out, causing the startled and uneasy priests to suspend the 
 mass. The rattling of steel came next, and then the heavy 
 tread of armed heels was heard on the pavement of the 
 church itself. 
 
 Emich of Hartenburg came up the principal aisle, with 
 the steady front of one confident of his power, and claim- 
 ing deference. He was accompanied by his guests, the 
 Knight of Rhodes and Monsieur Latouche, while young 
 Berchthold Hinlermayer kept at his elbow, like one accus- 
 tomed to be in close attendance. A small train of un- 
 armed dependents brought up the rear. There was a seat 
 of honor, in the clioir itself, and near the master altar, to 
 which it was usual to admit princes and nobles of high 
 consideration. Passing through the crowd that had col- 
 lected at the railing of the choir, the Count inclined 
 towards one of the lateral aisles, and was soon face to face 
 with the Abbot. The latter arose, and slightly recognized 
 the presence of his guest, while the whole brotherhood 
 imitated his example, though with greater respect ; for, as 
 we have said, it was usual to pay this homage to worldly 
 rank, even in the temple. Emich seated himself, with a 
 scowl on his visage, while his two noble associates found 
 seats of honor near. Berchthold stood at hand. 
 
 An inexperienced eye could have detected no outward 
 signs of his recent defeat, in the exterior of Wilhelm of 
 Venloo. His muscles had already regained their tone, and 
 liis entire countenance its usual expression of severe au- 
 thority, a quality for which it was more remarkable than 
 for any lines of mortification or of thought. He glanced 
 at the victor, and tlien, by a secret sign, communicated 
 with a lay brother. At this moment the mass commenced. 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 117 
 
 Of nil tlic nations of Christendom, tliis, compared witli 
 its numbers, is the least connected with the Church of 
 Rome. The peculiar religious origin of the people, their 
 liabits of examination and mental independence, and their 
 prejudices (for the Protestant is no more free from this 
 failing than the Catholic) are likely to keep them long 
 separated from any policy, whether of Church or State, 
 that exacts faith without inyestigation, or obedience with- 
 out the right to remonstrate. An opinion is sedulously 
 disseminated in the other hemisphere that busy agents are 
 rapidly working changes in this respect, and a powerful 
 party is anxiously anticipating great ecclesiastical and po- 
 litical results from the return of the American nation to 
 the opinions of their ancestors of the middle ages. Were 
 the fact so, it would give us little concern, for we do not 
 believe salvation to be the peculiar province of sects ; but, 
 had we any apprehensions of the consequences of such a 
 conversion, they would not be excited by the accidental 
 accumulations of emigrants in towns, or on the public 
 works in which the country is so actively engaged. We 
 believe that where one native Protestant becomes a Cath- 
 olic in America, ten emigrant Catholics drop quietly into 
 the ranks of the prevailing sects ; and, witliout at all agi- 
 tating the point of w^iich is the gainer or the loser by the 
 change, we shall proceed to describe the manner of tlic 
 mass, as a ceremony, that ninety-nine in a hundred of our 
 readers have never had, nor probably ever will have, an 
 opportunity of witnessing. 
 
 There is no appeal to the feelings of man which has 
 given rise to opinions so decidedly at variance as those 
 which are entertained of the Roman ritual. To one de- 
 scription of Christians these ceremonies appear to be vaia 
 mummeries, invented to delude, and practised for unjusti- 
 fiable ends ; while to anotiier they contain all that is sub- 
 lime and imposing in human worship. As is usual in most 
 cases of extreme opinit^ns, the truth would seem to lie be- 
 tween the two. Tlie most zealous Catholic errs when he 
 would maintain the infallibility of all who minister at the 
 altar, or when he overlooks the slovenly and irreverent 
 manner in which the most holy offices are so frequently 
 performed ; and, surely, the Protestant who quits the tcni- 
 ple, in which justice has been done to the formula of this 
 Church, without perceiving that there is deep and sublime 
 devotion in its rites, has steeled his feelings against the ad- 
 
ii8 THE IIETDENMAUER. 
 
 mission of every sentiment in favor of a sect that he is will- 
 ing to proscribe. We belong to neither class, and shall, 
 therefore, endeavor to represent things as they have been 
 seen, not disguising or affecting a single emotion because 
 our fathers happened to take refuge in this western world 
 to set up altars of a different shade of faith. 
 
 The interior of the Abbey-church of Limburg, as has 
 just been stated, w^as renowned in German v for its mag- 
 nificence. Its vaulted roof was supported by many mas- 
 sive pillars, and ornamented with scriptural stories, by the 
 best pencils of that region. The grand altar was of marble, 
 richly embellished witli agate, containing as usual a la- 
 bored representation of the blessed Mary and her deified 
 child. A railing of exquisite workmanship and richly 
 gilded, excluded profane feet from this sanctified spot, 
 which, in addition to its fixtures, was now glittering with 
 vessels of gold and precious stones, being decorated for 
 the approaching mass. The officiating priests wore vest- 
 ments stiffened with golden embroidery, while the inferior 
 attendants were as usual clad in white, and bound with 
 scarfs of purple. 
 
 Upon this scene of gorgeous and elaborate splendor, in 
 which the noble architecture united with the minute prep- 
 arations of the service to lead the spirit to lofty contem- 
 plations, the chant of the monks, and the tones of the or- 
 gan, broke in a deep and startling appeal to the soul. Lives 
 dedicated to the practices of their community, had drilled 
 the brotherhood into perfection, and scarce a note issued 
 among the vaults that was not attuned to the desired ef- 
 fect. Trombones, serpents, and viols, lent their aid to in- 
 crease the solemn melody of powerful masculine voices, 
 which were so blended with the wind instrument as to 
 comprise but one deep, grand, and grave sound of praise. 
 Count Emich turned on his seat, clenching the handle of 
 his sword, as if the clamor of the trumpet were in his ears : 
 then his unquiet glance met that of the Abbot, and his 
 chin fell upon a hand. As the service proceeded, the zeal 
 of the brotherhood seemed to increase, and, as it was after- 
 wards remarked, on no occasion had the mass of Limburg, 
 at all times known for its power in music, been so remark- 
 able for its strong and stirring influence. Voice rolled 
 above voice, in a manner that must be heard to be under- 
 stood, and there were moments when the tones of the in- 
 struments, full and united as they were, appeared drowned 
 
THE HETDENMAUER, 119 
 
 in the blending of n. Imndred human aspirations. From 
 the deepest of one of these solemn peals there arose a 
 strain, at whose first tone all other music was hushed. It 
 was a single human voice, of that admixture of the male 
 and female tones which seems nearest allied to the super- 
 natural, being in truth, a contralto of great compass, 
 roundness, and sweetness. Count Emicli started, for, when 
 these heavenly strains broke upon his ear, they seemed to 
 float in the vault above the choir; nor could he, as the 
 singer was concealed, assure himself of the delusion, while 
 the solo lasted. He dropped his sword, and gazed about 
 him, for the first time that morning, with an expression of 
 human charity. Tlie lips of young Berchthold parted in 
 admiration, and as he just then met the blue eye of Meta, 
 there w^'is an exchange of gentle feeling in that quiet and 
 secret glance. In the meantime, the chant proceeded. 
 The single unearthly voice that had so stirred the spirits 
 of the listeners ceased, and a full chorus of the choir con- 
 cluded the hymn. 
 
 The Count of Leiningen drew^ a breath so heavy that it 
 was audible to Bonifacius. The latter suffered his counte- 
 nance to unbend, and, as in the case of the youthful pair, 
 the spirit of concord appeared to soothe the tempers of 
 these fierce rivals. But here commenced the ritual of the 
 mass. The rapid utterance of the officiating priest, ges- 
 ticulations which lost their significance by being blended 
 and indistinct, and prayers in a tongue that defeated their 
 object by involving instead of rendering the medium of 
 thought noble and clear, united to w^eaken the effect pro- 
 duced by the music. Worship lost its character of inspi- 
 ration, by assuming that of business, neither attracting the 
 imagination, inlliiencing the feelings, nor yet sufficiently 
 convincing the reason. Abandoning all these persuasive 
 means, too much was left to the convictions of a naked 
 and settled belief. 
 
 Emich of Ilartenburg gradually resumed his repulsive 
 mien, and the effect of all that he had so lately felt was 
 lost in cold indifference to words that he did not compre- 
 hend. Even v<M!ng Berchthold s(jught the eye of ^jeta 
 less anxiously, and both the Knight of Rhodes and Mon- 
 sieur Latouche gazed listlessly towards the throng grouped 
 before the railing of the choir. In this manner did the 
 service commence and terminate. There was another 
 hymn, and a second exhibition of the power of music. 
 
I20 THE IIEIDENMAUER. 
 
 though with an effect less marked than that which had 
 been produced when the listeners were taken by surprise. 
 
 Against a column, near the centre of the church, was 
 erected a pulpit. A monk rose from his stall, at the close 
 of the worship, and, passing through the crowd, ascended 
 its stairs like one about to preach. It was Father Johan, a 
 brother known for the devotedness of his faith and the 
 severity of his opinions. The low receding forehead, the 
 quiet but glassy eye, and the fixedness of the inferior 
 members of the face, might readily have persuaded a 
 physiognomist that he beheld a heavy entliusiast. The 
 language and opinions of the preacher did not deny the 
 expectations excited by his exterior. He painted, in strong 
 and ominous language, the dangers of the sinner, nar- 
 rowed the fold of the saved within metaphysical and ques' 
 tionable limits, and made frequent appeals to the fears and 
 to the less noble passions of his audience. While the 
 greater number in the church kept aloof, listening indif- 
 ferently, or gazing at the monuments and other rich deco- 
 rations of the place, a knot of kindred spirits clustered 
 around the pillar that supported the preacher's desk, 
 deeply sympathizing in all his pictures of pain and deso- 
 lation. 
 
 The sharp, angry, and denunciatory address of Father 
 Johan was soon ended ; and, as he re-entei-ed the choir, 
 the Abbot rose and retired to the cloisters, followed by 
 most of the brotherhood. But neither the Count of Har- 
 tenburg, nor any of his train, seemed disposed to quit the 
 church so soon. An air of expectation appeared, also, to 
 detain most of those in the body of the building. A monk, 
 towards whom many longing eyes had been cast, yielded 
 to the general and touching appeal, and quitting his stall, 
 one of high honor, he took the place just vacated by 
 Father Johan. 
 
 The movement was no sooner made, than the name of 
 Father Arnolph, the Prior, or the immediate spiritual gov- 
 ernor of the community, was buzzed among the people. 
 Emich arose, and, accompanied by his friends, took a sta- 
 tion near the pulpit, while the dense mass of uplifted and 
 interested faces, that filled the middle aisle, proclaimed 
 the interest of the congregation. There was that in the 
 countenance and air of Father Arnolph to justify this 
 plain demonstration of sympathy. His eye was mild and 
 benevolent, his forehead full, placid and even, and the 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 121 
 
 whole character of his face was that of winning philan- 
 thropy. To the influence of this general and benevolent 
 expression, must be added evident signs of discipline, 
 much thought, and meek hope. 
 
 The spiritual part of such a man was not likely to belie 
 the exterior. His doctrine, like that of the divine being 
 he served, was charitable and full of love. Though he 
 spoke of the terrors of judgment, it was with grief rather 
 than with menace ; and it was when dwelling on the per- 
 suasive and attractive character of faith, that he was most 
 earnest and eloquent. Again Emich found his secret in- 
 tentions shaken, and his frown relaxed to gleamings of 
 sympathy and interest. The eye of the preacher met that 
 of the stern baron, and, without making an alarming 
 change of manner, he continued, as it were, by a natural 
 course of thought — " Such is the Church in its purity, my 
 hearers, let the errors, the passions, or the designs of man 
 pervert it in wliat manner they may. The faith I preach 
 is of God, and it partakes of the godlike qualities of His 
 divine essence. He who would impute the sins of its mis- 
 taken performance to aught but his erring creatures, casts 
 odium on that which is instituted for his own good ; and 
 he who would do violence to its altars, lifts a hand against 
 a work of omnipotence ! " 
 
 With these words in his ears, Emich of Hartenburg 
 turned away, and passed musingly up the church. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 " Japlict, I cannot answer llice." — PjYRON. 
 
 The Abbey of Limburg owed its existence and its rich 
 endowments chiefly to the fav(jr of an emperor of Ger- 
 many. In honor of this great patron, an especial altar, 
 and a gorgeous and elaborate tomb, had been erected. 
 Similar honors had been also ])aid to the Counts of Lein- 
 ingen, and to certain other noble families of the vicinity. 
 These several altars were in black marble, relieved by or- 
 naments of white, and the tombs were decorated with such 
 heraldic devices as marked the particular races of the dif- 
 ferent individuals. They stood apart from those already 
 described in the principal church, in a sort of crypt, or 
 
122 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 semi-subterranean chapel, beneath the choir. Thither 
 Count Emich held his way, when he quitted the column 
 against which he had leaned while listening to the sermon 
 of Father Arnolph. 
 
 The light of the upper church had that soft and melan- 
 choly tint which is so peculiar and so ornamental to a 
 Gothic edifice. It entered through high, narrow windows 
 of painted glass, coloring all within with a hue that it was 
 not difficult for the imagination to conceive had some se- 
 cret connection with the holy character of the place. The 
 depth and the secluded position of the chapel rendered 
 this light still more gloomy and touching in the crypt. 
 When the Count reached the pavement, he felt its influence 
 deeply, for few descended into tliat solemn and hallowed 
 vault without becoming sensible to the religious awe that 
 reigned around. Emich crossed himself, and, as he passed 
 before the altar reared by liis race, he bent a knee to the 
 mild and lovely female countenance that was there to rep- 
 resent the Mother of Christ. He thought himself alone, 
 and he uttered a prayer ; for, though Emich of Leiningen 
 was a man that rarely communed seriously with God when 
 exposed to worldly and deriding eyes, he had in his heart 
 deep reverence for his power. As he arose, a movement 
 at his elbow attracted a look aside. 
 
 "Ha! — Thou here, Herr Prior!" he exclaimed, sup- 
 pressing as much of his surprise as self-command enabled 
 him to do with success ; " Thou art swift in thy passage 
 from the stall to the pulpit, and swifter from the pulpit to 
 the chapel ! " 
 
 " We that are vowed to lives of monkish devotion, need 
 to be often at all. Thou wert kneeling, Emich, before the 
 altar of thy race ?" 
 
 "" By St. Benedict, thy patron ! but thou hast, in good 
 sooth, found me in some such act, holy father. A weak- 
 ness came over me, on entering into this gloomy place, 
 and I would fain do reverence to the spirits of those who 
 liave gone before me." 
 
 " Callest thou the desire to pray a weakness ? At what 
 shrine could one of thy name worship more fittingly than at 
 this, which has been reared and enriched by the devout of 
 his own kindred ; or in what better mood canst thou look 
 into thyself, and call upon divine aid, than in that thou 
 liast mentioned ? " 
 
 *' Herr Prior, thou overlookest the occasion of my visit. 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 123 
 
 which is to hear the Abbey mass, and not to confess and 
 be shrived." 
 
 " It is long since thou hast had the benefit of these sacred 
 offices, Emich ! " 
 
 ''Thou liast done well in thy way, father, at the desk ; 
 and I question not that the burghers of Duerckheim and 
 their gossips will do thee credit in their private discourses. 
 Thy fame as a preacher is not of mean degree even now, 
 and this effort of to-day would well-nigh gain thee a 
 bishopric, were the women of our valley in the way of 
 moving Rome. How fareth it with the most holy Abbot 
 this morning, and with those two pillars of the community, 
 the Fathers Siegfried and Cuno ? " 
 
 "Thou sawest them in their places at the most holy 
 mass." 
 
 "'Fore lieaven ! but they are worthy companions ! Be- 
 lieve me, father, more honest boon associates do not dwell 
 in our merry Palatinate, nor men that I hn'e in a better 
 fashion, according to their merits ! Did'st hear, reverend 
 Prior, of their visit to Hartenburg, and of their deeds in 
 the flesh ? " 
 
 "The humor of thy mind is quickly changed, Herr 
 Count, and pity 'tis 'twere thus. I came not here to listen 
 to tales of excesses in thy hold, nor of any forgetfulness 
 of those who, having sworn to better things, have betrayed 
 that they are merely men." 
 
 "Aye, and stout men, if any such dwell in the empire ! 
 I prize my good name as another, or I would tell thee the 
 number of vessels that my keeper of the cellar sweareth 
 are no better than so many men-at-arms fallen in a rally or 
 an onset." 
 
 " This love of wine is the curse of our region and of the 
 times. I would that none of the treacherous liquor should 
 again enter the gates of Limburg! " 
 
 "God's justice ! reverend Prior, thou wilt in sooth find 
 some decrease (jf quantity in future," returned Emich, 
 laughing, " f(jr the disputed vineyards have at last found 
 a single, and, tiiough it might better come from thee, as 
 one that hath often looked into my interior, as it were, by 
 confession, a worthy master. I }-)ledge thee the honor of 
 a noble, that not a llask (jf that wliich thou so contemncst 
 shall ever again do violence to thy taste." 
 
 The Count cast a triumphant glance at the monk, in the 
 expectation, and possibly in the hope, that, notwithstand- 
 
124 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 ing his professions of moderation, some lurking signs of 
 regret might betray themselves at this announcement of 
 the convent's loss. But Father Arnolph was what he 
 seemed, a man devoted to the holy office he had assumed, 
 and one but little influenced by worldly interests. 
 
 " I understand thee, Emich," he said mildly, but un- 
 moved. "This scandal was not wanting at such a moment 
 to bring obloquy upon a reverend and holy Ciiurch, against 
 which its enemies have been permitted to make rude war- 
 fare, for reasons that are concealed in the inscrutable 
 mysteries of him who founded it." 
 
 "Thou speakest in reason, ' monk, for, to say truth, yon 
 fellow of Saxony, and his followers, who are anything but 
 few or weak, begin to move many in this quarter to doubts 
 and disobedience. Thou must most stoutly hate this 
 brother Luther in thy heart, father ! " 
 
 For the first time that day, the countenance of the Prior 
 lost its even expression of benevolence. But the change 
 was so imperceptible to a vulgar eye, as to escape the 
 scrutiny of the Count ; and the feeling, a lingering rem- 
 nant of humanity, was quickly mastered by one so accus- 
 tomed to hold tlie passions in subjection. 
 
 "The name of the schismatic hath troubled me! "re- 
 turned the Prior, smiling mournfully at the consciousness 
 of his own weakness ; " I hope it has not been with a feel- 
 ing of personal dislike. He stands on a frightful preci- 
 pice, and from my soul do I pray, that not only he, but all 
 the deluded that follow in his dangerous track, may see 
 their peril in time to retire unharmed ! " 
 
 '* Father, thou speakest like one that wishest good to the 
 Saxon rather than harm ! " 
 
 " I think I may say, the words do not belie the thoughts." 
 
 "Nay, thou forgettest the damnable heresies he prac- 
 tiseth, and overloolceth his motive ! Surely one that can 
 thus sell soul and body for love of a wanton nun, hath 
 little claim to thy charity ! " 
 
 There was a slight glow on the temples of Father 
 Arnolph. 
 
 "They have attributed to him this craven passion," he 
 answered, " and they have tried to prove, that a mean wish 
 to partake of the pleasures of the world, lies at the bottom 
 of his rebellion ; but I believe it not, and I say it not." 
 
 " God's truth ! thou art w^orthy of thy holy office, Herr 
 Prior, and I honor thy moderation. Were there more like 
 
THE IIEIDEXMAUER. 125 
 
 thcc among us, we sliould have a better neighborhood, and 
 less meddling with the concerns of others. With thee, I 
 see myself no such necessity of his openly wiving the nun, 
 for it is very possible to enjoy the gifts of life even under 
 a cowl, should it be our fortune to wear it." 
 
 The monk made no answer, for he perceived he had to do 
 with one unequal to understanding his own character. 
 
 *' Of this we will say no more," he rejoined, after a brief 
 and painful pause ; "let us look rather to thine own wel- 
 fare. It is said, Count Emich, that thou meditatest evil to 
 this holy shrine ; that ambition, and the longings of cu- 
 pidity, have tempted thee to plot our abbey's fall, in order 
 that none may stand between thine own baronial power 
 and the throne of the Elector ! " 
 
 "Thou art less unwilling to form unkind opinions of thy 
 nearest neighbor, than of that mortal enemy of the Church, 
 Luther, it would appear, Herr Prior. What hast thou 
 seen in me, that can embolden one of thy charity to hazard 
 this accusation ? " 
 
 " I do but hazard what all in our convent think and 
 dread. Hast thou reflected well, Emich, of this sacrilegious 
 enterprise, and of what may be its fruits? Dost thou re- 
 call the objects for which these holy altars were reared, or 
 the hand that laid the corner-stone of the edifice thou 
 wouldst so profanely overthrow ? " 
 
 " Look you, good Father Arnolph, there are two man- 
 ners of viewing the erection of thy c(^nvent, and more es- 
 pecially of this identical church in which we stand. One 
 of our traditions sayeth that tlic arch-knave Inmself had 
 liis trowel in thy masonry." 
 
 " Thou art of too high lineage, of blood too noble, and 
 of intelligence too ripe, to credit the tale." 
 
 "These are points in which I pretend not to dip too 
 deeply. I am no scholar of Prague or Wittenberg, that 
 thou shouldst put these questions so chjsclv to me. It 
 were well that the brotherhood had bethouglu itself of this 
 imputation in seas(;n, that the (juestion might have been 
 settled, for or against, as justice needed, when the learned 
 and great among our fathers were met at Constance, in 
 grave and general ccjuncil." 
 
 Father Arnolph regarded his companion in serious con- 
 cern. He too well knew the deplorable igncjrance, and 
 the consequent superstiti(m, in which the great of his time 
 were involved, to manifest surprise ; but he also knew the 
 
125 THE IIEIDENMAUER. 
 
 power the other wielded sufficiently to foresee the evils of 
 such a union between force and ignorance. Still it was 
 not his present object to combat opinions that were only to 
 be removed by time and study, if indeed they can ever be 
 eradicated, when fairly rooted in the human mind. He 
 pursued his immediate design, therefore, avoiding a dis- 
 cussion, which, at that moment, might prove worse than 
 useless. 
 
 " That the finger of evil mingles more or less with all 
 things that come of human agency, may be true," he con- 
 tinued, taking care that the expression of his eye should 
 neither awaken the pride, nor arouse the obstinacy of the 
 noble — " but when altars have been reared, and Vvhen the 
 worship of the Most High God hath continued for ages, 
 we liave reason to hope that His holy spirit presideth in 
 majesty and love around the shrines. Such liath been the 
 case with Limburg, Count Emich ; and doubt it not, we 
 who stand here, holding this discourse, stand also in the 
 immediate presence of that dread Being who created 
 heaven and earth, who guideth our lives, and who will 
 judge us in death ! " 
 
 ''God help us, Herr Prior! Thou hast already done 
 thy office in tlie desk this day, and I see no occasion that 
 thou shouldst doubly perform a function, that was so well 
 acquitted at first. I like not the manner of being usher- 
 ed, as it were unannounced, into so dread a presence as 
 this thou hast just proclaimed. Were it but the Elector 
 Friedrich, Emich of Leiningcn could not presume to 
 this familiarity, w^ithout some consultation as to its fit- 
 ness." 
 
 "In the eyes of the Being we mean. Electors and Em- 
 perors are equally indifferent. He loveth the meek, and 
 the merciful, and the just, while he scourgeth them who 
 deny his authority. But thou hast named thy feudal prince, 
 and I will question thee in a manner suited to thy habits. 
 Thou art, in truth, Emich of Leiningen, a noble of name 
 in the Palatinate, and one know^n to be of long-established 
 authority in these regions. Still art thou second, or even 
 third, in worldly command, in this thy very country. The 
 Elector and the Emperor both hold thee in check, and 
 either is strong enough to destroy thee at pleasure, in thy 
 vaunted hold of Hartenburg." 
 
 " To the last I yield the means, if thou wilt, worthy 
 Prior " — interrupted the Count — '' but for the first, he must 
 
THE IIEIDENMA UER. 
 
 127 
 
 needs dispose of his own pressing enemies, before he 
 acliieves this victory !" 
 
 Fatlicr Arnolph understood the otlier's meaning, for it 
 was no secret that Friedrich was, just then, so pressed as 
 to sit on a tottering throne ; a circumstance that was 
 known to have encouraged the long meditated designs of 
 the Count of Hartenburg to get rid of a community, that 
 thwarted his views, and diminislied his local authority. 
 
 ''Forgetting tlie Elector, we will turn only to the Emperor, 
 then," rejoined the Prior. ''Thou believest him to be in 
 his palace, and remote from thy country, and certainly he 
 hath here no visible force to restrain thy rebellious hand. 
 We will imagine that a family he protected — na}-, that he 
 loved — stood in the way of some of thy greedy projects, 
 and that the tempter had persuaded tliee it would be well 
 to remove it, or to destroy it with the strong hand. Art 
 thou weak enough, Count Emich, to listen to such advice, 
 when thou knowest that the arm of Charles is lone enouph 
 to reach from liis distant Madrid to the most remote cor- 
 ner of Germany, and that his vengeance would be as sure 
 as it would be fearful ! " 
 
 "It would be a bold warfare, Herr Prior, that of Emich 
 of Lciningen against Charles Quintus ! Left to mine own 
 humor, holy monk, I would rather choose another enemy." 
 
 "And yet thou wouldst war with one mightier than he ! 
 Thou raisest thy impotent arm, and thy audacious will, 
 against thy God ! Thou wouldst despise His promises, pro- 
 fane His altars, nay, thou wouldst fain throw down the 
 tabernacle that He hath reared! Dost thou think that 
 Omnipotence will be a nerveless witness of this sin ; or 
 that an eternal and benign wisdom will forget to punish ?" 
 
 " By St. I^aul ! thou puttest the matter altogether in thine 
 own interest. Father Arnolph, for there is yet no proof 
 that this Abbey of Limburg hath any such origin, or, if it 
 had, that it hath not fallen into disfavor, by the excesses 
 of its own professed. 'Twere well to send for the right 
 reverend Abbot, and those pillars of sanctity, the Fathers 
 Cuno and Siegfried, to bear witness in thy behalf. God's 
 wisdom ! I reason better with those worthies, in such a 
 matter, than with thee ! " 
 
 Emich laughed, the sound echoing in that vaulted chapel 
 to the ears of the monk, like the scoffing of a demon. Still, 
 the natural equity of Father Arnol)-)h told him that tliere 
 was too nuich to justify the taunt of the noble, for he had 
 
128 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 long and bitterly niourned the depravity of many of the 
 brotherhood. 
 
 " I am not here to sit in judgment on those who err, but 
 to defend the shrines at which I worship, and to warn thee 
 from a fatal sin. If thy hand is ever lifted against these 
 walls, it is raised against that which God hath blessed, and 
 which God will avenge. But thou art of human feeling, 
 Emich of Hartenburg ; and, though doubting of the sacred 
 character of that which thou wouldst fain destroy, thou 
 canst not deceive thyself concerning these tombs— In this 
 holy chapel have prayers been often raised, and masses 
 said, for the souls of thine own line ! " 
 
 The Count of Leiningen looked steadily at the speaker. 
 Father Arnolph had placed himself, without design, near 
 the opening which communicated between that sombre 
 chapel and the superior church. Rays of bright light shot 
 through the eastern window, and fell upon the pavement 
 at his feet, throwing around his form the mild and solemn 
 lustre which comes from the stained glass of tlie Gothic 
 ages. The services of the morning had also spread through- 
 out the entire building, that soothing atmosphere which is 
 usually the attendant of Roman worship. The incense had 
 penetrated to the crypt, and unconsciously the w^arlike 
 noble had felt its influence quieting his nerves and lulling 
 the passions. All who have entered the principal Basilica 
 of modern Rome, have been subject to a combination of 
 moral and physical causes that produce the result w^e mean, 
 and which, though more striking in that vast and glorious 
 pile, resembling a world with attributes and an atmosphere 
 of its own, is also felt in every Catholic temple of conse- 
 quence in a lessened degree. 
 
 " Here lie my fathers, Arnolph," answered the Count, 
 huskily ; "and here, as thou sayest, have masses been said 
 for their souls ! " 
 
 *' And thou contemnest their graves — thou wouldst vio- 
 late even their bones ! " 
 
 *' 'Twere not an act for a Christian ! " 
 
 " Look hither. Count. This is the monument of the 
 good Emich, thy ancestor. He honored his God, and did 
 not scruple to worsliip at our altars." 
 
 " Thou knowest, holy Prior, that I have often bared my 
 soul at thy knees." 
 
 " Thou hast confessed, and hast been shrived ; that 
 thou didst not lay up future griefs " 
 
THE IIEIDENMAUER. 129 
 
 *' Say rather damnation" — interrupted one behind, whose 
 voice, issuing suddenly from that sepulchral chapel, 
 seemed to come from the tombs themselves — " Thou trifiest, 
 reverend Prior, with our holy mission, to deal thus tenderly 
 with so sore a sinner." 
 
 The Count of Leiningen had started, and even quailed, 
 at the first words of interruption ; but looking around, he 
 beheld the receding front, the sunken eye, and the bend- 
 ing person of Father Johan. 
 
 *' Monks, I leave you," said Emich, firmly. ''It is good 
 for ye to pray, and to frequent these gloomy altars ; but I, 
 who am a soldier, cannot waste further time in your vaults. 
 Herr Prior, farewell. Thou hast a guardian that will pro- 
 tect the good." 
 
 Before the Prior could recover his voice, for he too had 
 been taken by surprise, the Count stalked, with a heavy 
 footstep, up the marble stairs, and the tread of his armed 
 heel was soon heard on the flairs above. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 "The wny is but sliort ; away — " Armado. 
 
 While all must be conscious of the fearful infirmities 
 that beset human nature, there are none so base as not to 
 know that their being contains the seeds of that godlike 
 principle which still likens them to their divine Creator. 
 Virtue commands the respect of man, in whatever acciden- 
 tal stage of civilization, or of mental improvement, he may 
 happen to exist ; and he who practises its precepts is cer- 
 tain of the respect, tlnnigh he may not always secure the 
 protection, of his contemporaries. 
 
 As the Count of Leiningen walked down the ricli and 
 vast aisle (jf the Abbey-church, his thougiits vacillated be- 
 tween the im[)ressions produced by the Prior, and his la- 
 tent, but still predominant, intentions. He might have 
 been likened to one who listened to the counsels of a good 
 and of an evil genius ; that exhorting to forbearance and 
 mercy, and this tempting to violence by the usual array of 
 flattery and hopes. While he brooded over the exactions 
 of the community, whicii were fcninded on a legal superior- 
 ity that was alike liurtful to his power and galling to his 
 
 9 
 
I30 THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 pride, its manner of thwarting his views, and its constant 
 opposition to his supremacy in the valley, motives of 
 enmity that were justly heightened by the dissolute and 
 audacious deportment of too many of its members, the 
 effect of all was secretly opposed by the image of Father 
 Arnolph, surrounded by the mild and noble characteristics 
 of Christian virtue. Emich could not, though he fain 
 would, chase from his imagination the impression of meek- 
 ness, charity, and of self-denial, that a long acquaintance 
 with the monk had made, and which the recent interview 
 had served both to freshen and to render more deep. But 
 a spectacle was prepared to meet his eyes in the court of 
 the convent, that did as much towards weakening tliis 
 happy influence of the Prior, by setting the pride of the 
 noble in opposition to his better feelings, as could have 
 been wished by the bitterest enemy of Limburg. 
 
 It has been said that the outer wall of the Abbey encir- 
 cled the entire brow of the hill, or mountain, on which the 
 convent stood. Though the buildings were spacious and 
 numerous, the size of the little plain on the summit left 
 ample space for exercise and air. Besides the cloisters, 
 which were vast, though possessing the character of monk- 
 ish seclusion, there were gardens in the rear of the Abbot's 
 abode, and a court of considerable extent, immediately in 
 front of the church. Athwart this court, in which sundry 
 groups of the late congregation yet lingered, was drawn 
 up, in military order, a band of soldiers, wearing the col- 
 ors, and acknowledging the authority, of the Elector 
 Friedrich. The secret signal given by Father Bonifacius, 
 when the Count entered the choir, had prepared this un- 
 welcome sight for his neighbor. 
 
 While the men-at-arms leaned on their arquebuses, in 
 grave attention to discipline, the Kniglit of Rhodes and 
 the Abbe were occupied in paying their court to the fair 
 wife of the Burgomaster of Duerckheim, and to her scarce 
 fairer daughter. Young Berchthold stood aloof ; watching 
 the interview with feelings allied equally to envy and jeal- 
 ousy. 
 
 " A fair morning and a comfortable mass to you, high- 
 born Emich!" cried the husband and father heartily, but 
 lifting his cap, as the noble approached the spot where tlie 
 burgher stood, waiting for this meeting ere he put foot 
 into the stirrup ; *' I had thougiit the sight of your fathers' 
 altar was like to cheat me of this honor, and to send me 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 131 
 
 away without a word from your friendly and much-prized 
 grace." 
 
 " Between thee and me, Ilcinrich, this slight could not 
 happen," answered the Count, grasping the hand of the 
 Burgomaster, which he squeezed with the cordiality and 
 vigor of a soldier. " How fareth it with all in Ducrckheim, 
 that town of my affection, not to say of my right ? " 
 
 "As you could wish, noble Count, and well-disposed to 
 the house of Leiningen. In all that pertaineth to love of 
 your name and race, we lack nothing." 
 
 " This is well, honest Heinrich ; it may yet be better — 
 But thou wilt do me grace this summer morning?" 
 
 *' Nay, it is for your grace to command in this particular, 
 and for one like me to obey." 
 
 " Herr Heinrich, hast looked well at these knaves of 
 Friedrich ? Ha! are they not melancholy and ill-disposed 
 at being cooped with Benedictines, when there are stirring 
 times in the Palatinate, and when their master hath as much 
 as he can do to hold his court in Heidelberg ! Seest thou 
 aught of this ? " 
 
 Emich had dropped his voice, and the burgher was not 
 a man to express more in answer than the circumstances 
 actually required. He looked eloquently, however, and the 
 exchange of glances between him and the Count betrayed 
 the nature of the undertaking that connected the castle 
 and the city. 
 
 " You spoke of commanding my duty, mein Herr Graf, 
 and it is fitting I should know in what manner to do you 
 pleasure." 
 
 " Nay, 'tis no pain-giving penance I ask. Turn my 
 horse's head towards Hartcnburg, and share of my poor 
 fare, with a loving welcome, for an hour or so." 
 
 " I would it were within compass, my Lord Coiuit," re- 
 turned Heinrich, casting a doubting look towards Meta 
 and his wife — " but these Sunday masses are matters in 
 which the women love to deal ; and from tlie first sound of 
 the matin bell, till we shut the gates at even, I scarce call 
 myself master of a thought." 
 
 "By the Virgin ! 'Twould seem ill indeed, did not Har- 
 tcnburg contain a roof to shelter all of thy name and love." 
 
 " There are noble gentlemen already on your hosj^ital- 
 ity, and I would wkA fain " 
 
 "Name tliem not. This in the gav doublet, tliat wear- 
 eth the white cross, is but a houseless Knight of Rhodes, 
 
132 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 one that wandereth like the dove from the ark, uncertain 
 where to place his foot ; and he of black vestments, an idle 
 Abbe from among tlie French, who doth little else but prate 
 with the women. Leave thy female gender in their hands, 
 for they are much accustomed to these gallantries." 
 
 "Zum Henkcr ! most nobly born eccellenz, I never 
 doubted their handiness in all idlenesses, but my wife hath 
 little humor for vain attentions of this nature, and not to 
 conceal from my lord any of our humors, I will confess it 
 is as little to my pleasure to witness so much ceremony 
 with a woman. \Vere the well-born Ermengarde, your no- 
 ble consort, in the castle, my female charge might be glad 
 to pay their court to her, but in her absence I doubt that 
 they will cause more encumbrance than they will afford 
 satisfaction." 
 
 '* Name it not, honest Heinrich, but leave the matter to 
 me. As for these idlers, I wall find them occupation when 
 fairly out of the saddle ; so will I not excuse the youngest 
 of thy name." 
 
 The warm, frank manner of the noble prevailed, though 
 the arrangement w\as not altogether agreeable to the 
 Burgomaster ; but in that age hospitality was always of so 
 direct a character as seldom to admit of denial without 
 sufficient excuse. Emich now paid his court to the females. 
 Smoothing his moustache and beard, he saluted the cheeks 
 of Ulricke, with affectionate freedom, and then, presum- 
 ing on liis years and rank, he pressed a kiss on the ruby 
 lipsofMeta. The girl blushed and laughed, and in her 
 confusion courtesied, as if in acknowledgment of the grace 
 from one of so high quality. Heinrich himself, though he 
 so little liked the coquetry of the strangers, w^itnessed these 
 liberties not only without alarm but with evident content- 
 ment. 
 
 " Many thanks, noble Emich, for this honor to my 
 women," he cried, lifting his bonnet again. " Meta is not 
 used to these compliments, and she scarce knoweth rightly 
 how to acknowledge the grace, for to say truth, it is 
 not often that her cheek feeleth the tickling of a beard. I 
 am no saluter of her sex, and there are none in Duerck- 
 heim that may so presume." 
 
 " St. Denis defend me ! " exclaimed the Abbe ; " in what 
 shameful negligence have we fallen ! " saluting the mild 
 Ulricke on the instant, and repeating the same ceremony 
 with the daughter, so suddenly, as to leave none present 
 
THE IIKIDENMAUER. 133 
 
 time to recover from their surprise. "Sir Knight of 
 Rhodes, we appear in this affair as but of indifferent 
 breeding ! " 
 
 " Hold, cousin of Viederbacli," said Emich, laughing, 
 while he placed a hand before his kinsman — " We forget, 
 all this time, that we are in the court of Limburg, and 
 that salutations wiiich savor so mucli cjf earth may scan- 
 dalize the holy Benedictines. We will to horse, and keep 
 our gallantries for a better season." 
 
 The forward, impatient movement of young Berchthold 
 was self-checked, and, swallowing his discontent, he turned 
 aside to conceal his vexation. 
 
 In the meantime, the whole party prepared to mount. 
 Although repulsed in his effort to obtain a salute from the 
 fair girl, who had so passively received these liberties from 
 his kinsman and the Abbe, the Knight of Rhodes busied 
 himself in assisting the damsel upon the crupper of her 
 father's saddle. A similar office was performed for Ul- 
 ricke by the Count of Leiningen himself, and then the 
 noble threw his own booted and heavy leg across the large 
 and strong-jointed war-horse that was pawing the pavxment 
 of the court. The others imitated his example, even to 
 the mounted servitors, who were numerous; when, doing- 
 stately reverence to the large crucifix that stood before 
 them, the whole cavalcade ambled from the court. 
 
 There were many curious spectators around the outer 
 gate, among whom were sundry of the more humble de- 
 pendants of tlartcnburg, purposely collected there, by an 
 order of their lord, in the event of any sudden violence 
 arising from his visit to the Abbey, together with a crowd 
 of mendicants. 
 
 "Alms, great Emich! Alms, worthy and wealthy IBiir- 
 gomaster ! God's blessing on ye both, and holy St. Bene- 
 dict heed ye in his prayers! We are a-hungered aiul 
 a-cold, and we crave alms at your honorable hands!" 
 
 " Give the rogues a silver pence," said the Count to the 
 purse-bearer, who rode in his train. "They have a starv- 
 ing look, in sootli. These godly Benedictines have, ('f 
 late, been so busied between their garrison and their 
 masses, that they have forgotten to feed the poor. Come 
 nearer, friend ; art thou of the Jaegerthal ? " 
 
 "No, noble Count. I come from a pilgrimage to a dis- 
 tant shrine, but want and suffering have befallen me b)' 
 the way." 
 
134 
 
 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 " Hast pressed the monks for charity ? or dost thou find 
 them too much engaged in godliness to remember human 
 suffering ? " 
 
 " Great Coimt, they give freely ; but where there are 
 many mouths to feed, there needs be much gold. I say 
 naught against the holy community of Limburg, which is 
 godly in charity, as in grace." 
 
 "Give the knave a kreutzer," growled Heinrich Frey ; 
 "hast thou aught to show in the way of authority for un- 
 dertaking this pilgrimage, and for assailing the Elector's 
 subjects and servitors in a public horse-path ?" 
 
 "Naught but thi^, illustrious Burgomaster," — Heinrich 
 wore his chain of office — ''naught but the commands of 
 my confessor, and this pass of our own chief men." 
 
 "Callest this naught ? Thou speakest of a legal instru- 
 ment of high quality, an' it were but a copy of silly 
 rhymes ! Hold! thou must not be led into temptation by 
 too much want. Meta, wench, hast a kreutzer?" 
 
 " Here is a silver pence, that may better suit the pil- 
 grim's necessities, father." 
 
 " God keep thee, child ! Dost expect to escape want 
 thyself, with such prodigality? But stay — there are many 
 of them, and the piece justly distributed might do good. 
 Come nearer, friends. Here is a silver zvvanziger, which 
 you will divide honestly into twenty parts, of which two 
 are for the stranger, for to him are we most indebted by 
 the commands of God, and one for each inhabitant of the 
 valley, not forgetting the poor woman that, in your haste, 
 and by reason of her years, you have prevented from 
 drawing near. For this boon, I ask prayers of you in be- 
 half of the Elector, the city of Duerckheim, and the fam- 
 ily of Frey." 
 
 So saying, the Burgomaster pushed ahead, and was soon 
 at the foot of the mountain of Limburg. The train of 
 footmen, who had lingered to witness the largess of the 
 magistrate, and who had considered the indifference of 
 Emich as what was no more than natural in one placed by 
 Providence in a situation so far removed from vulgar wants, 
 was about to follow, when a lay-brother of the convent 
 touched one of the party on the arm, signing for him to 
 re-enter the court. 
 
 "Thou art needed further, friend," whispered the lay- 
 brother. "Amuse thyself with these men-at-arms till they 
 retire : then seek the cloisters." 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 135 
 
 A nod sufficed to tell the lay-brother that he was under- 
 stood, and he immediately disappeared. The follower of 
 Count Emich did as commanded, loitering in the court 
 until the object of tlie Abbot was accomplished, that of ex- 
 hibiting the protection of the Elector to his dangerous 
 neighbor, and the arquebusiers marched to their quarters. 
 The road was no sooner clear, than the peasant who had 
 been detained proceeded to do as he had been ordered. 
 
 In each conventual edifice of the other hemisphere, there 
 is an inner court surrounded by low and contemplative 
 arcades called the cloisters. The term whicli is given to 
 the seclusion of monastic life in general, and to the ob- 
 jects of the institution itself, in an arcliitectural sense, is 
 limited to the secluded and sombre piazzas just mentioned. 
 When this part of the building is decorated, as often hap- 
 pens, with the elaborate ornaments of the Gotliic style, it 
 is not easy to conceive a situation more happily imagined 
 for the purposes of reflection, self-examination, and relig- 
 ious calm. To us the cloisters have ever appeared preg- 
 nant with the poetry of monkish existence, and, Protest- 
 ant as wo are, we never yet entered one without feeling 
 the influence of that holy and omnipotent power that is 
 thought to be propitiated by conventual seclusion. In 
 Italy, the land of vivid thought and of glorious realities, the 
 pencils of the greatest masters have been put in requisition 
 to give the cloisters a mild attraction, blended with lessons 
 of instruction, that are in strict consonance with their uses. 
 Here are found some of the finest remains of Raphael, of 
 Domenichino, and of Andrea del Sarto ; and the traveller 
 now enters vaulted galleries, that the monk so long paced 
 in religious hope or learned abstraction, to visit the most 
 prized relics of art. 
 
 The dependant of Count Emich liad no difficulty in find- 
 ing his way to the place in question, for, as usual, there 
 was a direct communication between the cloisters of Lim- 
 burg and the church. By entering the latter and taking a 
 lateral door, which was known to lead to the sacristy, he 
 found himself beneath the arcades, in the midst of the 
 touching seclusion described. Against the walls were tab- 
 lets with Latin inscriptions, in lionor of different brothers 
 who had been distinguished by piety and knowledge ; and 
 here and there was visible, in ivory or stone, that constant 
 monitor of Catholic worship, the crucifix. 
 
 The stranger paused, for a single monk paced the ar- 
 
136 THE HEIDENM ALTER, 
 
 cades, and his mien was not inviting for one who doubted 
 of his reception. At least so thought the dependant of 
 Emich, who might easily have mistaken the chastened ex- 
 pression of Father Arnolph's features, clouded as they 
 now were with care, for severity. 
 
 "What wouldst thou?" demanded the Prior, when a 
 turn brought him face to face with the intruder. 
 
 '* Reverend monk, thy much-prized blessing." 
 
 '* Kneel, and receive it, son. Thou art doubly blest ; 
 in seeking consolation from the Church, and in avoiding 
 the fatal heresies of the times." 
 
 The Prior repeated the benediction, made the usual sign 
 of grace, and motioned for the other to rise. 
 
 "Wouldst thou aught else ? " he asked, observing that 
 the peasant did not retire, as was usual for those w^ho re- 
 ceived this favor. 
 
 "Naught — unless yonder brother hath occasion for 
 me." 
 
 The face of Siegfried was thrust through a door which 
 led to the cells. The countenace of the Prior changed 
 like that of one who had lost all confidence in the inten- 
 tions of his companion, and he pursued his way along the 
 arcade. The other glided past, and disappeared by the 
 door which he had been covertly invited to enter. 
 
 It has already been said that the Benedictine is an order 
 of hospitality. A principal building of the hill was es- 
 pecially devoted to the comforts of the Abbot, and to 
 those of the travellers it was ahvays his duty, and in the 
 case of Father Bonifacius scarcely less often his pleasure, 
 to entertain. Here were seen some signs of the great 
 wealth of the monastery, though it was wealth chastened 
 by forms, and restricted by opinion ; still there w^as little 
 of self-denial, or indeed of any of that self-mortification 
 which is commonly thought to be the inseparable attend- 
 ant of the cell. The rooms w^ere wainscoted with dark 
 oak ; emblems of religious faith, in costly materials, 
 abounded ; nor was there any w^ant of velvet and other 
 stuffs, all however of sober colors, though of intrinsic 
 value. Father Siegfried ushered the peasant into one of 
 the most comfortable of these rooms. It was the cabinet 
 of the Abbot, who, having thrown aside the robes of office 
 in which he so lately appeared in the choir, and, ungirt 
 and divested of all the churchly pomp in w^hich he had 
 just shown himself to the people, was now taking his ease, 
 
THE HRIDENMAURR. 137 
 
 with the indolence of a student, and with some of the 
 neglic^encc of a debauchee. 
 
 " Here is the youth I have named to you, holy Abbot," 
 said Father Siegfried, motioning his companion to advance. 
 
 Bonifacius laid down a parchment-covered and illu- 
 minated volume, one but lately issued from the press, 
 rubbing his eyes like a man suddenly roused from a 
 dreamy abstraction. 
 
 "Truly, Brother Siegfried, these knaves of Leipzig have 
 done wonders with their art ! Not a word can I find 
 astray, or a thought concealed. God knows to what pass 
 of information this excess of knowledge, so long sacred to 
 the learned, may yet lead us ! The office of a librarian will 
 no longer be of rare advantages, or scarcely of repute." 
 
 ** Have we not proofs of the evil in the growing in- 
 fidelity, and in the manifest insubordination of the times ?" 
 
 "It were better for all their souls, and their present re- 
 pose, that fewer did the thinking in this troublesome world 
 — Thou art named Johan, son ? " 
 
 " Gottlob, most reverend Abbot, by your leave, and 
 with the Church's favor." 
 
 " 'Tis a pious appellation, and I trust thou dost not 
 forget to obey the duty of which it should hourly remind 
 thee." 
 
 "In that particular I can say that I praise God, father, 
 for all the benefits I receive, and were they double what 
 they are, I feel that within me which says I could go on 
 rendering thanks forever, for gracious gifts." 
 
 The answer of Gcjttlob caused the Abbot to turn his 
 head. After studying the demure expression of the young 
 man's face intently he continued — 
 
 "This is well ; thou art a huntsman in Count Emich's 
 household?" 
 
 " His cow-herd, holy Abbot, and a huntsman in the 
 bargain ; for a more scampering, self-losing trouble- 
 giving family is not to be found in the Palatinate, than 
 this of mine ! " 
 
 * "I reniember it was a cow-herd; thou dealt a little 
 lightly with my brother Siegfried here, in pretending thou 
 wert of Duerckheim, and not of the castle." 
 
 "To speak fairly to your reverence, there was some 
 business between us; for be it known to you, holy Abbot, 
 a cow -herd is made t(3 suffer fc^r all the frolics of his beasts, 
 and so I preferred to do penance simply for my own back- 
 
'S 
 
 8 T//E HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 slidings, without white-washing tlie conscience of all Lord 
 Emich's cattle in the bargain." 
 
 The Abbot turned again, and this time his look was still 
 longer and more scrutinizing than before. 
 
 " Hast thou heard of Luther?" 
 
 " Does your reverence mean the drunken cobbler of 
 Duercklieim." 
 
 ^' I mean the monk of Wittenberg, knave : though, by St. 
 Benedict ! thou hast not unaptly named the rebel ; for 
 truly doth he cobble that would fain mend the offices or 
 discipline of Holy Church ! I ask if thou hast sullied thy 
 understanding and weakened thy faith, by lending ear to 
 this damnable heresy, that is abroad in our Germany ?" 
 
 "St. Benedict and the blessed Maria keep your rever- 
 ence in mind, according to your deserts? What hath a 
 pocjr cow-herd to do with questions that trouble the souls 
 of the learned, and cause even the peaceably disposed to 
 becomie quarrelsome and warlike ?" 
 
 " Thou hast received a schooling above thy fortune — 
 Art of the Jaegerthal ? " 
 
 " Born and nurtured, holy Abbot. We are of long stand- 
 ing in the valley, and few families are better known for 
 skill in rearing beeves, or for dealing cunningly with a herd, 
 than that of which I come, humble and poor as I may 
 seem to your reverence." 
 
 " I doubt but there is as much seeming as reality in this 
 indifferent opinion of thyself. But thou hast had an ex- 
 planation with Brother Siegfried, and w^e count on thy 
 services. Thou knowest the power of the Church, son, 
 and cannot be ignorant of its disposition to deal merci- 
 fully with those that do it homage, nor of its displeasure 
 when justly angered. We are disposed to deal in in- 
 creased kindness with those who do not stray from the 
 fold, at this moment when the Devils are abroad scattering 
 the ignorant and helpless." 
 
 " Notwithstanding all you have said, most reverend Ab- 
 bot, concerning the trifle 1 have gleaned in the way of , 
 education, I am too little taught to understand aught but 
 plain speech. In the matter of a bargain it might be well 
 to name the conditions clearly, lest a poor, but well-mean- 
 ing, youth should happen to be damned, simply because 
 he hath little knowledge of Latin, or cannot clearly un- 
 derstand what hath not been clearly said." 
 
 " I have no other meaning than that thy pious conduct 
 
rilE IIEIDENMAUER. 139 
 
 will be remembered at tlie altar and the confessional ; and 
 tliat indulgences, and other lenities, will not be forgotten 
 when there is question of thee." 
 
 ''This is excellent, holy Abbot, for those that may profit 
 by it — but, St. Benedict help us ! of what account would 
 it all be, were Lord Emich to threaten his people with the 
 dungeon and stripes, should any dare t(j frequent the 
 altars of I.imbiu'g, or otherwise to have dealings with the 
 reverend brotherhood?" 
 
 " Dost think our prayers, or our authority, cannot pene- 
 trate the walls of Hartenburg?" 
 
 " Of that, most powerful Bonifacius, I say nothing, 
 since I never have yet profited in the way you mean. The 
 dungeon of Hartenburg and I are not strangers to each 
 other ; and, were I to speak my most intimate thoughts, 
 it would be to say, that St. Benedict himself would find 
 it no easy matter to open its doors, or to soften its pave- 
 ments, so long as the Count was in an angry humor. Potz 
 Tausend, holy Abbot ! it is well to speak of miracles and 
 of indulgences ; but let him who imagines that either is 
 about to make that damp and soul-chilling hole warm and 
 pleasant, pass a night within its walls in November ! He 
 may enter with as much faith in the Abbey prayers as he 
 will ; but if he do not come forth with great dread of Lord 
 Emich's displeasure, why, he is not flesh and blood, but a 
 burning kiln in the form of mortality!" 
 
 Father Bonifacius saw that it was useless endeavoring 
 to influence the mind of the cow-herd in the vulgar man- 
 ner, and he had recourse to surer means. Motioning his 
 companion to hand him a little casket, externally dec- 
 orated with many (;f the visible signs of tiie Christian 
 faith, he tf)ok out of it a purse, that wanted for neitlier 
 size nor weight. The eyes of Gottlob glistened-;— had not 
 the monks been much occupied in examining the gold, 
 they miglit have suspected that the pleasure he betrayed 
 was a little affected — and he manifested a strong disposi- 
 tion to know the contents of a bag that had so many out- 
 ward signs of value. 
 
 "This will make peace and create faith between us," 
 said the Abbcjt, handing a golden mark to (xottlob. *' Here 
 is that which tiie dullest comprehension can understand ; 
 and whose merits, I doubt not, will be sufficiently clear to 
 one of thy ready wit." 
 
 "Your reverence does not over-value my means," an- 
 
I40 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 swered the cow-herd, who pocketed the piece without fur- 
 ther ceremony. "Were our good Mother of the Cliurch 
 to take this method of securing friends, she might hiugh 
 at all the Luthers between the Lake of Constance and the 
 ocean, him of Wittenberg among the number : but, by 
 some strange oversight, she has of late done more towards 
 taking away the people's gold, than towards bestowing ! I 
 am rejoiced to find that the mistake is at last discovered ; 
 and chiefly am I glad, that one, poor and unworthy as I, 
 has been among the first that she is pleased to make an 
 instrument of her new intentions ! " 
 
 The Abbot appeared at a loss to understand the charac- 
 ter of his agent ; but, being a worldly and selfish man 
 himself, he counted rather loosely on the influence of a 
 meditator whose potency is tacitly admitted by all of mer- 
 cenary propensities. He resumed his seat, therefore, like 
 one who saw little necessity for farther concealment, and 
 went directly to the true object of the interview. 
 
 "Thou hast something to communicate from the Castle 
 of Hartenburg, good Gottlob ? " 
 
 *'If it be your reverence's pleasure to listen." 
 
 " Proceed — Canst tell aught of the force Emich hath 
 gathered in the hold ? " 
 
 " Mein Herr Abbot, it is no easy matter to count varlets 
 that go staggering about, from the moment the sun touches 
 your Abbey towers, to that in which he sets behind the 
 Teufelstein." 
 
 " Hast thou not means of separating them in divisions, 
 and of making the enumerations of each apart ? " 
 
 " Holy Abbot, that experiment hath failed. I divided 
 them into the drunk and the sober ; but, for the life of 
 me, I could never o^et them all to be lono: enousfh of the 
 same mind, to hunt up those that were in garrets and cel- 
 lars ; for while this slept off his debauch, that swallowed 
 cup after cup, in a manner to recruit the drunkards as fast 
 as they lost. It were far easier to know the Emperor's 
 policy, than to count Lord Emich's followers !" 
 
 " Still they are many." 
 
 "They are and they are not, as one happens to view 
 soldiership. In the way of draining a butt, Duke Fried- 
 rich would find them a powerful corps, even in an attack 
 against his Heidelberg tun ; and yet I doubt whether he 
 would think them of much account in the pressing war- 
 fare he wageth." 
 
THE HEIDE\^MAUER. 141 
 
 " Go to — tliou art too indirect in thy answers for ihc 
 duty thou hast undertaken. Return the gold if thou re- 
 fusest the service." 
 
 " I pray thee, reverend Abbot, to remember the risks I 
 have ah'cady run in this desperate undertaking, and to 
 consider that the tritle you have so munificently bestowed, 
 is already more than earned by the danger of my ears, to 
 say nothing of great loss of reputation, and some pricking 
 of conscience.*' 
 
 *' This clown hath tampered with thee. Father Sieg- 
 fried," said the Abbot, in a tone of reproach to the attend- 
 ing monk : "he even dares to make light of our presence 
 and office ! " 
 
 "We have the means of recalling him to his respect, as 
 well as to a remembrance of his engagements." 
 
 " Thou sayest true : let the remedies be applied — but 
 hold ! " 
 
 During this brief colloquy between the Benedictines, 
 Father Siegfried had touched a cord, and a lay-brother, of 
 vigorous frame, showed himself. At a signal from the 
 mcmk, he laid a hand on an arm of the unresisting Gott- 
 lob, and was about to lead him from the room, when the 
 last w-ords of the Abbot, and another signal frcjm Father 
 Siegfried, caused him to pause. 
 
 Bonifacius leaned a cheek on his hand, and mused long 
 on the policy of the step he was about to take. The rela- 
 tions between the Abbey and the Castle, to adopt diplo- 
 matic language, were precisely in that awkward state in 
 which it was almost as hazardous to recede as to advance. 
 To imprison a vassal of the Count of Hartenburg, might 
 bring matters to an immediate issue ; and yet, to permit 
 him to quit the convent, was to deprive the brotherhood 
 of the means of extracting the information it was so im- 
 portant to obtain, and to procure which had been the 
 principal inducement of attending the debauch already 
 described, at a moment when there was so little real amity 
 between the revellers. The precaution of Emich had 
 frustrated this well-laid scheme, and the result of the ex- 
 periment had been too costly to admit of repetition. There 
 was also hazard in permitting Gottlob to return to Harten- 
 burg, for the expectations and hostile spirit of tlie Abbey 
 had been so unadvisedly exposed to tlie hind, as to render 
 it certain he would relate what had occurred. It was desi- 
 rable, too, to maintain an appearance of confidence, ah 
 
142 
 
 THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 though so little was felt ; for the monk well knew, that 
 next to friendship, its apparent existence was of account 
 in preventing tlie usual expedients of open hostility. 
 Agents were at Heidelberg, pressing the Elector on a point 
 of the last concern to the welfare of the brotherhood ; and 
 it was particularly material that Emich should not be 
 driven to any overt act before the result of this mission 
 was known. In short, these two little powers were in a 
 condition similar to that in which some greater communi- 
 ties have been known to exist, instinctively alive to the 
 opposing character of their respective interests, and yet 
 tampering with the denouement, because neitlier was yet 
 prepared to proclaim all it washed, meditated, and hoped 
 to be able to attain. In the meantime, there was an osten- 
 sible courtesy between the belligerent parties, occasionally 
 obscured by bursts of natural feeling, which, in politics, 
 the world calls bonhommie, but wliich would, perhaps, be 
 better termed by the frank designation of artifice. 
 
 The Abbot was so much accustomed to this sort of politic 
 reflection, that all these considerations passed before his 
 mind in less time than we have consumed in enumerating 
 them. Still the pause was salutary ; for, when he resumed 
 the discourse, he spoke like one whose decision was sup- 
 ported by thought. 
 
 " Thou wilt tarry with us a little, Gottlob, for the good 
 of thy soul," he said, making a sign that was understood 
 by his inferiors. 
 
 " A thousand thanks, humane and godly Abbot. Next 
 to the present good of my body, I look with most concern 
 to the future condition of my poor soul ; and there is great 
 comfort and consolation in your gracious words. It is but 
 the sou] of a poor man ; but, being my all, in the way of 
 souls, it must needs be taken care of." 
 
 '' The discipline we meditate will be healthful. Brothers, 
 lead the penitent to his cell." 
 
 The singular indifference with which Gottlob heard his 
 doom, might have given the Abbot motive for reflection, 
 had he not been so much occupied by other thoughts. As 
 it was, the hind accompanied the lay brother without re- 
 sistance, and indeed with the manner of one who appeared 
 to think he was a gainer by this especial notice from the 
 commruiity of Limburg. So natural and easy was the air 
 of Gottlob, as they took the direction of a gloomy corri- 
 dor, that Father Siegfried began to believe he had cm- 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER, 143 
 
 ployed an agent whose mind, shrewd and peculiar as it 
 seemed at times, was in truth subject to moments of more 
 than usual imbecility and dulness. He placed the cow- 
 herd in a cell, pointed to a crucifix, its only article of fur- 
 niture, and, without deeming it necessary even to secure 
 the door, retired. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 ■"The Lady Valeria is come 
 
 To visit you." — Coriolamis. 
 
 A SHORT ride brought the cavalcade of Count Emich to 
 the gates of Hartenburg. When all had alighted, and the 
 guests, with the more regular inmates of the castle, were 
 ushered into the hall, the lord of the hold again saluted 
 Ulrike and her daughter. This freedom was the privilege 
 of his rank, and of his character as host ; and for its exer- 
 cise, he once more received the grateful acknowledgments 
 of Heinrich Frey. The females were then committed to 
 the care of Gisela, the warder's daughter, who, in the ab- 
 sence of its more noble mistress, happened to be the pre- 
 siding person of her sex in the place. 
 
 " Thou art thrice welcome, upright and loyal Heinrich ! " 
 exclaimed the Count, heartily, while he led the Burgomas- 
 ter by the hand, into one of the rooms of honor — " None 
 know thy worth, and thy constancy to thy friends, better 
 than the master of this poor castle ; and none love thee 
 better." 
 
 *' Thanks, well-born Emich, and such duty as one of 
 poor birth and breeding can and siujuld pay to a noble so 
 honored and prized. I am little used to courtesies, beyond 
 those which we burghers give and take in the streets, and 
 may not do myself full justice in the expression of rever- 
 ence and respect, but I pray you, Herr Count, to take the 
 desire for the performance." 
 
 " Wert thou tlie Emperor's most favored chamberlain, 
 thy speech could not dcj thee mcjre credit. Though Duerck- 
 heim be not Madrid, it is a well-respected and courtly city, 
 and ncMie need envy the I^oman, or the Parisian, that 
 dwelleth there. Here is my kinsman of Viederbach, a 
 knight that Providence hath cast a little loosely upon the 
 world since the downfall of his Mediterranean island of 
 
141 TITB IIEIDENMAUER. 
 
 Rhodes, unci who hath travelled far and near, and he swears, 
 daily, tliv town hath no parallel, for its dimensions." 
 
 "Considered as a mountain city of no great magnitude, 
 meine Herren, we do not blush at the aspect of our an- 
 cient walls." 
 
 "Thou needest not, and thou must have noted that I 
 spoke in reference to its size. Monsieur Latotiche is a 
 gentleman that cometh from the capital of King Francis 
 itself ; and no later than this morning, he remarked on the 
 neatness, and wealth, and other matters of consideration, 
 that make tliemselves apparent, even to the stranger, in thy 
 w^ell-governed and prosperous borough." 
 
 The Burgomaster acknowledged the compliment, by a 
 profound inclination and a gratified eye, for no flattery is 
 so palpable as not to meet a welcome with tliose who labor 
 for public distinction; and Emich well knew, that the 
 police and order of his city were weak spots in Heinrich 
 Frey's humility. 
 
 "Lord Emich scarce does me justice," returned the 
 pliant Abbe, " since I found many other causes of admira- 
 tion. The deference that is paid to rank in thy populace, 
 and the manner in w^iich the convenience of the honor- 
 able is respected, are particularly wortliy of commendation." 
 
 "The churchman is right, Lord Emich — for, of all the 
 towns in Germany, I do not think it easy to find another 
 in which the poor and base are so well taught to refrain 
 from thrusting their importunities and disadvantages on 
 the gentle, as in our Duerckheim. I think my lord the 
 Count must have observed the strict severity and cautious 
 justice of our rules in this particular." 
 
 "None know them better, nor does any heed them more. 
 I cannot recall the moment, cousin Albrecht, when any 
 unpleasant intrusion on my privileges hath ever occurred 
 within its gates. But I keep you from refreshing your- 
 selves, worthy friends. Give us leave a little ; — we will 
 seek y(ju again, at your own convenience." 
 
 The Knight and the Abbe took this intimation of the 
 desire of the Count to be alone wath the Bursfomaster in 
 good part, and withdrew without unnecessary delay. When 
 alone, Emich again took Heinrich Frey by the hand, and 
 led him away into a part of the castle where none pre- 
 sumed to intrude without an especial errand. Here he 
 entered one of those narrow rooms, which were devoted to 
 secret uses, and which was well termed a closet, being in 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 145 
 
 effect but little larger and scarcely better lighted, than the 
 straitened apartments to which we give the same appel- 
 lation in these later times. 
 
 When fairly protected from observation, and removed 
 beyond the danger of eaves-droppers and spies, the Count 
 threw aside his cloak, unbuckled his sword-belt, and as- 
 sumed the manner of one at his ease. The Burgomaster 
 took a seat on a stool, in deference to his companion's 
 rank ; while the latter, without seeming sensible of the act, 
 seated himself at his side, in the only chair that the closet 
 contained. Whoever has had much intercourse with 
 Asiatics, or w^ith Mussulmans of the southern shore of the 
 Mediterranean, must have frequently observed the silent, 
 significant manner with which they regard each other, 
 when disposed to court or to yield confidence ; the eye 
 gradually kindling, and the muscles of the mouth relaxing, 
 until the feeling is fully betrayed in a smile. This is one 
 of the means employed by men who dwell under despotic 
 and dangerous governments, and where the social habits 
 are much tinctured with vicjlencc and treachery, of assur- 
 ing one another of secret faith and readv support. There 
 is a sort of similar freemasonry in all conditions of life, in 
 which frank and just institutions do not spread their mantle 
 equally over the powerful and the weak, superseding, by 
 the majesty of the law, the necessity of these furtive ap- 
 peals to the pledges and sympathies of confidants. Such, 
 in some degree, was the nature of the conimunication with 
 which Emich of Hartenburg now connuenced his private 
 intercourse with Heinrich Frey. The Count first laid his 
 square, bony hand on the knee of tlie Burgomaster, which 
 he squeezed until the iron fingers were nearlv buried in 
 the fleshy protuberance. Each turned his head toward his 
 companion, looking askance, as if they mutually under- 
 st(jod the meaning of what was conveyed by this silent 
 cofjuetry. Still, notwithstanding the apparent comminiity 
 of thought and confidence, the countenance and air of 
 each was distinguislKHl bv tlu^ personal character and the 
 social station cjf the individual. The eye of the Baron was 
 bc)ih more decided, and more openly meaning, than that 
 of the Burgomaster; while the smik* of the latter appeared 
 rather like a faint reflection of th(^ inviting expression of 
 the former, than the effect of any inwaid impulse. 
 
 " Mast heard of last night's success ?" abruptly demand- 
 ed the Count. 
 10 
 
146 THE IIEIDENMAUER. 
 
 *' Nothing of the sort hath gladdened me, Herr Count ; 
 my heart yearns to know all, if it touches your high in- 
 terests." 
 
 "The mass-singing rogues are stripped of their wine- 
 tribute ! Of that much are they fairly and legally disbur- 
 thened ! Thou knowest of our long-intended trial of 
 heads ; I had intended to have prayed thee to be a second at 
 the banquet, but the presence of these idlers put some re- 
 straint on my hospitality. Thou wouldest have proved a 
 stanch second in such an onset, Heinrich ! " 
 
 " I thank my lord the Count, and shall deem the grace 
 as good as acccnnplished in the wish. I am not worse 
 than anotlier at board, and may boast of some endurance 
 in the way of liquor, but the seriousness of the times ad- 
 monishes us, of civic authority, to be prudent. There is 
 a wish in the people to be admitted to certain unreason- 
 able and grave privileges, such as the right of vending 
 their wares in the market-place at unseasonable hours, 
 when the convenience of the burgomasters would be much 
 vexed by the concession ; and other similar innovations, 
 against which we must make a firm stand, lest they come, 
 in time, to invade our general authority and cause an un- 
 natural convulsion. Were we to give way to pretensions 
 so extravagant, Herr Count, the town would come to 
 general confusion ; and the orderly and respectable city of 
 Duerckheim would justly merit to be compared to the 
 huts of those countries of which they speak in the distant 
 land of America, that hath so much, of late, given cause 
 to writings and conversation. We need, therefore, look to 
 the example set ; for we have busy enemies, w^ho make 
 the most of the smallest indulgences. At another time, I 
 would gladly have drained Heidelberg to your gracious 
 honor." 
 
 " Thou wouldest not have been in danger of observation 
 here ; and, by the tliree holy Kings of Koeln, I should know 
 how to tutor any prying knave that might chance to thrust 
 a curious eye within these walls ! But thy discretion is 
 worthy of thy prudence, Heinrich ; fur, with thee, I deem 
 the time serious for all lovers of established order, and of 
 the peace of mankind. What would the knaves, that they 
 thus trouble tliy authority? Are they not fed and clad? 
 and do they not now possess privileges out of number ? 
 The greedy rogues, if left to their humors, would fain envy 
 their betters each delicate morsel they carry to their 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 147 
 
 mouths, or each drop of generous rhenish that moistens 
 their lips !" 
 
 " I fear, well-born Emich, that this spirit of covetous- 
 ness is in their vile natures .' I have rarely consented to any 
 little yielding to their entreaties, such as a wish to swell 
 out the time of their merrymakings, or a desire like this of 
 the market-place, that the taste of the indulgence hath not 
 given a relish for fuller fare. No ; he that would govern 
 quietly, and at his own ease, must govern thorouglily ; 
 else shall we all become illiterate savages, fitter for the 
 forests of these Indies, than for our present rational and 
 charitable civilization." 
 
 " Braver words were never uttered in thy council-hall, 
 and well do I know the head that conceived them ! Had 
 there been occasion to have summoned thee hither for the 
 banquet, the excuse should have satisfied, though the vine- 
 yards were the forfeiture. But what didst think, friend 
 lleinrich, of the priests to-day, and of their warlike com- 
 pany ! " 
 
 " 'Tis plain Duke Friedrich still upholds them ; and to 
 deal frankly with my lord the Count, the men-at-arms have 
 the air of fellows that are not likely to yield the hill with- 
 out fair contention." 
 
 "Thinkest thou thus. Burgomaster? 'Twere a thousand 
 pities that men of tried mettle should do each other harm, 
 for the benefits and pleasure of a community of shaven 
 Benedictines ! What is there to urge in favor of pretensions 
 so audacious as these they prefer, and which are so offen- 
 sive, both to me, as a noble of the empire, and to all of any 
 note or possessions in Duerckheim ?" 
 
 *' They lay great stress, Herr Count, on the virtue of 
 ancient usages, and on the sacred origin of their mission." 
 
 " As much respect as thou wilt for rights that are sealed 
 bv time, for such is the stamp that gives value to my own 
 fair claims ; and many of tiiy city privileges come chiefly 
 of use. But the matter between us is of abuse ; and I hold 
 it to be unworthy of those who can right themselves, to 
 submit to wrong. Do the monks still press the town for 
 dues ?" 
 
 *' With offensive importunity. If matters be not quickly 
 stayed, we shall c(Mne to open and indecent dissension." 
 
 " I would give a winter's enjoyment of my chases, were 
 Friedrich more sorely pressed ! " exclaimed the Count, lay- 
 ing ills hand again on tlie Burg^omaster's knee, whose coun- 
 
148 THE HEJDENMAUER. 
 
 tciiance he studied with a significance that was not lost on 
 his companion. " I speak merely in the manner of his 
 being driven to know his true and fast friends from those 
 who are false." 
 
 Heinrich Frey remained silent. 
 
 " The Elector is a mild and loving prince, but one 
 sorely ridden by Rome ! I fear we shall never have a 
 tranquil neighborhood, notwithstanding our long forbear- 
 ance, until the Church is persuaded to limit its authority 
 to its duties." 
 
 The eyelids of the Burgomaster lowered, as it might be 
 in reflection. 
 
 ''And chiefly, Heinrich, am I troubled lest mygood and 
 loving Duerckheimers lose this occasion to do themselves 
 right," continued the Count, squeezing the knee he still 
 grasped, until even the compact citizen flinched with the 
 force of the pressure. " What say they in the council-hall 
 touching this matter?" 
 
 There was no longer any plausible apology f(3r the silence 
 of the Burgomaster, who did not answer, however, without 
 working the heavy muscles of his face, as if delivered of 
 his opinions with pain. 
 
 " Men speak their minds among us, noble-born Count, 
 much as Duke Friedrich prospers or fails, in his warfare. 
 When we hear good tidings from the other side of the 
 river, the brotherhood fares but badly in our discourses ; 
 but when the Elector's warriors triumph, we hold it pru- 
 dent to remember they have friends." 
 
 "God's truth! Herr Heinrich, it is full time that you 
 come to certain conclusions, else shall we be saddled to the 
 end of our days by these hard-riding priests ! Art thou 
 not wearied with all their greedy exactions, that thou wait- 
 est patiently for more ?" 
 
 *' In that particular, a little sufficeth for our humors. 
 There is not a city between Constance and Leyden, that 
 is more quickly satisfied with paying than our Duerck- 
 hcim ; but we are husbands and fathers, Herr Count, and 
 men that bear a heavy burthen of authority ; and we must 
 be wary, lest in throwing aside one portion of the load, 
 space be found on our shoulders to place another that is 
 heavier. When I would speak of your strong love to the 
 town, there are distrustful tongues, that question me sore- 
 ly of its fruits, and of your own honorable intentions in 
 our behalf." 
 
THE IlEIDENMAUER. 
 
 149 
 
 "To all of which thou couldest not be wantine of re- 
 plies ! Have I not often entertained thee with my loving 
 wishes in behalf of the citizens ? " 
 
 " If wishes in our behalf could serve our interests, the 
 townsmen might, in their proper right, put in a claim to 
 high favor. In the way of longing for our own success, 
 Antwerp itself is not our better." 
 
 " Nay, thou takest my meaning unkindly ; what Emich 
 of Hartenburg wishes for his friends, he finds means to 
 perform. But we will not trouble digestion, as we are 
 about to feed, with these tiresome details " 
 
 " I pray you, Herr Count, not to doubt my means — 
 little troubles me, when " 
 
 " Thou shalt yield to my humor. What ! is not the 
 Count of Leiningen master in his own castle. Not a word 
 more will I hear till thou hast tasted of my poor hospital- 
 ity. Did my knaves serve thee, as I commanded yester- 
 day, with the fat buck that fell by my own hand, Hein- 
 rich?" 
 
 "A thousand thanks, mein Herr — they did, and right 
 cheerfully. I gave the rogues a silver penny for their 
 largess ; and the dust of the Jaegerthal was washed away 
 in heavy draughts of our wine of the plain." 
 
 " I would have it so ; between friends, there should be 
 no niggardly reserve, in the way of courtesies," said Emich, 
 rising. " Dost not bethink thee. Burgomaster, of look- 
 ing among the youths of Duerckheim for a son to stay 
 thy age ? Meta hath reached the years when maidens 
 gladly become wives." 
 
 "The wench is not ignorant of her time of life, and the 
 searcli of a suitable husband hath not failed to give me 
 fatherly concern. I do not presume to compare our con- 
 ditions and early lives in aught that is disrespectful, mein 
 Herr Graf ; but, touching all that is common to great and 
 little, the youth of this day seem not as they were in the 
 time of our young manhood." 
 
 " Priest-ridden, Burgomaster ; too much of Rome in our 
 laws and habits. God's my life! when I first mounted 
 steed, in the court below, I could have leaped the convent 
 towers, did a Benedictine dare gainsay the feat ! ' 
 
 *' Tliat would have been a miracle little short of the rais- 
 ing of their convent walls," answered Ileinrich, laughing at 
 his compani(jn's flight, and rising in deference to the atti- 
 tude the noble had been pleased to take. " These Bene- 
 
I50 THE HEIDRNMAUER. 
 
 dictines have been careless of their advantages, else might 
 they still have kept the circumstance of that miracle as 
 much beyond dispute, as it was in our young days, Lord 
 Count." 
 
 " And what say they in Duerckheim, now, touching the 
 affair ? " 
 
 *' Nay, men treat it, at present, as they treat other dis- 
 reputable subjects. Since this outcry of Brother Luther, 
 there have appeared many who call in question not only 
 that, but divers others of the Abbey's feats." 
 
 The Count unconsciously crossed himself, seeming to 
 ponder gloomily on the subject, within his own mind. 
 Then glancing towards his companion, he perceived that 
 he was standing. 
 
 " I cry thy mercy, worthy Burgomaster ; but my in- 
 attention hath given thee this pain. My leg hath been 
 so much of late suspended in the stirrup, that it hath 
 need of straightening ; but it should not, in justice, 
 cause thee this inconvenience. I pray thee, Herr Frey, be 
 seated." 
 
 " That would ill become my station in your presence, 
 noble and well-born Emich ; nor would it do fit credit to 
 my reverence and affection." 
 
 ** Nay, I will hear none of this. Thy seat, Master Hein- 
 rich, and that without delay, lest I seem to overlook thy 
 merits." 
 
 " I pray mein Herr Graf not to do himself this wrong ; 
 nay, if it be your honorable will — I blush at mine own dar- 
 ing — if I consent, I call my lord to witness 'tis only in pro- 
 found respect for his will !" 
 
 During this struggle of courtesy, the Count succeeded, 
 by means of gentle violence, in forcing the Burgomaster 
 to resume his seat. Heinrich had yielded with a species 
 of maiden coyness ; but when he found that, instead of 
 occupying his own humble stool, he had unwittingly been 
 forced into the arm-chair of the noble, he rebounded from 
 the cushion, as if the leather contained enough of the 
 electric fluid to bid defiance to the nonconductor qualities 
 of the ample woollen garment in which his nether person 
 was cased. 
 
 " Gott bcwahre ! " exclaimed the Burgomaster, in harsh, 
 energetic German : "The empire would cry out against 
 this scandal, were it known ! I owe it to my reputation to 
 deny myself an honor so little deserved." 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 151 
 
 " And I to my authority to enforce my will, and to pro- 
 claim thy deserts." 
 
 Here the amiable force on the part of the Count, and 
 the courteous coquetry of Heinrich Frey, were resumed, 
 until the latter, fearful of offending by longer resistance, 
 was obliged to submit, protesting, however, to the last, 
 against the apparent presumption on his own part, and 
 against the great injustice which the lord of the hold was 
 doing to his own rights, by thus insisting. 
 
 A distinguislied foreign orator once pronounced the 
 titles of honor, and the social distinctions that are con- 
 ferred by the European governments, to be the ''cheap de- 
 fence of nations." This opinion strikes us to be merely 
 one of the thousand bold fallacies that have been broached 
 to uphold existing interests, without reference to tlieir 
 true effects, or to their inherent justice. Tliis "cheap de- 
 fence," like the immortal Falstaff, who was not only witty 
 himself, but the cause of wit in otlicrs, is the origin of a 
 hundred sufficiently costly habits, that leave him who 
 bears the burden but little reason to exult in its discovery. 
 We recommend to all one-eyed economists, who still re- 
 tain any faith in this well-known opinion of the English 
 orator, to read that letter in the Spectator, in which a 
 city youth relates the manner he is driven to vindicate his 
 own reserve to his fair country cousins, wiio would fain 
 reproach him with an ungniceful disrespect of his holiday 
 privileges, by reminding them of the calculations of the 
 individual who refused to indulge in cheese-cakes, because 
 they brought with them so many other unnecessary ex- 
 penditures. 
 
 But whether honors of the description just alluded to, 
 do or do not form any portion of the economy of a nation, 
 there is little question but flattery, like this which Emich 
 lias just bestowed on the Burgomaster, is one of the subtle 
 and most powerful agents of the great in effecting their 
 secret purposes. Few are they — alas, how few! — that 
 possess a vision sufficiently clear, and an ambition so truly 
 noble, as t(j look bey(md the narrow and vulgar barriers 
 of human selfishness, and to regard truth as it came from 
 God, without res|)ect U)X persons and things, exce})t as 
 they are the instruments of liis will. It is certain that 
 Heinrich Frey had little pretension to be one of this scru- 
 tinizing and elevated class ; for when he found himself 
 fairly seated in the chair of the Count of Hartenburg, with 
 
152 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 the noble himself standing, his sensations were like those 
 which are felt by the philosopher of the other hemisphere, 
 who is authorized to put a ribbon at his button-hole ; — or 
 the tradesman of this, who is elected to the common-coun- 
 cil of his native city, after being run on both tickets. Still 
 he greatly regretted there was no one to envy his prefer- 
 ment ; for, after the first soothing effect on his own self- 
 love, that unquiet spirit which haunts us to the last, dis- 
 figuring the fairest pictures, and casting its alloy into ev- 
 ery scheme of happiness, suggested that his triumph would 
 be imperfect without a witness. Just as this rebellicnis 
 feeling became troublesome, there appeared at the door 
 of the closet, the very being of all others that the Burgo- 
 master would have chosen to see him in the enjoyment of 
 this high honor. A gentle tap announced the presence of 
 the intruder, and when the authoritative voice of Emich 
 had given the permission, the mild Ulrike appeared on the 
 threshold. 
 
 Surprise was strongly painted on the features of the 
 Bursfomaster's wife. The husband had crossed his lesfs, 
 and was indulsfino: in his ease, with a sort of noble indif- 
 ference to the unusual situation in which he was placed, 
 when this extraordinary sight greeted the eyes of his 
 amazed consort. So absolute and so tenacious were the 
 rules of Germany on all things that concerned the respect 
 due to rank, that even one as little troubled by ambition 
 as the meek Ulrike, had great difficulty in believing her 
 senses when she beheld Heinrich Frey thus suddenly ele- 
 vated to a seat of honor in the presence of a Count of 
 Leiningen. 
 
 ''Nay, enter without fear, my good Ulrike," said Emich, 
 graciously ; "thy worthy husband and I do but indulge in 
 mutual friendship, while my varlets prepare an unworthy 
 banquet. Do not think to break our discourse." 
 
 " I only hesitate, noble Emich, at seeing Heinrich Frey 
 preferred to that seat, while the Lord of Hartenburg 
 stands, like one of humble birth, at his side ! " 
 
 " Touch not the matter, meine Frau," said the husband, 
 condescendingly. "Thou art a loving consort, and art 
 well enough amid thy sex, and in questions that belong to 
 thy breeding ; but in an affair, like this, between mein 
 Herr Graf and me, thou mayst only mar what thou canst 
 not mend." 
 
 " By the life of the princely Karl ! master Heinrich, you 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 153 
 
 do insufficient justice to Ulrikc's discernment ! Were 
 mine own Ermengarde among us, thou shouldst see that 
 we prize thy loving wife little less than we esteem thee. 
 But it were better that we inquire of Ulrike the occasion 
 of her visit, before we attempt to school her on matters of 
 deportment." 
 
 Though so rough and unnurtured on many of the points 
 that are now deemed essential even to an indifferent civil- 
 ization, Emich had a quick interest for the ])erception of 
 character, and possessed as much of the refinement that 
 marks a superior condition in life as the state of the age 
 and the situation of his own country permitted. There 
 can be no greater mistake than to imagine that mere nom- 
 inal rank is any pledge for a correspondent degree of re- 
 finement, since everything is relative in this world, and 
 where the base of the pillar is rude and little polished, it 
 would be a violation of all architectural keeping to expect 
 a capital of a different style. Tluis it is that we, without 
 any social orders but those of convention, arc struck with 
 so many glaring discrepancies among people whose patri- 
 cians, having studied all that is factitious and plausible in 
 breeding, are still deficient in the grand essentials of rea- 
 son and humanity, simply because the roots of the society, 
 of which they are only the more luxuriant branches, are 
 planted in the soil of ignorance and debasement. The 
 Count of Martenburg had possessed ample opportunities 
 of witnessing how much the intellectual qualities of the 
 Burgomaster's wife were sujjerior to those of her husband ; 
 and he had sufficient discrimination and experience to be 
 quite aware of the importance of conciliating such an ally 
 in advancing his own particular views. It was in this spirit, 
 therefore, that he ventured on so blunt a reproof of Ilcin- 
 rich's superciliousness, and volunteered the compliment to 
 the spouse ; probably hazarding the latter, from an inti- 
 mate conviction that most husbands arc content to hear 
 eulogies on those who are so completely in their power 
 as their own wives. 
 
 " Since it is y(jur honoral)le pleasure, Herr Count, for 
 God's sake let tlie woman come in," answered Heinrich, 
 still, however, without changing an attitude so soothing to 
 his self-esteem. " If she slu^uld see me seated in a })res- 
 cncc in which it would much better become me to kneel, 
 why it mav hc.^lp to show that God hath given her a com- 
 panion that is not altogether without the world's esteem, 
 
154 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 little as he may merit it. Enter freely, therefore, good 
 Ulrike, since it is my lord's pleasure ; but presume not on 
 his condescension to me, which is rather a mark of great 
 love for our town, than any matter connected with domes- 
 tic life." 
 
 " In all that the high-born Count hath done honor to 
 any of us, whether as of Duerckheim, or as his unworthy 
 neighbors, I desire respectfully to be grateful," returned 
 the wife, who, by this time had recovered from her sur- 
 prise, and who now advanced farther into the narrow room, 
 with the modest self-possession which ordinarily distin- 
 guished her manner : — "If I do not come amiss, I crave to 
 be heard of both, in a matter that toucheth nearly a 
 mother's heart ; and a matter, as it is of Heinrich Frey's 
 child I would fain speak, that I trust may not be indiffer- 
 ent to my lord the Count." 
 
 "Were it of mine own little Kunigunde, the subject 
 should not be more welcome ! " said the noble. " Speak 
 freely then, gentle Ulrike, and with the same simplicity 
 thou wouldest use were it only to thy husband's ear." 
 
 " Thou hearest, woman ! mein Herr Graf enters, as it 
 were, into all our tribulations and happiness, an' he were 
 no other than a brother. So mince not the matter, but 
 deal frankly with us ; though I admonish thee not to push 
 thy words to all the familiarity of household discourse." 
 
 "As it is of a subject so near, I pray leave to close the 
 door, before more is uttered." 
 
 The words of Ulrike were cut short by a hasty gesture 
 of approbation from her husband, and by the Count him- 
 self, who, with more of the consideration and maimer of a 
 gentleman, performed the desired office with his own hands, 
 ihus admitting the wife, as it were, into the very cabinet of 
 their secret councils. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 '* You would be another Penelope : yet they 
 
 Say, all the yarn she spun, in Ulysses' absence, did 
 But fill Ithaca full of moths." — Coi'iolamis. 
 
 When Ulrike found himself fairly closeted with the 
 Count and her husband, and was quietly seated on the 
 stool which the former, spite of the lattpr's protestations 
 
THE HRT DEN-MA UER. 
 
 155 
 
 to tlic contrary, had insisted on her taking, she cast her 
 mild eyes about her, with tliat expression and touching 
 appeal that a woman is apt to make when she feels called 
 on to act as the adviser, if not the guardian, of him whom 
 nature intended and the law presumes, is both able and 
 willing to discharge those offices for her. Notwithstand- 
 incr Henrich's obstinacy and masculine swa^rirerino-, 
 many occasions had arrived in the course of their niatri- 
 monial life to produce a latent conviction in both, that 
 the order of things was a little inverted, as respects judg- 
 ment and moral authority, by inclining one to lean, though 
 with but an indifferent grace, where he should have sup- 
 ported ; and tempting the other, at times, to overstep her 
 sex's duties, though it was always done with an intuitive 
 perception of her sex's seemliness and means. 
 
 '' For this condescension I thank \\\y Lc^rd Emich, and 
 thee, Hcinrich," commenced the thoughtful matron ; "for 
 it is not at all times advisable for the wife to intrude un- 
 bidden even to her husband's presence." 
 
 A significant ejaculation, which might almost merit a 
 coarser term, was the manner in which the Burgomaster 
 expressed his assent, dm-ingthe brief pause that succeeded 
 this excuse of Ulrike. The more courteous host bowed with 
 sufficient respect, though even by his manner it was evi- 
 dent he was getting impatient to know the real motive of 
 the interruption. 
 
 " We are too well pleased to receive thee, to remember 
 the usages and rights of manhood," answered the latter, 
 with a kindness of manner that was insensibly extorted by 
 the winning and feminine qualities of her he addressed, 
 and which in some degree softened the pretensions of his 
 language—" Proceed with thy matter, for none can be 
 more ready t(j listen." 
 
 " TIkju liearest, good Ulrike ! the Ilerr Count is willing 
 to remember thou art a Burgomaster's consort ; and, as he 
 is pleased to say, we arc truly impatient to be let into the 
 cause of thy sudden visit." 
 
 The thoughtful Ulrike received this encouragement like 
 one accustomed to be treated, in some measure, as a being 
 inferior in capacity and force to her husband, but not with- 
 out a shade like that which is produced by unmerited 
 hinniliation. Smiling — and few, even in early and attrac- 
 tive youth, and s(j sweet an expression, when her C(jun- 
 tenance thus gleamed, whether it were in pleasure, or in 
 
156 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 melancholy — smiling, as it might be, partly in female 
 gentleness, and partly in sadness, she commenced the pur- 
 port of her visit, coming, however, to her true object with 
 great reserve and with the caution of a Avoman accustomed 
 to influence, rather than to control. 
 
 " For the great kindness and condescension of the Herr 
 Emich, in behalf of Heinrich Frey, and of all that are his, 
 no one is more grateful than I," she said ; ^*if I may now 
 seem to trouble him with the concerns of a family on 
 which he has already so freely lavished favors " 
 
 "And friendsliip, good Ulrike." 
 
 "And friendship, since you permit me, noble Count, to 
 use the word — but, if I now seem to trespass beyond breed- 
 ing, by troubling your mind with a concern that is so rC' 
 mote from your own interests, I trust you will remembei 
 a mother's tenderness, and think of the high-born Ermen- 
 garde whose anxiety for her own offspring may furnish 
 some excuse for that I feel for mine." 
 
 " Hath aught befell the blooming Meta ?" 
 
 *' God's my life ! " exclaimed the troubled Heinrich, 
 abandoning -his much-prized seat, in the suddenness of pa- 
 ternal alarm. " Hath tlie wench suffered from the over- 
 rich eels of the Rhine ? or is she massed to death by these 
 accursed monks?" 
 
 "Our child is well in the body, and, the blessed Maria 
 be praised ! she is pure and innocent in mind," returned 
 Ulrike. " I liave little cause for aught but gratitude in 
 either of these behalfs ; — but, she is of an age when girlish 
 fancies become unsettled, and the flexible female spirit 
 seeks impressions from others than those whom nature 
 hath made its guardians." 
 
 *' This is some of thy usual incomprehensibilities, good 
 woman, and language that is not easily understood by any 
 but thyself. The noble Graf hath no leisure to hunt up 
 new ideas to maintain a discourse in subtleties. Had the 
 girl indeed tasted too freely of the rare dish which the 
 honest Burgomaster of Manheim so kindly sent me, as I 
 at first feared, no doubt the means to cure might be found 
 in Hartenburg ; but thou askest too much, wife of mine, 
 when thou wouldest have any but thine own husband en- 
 ter into all the cunning niceties tliat sometimes beset thy 
 imagination." 
 
 *' Nay, Master Heinrich, here may be more urgent mat- 
 ter than thou thinkcst : tliy dame is not a woman whose 
 
riJE HEIDENMA UER. 
 
 157 
 
 opinions arc to be neglected. Wilt proceed with thy re- 
 cital, good Ulrike ? " 
 
 " Our ciiiid is at that period of life," continued the 
 mother, too much accustomed to the manner of her hus- 
 band to permit it to divert her thoughts from their main 
 intention — '* when the young of every sort begin to think 
 of the future. It is a principle that God hath implanted, 
 Herr Emich, and therefore it is for good ; and we, who 
 have watched over the infancy of our offspring with so 
 much anxiety, have trained their youth with so much care, 
 and have so often trembled for their noon-time, must, 
 sooner or later, consent to loosen the sweet ties that bind 
 us to our seccmd selves, in order that the great ends of the 
 creation shall be accomplished." 
 
 " Umph !" ejaculated Heinrich. 
 
 " Nay, gentle Ulrike," said the Count, " maternal love 
 hath drawn this picture in stronger colors than may be 
 necessary. Wiien the time for matrimony comes, God's 
 my life ! daughter of thine and honest Heinrich Frey, need 
 not wear maiden's coif a day longer than is necessary to 
 do suitable reverence to the Church. Here have I youths, 
 out of number, that look to the house of Leiningen for 
 grace, any one of whom would be glad to wive with the 
 damsel I should name. There is young Friedrich Zant- 
 zinger, the orphan of my last deputy in the villages of the 
 plain ; he is a lad that would gladly do harder service to 
 gain my love." 
 
 "When old Friedrich left the boy fatherless, he left him 
 without a penny," dr)'ly rejoined the Biugomaster. 
 
 "That is a fault which might be mended ; but I have 
 others that can be named. What thirikest thou of the eldest 
 son of my Heidelberg attorney, worthy Com-ad Walther ?" 
 
 "Curse the knave? I hate him from mv he:irt." 
 
 "Thou art warm, Master Heinrich, against one that I 
 both trust and fav(;r." 
 
 " I cry your mercy, Herr Graf ; but a sudden rising of 
 the bile, at the mention of the fellow's name, got the bet- 
 ter of respect," answered the Jiurgomaster, with more 
 moderation, who, as he saw by the lowering look of Emich's 
 brow the necessitv of explanation, continued, with rather 
 more openness than he might have thought necessary un- 
 der circumstances of less urgency: "Perhaps the high- 
 born Count was never possessed of the matter of our late 
 controversy ? " 
 
15S THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 "Nay, I pretend not to judge my friends " 
 
 " Let but my lord condescend to hear me, and I leave 
 him arbiter between us. It is well known to you, Herr 
 Eniich, that collections ^vere made, and charity asked, in 
 behalf of the peasants who suffered, the past year, from 
 the sudden rising of the Rliine. Among others, the good 
 Christians of our town were importuned for succor ; and, 
 for none will deny that it was a sad visitation of Provi- 
 dence, we gave freely as became our several means. To 
 prevent improper uses of the money, in all cases of lib- 
 eral donations the sealed bond of the donor, at a near day, 
 was asked in preference to the silver ; and mine was grant- 
 ed for the fair sum of twelve crowns, as a poor donation 
 suited to my hopes and station. It so fell out, Ilerr Graf, 
 that those charged with the distribution had occasion for 
 their money before the instruments were up ; and they 
 sent agents among us, in order to enter into such negotia- 
 tions as the cases might need. Gold was scarce at the 
 moment ; and because, in regaining my bond, I had a 
 heedful regard to mine own interests, the misdealing Con- 
 rad would fain transport me, like a thief, before the au- 
 tliorities of Heidelberg, to undergo the penalties of a 
 usurer. Son of his shall never call me father, with your 
 gracious leave, nobly-born Count of Leiningen ! " 
 
 " This tridy offereth some impediment to the affair ; but, 
 faihng of young Conrad, I have others that may be ac- 
 counted worthy of tliis advantage. So put thv maternal 
 heart at ease, good Ulrike, and trust to my active friend- 
 ship to dispose of tiiegirl." 
 
 The Burgomaster's consort had been a patient listener 
 during the short but characteristic digression of her hus- 
 band. Trained in the opinions of the times, she did not 
 possibly endure all that a mother and a wife, of equal na- 
 tive sensibility, might now suffer at so evident a debase- 
 ment of her sex ; but as the laws of nature are permanent, 
 neither did she escape a pang of wounded feeling as she 
 heard the different expedients that were so hastily devised 
 for the future disposal of one who formed her chief hap- 
 piness in life. There was less of that hectic color, which 
 commonly gave a lustre to eyes that were by nature rather 
 melancholy than bright, and her voice was fuller of emo- 
 tion than before, as she continued. 
 
 " For all this heed of me and mine, I again thank the 
 Herr Count ; but there is a power that is stronger with 
 
THE IIKIDKXMAUER. 159 
 
 the young than the counsel of the experienced, or even 
 than the wishes of their friends," she said. "My intent, 
 in intruding myself unbidden into this secret conference, 
 was to say that Meta had listened to tlie voice of her sym- 
 pathies more than to the usages of her class, and chosen 
 for herself." 
 
 The Count and Heinrich Frcy stared at the speaker in 
 mute surprise, for neitiier fully comprehended her mean- 
 ing ; while Ulrike herself, one of her objects being 
 accomplished, in having made this long-dreaded declara- 
 tion in the presence of a person able to repress the anger 
 of her husband, sat silent, inwardly trembling for the 
 consequences. 
 
 "Wilt thou explain tlie meaning of thy worthy consort, 
 Herr Heinrich," abruptly asked the Count. 
 
 '*Zum Henker! you ask me to perform an office, Lord 
 Count, that might better fit a Benedictine, or a clerk. 
 When Ulrike, who is an excellent and obedient companion 
 in tlie main, once gets upon the stilts of fancy, I never 
 pretend to be able to raise an idea to the level of her shoe- 
 buckle. Go to ! thou hast well spoken, wife of mine ; and 
 it will now be better to seek our child, lest yonder cavalier 
 of Rliodes be oiling her ears with the unction of flattery." 
 
 "Nay, by my house's honors ! but I will know more of 
 this matter, thy fair and virtuous consort consenting, Mas- 
 ter Heinrich. Wilt explain thyself freely, dame ?" 
 
 Whether it be from the instinct of weakness and deli- 
 cacy, or only the fruit of precepts constantly inculcated, a 
 virtuous woman rarely admits the existence of the senti- 
 ment of love, either in herself or in any that is dear to her, 
 without a feeling of shame, and possibly not without an 
 intuitive knowledge that she is conceding some of the 
 vantage-ground of her sex's privileges. 
 
 This feeling w\as apparent in Ulrike, by the slow but 
 complete suffusion of her cheek, and by the manner in 
 which her looks avoided those of Emich, spite of the self- 
 possession and calm of her years. 
 
 " I would merely say, Herr Emich," she replied, " that 
 Meta, like all who are young and innocent, hath fancied 
 an image (jf perfection, and that she hath found an orig- 
 inal for her picture in a youtli of the Jaegerthal. While of 
 this mind she cannot, in honesty or in maidenly respect, 
 become the bride of any other than him she loves." 
 
 "Tlie affair grows clearer," returned the count, smiling 
 
i6o THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 like one who took no very deep interest in the matter ; 
 " and it is as well explained as heart could wish — at least, 
 heart of the youth in question. What thinkest thou of 
 this, Herr Burgomaster ? " 
 
 The comprehension of Heinrich Frey could not alto- 
 gether misconceive so plain an explanation, and, since the 
 moment when his wife had ceased speaking, he sat regard- 
 ing her mild but troubled countenance, with parted lips 
 and open eyes, like a man that first learns some unlooked- 
 for intelligence of great moment. 
 
 " Herr Teufel ! " exclaimed Heinrich, taking up the last 
 words of the Baron, unconscious of tiie disrespect of what 
 he did — "Art talking of our own natural-born child ?" 
 
 " Of none other. In whom else have I tliis motherly 
 affection? — or for what other can I feel this deep con- 
 cern r 
 
 " Dost mean that Meta — my daughter, Meta Frey — hath 
 inclination for son of woman, except it may be the natural 
 love and reverence she beareth her own father ? — that the 
 girl hath truant and free fancies ? " 
 
 '' I say nothing to give this opinion of Meta— my daugh- 
 ter, Meta," returned Ulrike, with womanly dignity. " Our 
 child has done no more than listened to the secret whis- 
 perings of nature ; and, in yielding her affections to a 
 youth whom she hath often seen and long known, she hath 
 merely paid an homage to merit, that the most virtuous 
 are the most apt to yield." 
 
 " Go to, Ulrike ! Thou art well enough among thy 
 household, and a woman for whom I have esteem ; but 
 these visions with which thou art so often troubled, give 
 thee an air, at times, of being of less discernment than 
 thou mayest fairly claim to be. Excuse the dame, Herr 
 Count ; for, though her own husband, and a little weak 
 on the subject of her infirmities perhaps, there is not a 
 more thrifty manager, a more faithful spouse, or a kinder 
 mother in the Palatinate." 
 
 " Nay, thou little need say this to me ! None know the 
 worth of Ulrike better ; and, I may add, few respect her 
 so much. It were well to hear further of this matter, 
 Heinrich ; for, to treat thee in candor, there may lay more 
 beneath this opening of the excellent wife than is at first 
 apparent. Our Meta hath seen the qualities of some 
 worthy youth sooner than they have struck the eye of her 
 quick-sighted father, thou wouldst say. Is it not so,dame ?" 
 
THE ITEIDENMAUER. i6i, 
 
 " I would say that, the heart of my child is so closely 
 bound in that of another, as to leave little hope of happi- 
 ness should her matrimonial duties teach her to forget 
 him." 
 
 *' Thou thinkest, then, good dame, that the young fan- 
 cies of a female, when once indulged, are not to be re- 
 moved by the offices of wife and mother ? — that a caprice 
 of the imagination is stronger than a vow made at the 
 altar ? " 
 
 Though the eyes of both tlie Count and the Burgomaster 
 were riveted on the fine and speaking countenance of 
 Ulrike, the volume of eloquent nature, that was thus opened 
 to their observation, proved little better than a blank. 
 Strong and dramatic exhibitions of feeling require but lit- 
 tle interpretation for the dullest faculties ; but few indeed 
 are they who are capable of comprehending the secret 
 workings of a spirit chastened and restrained as that of a 
 virtuous, but unhappily-paired woman. There is, perhaps, 
 no one aspect of human nature more commonplace, or 
 more easily understood, than that which is hourly offered 
 by a worldly-minded and capricious fair. She runs her 
 little career, seemingly as erratic as a comet, though, in 
 truth, her course is always to be calculated on the infallible 
 principles of vanity and selfisiiness ; but no secret is more 
 hermetically sealed against impertinent and vulgar curios- 
 ity, than the elevated sentiments which sustain the suffer- 
 ing and silent female who is truly instinct with the high 
 qualities of her sex. 
 
 We are no railer at the domination of man ; for we are 
 persuaded that he who would wish lo transform the being 
 that was created to be his solacer and com]3anion — his guide 
 in moral darkness, and his sharer in sorrow as in joy — into 
 a worldly competitor, changing hjve and cjnfidence to 
 riv.'dry and (•ontenti(jn, is but miseral)ly instructed in that 
 sublime ordinance of nature, wliich has thus separated the 
 highest order of its creation into two great classes, so re- 
 plete with mutual consolation and liapi:)iness. 
 
 Had the wife of the Burgomaster arisen, and, in chosen 
 terms, made an ai)peal t(j the sympathies of her compan- 
 ions, in which language should iniite with manner to pro- 
 duce an effect, slie might have been understood, as the 
 every-day reader understands all such pictures of female 
 character ; but where she sat, silent, suffering, and meek, 
 she was completely concealed from any means of comprc- 
 II 
 
i62 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 hension possessed by either. Her eye did not kindle, for 
 long and patient subordination had taught her to submit 
 to the misconstructions of her husband ; nor scarcely did 
 the faint color of her cheek deepen, since the load at her 
 heart counteracted the natural impulses of pride and re- 
 sentment. 
 
 *' I think, Lord Count, that when an innocent and youth- 
 ful female heart yields to a power that nature perhaps has 
 made irresistible," she said, " it, at least, merits to be 
 treated tenderly. Meta hath few fancies of the kind you 
 mention ; and the attachment she feels, though doubtless 
 deepened by those colors which the least experienced in 
 the truths of life are the most apt to paint, is but the nat- 
 ural consequence of much association, and of great de- 
 serving on the part of the young man." 
 
 " This is getting to be plain, Herr Emich," said Heinrich 
 Frey, pithily, " and must needs be looked to. Wilt con- 
 descend to name the youth thou meanest, Ulrike ? " 
 
 ^' Berchthold Hintermayer." 
 
 " Berchthold Teufelstein ! " exclaimed the Burgomaster, 
 laughing, though there was something like a secret con- 
 sciousness of danger in the very manner in which he gave 
 loose to his merriment. *' A penniless boy is truly a lit 
 husband for child of mine ! " 
 
 The quiet, blue eye of Ulrike was fastened on her hus- 
 band ; but she averted it with sensitive haste, lest it miglit 
 betray that she was thinking of the time when her own 
 father had consented to her marriage with one nearly as 
 poor, merely because the penetration of the parent had 
 discovered those qualities of prudence and gainful indus- 
 try in his townsman which after-experience so fully de- 
 veloped. 
 
 " He is not rich, Fleinrich," was her answer ; " but he is 
 worthy ; and why need a chill be thrown on the heart of 
 Meta, for the desire of that which she already hath in 
 sufficient plenty ?" 
 
 " Hear you this, Herr Emich ? My wife is lifting the 
 curtain of privacy before your respected eyes with a free- 
 dom for which I could fain cry mercy." 
 
 *' Berchthold is a youth I love," gravely observed the 
 Count. 
 
 " In that case, I shall say nothing disrespectful of the 
 lad, who is a worthy forester, and in all things suited to his 
 service in the family of Hartcnburg ; still, he is but a 
 
THE IIEIDENMAUER. 163 
 
 forester, and «i very penniless one. I had not thought to 
 dispose of the girl so soon, for a little maidenly leisure 
 does none of the sex injury, Lord Count ; but as she hath 
 her head set upon this Berchthold, it may be well to wrap 
 it in a matron's coif, by way of filling it with ideas more 
 suited to her hopes." 
 
 "The remedy may prove fatal, Heinrich ! " mildly ob- 
 served Ulrike, raising her tearful eye to the obstinate feat- 
 ures of the Burgomaster. 
 
 "Nay, I ought to know the constitution of the family; 
 what has so well succeeded with the mother cannot harm 
 the child.'' 
 
 The wife did not reply. But Emich of Hartenburg had 
 been deeply interested by her gentle and winning manner, 
 for he had watched her countenance closely, and under- 
 stood the womanly effort by which the appearance of calm 
 was preserved. Turning to the Burgomaster, he laid a 
 hand on his shoulder, with a friendly smile, and said — 
 
 " Herr Heinrich, thou hast a fair and gentle consort ; 
 but, I think, too, thou hast scarce less faith in me than in 
 thy wife. Give us leave ; I would fain reason this matter 
 with Ulrike, without the aid of thy influence." 
 
 "A thousand thanks for the honor to me and mine, hieh- 
 born Count! As to faith, 1 would leave the dame a year 
 on Limburg-hill without other thought than for her con- 
 venience; for none know the worth of Ulrike better, 
 though she is so difficult to comprehend when her fancv is 
 moulting. Now kiss me, dame, and prithee do no dis- 
 honor to the Count's counsel." 
 
 Thus saying, Heinrich Frey placed a hearty kiss on the 
 soft cheek that the obedient Ulrike freely offered, and left 
 his wife alone with the noble, without other thought than 
 (jf the high distinction that was conferred on his name. 
 Tlie manner in whicli he prized the notice of the Baron 
 was sufficiently manifested by the readiness with which 
 he communicated the circumstance tliat Emich and his 
 consort were closeted on an affair touching the interests 
 of the family of Frey, to all who would listen to his talc. 
 
1 64 THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 **Ah me ! for aught that ever I could read, 
 Could ever hear by tales or history, 
 The course of true love never did run smooth ! " 
 
 — Shakespeare. 
 
 When the door was closed on the husband, the Count 
 turned to the wife, and continued the discourse. 
 
 " I love young Berchthold Hintermayer, good Ulrike," 
 he said, "and would gladly be of aid in this affair, which, 
 I see plainly, thou hast much at heart." 
 
 *' The mother would be ujinatural that had not anxiety 
 for the happiness of lier child. In youth, Lord Count, we 
 gaze before us, filling the dim ascent with scenes drawn 
 after our wishes, and peopling the world with tlie beings 
 that we deem most necessary to our hopes ; but when we 
 have reached the eminence,whence the commencement and 
 the end of life can both be plainly seen, do we first find 
 truth. I am as little disposed as another to venture rashly 
 on a union that has no better security for its fruits than a 
 blind and feverish passion, that will be certain to consume 
 itself by its own fierceness ; but, on the other hand, none 
 who have known life as I can be disposed to consider 
 lightly those resemblances of taste and opinions, those 
 gentle touches of character and disposition, that are most 
 likely to conduce to wedded love." 
 
 " Thou art esteemed lucky in thine own consorting, 
 dame?" 
 
 " God hath much blessed me in many mercies — the ques- 
 tion is of Meta, my Lord Count." 
 
 Ulrike, spite of herself, had changed color ; but, aided 
 by the manner of matronly 'reserve she immediately 
 assumed, the little emotion passed with Emich as no more 
 than a display of feminine reserve, that was intended to 
 repress a curiosity he had no title to indulge. 
 
 " The question is of Meta, in sooth," he answered ; 
 *'and, by Saint Benedict ! the youth shall not want for 
 friendly and free support. But favor should have favor's 
 reward. If I give into thy humor in this concern of thy 
 daughter's marriage, good Ulrike, in return, I expect of 
 thee a service on which I scarce lay less stress." 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 165 
 
 The matron raised her eyes to the countenance of her 
 companion, in surprise. One who had not so uniformly- 
 preserved her own self-respect, might have doubted of 
 what she heard ; but the look of the Burgomaster's wife 
 merely conveyed a meaning of curiosity and innocence. 
 
 " You W'ill deserve far more than I can bestow, Herr Count, 
 should you do aught to secure the happiness of Meta." 
 
 " Fair wife," continued Emich, seating himself, and tak- 
 ing her hand, with the freedom which his superior rank 
 and the usages of the country allowed, "thou knowest the 
 manner in which these Benedictines have so long vexed 
 our valley; and, being so deeply in the confidence of the 
 honest Heinrich, thou must have suspected that, wearied 
 of their insolence and exactions, we have seriously be- 
 thought us of the means by which to reduce them to the 
 modesty that becomcth their godly professions, and which 
 might better justify their pretensions ?" 
 
 Emich paused, and sat intently regarding the face of his 
 quiet listener. He had unwittingly touched upon the 
 very subject that had been the chief inducement with the 
 Burgomaster's wife for intruding upon the privacy of the 
 conspirators. She had long suspected their intentions ; 
 and, though she felt deep care for the future lot of Metn, 
 and had 2:ladlv availed herself of a favorable occasion to 
 break the ice on a subject that, sooner or later, must be 
 disclosed, her real object was to warn Heinrich against 
 the probable consequences of the plot. In this disposi- 
 tion, then, she heard the Count with secret pleasure, and 
 prepared herself to reply, in the manner she had long 
 meditated. 
 
 "All that you say, Herr Count," she answered, "has 
 more than once crossed my mind ; and deeply have I 
 grieved that those I S(j love and honor should thus medi- 
 tate injury to the altars of God — plan desperate devices to 
 interrupt his praise." 
 
 " How ! dost tliou call the winnings of these knaves 
 praise of aught but their own hypocrisy?" interrupted 
 Emich. " Are they ncjt the instigators of most of our sins, 
 by their example ? — the parents of all the contention that 
 troubles the neighborhood ? — Consider, good Ulrike, tiiat 
 heaven is not a close into which souls are to be driven 
 blindfolded ; but that we, who are of the flock, have at 
 least the riglit, as we have the means, of judging whether 
 the shepherds are fit for their ollice, or not." 
 
1 66 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 "And should they prove unequal to, or unworthy of 
 their duties, where do we find authority to do them harm ?" 
 
 " God's my life ! good wife ; are our swords notliing ? 
 Are a noble name, an ancient and high descent, a long- 
 standing claim to command, and a stout heart, nothing ? " 
 
 " Arrayed against the Almighty, they count as the leaves 
 of your own forest when fluttering in a gale ; — less than the 
 flakes of snow that drive, in winter, against the battle- 
 ments of your strong castle. Limburg is reared in honor 
 of God ; and he tliat raiseth a hand against the sacred 
 walls, will be apt to repent the rashness in woe. If there 
 are unworthy ministers at its altars, there are also those 
 that are worthy ; and were it not so, the mission is too 
 high to be sullied by any frailty of those who abuse their 
 trusts." 
 
 The Count was disturbed ; for UlrilvC spoke earnestly, 
 and in a voice of sweet persuasion. He leaned his chin 
 upon a hand, as a man that pondered well upon the haz- 
 ards of his enterprise. 
 
 "What thinkest thou, Ulrike, of this brother of Witten- 
 berg ? " he at length asked. " Could we but fairly make 
 him out honest and wise, ecclesiastical authority for low- 
 ering the pride of Limburg might be had ! " 
 
 " I am one of those who think brother Luther honest ; I 
 am also one of those who think him mistaken : but even 
 he is far from urging to deeds of violence." 
 
 "By Saint Benedict! woman, thou hast had converse 
 with Father Arnolph, touching this question. Echo does 
 not answer sound more faithfully than thou repeatest the 
 sentiments of the Prior." 
 
 *' It is not strange that they who love God should feel 
 and speak alike in a matter affecting his honor. I have said 
 nought to Father Arnolph, nor to any other of the Abbey, 
 of your designs ; for it is not easy for Ulrike Frey to for- 
 get she is both wife and mother. But I have prayed often, 
 that the hearts of those who contemplate this dangerous 
 sacrilege may be softened ; and that, for their own safety, 
 they may yet see the evil of their plot. Believe me. Count, 
 the Dread Being who is worshipped in Limburg, will not 
 forget to avenge himself of those who despise his power ! " 
 
 "Thou art certain, Ulrike, that thy opinions have weight 
 with me, for since childhood have I known and respected 
 thy wisdom. Nay, had there not been want of those claims 
 which birth can alone give, thou wouldst now be sitting 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 167 
 
 in this castle its mistress, ntid not a guest. The self-denial 
 which was practised, in order to do my father pleasure 
 cost me much pain for many years ; nor did I rightly re- 
 gain my freedom, until the birth of my eldest born turned 
 my hopes towards posterity." 
 
 It is seldom woman hears the acknowledgment of her 
 influence with the stronger sex, without secret satisfac- 
 tion. As there had been nothing in the attachment to 
 which the Count alluded, to alarm her principles or to of- 
 fend her delicacy, Ulrike listened to this reference to the 
 feeling and incidents of their younger days, with a smile 
 that produced an effect on her gentle features, which re- 
 sembled the melancholy light which illuminated the 
 cliapel of the religious community in question ; or which 
 was mild, placid, and, if we may be permitted an expres- 
 sion so vague, tinged with hues of tlic past. 
 
 " We are no longer young, Emich," she answered, with- 
 drawing her hand, under a keen impulse of its propriety — 
 " and that which thou speakest belongs to a former age. 
 But if thou dost, in sooth, entertain this opinion of my 
 discretion, I haye never said aught of thee but in thy 
 lionor. There were other reasons than the late Count's 
 will, why I could not listen to thy suit, as thou w^ert then 
 informed; for we are none of us the controllers of those 
 sjntiments which so much depend on taste or accident." 
 
 " By the sainted eleven thousand of Koeln ! Heinrich 
 Frey was scarce a youth to do this disadvantage to the heir 
 of my line and name ! " 
 
 " Heinrich Frey received my troth, as the noble 
 Ermengarde received thine, Llerr von Hartenburg," an- 
 swered Ulrike, with the composure of one wliose feelings 
 had never been interested in the refusal to whicli she al- 
 luded, and with the dignity of a woman sensitively alive to 
 her husband's character. " By Heaven's favor, we are 
 both happier than if wedded either above or beneath our 
 hopes. But if thou couldst deny thyself this boon — for 
 such, in thy young fancies, didst tliou beHeve my hand — 
 to oblige thy father of earth, wilt thou still defy him of 
 Heaven, to gratify a longing less excusable ? '.' 
 
 "Go to, Ulrike; thou pressest me out of reason; \ 
 know not fairly that I even meditate the enterprise thou 
 meanest." 
 
 " Or, in other language, IJKni art not yet decided to 
 commit the sacrilege. Before thy hand strikes the irre- 
 
i68 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 trievable blow, Herr Count, hear one that, in thy youth, 
 thou professed to love, and who yet remembers thy 
 preference, with grateful kindness." 
 
 " Thou art more indulgent as a matron than as a maid ! 
 This is the first word of pity for all the sorrow thou 
 causedst my youth, that liath ever escaped thee ! " 
 
 '' Pity is a term it would ill become Ulrike Haitzinger 
 to use to Emich von Leiningen. I said gratitude, Herr 
 Count ; for the woman that pretendeth not to feel this 
 sentiment towards the honorable youth that has preferred 
 her to all others of her sex, payeth an indifferent compli- 
 ment to her own heart. I never disavowed that thy suit 
 gave me both gratification and sorrow — gratification, that 
 one of thy hopes could find sufficient in me to justify 
 thy choice ; sorrow, that thou wert necessarily disap- 
 pointed." 
 
 "And had our births been nearer an equality, gentle 
 Ulrike, hadstthou, like me, come of noble parentage, or I 
 like thee, been of more humble origin, couldst thou, in 
 sooth, have found in thy heart, the excuse for a different 
 answer ? " 
 
 " We are here to discuss other matters, Herr von 
 Hartenburg, than these recollections of childish feelings." 
 
 " God's my life ! Callest thou the pain of disappointed 
 affection a childish sorrow ? Thou wert ever tranquil 
 in temper, and too much disposed to indifference on the 
 subject of any warmth of heart beyond the cold duties of 
 family regard." 
 
 " This may be my fault, if you will. Count Emich, but I 
 esteem it an advantage to feel strongest where duty most 
 directs the affections." 
 
 " I remember thy final answer, made through thy friend 
 young Berchthold's mother — I owe the lad no grace for 
 the boon, were justice done — but thou answered, that the 
 daughter of a Burgomaster was unfit to be the partner of 
 a Baron ; and thou prayedst me to render all duty to the 
 Count my father, that his blessing might lighten the disap- 
 pointment. Now, were the truth known, that reply cost 
 thee no more than a simple refusal to one of thy maidens 
 of some trifling grace ! " 
 
 " Were the truth known, Emich, it would tell a different 
 tale. Thou wert then young, and, though violent and hot- 
 headed, not without many manly virtues ; and thou greatly 
 overratest the power of a thoughtful girl, if thou supposes! 
 
THE FTEIDENMAUER. i6g 
 
 she would gladly give pain, where she has received naught 
 but esteem." 
 
 "And had I been thy neighbor's child — orwert thou the 
 daughter of some equal of the empire ? — " 
 
 " In that case, Lord Count, the answer would have been 
 the same," said the other, firmly, though her countenance 
 evidently lost its tranquil brightness in a transient cloud : 
 *' The heart of Ulrike Haitzinger spoke in that reply, as 
 welJ as her prudence." 
 
 " God's truth ! thou art of cutting simplicity ! " cried the 
 Count, rising abruptly, and losing the expression of gentle- 
 ness that the recollection of his better days and youthful 
 feelings had given his features, in their usual hardened 
 character. "Thou forgettest, Frau F'rey, that I am a poor 
 Count of Leiningen ! " 
 
 " If I have failed in meet respect," returned the mild 
 Ulrike, '' I am now reminded of the fault, and will sin no 
 more." 
 
 " Nay, I w^ould say naught unkind or ungentle — but thou 
 bruised my spirit, with a sore answer. We were conversing 
 of the accursed monks, too, and blood gets hot at the men- 
 tion of their names. Thou thinkest, then, my excollcnt 
 neighbor, that, as Christians, we are bound to submit to 
 all the exactions of these reverend knaves, and that to pre- 
 sume to right ourselves, is Hying in the face of Heaven's 
 autiiority ? " 
 
 "You put the case in your own humor. Count. I have 
 said naught of abject forbearance, (jr of unnecessary sub- 
 mission. If the Limbur"' monks are forefctfid of their vows, 
 the question is of their own safety : — as for us, we have to 
 look that we do nothinc: wron^^ful of itself, or nothinsr 
 that mav be accoiuited disrespectful to llim we wor- 
 ship " — '- 
 
 *' Prithee, good Ulrike," interrupted Emich, resuming 
 his seat, in tlie familiar manner he had used at the com- 
 mencement of the dialogue, "let us converse, in freedom, 
 of tills inclination of thy child. I love young lierchtliold, 
 and would fain do him service were the means offering ; 
 but I greatly fear we shall have dilhcultyin bringing llein- 
 rich t« a ccjmplying state of mind." 
 
 "The apprehensi(jn of his refusal hath caused me much 
 uneasiness, Herr von Uartenburg," returned the tender 
 mother ; " for the Burgomaster is not one of those who 
 change their opinions readily. The over-zealous persua- 
 
I70 THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 sion of frfends increases his faitli in himself, at times, in- 
 stead of softening those resohitions which the wisest of us 
 are apt to form liastily and without thought." 
 
 *'' This quality of thy excellent consort hath not escaped 
 me. But Heinricli Frey was wived so happily himself, and 
 with so little claim to riches on his own part, that he should 
 not, in reason, bear too heavily on a youth that might have 
 known better days, but for a hard fortune befalling his 
 parents. He that hath been poor, should have respect for 
 poverty in others." 
 
 *' I fear that such is not the working of human nature," 
 answered the thoughful wife, nearly unconscious of what 
 she uttered. '' Our experience in life would prove that 
 they who have risen show the least tolerance for those who 
 tarry in the rear ; and, as none prize the gifts of rank and 
 consequence so much as tliey to whom they are novelties, 
 we ought not to expect the successful man too soon to for- 
 get the longings he felt w4ien in adversity, nor him to whom 
 honors are new, to look too closely into their vanity." 
 
 " Nay, Heinrich is not so young in consideration, or so 
 new to fortune, as to be classed with these." 
 
 " Heinrich ! " exclaimed the matron, across whose cliaste 
 brow there stole a crimson suffusion, that resembled the 
 flush of even upon the snowy peaks of the Alps — '' There 
 is not question, here, of Heinrich Frey ! " 
 
 The Count smiled till the mustachios curled upon his 
 brown cheeks. 
 
 *' Thou art right," he answered courteously; ''it is in 
 Berchthold and Meta that we are most interested. I think 
 I see the means of accomplishing all we wish in their be- 
 half, and means that offer so readily as to wear the air of 
 being a gift of Providence." 
 
 " They are only the more welcome for their character." 
 
 ''Thou knowest, Ulrike, that lam greatly burthened 
 with charges that lay heavily on all of my rank. Ermen- 
 garde hath most of the qualities of her station, and a love 
 of splendor that is costly ; besides, this outfit of my young 
 heir, who travels with the Emperor, hath much drained me 
 of means, of late ; else would I offer, of pure love for thee 
 and thine that which would make the connection accep- 
 table to Heinrich. In this strait, borne down, as we all are 
 by the war, and saddled with the cost of keeping on foot 
 so many men in Hartenburg, I see no other present means 
 than that I have just mentioned." 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 171 
 
 ''Or have not mentioned; for, in the desire to prove 
 your inability to serve the youth, nothing Iiath yet been 
 said of this favorable chance offered by Providence." 
 
 " I cry thy mercy ! Thou hast rightly judged me,Ul- 
 rike, for I feel it a reproach to be able to do nothing for 
 one I so esteem." 
 
 " Put no undue meaning on my words," interrupted the 
 matron, smiling like one who wished to reassure her com- 
 panion. " It has nevercntcred my thoughts that the Counts 
 of Leiningen are bound to portion all who serve them, ac- 
 cording to their several hopes. It would lighten the heaviest 
 purse in the Palatinate, Ilerr Emich, to furnish an equal 
 marriage-gift to that which may be the share of Meta 
 Frey." 
 
 " None know this better than I. Hcinrich and I have 
 often discoursed of the affair, and I could fain wish there 
 existed no inequality of rank — but this is idle, and we will 
 talk only of Berchthold and his hopes. Thou are aware, 
 Ulrike, that there are heavy issues between me and the 
 brotherhood concerning certain dues, not only in the valley, 
 but on the plain, and that the contest fairly settled in my 
 favor will much increase my revenues. Now were this un- 
 happy dissension decided as I could wish, it would not only 
 be in my power, but it would become my wish, to bestow 
 such grace on all my principal followers, and on none so 
 much as on Berchthold, as might leave a favorable opinion 
 of my bounty. We want but this affair rightly settled to 
 possess the means of winning Heinrich to our desires." 
 
 " Could this be honestly done, my blessing on him that 
 shall effect it ! " 
 
 " I rejoice to hear thee say this, good Ulrike. Thou, of 
 all others, mayest be most useful in the matter. Heinrich 
 and I have well nigh decided on the fitness of disturbing 
 the monks in their riotous abominations " 
 
 " The words are strong, when applied to professed Ben- 
 edictines ! " 
 
 " By the holy Magi ! they are more than merited. Here, 
 has not the day twice turned since I had Bonifacius him- 
 self weltering in wine beneath the roof of Hartcnbui-g, an' 
 he had been a roistererof asuburb! Bonifacius, Limburg's 
 Abbot, have I seen in this unfit condition, Frau Ulrike, 
 within mine own good castle walls ! " 
 
 '' And in thine own good castle company, Ilerr Emich ?" 
 
 " Dost thou make no difference between Baron and 
 
172 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 Monk ? Am I a sworn professor of godliness, a shaven 
 crown, or one that looketh to be accounted better than his 
 fellows ? That I am noble is the chance of fortune, and as 
 such I receive and profit by the advantage, though, I trust, 
 always in fitting reason ; but no man can say that Emich 
 of Leiningen pretends aught to the especial virtues of a 
 monkish character. We that are modest may claim to in- 
 dulge our failings, but justice should heavily visit him that 
 sins under a cloak of sanctity." 
 
 " I know not that thy exception may avail thee in the end. 
 But thou wouldest say something to Berchthold H inter- 
 may er's advantage ? — " 
 
 " That would 1, and right heartily. Could Heinrich be 
 brought to a firm mind, that I might count on the sup- 
 port of the townsmen, these reprobates in cowls should 
 be quickly disposed of ; and, as of necessity, my dues 
 would be much augmented, by clothing Berchthold with 
 a deputy's authority over the recovered fields and vil- 
 lages, he should so gain in men's respect, as to soften the 
 reluctance of the hardest-hearted Burgomaster in all Ger- 
 many." 
 
 " And in what manner dost thou look to me in effecting 
 this object ? " 
 
 " One of thy understanding need scarce put the ques- 
 tion. Thou hast been long a wife, Ulr'ke, and art skilled 
 in the persuasions of thy sex. I kno\^ not thy practice 
 with Heinrich ; but w^ien Ermengarde would have her way, 
 spite of her husband's inclinations, she has various man- 
 ners of coming to her wishes. To-day she is smiling, to- 
 morrow silent ; now she fondles, and then she frowns ; and, 
 most of all, is she ready in seizing the moments of idle con- 
 fidence to press on my unprepared reason the arguments 
 of kisses and coquetry." 
 
 " It were idle to say I do not understand you, Herr von 
 Hartenburg. I wish not to raise the curtain of your do- 
 mestic confidence, nor do I feel disposed that any should 
 presume to lift mine. Heinrich and I pursue our several 
 ways, as each deems right, though, I trust, ahvays with the 
 harmony of wedded interests, and I am little practised in 
 the influence you mention. But, dear as Meta is to the 
 heart of her mother — and surely no shoot from the parent 
 stem ever gave fonder hopes, or justified more tender re- 
 gard" — Ulrike folded her hands, and turned her meek blue 
 eyes to heaven — " much as I esteem young Berchthold, 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 173 
 
 who is the child of my yoiitli's nearest friend ; and gladly 
 as I would see their young hearts for ever bound up in 
 the same ties of family concord and matrimonial love, the 
 common parents of lisping laughing babes that should 
 cluster at my knee, giving the evening of life some com- 
 pensation for the chill of its noon-tide — rather than aid 
 thee in this unhallowed design ; rather than do aught, 
 even in rebellious thouglit, against the altars of my God ; 
 rather than set my selfislincss in array against his dread 
 power, or fancy wish of mine can prove excuse for sacri- 
 lege — I could follow the girl to her grave, wnth a tearless 
 eye, and place my own head by her side, without regret for 
 that calm decline which, when the w^eary probation of life 
 is ended, Heaven grants to the deserving." 
 
 The Count of Leiningen recoiled at the energy with 
 which his companion spoke ; for none are so commanding 
 as the mild w^hen aroused to resistance, or so authoritative 
 as the good when required to exhibit the beauty of their 
 principles. He was disappointed ; but, though a sort of 
 instinct warned him that he had no further hopes of gain- 
 ing the assistance of Ulrike, and, almost w^ithout knowing 
 it himself, the respect which he had always entertained for 
 his companion was increased. Taking the hand she ex- 
 tended to him, in amity, the moment her excitement had 
 a little abated, he was about to reply, when a footstep in 
 the adjoining room, and a timid tap at the door, inter- 
 rupted him. 
 
 " Thou canst enter," said the Baron, believing that one 
 of the castle maidens was without, and glad for the re- 
 lief. 
 
 "A million of thanks for the honor," returned Use, 
 courtseying to tlie floor as she availed herself of the privi- 
 lege. "This is the first time so great a favor ever befell 
 me in Hartenburg, though, when a girl, as it might be a 
 ruddy maiden like our Meta, I once was admitted to a 
 closet in Heidelberg. There was I, and the late Burgo- 
 master, Ulrike's father, and the good wife, her mother, on 
 a junketing, in our young days, to see the curiosities of 
 the Elector's Palace, and we had visited the tun " 
 
 "Thou art sent to seek me?" interrupted the mistress. 
 " Hath Meta need of her mother?" 
 
 " That may be always said of a certainty, for girls of 
 that age are like the young of the nest, Herr Count, who 
 arc ever in danger of breaking their necks, if they take a 
 
174 THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 hasty flight, without the example of the old to give them 
 prudence as well as courage. Twenty times each day — 1 
 know not an' if it be not fifty — do 1 say to our Meta, 'Do as 
 thou wilt, child, an* thou dost nothing amiss.' I hold it to be 
 wrongful to curb young humors so long as they are inno- 
 cent ; and therefore do I say, that kindness is a better 
 rod than anger ; and, in this reproving and chastening 
 manner, Herr von Hartenburg, have I reared both Meta 
 and her mother. Well, here you both are, in friendly 
 communion, an' you were children of the same cradle! — 
 and Heinrich Frey is yon, without, tasting the rhenish 
 with the two churchmen that infect the castle " 
 
 "Thou wouldst surely say frequent, good nurse." 
 
 "What matters a word, child ! Infect or frequent are 
 much the same, when one speaketh of the gentle and gay ! 
 I remember ye both young and handsome, and a pair that 
 the whole town of Duerckheim said ought never to be 
 parted ; for if one was noble, the other was good ; if 
 one was strong and valiant, the other was fair and virtu- 
 ous ; but the w^ays of the world led ye on different paths 
 and Heaven forbid that I should say aught against ways 
 that so many travel ! " 
 
 " And thou hast left Meta with those that infect the cas- 
 tle, to come and say this ? " 
 
 "Naught like it. It is true I let the girl listen to a few 
 of their idle words, for without experience a maiden may 
 not know when to repulse an improper freedom ; but for 
 any levity to escape my eye, were as impossible as for my 
 Lord Count to fail in duty to the Limburg altars. No, I 
 complain not of the stranger nobles ; for while he of Rhodes 
 did many gentle offices in behalf of Meta, the reverend Abbe 
 held me in discourse touching this heresy of Luther, and, I 
 warrant you, ecclesiastic as he is, he went not away the 
 worse for my opinion of the schismatic. We had goodly 
 discourse on the dangers and tribulations of the times, 
 and might liave had much learning between us, but for 
 young Berchthold, who fancied himself beating the forest, 
 by the manner in which he threshed among the old armor 
 of the hall, disturbing all present with the idle pretence 
 of seeking a cross-bow for the Count's pleasure in the 
 morning; as if the- Herr Count would have hunted with 
 less satisfaction because there were w^ise words uttered in 
 his halls ! The Hintermayers are a race I love, but this 
 youth seemeth to be wanting of respect for years." 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER, 175 
 
 " And what hast done with my child ?" 
 
 " Thou knowest it was thy desire she should say a few 
 greetings to the fallen Lottchen ; and when I thought the 
 wandering cavalier had had his say, I beckoned the child 
 away, in order that she might go to the hamlet on that er- 
 rand. She will be none the worse for the discourse with 
 that free cavalier, for naught so quickens virtue of the 
 pure stamp as a little contamination with vice — it is like 
 the base metal they put in gold, to make the precious ore 
 hard and able to undergo many hands." 
 
 "Thou hast not suffered Meta to go unattended?" 
 
 "Didst ever know me fail in duty? Thy motherly 
 heart is quick to take alarm, like the bird fxutteringat each 
 leaf that rustles. Not I, in sooth ; I sent the vain Gisela 
 to keep her company, and whispered our Meta well, as 
 they departed, not to fail to draw instruction from her 
 companion's light discourse, which, I will warrant, turns 
 on naught else but the gallantries of these strangers. Oh ! 
 leave old Use to profit by anything edifying that may turn 
 up, in the way of accident ! I that never yet lost a good 
 moral for want of pushing an opportunity ! and here 
 stands Ulrike as proof of what I have done. I owe you 
 excuses, Herr Emich, for sending away your forester ; but 
 the boy vexed me with his clatter among the shields and 
 arquebuses, and, in order to give him a wholesome lesson 
 in silence, I sent him to see Meta safe to his mother's door, 
 under the pretence of its being necessary to have a man- 
 ly arm present, to beat off the barking curs of the 
 hamlet." 
 
 " Does Heinrich know this ? " 
 
 " In sootli, he is so beset with thy honor in being closeted 
 with my Lord the Count, that he does little besides talk of 
 it, and take his cup. When the child was thus cared for, 
 by the one who first held her in arms, and one, too, 
 whose experience is little short of threescore and four- 
 teen, I saw not the necessity of calling him from his pleas- 
 ures." 
 
 Ulrike smiled, and turning to the Count, who had been 
 so much lost in thought as to give little heed to the words 
 of the nurse, she offered him her hand, and they left the 
 closet in company. 
 
176 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 *' Ah, now soft blushes tinge her cheeks, 
 And mantle on her neck of snow." — ROGERS. 
 
 The cottag-e of Lottchen, the mother of Berchthold, was 
 distinguished from the otiier habitations of the hamlet, only 
 by its greater neatness, and by tliat air of superior comfort 
 which depends chiefly on taste and habit, and of wliich 
 poverty itself can scarcely deprive those who have been 
 educated in the usages and opinions of a higher caste. It 
 stood a little apart from the general cluster of humble 
 roofs ; and, in addition to its other marks of superiority, it 
 possessed the advantage of a small inclosure, by which it 
 was partially removed from the publicity and noise that 
 rob most of the villages and hamlets of Europe of a rural 
 character. 
 
 We have had frequent occasions to allude to the difficulty 
 of conveying accurate ideas of positive things, or even of 
 moral and political truths, while using the terms which use 
 has appropriated to the two hemispheres, but which are 
 liable to so much qualification in their respective meanings. 
 What is comfort in one country would be thought great 
 discomfort in another, and even the two higher degrees of 
 comparison must always be understood subject to a right 
 knowledge of their positive qualities. Thus most beauti- 
 ful conveys nothing clear, unless we can agree on what is 
 beautiful ; while neatness and elegance, and even size, 
 taken in their popular significations, become purely terms 
 of local convention. Were we to say that the cottage of 
 Lottchen Hintermayer resembled, in the least, one of those 
 white and spotless dwellings, with its Venetian blinds and 
 pillared piazzas, its grassy court in front, and its garden 
 teeming with golden fruit in the rear, its acacias and wil- 
 lows shading the low roof, and its shrubbery exhaling the 
 odors that a generous sun can extract, we should give such 
 a picture to the reader as Europe nowhere presents — no- 
 where, because in those regions in which nature has been 
 bountiful, man has been held in mental duress ; and in 
 those in wliich man is sufficiently advanced and free to re- 
 quire the indulgences we have named, nature denies the 
 boons so necessary to their existence. Here, and here 
 
rilE JIEIDENMAUER. 177 
 
 only, do those whom fortune has not smiled upon, possess 
 the union of comfort, space, retirement and luxury, which 
 depend on the causes named, for it is only here that are 
 found the habits necessary to their production, in con- 
 junction with the required climate and a cheapness of ma- 
 terial and land, to place the whole within the reach of 
 those who are not affluent. We wish, therefore, to be 
 understood as speaking, at all times, under the conscious- 
 ness of this difference in the value of terms, for, without 
 such an understanding, there will be little intelligence be- 
 tween us and our countrymen. 
 
 We have made this explanation, lest the reader might 
 fancy some affinity between the hamlet of Hartenburg and 
 one in the older settlements of the Union. The remote- 
 ness of the period might indeed give some reason to sus- 
 pect such a resemblance, but were the tale one of our own 
 times, it would be scarcely probable. The Germans, like- 
 all the more northern nation"?, are neat, in proportion to 
 their several degrees of civilization ; and the great fre- 
 quency of the little capitals whicli dot its surface, and 
 which have all been, more or less, beautified by their 
 respective princes, lias caused it to possess a greater num- 
 ber of spacious and cleanly towms, in proportion to its 
 population, than are to be met with in most of the other 
 countries of the European continent ; but, as elsewhere, in 
 that quarter of the world, the poor are poor indeed. 
 
 The little cluster of houses that were grouped beneath 
 the salient bastions of Hartenburg, had the general char- 
 acter of poverty and humility which still belongs to nearly 
 all such hamlets. The buildings were constructed of tim- 
 ber and mud, with thatched roofs, and openings to which, 
 in that age, glass was a stranger. In speaking of the com- 
 fort of the dwelling of Lottchen, we wish to say little more 
 than that it was superior to its fellows in these particulars, 
 and that it had the additional merit of faultless neatness. 
 The furniture, however, gave much stronger evidence of 
 tlie former condition of its tenant. Enougli of this descrip- 
 tion of property iiad been saved from the wreck of her 
 husband's fortunes, to leave before the eyes of its mistress 
 these traces of happier days — one of those melancholy 
 consolations in advcrsitv wiiich are common among those 
 whose fall has been broken by some light circumstances of 
 mitigation, and which, as monitors to delicacy and tender- 
 ness, make touching appeals to the recollections of the 
 12 
 
178 THE IIEIDEiVMAUER, 
 
 spectator. But Berchthold's mother had still better claims 
 to the respect of those who came beneath her humble lin- 
 tel. As we have already said, she had been the bosom 
 friend of Ulrike in early youth, and, by education and 
 character, she was still every way worthy of holding so 
 near a trust with the wife of the Burgomaster. The allow- 
 ance of her son was small in money, but the Count per- 
 mitted his forester to use the game freely ; and, as German 
 frugality left her mistress of the wardrobes of several gen- 
 erations, the respectable matron had never known absolute 
 want, and was at all times able to make such a personal 
 appearance as better suited iier former than her present 
 means. In addition to these advantages, Ulrike never 
 visited the Jaesferthal without thouQfht of her friend's ne- 
 ccssities ; and full often, at times and seasons when this 
 sacred duty could not be performed in person, w^as Use 
 dispatched to the hamlet as the substitute of her consider- 
 ate and affectionate mistress. 
 
 The cavalcade from the Abbey had, of necessity, passed 
 the door of Lottchen, and she was fully aware of the in- 
 tended visit. When, therefore, Meta, blooming and happy, 
 entered the cottage, attended by the warder's daughter, 
 and accompanied by Berchthold, though secretly rejoicing 
 in what she saw, the pleased and watchful matron neither 
 expressed nor felt surprise. 
 
 " Thy mother ? " were the first words which passed the 
 lips of the widowed Lottchen, after she had kissed the 
 glowing and warm cheek of the girl. 
 
 " Is closeted with the Herr Emich, my father says ; else 
 would she be sure to be here. She has sent me to say this." 
 
 ''And thy father?" added Lottchen, with emphasis, 
 glancing an uneasy eye from Meta to her son. 
 
 " He drinks of rhenish with the castle wassailers. Tru- 
 ly, my mother Lottchen, thou must find the hamlet un- 
 quiet witli these graceless spirits in the hold. Our Lim- 
 burg monks are scarcely so thirsty ; and for idle discourse, 
 I know not their equal in Duerckheim, town of vanities 
 and folly though it be, as good Use is apt to say." 
 
 Lottchen smiled, fur she saw by the playful eye of her 
 young visitor, that nothing unpleasant had occurred ; and 
 giving Gisela welcome, she led the way within. 
 
 "Does Heinrich know of this visit ?" asked the widow, 
 when her young guests were seated, and with a painful 
 interest in the answer. 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 179 
 
 " I tell thee, Lottchen, that my father quaffs with the 
 strangers. Here is Berchthold thy son — the restless, im- 
 patient Berchthold — he can tell thee, mother, into what 
 goodly company the Burgomaster of Duerckheim hath 
 fallen!" 
 
 As Meta said this, she laughed, though, in very sooth, 
 she scarce knew why. The more experienced Lottchen 
 saw little else in the mirth of her young visitor than one 
 of those buoyant impulses of youth which lead equally to 
 gayety and sorrow, without sufficient cause ; but she 
 w^atchcd the countenance of her own child with solicitude, 
 to note how far he sympathized with the merriment of 
 Meta. Berchthold, by speaking, was the interpreter of 
 his own thougiits. 
 
 "Since thcMi appealest to me," he said, "my answer is, 
 that Heinrich Frey consorts at present with two as hope- 
 less idlers as ever darkened door in Flartenburg. Truly, 
 Brother Luther needs bestir himself for the Church, when 
 such as these go forth in its garments ! " 
 
 " Say what thou wilt. Master Berchthold," cried Gisela, 
 *'of the prating half-shaven Abbe, but respect him of 
 Rhodes, as a soldier in evil fortune, and one that is both 
 gentle and gallant." 
 
 '*As gallant as thou wilt," cried Meta, with warmth. 
 " Thy humor for mild discourse must be formed by the 
 rude company of the bold, if thou stylest these gentle ! " 
 
 Lottchen had examined each face earnestly, and her 
 countenance brightened with the frankness and fervor of 
 the last speaker. She was about to say something in 
 guarded commendation of her judgment, when a light 
 step was heard before the outer door, and Ulrike herself 
 entered. Notwithstanding the early departure of the 
 young people from the castle, and the trilling distance be- 
 tween its walls and the hamlet, so much leisure had been 
 wasted in idle laughter by the way, or in culling flowers 
 on the hill-side, that she had sufffcient time to exhaust all 
 that old Use had to recount concerning the manner in 
 which she had disposed of her charge, and to follow them 
 t<j the cottage, ere the discourse had gone farther. The 
 meeting between the friends was, as wont, warm and 
 happy. When the usual inquiries were exhausted, and a 
 few unmeaning (observations had been made by the girls, 
 the younger part of the r()m[)any were gotten rid of, under 
 pretence of conducting Meta to witness the manner in 
 
I So THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 which Berchthold had arranged the nests for some doves, 
 which had been a present from herself to his mother. The 
 two parents saw tlie departure of their children, always 
 accompanied by Gisela, with satisfaction ; for each had 
 need of a secret conference with the other, and both knew 
 how apt youth and inclination were to prolong their ab- 
 sence by means of those thousand little delays which form 
 the unconscious and innocent coquetry of love. 
 
 When left to themselves, Ulrike and Lottchen sat, for 
 some time, with hands interlocked, regarding one another 
 earnestly. 
 
 ''Thou hast borne the trying season of the spring time 
 well, good Lottchen," said the former, w^ith affection. " I 
 have no longer any fear that thy health might suffer in 
 this damp abode." 
 
 " And thou lookest youthful and fair as when we strolled, 
 like thy Meta there, laughing and thoughtless girls, on the 
 heath of the Heidenmauer. Of all I have known, Ulrike, 
 thou art the least changed by time, either in form or 
 heart." 
 
 The gentle pressure, before they released each other's 
 hands, was a silent pledge of their mutual esteem. 
 
 "Thou findest Meta blooming and happy?" 
 
 "As she meriteth to be — and Berchthold — I think him 
 fast growing into the comeliness and form of his sire ?" 
 
 " He is all I could wish — one qualification excepted, my 
 friend ; and that, thou well knowest, I do not wish him for 
 any other reason than to satisfy Heinrich's scruples." 
 
 " For my child, that qualification is hopeless. Bercht- 
 hold has too much generous indifference to gold, ever to 
 accumulate, were the means his. But what hope is there 
 for an humble forester, who travels his range of chase, fol- 
 lows his lord to ceremonies, or attends him in battle ?" 
 
 "The Herr Emich values thy son, and I do think would 
 fain do him favor. Were the Count earnestly to reason 
 with Heinrich, all hope would not yet be lost." 
 
 Lottchen dropped her eyes to the work on which her 
 needle was employed, for necessity had rendered her sys- 
 tematically industrious. The pause was long and thought- 
 ful. But while Ulricke pondered on the chances of over- 
 coming her husband's love of money and his worldly views, 
 a very different picture had presented itself to the mind of 
 her friend. The eyelids of the latter trembled, and a hot 
 tear fell upon the linen in her lap. 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER, i8l 
 
 " I have thought much of late, Ulricke," she said, " of 
 the justice of burdening thy happiness and golden fort- 
 unes with the load of our adversity. Berchthold is young 
 and brave, and there seems as little necessitv as there is 
 right in weighing thee and Meta dowm to our own level. 
 I have anxiously wished for the means of counselling with 
 some friend less interested than thou, on the fitness of 
 what we do ; but it is difficult to speak of so delicate a sub- 
 ject without wronging thy daughter." 
 
 " If thou woukiest have the most disinterested and 
 wisest of all advisers, Lottchen, take counsel of thine own 
 heart." 
 
 " That tells me to be just to thee and Meta." 
 
 " Dost thou know aught of Bcrchthold's manners or 
 mind that may have escaped the observation of an anx- 
 ious mother, who desires to match her own child with none 
 but the deserving ? " 
 
 Lottchen smiled through her tears, and gazed at the mild 
 features of Ulrike with reverence. 
 
 " If thou wouldest hear evil of the youth, do not come 
 to her who hath no other hope, for the tidings. The or- 
 phan is the sole riches of his widowed mother, and thou 
 mayest not get the truth from one that regards her treas- 
 ure with so much covetousness." 
 
 " And dost thou fancy, Lottchen, that thy son in pover- 
 ty is dearer to thee than is ]\lcta to her mother, though 
 Providence may have left us wealth and consideration ! 
 Misfortune hath indeed changed thee, and thou art no 
 longer tiie Lottchen of my young days ! " 
 
 " I will say no more, Ulrike," answered the widows 
 in a low voice, speaking like one rebuked ; " I leave all 
 to heaven and thee ! Thou art certain that were Bercht- 
 hold Count of Leiningen, his and my desire would be to 
 see Meta his bride." 
 
 A nearly imperceptible smile played upon the sweet 
 moutli of Ulrike, for slie bethought her of the recent dis- 
 cf)ursc with Emich ; but there was neither suspicion nor 
 disccjntent in tlie passing thought. She was too wise to 
 put human nature to very severe tests, and much too meek 
 to believe all who fell short of perfection unwortliy of her 
 esteem. 
 
 "We will think of tilings as they are," she answered, 
 **and not dwell (jn impossible chances. Werttiiou Ulrike 
 and I Lottchen, none can believe more fervently than I, 
 
iS2 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 that these opinions would undergo no change. Of Meta 
 thou art sure, my friend ; but truth bids me say, that I 
 fear Heinrich will never yield. His mind is much occu- 
 pied with what the world deems its equality of interests ; 
 and it will be hard, indeed, to bring him to balance virtues 
 against gold." 
 
 ** And is he so wrong ? Of what excellence is Bercht- 
 hold possessed, that does not find at least its equal in 
 Meta?" 
 
 " Happiness cannot be bartered for, as we would look 
 into the value of houses and lands. He is wrong ; and I 
 could weep — oh, how bitterly I have wept ! — that Heinrich 
 Frey should be thus bent on casting the happiness of that 
 artless and unpractised child on the rude chances of so 
 narrow calculations. But we will still hope," added Ul- 
 rike, drying her tears, "and turn our thoughts to the more 
 cheerful side." 
 
 '•'■ Thou saidst something of the power of my boy with 
 the Count, and of his wish to do us service ?" 
 
 " I know no other means to move Heinrich's mind. 
 Though kind and yielding to me in all matters that he 
 believes touch my state, he believes that no woman is a fit 
 judge of the world's interests : and, I fear I should add, 
 that, from too much familiarity with my poor means, he 
 places his wife lowest among her sex in this particular ; 
 there is no hope, therefore, that any words of mine can 
 change him. But the Lord Emich has great hold on his 
 judgment, for, Lottchen, they who prize the world's smiles, 
 ever yield reverence to those that chance to possess them 
 largely." 
 
 The widow dropped her eyes, for, rarely, in their numer- 
 ous and friendly conferences, did her friend allude to the 
 weaknesses of her husband. 
 
 "And the Herr Emich?" she asked, desirous to change 
 the discourse. 
 
 " The Count is much disposed to aid us, as I have said ; 
 for I have laid bare to him our wishes this morning, and 
 have much entreated him to do this kind act." 
 
 " It is not wont for thee to be the solicitor with the Herr 
 von Hartenburg, Ulrike ! " rejoined Lottchen, raising her 
 eyes again to the countenance of her friend, across whose 
 cheek there passed a flush so faint as to resemble the 
 reflection of some bright color of her attire, while a still 
 less obvious smile dimpled tlic skin. The looks that were 
 
THE IlEIDENMAUER. 183 
 
 exclianged told of recollections that were both joyous and 
 melancholy, being, as it were, hasty but comprehensive 
 glances into the pregnant volume of the past. 
 
 " It was the first request," resumed Ulrike ; " nor can I 
 say the boon was absolutely refused, though its gift was 
 coupled with a condition impossible to grant." 
 
 " If it were too much for thy friendship, it must have 
 been hard indeed ! " 
 
 Lottchen spoke under the influence of one of those sud- 
 den and keen impulses of disappointment which some- 
 times make the strong in principle momentarily forget 
 their justice ; and Ulrike perfectly understood the meaning 
 of her words. The difference in their fortunes, the hope- 
 lessness of the future with the fallen Lottchen, and all the 
 bitterness of unmerited contumely and poverty, the severe 
 judgments which a thoughtless world inflicts on the un- 
 lucky, passed quickly through the mind of the latter, amid 
 a tumidt of regrets and recollections. 
 
 " Of this thou shalt judge for thyself, Lottchen," she an- 
 swered calmly; "and when thou hast heard me, I require 
 thy unconcealed reply, conjuring thee, by that long and 
 constant friendship across which no cloud has ever yet 
 passed, to lay bare thy soul, shading no thouglit, nor 
 desiring to color even the most latent of thy wishes ! " 
 
 " Thou hast only to speak ! " 
 
 "Hast thou never suspected that all tliis warlike prep- 
 paration in the hold, in the presence of the men-at-arms in 
 Limburg, tends to no good ?" 
 
 " Both speak of war ; but the Elector is sore pressed, and 
 it is now long since our Germany was at perfect peace." 
 
 " Nay, thy surmises must have gone beyond these gen- 
 eral causes." 
 
 The lo(jk of surprise assured Ulrike she was mistaken. 
 
 " And lierclithold .'* Has he said naught of his Lord's 
 intentions ?" continued tlie latter. 
 
 " He talks of battles and sieges, like most of his years, 
 and he often essays the armor of liis grandfather, which 
 lumbers yon chjset : for thcju knowest, tiiough not of 
 knightly rank, we iiave liad soldiers in our race." 
 
 " Is lie not angered against Limburg ?' 
 
 " He is, and yet is he not. There is a little flame of resent- 
 ment, I regret to say, in all of the Jaegerthal against the 
 mcmks, which is much fanned in my son by his foster- 
 brother, Gottlub, the cow-herd." 
 
i84 ^/^^ HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 "This flame hath descended to the hind from his Lord. 
 All that Gottlob says, Emich hath more than hinted." 
 
 "Nay, there was revelling in the hold, between Boni- 
 facius and the Count, no later than the night past! " 
 
 " Too much blindness to that which passeth before thy 
 eyes, dear Lottchen, is a virtuous feeling of thy nature. 
 The Court of Hartenburg plots the downfall of the Ab- 
 bey-altars, and he has this day sworn to me, that if I will 
 win Heinrich to his wishes, no influence or authority of 
 his shall be wanting to make Berchthold and Meta happy." 
 
 Lottchen heard this announcement with the silent 
 amazement with which the unsuspecting and meek first 
 hearken to the bold designs of the ambitious and daring. 
 
 " This would be sacrilege ! " she exclaimed with empha- 
 sis. 
 
 " 'Twould be to disgrace the altars of God, that our de- 
 sires might prevail." 
 
 There was a pause. Lottchen rose from her chair, with 
 so little effort, that, to the imagination of her excited 
 friend, it seemed her stature grew by supernatural means. 
 Then raising her arms, the widowed mother poured out 
 her feelings in words. 
 
 "Ulrike, thou knowest my heart," she said ; "thou, who 
 art the sister of my love, if not of my blood — thou, from 
 whom no childish thought was hid, no maiden feeling con- 
 cealed — thou, to whom my mind was but a mirror of thine 
 own, reflecting every wish, all impulses, each desire — and 
 well dost thou know how dear to me is Berchthold ! Thou 
 canst say, that when Heaven took his father, the yearn- 
 ings of a mother alone tempted me to live ; that for him, 
 I have borne adversity with contentment, smiling when he 
 smiled, and rejoicing when the buoyancy of youth made 
 him rejoice ; that as for him I have lived, so that for him 
 would I die. Thou canst say, Ulrike, that my own youth- 
 ful and virgin affections were not yielded with greater de- 
 light and confidence than I have witnessed this growing 
 tenderness for Meta ; and yet do I here declare, in the 
 presence of God and his works, that before a rebel wash 
 of mine shall aid Count Emich in this act, there is no 
 earthly sorrow I will not welcome, no humility that I will 
 dread ! " 
 
 The pious Lottchen sank into her seat, pale, trembling, 
 and exhausted with an effort so unusual. Tlie widowed 
 mother of Berchthold had never possessed the rare per- 
 
THE ITEIDENMAUER. 185 
 
 sonal attractions of her friend, and those which were left 
 by time had suffered cruel marks from sorrow and depres- 
 sion. Still, where she now sat, her face beaming with the 
 inspiration of the reverence she felt for the Deity, and her 
 soul charged to bursting, Ulrike thought she had never 
 seen one more fair. Her own eyes brightened with de- 
 light, for at that moment of spiritual elevation, neither 
 thought of any worldly interests ; and her strongest wish 
 was that the Count of Hartenburg could be a witness of 
 this triumph of principle over selfishness. Her own re- 
 fusal, though so similar in manner and words, the natural 
 result of their great unity of character, seemed destitute 
 of all merit ; for what was the simple denial of one of her 
 means, compared to this lofty readiness to encounter a 
 contumely that was already so bitterly understood. 
 
 " I expected no less," answered Ulrike, when emotion 
 permitted speech : " from thee, Lottchen, less would have 
 been unworthy, and more could scarcely come ! We will 
 now speak of other things, and trust to the power of the 
 dread Being whose majesty is menaced. Hast thou 3'et 
 visited the Heidenmauer ?" 
 
 Notwithstanding the excited state of her own feelings, 
 which were, however, gradually subsiding to their usual 
 calm, Lottchen took heed of the change of manner in her 
 friend ^;s she uttered the last words, and the slight tremor 
 of the voice with which her question was put. 
 
 "The kindness of the anchorite to Berchthold, and his 
 great reputation for sanctity, drew me thither. I found 
 him of mild discourse, and a recluse of great wisdom." 
 
 '• Didst note him well, Lottciien ? " 
 
 " As the penitent regards him who offers consola- 
 tiun." 
 
 " I would thou hadst been more particular ! " 
 
 The wid(jw glanced towards her friend in surprise, but 
 immediately turned her eyes, that were still filled witli 
 tears, to her work. There was a moment of musing and 
 painful pause, for each felt the want of their usual and en- 
 tire confidence. 
 
 " Dost thou distrust him, Ulrike ?" 
 
 '' N(jt as a penitent, or (jne wilHng to atone." 
 
 " Thou disapprovest of the deference he receives from 
 the country round ? " 
 
 "Of that thou mayest judge, Lottchen, when I tell thc9 
 that I suffer Meta tu seek counsel from him." 
 
1 86 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 Lottchen showed greater surprise, and the silence was 
 longer than before, and still more embarrassing. 
 
 " It is long since thou hast named to me, good Lottchen, 
 one that was so much and so warmly in our discourse 
 when we were girls ! " 
 
 The amazement of the listener was sudden and marked. 
 She dropped her work, and clasped her hands together 
 with force. 
 
 '' Dost thou believe this ? " burst from her lips, 
 
 Ulrike bowed her head, apparently to examine the linen, 
 though really unconscious of the act, while the hand she 
 extended trembled violently. 
 
 " I have sometimes thought it," she answered, scarce 
 speaking above a whisper. 
 
 A merry laugh, one of those joyous impulses which 
 spring from the gayety of youth, was heard at the door, 
 and Meta entered, followed by Berchthold and the warder's 
 daughter. At this interruption tiie friends arose, and 
 withdrew to an inner room. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 " I pray thee, loving wife and gentle daughter, 
 
 Give even way unto my rough affairs." — King Henry IV. 
 
 About an hour after the moment when Ulrike and Lott- 
 chen disappeared, as described in the close of the last 
 chapter, the cavalcade of Heinrich Frey was seen moving 
 along the Jaegerthal, beneath the hill of Limbiu'g, on its 
 way towards the town. Four light-armed followers of 
 Emich accompanied the party, on foot, under the pretence 
 of doing honor to the Burgomaster, but in truth to pro- 
 tect him against insult from any stragglers belonging to the 
 men-at-arms who lay in the Abbey— a precaution that was 
 not altogether without utility, as the reader will remember 
 that the path ran within call of the ecclesiastical edifices. 
 
 As the beasts ambled past the imposing towers and wide 
 roofs, that were visible even to those who journeyed in 
 that deep glen, Heinrich's countenance, which had been 
 more than usually thoughtful ever since he passed beneath 
 the gate of Hartenburg, grew graver ; and Meta, who rode 
 as usual at his crupper, heard him draw one of those heavy 
 
THE HETDENMAUER. 187 
 
 respirations which were so many infallible signs that the 
 mental part of her worthy parent was undergoing extra- 
 ordinary exercises.. 
 
 Nor did this shade appear only on the face of the Bur- 
 gomaster. A deep and thoughtful gloom clouded the fine 
 features of his wife, while the countenance of the bloom- 
 ing daughter betrayed that sort of sombre rest which is 
 apt to succeed high excitement ; a moment in which the 
 mind appears employed in examining the past, as if dis- 
 posed to dissect the merits and demerits of its recent en- 
 joyments. Of them all, the male attendants alone ex- 
 cepted, old Use returned as she had gone, self-satisfied, 
 unmoved, and talkative. 
 
 "Count Emich hath displeased thee, father," Meta said, 
 quickly, when a respiration, which in one less physical 
 would have been termed a sigh, gave her reason to think 
 the Burgomaster's bosom was struggling with some bittei 
 vexation ; " else wouldest thou be more cheerful, and bet- 
 ter disposed to give me thy parental counsel, as is thy 
 habit when we go together on the pillion." 
 
 " The occasion shall not fail, girl ; and these Abbey- 
 walls offer in good time to prick my fatherly memory. 
 But thou art in error if thou thinkest that the souls of the 
 Herr Emich and mine are not bound together like those 
 of David and Jonathan. I know not the man I more love, 
 or, the Emperor and Elector apart, as is my duty, the 
 noble I so much respect." 
 
 "It is well it is so, for I greatly value these airy rides 
 among the hills, and most of all do I prize a visit to the 
 cottage of Lottchcn ! " 
 
 Ileinrich ejaculated audibly. Then, riding a short dis- 
 tance in silence, he continued the dialogue, 
 
 " Meta," he said, " thou art now getting to be of a 
 womanish age, and it is time to fortify thy young mind in 
 a manner that it may meet the cunning and malic:c of the 
 world. Lite is of great ])re(ariousness, es])ecially to the 
 valiant and enterprising, and we live in perilous times. He 
 that is in his ])rime to-day, iionored and of credit, may be 
 cut down to-morrow, or even t(j-night, to bring the allusion 
 more closely to ourselves ; and thine own parent is as 
 mortal as any reptile that creeps, or even as the most 
 worthless roisterer of the Electorate, that wasteth his sub- 
 stance, the saving of some gainful parent, perhaps, in riot' 
 ousness ! " 
 
1 88 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 " This is true, father," rejoined the girl, who, though ac- 
 customed to the homely morality of the good citizen, 
 never before had heard the Burgomaster deal with so lit- 
 tle deference to himself, and who spoke in a lowered tone, 
 as if the reflection of liis sudden humility produced a with 
 ering influence on her own self-esteem. " We are nobettei 
 than the poorest of Duerckheim, and scarcely as good as 
 poor Lottchen and Berchthold." 
 
 A stronger ejaculation betrayed Heinrich's displeasure. 
 
 " Let these honest people alone," he answered, " since 
 each must be saved or be damned on his own account, let 
 Lottchen and her son take such fare as Providence shall 
 send ; we have just now serious matters of great family 
 concernment to occupy us. I would reason with thee 
 gravely, child, and therefore I have need of thy closest at- 
 tention. It being conceded that I am mortal — an admis- 
 sion thou mayest be certain, Meta, I should not loosely 
 make or with(jut necessity — it follows, as a consequence, 
 that, sooner or later, I must be taken from thee, w4ien thou 
 wilt be left a orphan. Now this great calamity may befall 
 us both much sooner than thou fanciest ; for, I repeat it, 
 we live in perilous times, when hot-headedness and valor 
 may any day bring a man to a premature end." 
 
 The round arm of Meta clung more forcibly to the body 
 of the Burgomaster, who took the gentle pressure as so 
 much proof of his child's concern in his supposititious end. 
 
 ^' Why tell me of this, father ? " she exclaimed, '^when 
 thou knowest it only makes both unhappy ! Though young, 
 it may be my fate to die first." 
 
 " That is possible, but little probable," returned Hein- 
 rich, with a melancholy air. " Giving nature a fair 
 chance, it will be my turn to precede even thy mother, 
 since I have ten good 3'ears the start of her ; and as for 
 thee, I greatly dread it will be, one day, thy misfortune 
 to be left an orphan. God knows what will be the end of 
 all these contentions that now beset us, and therefore I 
 hold it wise to be prepared. Whenever the evil day of 
 parting may come, Meta, thou wilt be left with a sore 
 companion for one of tender years and little experience." 
 
 '' Father ! " 
 
 '* I mean money, child, which is a blessing, or a curse, 
 as it proveth. Were I taken suddenly away, many idle 
 and dissolute gallants would beset thee, sv/earing by their 
 mustaches and beards, that thou wert dearer to them than 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. i8) 
 
 the air they breathe, when in truth their sole desire would 
 be to look into the leavings of the departed Burgomaster. 
 There is great difficulty in marrying one of thy neutral 
 condition happily, for, while want of birth closeth the door 
 of the castle and the palace against thy entrance, ample 
 means give thee right to look beyond the mere burgher. 
 I would fain have one of good hopes for a son-in-law, and 
 yet no spendthrift." 
 
 ** That may not be so easy of accomplishment, good 
 father," returned Meta, laughing, for few girls of her years 
 listen to conjectures or plans concerning their future 
 establishment without a nervous irritability that easily 
 takes the appearance of merriment — "to me the world 
 seems divided into those who get and those who spend." 
 
 '*Or into the wise and foolish. There are three great 
 ingredients that commonly enter into all marriages of 
 girls in thy condition, and without which there is little 
 hope of happiness, or even of every-day respect. The first 
 is the means of livelihood, the second is tlie consent and 
 blessing of the parents, and the third is equality of condi- 
 tion. 
 
 " I had thouglit thee about to say something of tastes 
 and inclinations, father ! " 
 
 "Idle conceit, child, that any whim may change. Look 
 at yonder peasant, who is trimming the Abbey vines — d(jst 
 think him less happy with his cup of sour liquor, than if he 
 quaffed of the best rhenishin Bonifacius's cellar ? And yet, 
 had the hind his choice, doubt it not he would be ready to 
 swear none but the liquor of Ilocklieini should wet lip of his! 
 The fellow miglit make himself miserable, by mere dint of 
 fancy, were he once \.o set his mind on other fare; but, 
 taking life soberly and industrioiislv, who so content as 
 he? Oh! I have often envied these knaves their hapjiiness, 
 when vexation and losses have weighed upon mv spirits ! " 
 
 ''And wouldest thou change conditions with these vine- 
 trimmers, father ? " 
 
 "What art thinking of, wench? Is there not surli a 
 thing as order and })ropiiclv on eartli ? — And this brings 
 me to my purpose. There has been (jueslion to-day con- 
 cerning some silliness, not to say presiunption, on the ]")art 
 of young Berchthold I lintcnnayer, in wishing to couple 
 iiis ])overty with thy means." 
 
 The head of Meta fell abashed, and \.\\v. arm, which 
 clasped the body of her father, trembled perceptibly. 
 
I90 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 " I doubt that Berchthold has not thought of this," she 
 answered, in a voice but little above her breath, thoug,h 
 her respiration was very audible. 
 
 " All the better for him, since such a desire w^ould be 
 just as unreasonable as it would be, on thy part, to wish to 
 wed with Count Emich's heir." 
 
 " Nay, that silly thought never crossed me !" exclaimed 
 Meta, frankly. 
 
 "All the better for thee, girl, since the Herr von Harten- 
 burg has had the boy betrothed these many years. Well, 
 as we now understand each other so well, leave me to my 
 thoughts, for weighty matters press on my mind." 
 
 So saying, Heinricli composed himself to reflection, fully 
 content witli the parental lesson he had just imparted to 
 his daughter. But, in the few and vague remarks that had 
 fallen from the Burgomaster, Meta found suflficient food 
 for uncomfortable conjecture for the rest of the ride. 
 
 During the short dialogue between Heinrich and Meta, 
 there had also been a discourse betw^een Ulrike and the 
 crone that rode on her pillion. The propensity of old Use 
 to talk, and the well-tried indulgence of her mistress, in- 
 duced the former to break silence the moment they were 
 clear of the hamlet, and were so far advanced beyond the 
 rest of the party as to render it safe to speak freely. 
 
 '* Well," exclaimed the nurse, "this hath been, truly, a 
 day! First had we matins in Duerckheim ; and then, the 
 stirring words of Father Johan, with the Abbey mass ; and 
 lastly, this high demeanor of the Count Emich ! I do not 
 think, good wife, that thou hast ever before seen the Bur- 
 gomaster so preferred ! " 
 
 " He is ever in the graces of the Herr von Hartenburg, 
 as thou mayest know. Use," returned Heinrich's partner, 
 speaking like one that thought of other things. " I w^ould 
 that they were less friendly at this moment." 
 
 "Nay, therein thou dost little justice to thy husband. 
 It is honorable to be honored by the w^orld's honored, and 
 thou shouldest wish the Burgomaster favor with all such, 
 though it were even with the Emperor. But thou w^ert 
 ever particidar, even as a child ; and I should not deal too 
 harshly with a propensity that, coming as if it were of nat- 
 ure, is not without reason. Ah ! Heaven is even tender 
 with the good ! Now what a happy life is thine, Ulrike ; 
 here canst thou go forth before all that were once thy 
 equals, a Burgomaster's companion, — and not a varlet be- 
 
THE IIEIDENMAUER. 191 
 
 tween Duerckheim-gatc, or indeed thine own gate, and the 
 hold of Ilartenburg shall stand covered as thy steed shuf- 
 fles past. This is it to be fortunate ! Then have we worthy 
 Heinrich for a master, and such another for keeping all in 
 due respect is not to be seen in our town ; and Meta, 
 who, beyond dispute, is botli the fairest and the wisest of 
 iier years among all the maidens, and thyself scarcely less 
 blooming than of old, with such health and contentment 
 as might even disarm widowhood of its sorrows. Ah ! 
 what a life hath been thine ! " 
 
 Ulrike seemed to arouse herself from a trance, as the 
 nurse thus chanted praises in honor of her good fortune, 
 and the sigh she drew, unconscious of its meaning, was 
 long and tremulous. 
 
 " I complain not of my fate, good Use." 
 
 "If thou didst, I would cause the beast to halt, that I 
 might quickly descend, for nothing good could come of a 
 journey so blasphemous! No, gratitude before all other 
 virtues, except humility ; for humility leadeth to favors, 
 and favor is the lawful parent of gratitude itself. I would 
 thou couldest have been at my last shriving, Ulrike, and 
 thou shouldest have heard questions of nice meaning 
 closely reasoned ! It happened that Father Johan was in 
 the confessional, and when he had got the little I had to 
 say of myself in the way of acknowledgment, (for, tlunigh 
 a great sinner like all human, it is little I can do against 
 Heaven at threescore and ten,) we came to words concern- 
 in^^ doctrine. The Monk maintained that the best of us 
 might fall away, so as to merit condemnation ; while I 
 W(juld have sworn, had it been seendy to swear in such a 
 place, that the late Prior, than whom none better ever 
 dwelt in Limburg, always gave comfortable assurance of 
 mercy being safe, when fairly earned. I wonder not 
 that these heresies should be abroad, when the professed 
 throw this discouragement in tlie way of the old and 
 weak!" 
 
 '' Thou art too apt, good Use, to dwell on subtleties, 
 when a meeker faith miglit better become thy condition." 
 
 " And what is this condition, prithee, that thou namest 
 it as a disqualifier ? Ami not aged — and can any say bet- 
 ter what is sin, or what not? Didst tliou know what sin 
 was thyself, ciiild, till I taught thee ? Am I not mortal, 
 and therefore frail — am I not a woman, and therefore in- 
 quiring — and am I nut aged, and iherefore experienced ? 
 
192 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 No, come to me, an' thou wouldest ^et an insight into real 
 sin — sin that hath much need of grace ! " 
 
 " Well, let it be thus. But, Use, I would recall thy mind 
 to days long past, and take counsel of thy experience in a 
 matter that toucheth me nearly." 
 
 " That must be some question of Meta ; naught else 
 could touch a mother nearly." 
 
 " Thou hast reason in part : 'tis of Meta, and of us all, in 
 sooth, that I would speak. Thou hast now been to the 
 Heidenmauer more than once with our girl, in quest of the 
 holy Anchorite ? " 
 
 *' Have I not ! Thou mayest well say more than once, 
 since I have twice made that weary journey ; and few of 
 my years would have come off so lightly from the fatigue." 
 
 "And what is said in the country round of the holy 
 man — of his origin and history, I mean ? " 
 
 " Much is said ; and much that is good and edifying is 
 said. It is thought tliat one blessing of his is as good- as 
 two from the Abbey ; for of him no harm is known, 
 whereas there is much reputed of Limburg that had better 
 not be true. For myself, Ulrike — and I am one that docs 
 not treat these matters lightly — I should go away with 
 more surety of favor with a single touch of the Hermit's 
 hand, than if honored with blows from all of Limburg. 
 But, from the account I except Father Arnolph, who if he 
 be not an anchorite, well deserves, from his virtues, to be 
 one. Oh ! that is a man, were justice done him, who ought 
 never to taste other liquor than water of the spring, or 
 other food than bread hard as a rock ? " 
 
 " And hast thou seen him of the Heidenmaure ? " 
 
 "It hath been sufficient for me to be in sight of his hut. 
 I am none of those that cannot have a good thing in pos- 
 session, without using it up. I have never laid eyes on 
 the holy man, for that is a virtue I keep in store against 
 some of the sore evils that beset all in age. Tetany of the 
 autumn plagues come upon me, and thou shalt see in 
 what manner I will visit him ! " 
 
 " Use, thou mayest yet remember the days of my in- 
 fancy, and hast some knowledge of most of the events of 
 Duerckheim for these many, many years?" 
 
 "I know not what thou callest infancy, but if it mean 
 the first cry thy feeble voice ever made, or the first glance 
 of thy twinkling eyes, I remember both an' it were yester- 
 day's vespers." 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 193 
 
 "And thou hast not forgotten the youths and maidens 
 that then sported at our merry-makings, and were gay in 
 their time, as these we see to-day ?" 
 
 " Call you these gay ? These are hired mourners com- 
 pared to those of my youth. You that have been born in 
 the last fifty years know little of mirth and gayety. If 
 thou wouldest learn " 
 
 " Of this we can speak at another season. But since 
 thy memory remains so clear, thou canst not have forgot- 
 ten the young Herr von Ritterstein ; he that was well re- 
 ceived of old within my father's doors ? " 
 
 Ulrike spoke in a low voice, but the easy movement of 
 the beast they rode suffered every word to reach the ear 
 of her companion. 
 
 " Do I remember Odo von Ritterstein ? " exclaimed the 
 crone. "Am I a heathen, to forget him or his crime?" 
 
 " Poor Odo ! Bitterly hath he repented that transgres- 
 sion in banishment, as I have heard. We may hope that 
 his offence is forgiven ! " 
 
 " Of whom — of Heaven ? Never, as thou livest, Ulrike, 
 can such a crime be pardoned. It will be twenty years 
 this night since he did that deed, as all in the Jaegerthal 
 well know ; for there have been masses and exorcisms 
 without number said in the Abbey-chapel on his account. 
 What dost take Heaven to be, that it can forget an offence 
 like that ! " 
 
 ** It was a dreadful sin ! " answered Ulrike, shuddering, 
 for though she betrayed a desire to exonerate the sup- 
 posed penitent, horror at his oifence was evidently upper- 
 most in her mind. 
 
 " It was blasphemy to God, and an outrage to man. 
 Let him look to it, I say, for his soul is in cruel jeopardy ! " 
 
 A heavy sigh was the answer of tlie Burgomaster's wife. 
 
 " I knew young Odo von Ritterstein well," continued the 
 crone, " and, tiiough not ill gifted as to outward appear- 
 ance, and of most seductive discourse to all who would 
 listen to a honeyed tongue, I can boast of having read his 
 inmost nature at (mu* very first acquaintance." 
 
 "Thou understood a fearful mystery ! " half whispered 
 Ulrike. 
 
 " It was no mystery to one of my years and experience. 
 What is a comely face, and a noble birth, and a jaunting 
 air, and a bold eye, to your woman that hath had her op- 
 portunities, and who hath lived long ? Nay, nay — young 
 
 13 
 
194 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 Odo's soul was read by me, as your mass-saying priest 
 readeth his missal ; that is, with half a glance." 
 
 " It is surprising that one of thy station should have so 
 quickly and so well understood him that most have found 
 inexplicable. Thou knowest he was long in favor with 
 my parents ? " 
 
 "Aye, and with thee, Ulrike ; and this proves the great 
 difference of judgments. But not a single day, nay, not 
 even an hour, was I mistaken in his character. What was 
 his name to me ? They say he had crusaders among his 
 ancestors, and that nobles of his lineage bore the sign of 
 the cross, under a hot sun and in a far land, in honor of 
 God ; but none of this would I hear. I saw the man with 
 mine own eyes, and with mine own judgment did I judge.*' 
 
 "Thou sawest one. Use, of no displeasing mien." 
 
 " So thought the young and light-minded. I deny not 
 his appearance ; 'twas according to Heaven's pleasure — 
 nor do I say aught against his readiness in exercises, or 
 any other esteemed and knightly qualities, for I am not 
 one to backbite a fallen enemy. But he had a way ! 
 Now when he came first to visit thy father, here did he 
 enter the presence of the honest Burgomaster an' he had 
 been the Elector, instead of a mere Baron ; and thougii 
 there I stood, waiting to do him reverence as became his 
 rank, and my breeding, nay, doing him reverence, and that 
 oft repeated, not a look of grace, nor a thank, nor a smile of 
 condescension did I get, for my pains. His eyes could 
 not stoop to the old nurse, but were fastened on the face 
 of the young beauty, besides many other levities. — Oh ! I 
 quickly accounted him for what he was ! " 
 
 " He was of contradictory qualities." 
 
 "Worse than that — a hundred-fold worse. I can count 
 you up his graces in brief speech — First was he a roisterer, 
 that never missed occasion to enter into all debaucheries 
 with the very monks he dishonored " 
 
 " Nay, that I did never hear ! " 
 
 " Is it reasonable to suppose otherwise, after what we 
 know of a certainty? Give me but one bold vice in 
 a man, and I will quickly show you all its companions." 
 
 "And is this true? Ought we not rather to think that 
 most yield in their weakest points, while they may con- 
 tinue to resist in the strongest? — That there are faults, 
 which, inviting the world's condemnation, produce indif- 
 ference to the world's opinion, may be true ; but I hope 
 
 I 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 195 
 
 few arc so evil as not to retain some portion of their good 
 qualities." 
 
 " Hadst thou ever seen a siege, good wife, thou wouldst 
 not say this. Here is your enemy, without the ditch, 
 shouting and screaming, and doing his worst to alarm 
 the garrison. — I say now but what I have thrice seen 
 here, in our very Duerckheim — but so long as tlie breach 
 is not made, or the ladders placed, each goes his way in 
 the streets, quietly and unharmed. But let the enemy 
 once enter, though it be but by a window, or down a 
 chimney, open fly the gates, and in pour the columns, 
 horsemen and footmen, till not a house escapes rifling, nor 
 a sanctuary violation. Now this blasphemy of Herr Odo 
 was mucli as if a curtain of wall had fallen at once, 
 letting in whole battalions and squadrons of vices in com- 
 pany." 
 
 " That the act was fearful, is as certain as that it was 
 heavily punislied ; but still may it have been the fault of 
 momentary folly, or of provoked resentment." 
 
 " It was blasphemy, and as such it is punished ; why 
 then say more in its defence ? Here cometh Meta within 
 call, and it were well she should not hear her mother 
 justify sin. Remember thou art a mother, and bear thy 
 charge with prudence." 
 
 As the horse ridden by the Burgomaster and his daugh- 
 ter drew near, Ulrike ceased speaking, with the patient 
 forbearance tliat distinguislicd her intercourse with the 
 old woman. And during the rest of the ride, little more 
 passed among the equestrians. On reacliing his own 
 ab(xle, however, Heinrich hastened to hold a secret 
 council with the chief men of tlie place. 
 
 The remainder of the day passed as Avas wont in the 
 towns of that age. The archers practised witli their bows, 
 without tlie walls ; the more trained arquebusiers were ex- 
 ercised with their unwieldy but comparatively dangerous 
 weapons ; the youthfid of the two sexes danced, while tlie 
 wine-houses were thronged with artisans, who quaflfed, 
 after the toil of the week, the cheap and healthful liquor 
 of the Palatinate, in a heavy animal enjoyment. Here and 
 there a m(jnk of the neighboring Abbey appeared in the 
 streets, though it was with an air less authoritative and 
 assured, than before the open jjromulgation of the opin- 
 ions of Luther had brought into (luestion so many of the 
 practices of the prevailing Church. 
 
196 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 " Thus I renounce the world and worldly things." — Rogers. 
 
 It will be remembered, that the time of this tale was in 
 the winning month of June. When the sun had fallen 
 beneath those vast and fertile plains of the west, among 
 which the Rhine winds its way, a swift and turbid, though 
 noble current, that, like some bold mountaineer, has made 
 a descent from the passes of Switzerland, to gather tribute 
 from every valley on his passage, there remained in the air 
 the bland and seductive warmth of the season. — Still the 
 evening was not a calm moonlight night, like those which 
 grace a more alluring climate ; but there reigned in its 
 quiet, a character of sombre repose that constantly remind- 
 ed all of the hour. It seemed a moment more adapted to 
 rest than to indulgence. The simple habits of Duerckheim 
 caused its burghers to shut their doors early, and, as usual, 
 the gates of the town were closed when the bells sounded 
 the stroke of eight. The peasants of the Jaegerthal had 
 not even waited so long, before they sought their beds. 
 
 It was, however, near ten, when a private door in the 
 dwelling of Heinrich Frey opened, and a party of three 
 individuals issued into the street. All were so closely muf- 
 fled as effectually to conceal their persons. The leader, a 
 man, paused to see that the way was clear, and then, beck- 
 oning to his companions, who were of the other sex, to 
 follow, he pursued his way within the shadows thrown from 
 the houses. It was hot long ere they all reached the gate 
 of the towm, which opened to the hill of the Ileidenmauer. 
 
 There was a stronger watch afoot that night, than was 
 usual in Duerckheim, though the city, and especially at a 
 moment when armies ravaged the Palatinate, was never 
 left without a proper guard. A few armed men paced the 
 street, at the point where it terminated with the defences, 
 and a sentinel was visible on the superior wall. 
 
 "Who Cometh ?" demanded an arquebusier. 
 
 The muffled man approached, and spoke to the leader of 
 the guard in a low voice. It would seem that he spoke 
 him fair ; for no sooner did he utter the little he had to 
 say, than a bustle among the citizens announced an eager 
 desire to do his pleasure. The keys were produced, and a 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 197 
 
 way made for the exit of the party. But the man went no 
 farther. Havini^^ procured the egress of his companions, 
 he returned int<) the town, stopping, however, to liold dis- 
 course with those on watch, before he disappeared. 
 
 When without the gate, the females began to ascend. 
 The way was difficult, for it lay among terraces and vine- 
 yards, by means of winding narrow foot-paths, and, as it 
 appeared, the limbs of those who were now obliged to 
 thread them, felt all the difficulties of the steep acclivity. 
 At length, though not without often stopping to breathe 
 and rest, they reached the fallen pile of the ancient wall of 
 the camp. Here both seated themselves, to recover their 
 strength, in profound silence. They had mounted by 
 means of a path that conducted them towards that ex- 
 tremity of the mountain which overlooked the valley of 
 our tale. 
 
 The skvwas covered with fleecy clouds, that dimmicd the 
 light of the moon so as to render objects beneath uncertain 
 and dull ; though occasionally the mild orb seemed to sail 
 into a little field of blue, shedding all its light below. But 
 these momentary illuminations were too fitful to permit 
 the eye to become accustomed to the change, and ere any 
 saw distinctly, the driving vapor w^ould again intercept the 
 rays. To this melancholy character of the hour, must be 
 added the plaintive sound of a night-breeze, which audibly 
 rustled the cedars. 
 
 A heavy respiration from the one of the two who, by her 
 air and attire, was evidently the superior, was taken by the 
 other as a permission to speak. 
 
 " Well, thrice in my life have I mounted this hill, at 
 night ! " she said : " and few of my years could do the 
 deed, by the light of the sun " 
 
 *' Hist, Use ! Hearest thou naught uncommon ?" 
 
 ** Naught but mine own voice, which, for so mute a per- 
 sofi, is, in sooth, of little wont " 
 
 *' Truly, there is other sound ! Come hither to the ruin ; 
 I fear we are abroad at a perilous moment ! " 
 
 As both arose, there was but a minute before their per- 
 sons were concealed in such a manner as to render it little 
 probable that any but a very curious eye would remark 
 their presence. It was evident that many footsteps were 
 approaching, and nearly in their direction. Use trembled, 
 but her ccjmpanion, more self-possessed, and better sup- 
 ported by her reason, was as much or even more excited 
 
T9S THE HRIDENMAUER. 
 
 by curiosity than by fear. The ruined hut, in which they 
 stood, was within the cover of the cedars, where a dull light 
 alone penetrated. By means of this light, however, a biuid 
 of men was seen moving across the camp. They came in 
 pairs, and their march was swift and nearly noiseless. The 
 glittering of a morion, as it passed beneath some opening 
 in the trees, and the reclining arquebuses, no less than 
 their order, showed them to be warriors. 
 
 The line Avas long, extending to some hundreds of men. 
 They came, in this swift and silent manner, from the di- 
 rection of the Jaegerthal, and passed away, among the 
 melancholy cedars, in that of the plain of the Rhine. 
 
 When the last of this long and ghost-like band had dis- 
 appeared. Use appeared to revive. 
 
 '' In very sooth," she said, *' they seem to be men ! Do 
 they, too, come to visit the Holy Hermit ?" 
 
 " Believe it not. They have gone down by the rear of 
 Duerckheim, and will soon be beyond our wishes, or our 
 fears." 
 
 " Lady ! Of what origin are they — and on what errand 
 do they come ?" 
 
 ' This exclamation of old Use sufficiently betrayed the 
 nature of her own doubts, though the firmness of her com- 
 panion's manner proved that, now the armed men were 
 gone, she no longer felt distrust. 
 
 " This may, or may not, be a happy omen," she answered, 
 musingly. " There was a goodly number, and warriors, too, 
 of fair appearance ! " 
 
 '' Thrice have I visited this camp at night, and never 
 before has it been mv fate to view its tenants ! Thinkest 
 thou they were Romans — or are thev the followers of the 
 Hun?" 
 
 " They were living men — but let us not forget our er- 
 rand." 
 
 Without permitting further discourse, the superior of 
 the two then took the way towards the hut of the Hermit. 
 At first her footstep was timid and unassured ; for, strength- 
 ened as she was by reflection and knowledge, the sudden 
 and sprite-like passage of such aline of warriors across the 
 deserted camp was indeed likely to affect the confidence of 
 one even more bold. 
 
 "Rest thy old limbs on this bit of fallen wall, good 
 nurse," said the muffled female, "while I go within. Thou 
 wilt await mc here." 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 199 
 
 "Go, of Heaven's mercy ! and speak the holy Anchorite 
 fair. Take what thou canst of comfort and peace for thine 
 own soul, anjd if there should be a blessing, or a relic more 
 than thou nccdest, remember her who fondled thy infancy, 
 and who, I may say, and say it I do with pride, made thee 
 the woman of virtue and merit thou art." 
 
 " God be with thee — and witli me ! " murmured the 
 female, as she moved slowly away. 
 
 The visitor of the Anchorite hesitated at the door of his 
 hut. Encouraged bv sounds within, and certain that the 
 lioly man was still afoot, by the strong light that shone 
 through the fissures of the wall, she at length summoned 
 resolution to knock. 
 
 " Enter, of God's will!" returned a voice from within. 
 
 The door opened, and the female stood confronted to the 
 person of the Ancliorite. The cloak and hood both fell 
 from the female's head, as by an involuntary weakness of 
 her hands— and each stood gazing long, wistfully, and per- 
 haps in doubt, at the other. The female, more prepared 
 for the interview, was the first to speak. 
 
 " Odo ! " she said, with melancholy emphasis. 
 
 " Ulrike!" 
 
 Eye then studied eye, in that eager and painful gaze 
 with which the memory traces the changes that time and 
 the passions produce in the human face. In that of Ulrike, 
 however, there was little to be noted but the development 
 of more mature womanliood, with such a shadowing of 
 tliought as deeper refiection and diminished hopes are apt 
 to bring; but, had she not been apprised of the person of 
 him she sought, and had her memory not retained so vivid 
 an impression of the past, it is probable that the wife of 
 Heinrich Frey might not have recognized the features of 
 the gayest and handsomest cavalier of tlie Palatinate, in 
 the sunken but still glowing eye, the grizzletl beard, and 
 the worn though bold lineaments of the Anchorite. 
 
 "Thou Odo, and a penitent!" Ulrike added. 
 
 " One of a stricken soul. Thou seest me, sworn to mor- 
 tifications and sorrow." 
 
 " If repentance come at all, let it be welcome. Thou 
 leanest on a rock, and thy soul will be upheld." 
 
 The recluse made a vngue gesture, which his companion 
 believed to be the usual sign of the cross. She meekly imi- 
 tated the symb(»l, and. bowing her head, repeated an are. 
 In all great changes in religicms and politics, the spirit of 
 
200 THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 party attaches importance to immaterial things, which, by 
 practice and convention, come to be considered as the evi- 
 dences of opinion. Tims it is, when revohitions are sudden 
 and violent, that so many mistake their symbols for their 
 substance, and men cast tlieir lives on the hazards of battle, 
 in order to support an empty name, a particular disposi- 
 tion of colors in an ensign, or some idle significations of 
 terms that were never well explained, long after the real 
 merits of the controversy have been lost by the cupidity and 
 falsehood of those intrusted with the public welfare ; and 
 thus it is, that here, v/here all change has been gradual and 
 certain, that the neglect of these trifles has subjected the 
 country to the imputation of inconsistency, because, in at- 
 tending so much to the substance of their work, it has over- 
 looked so many of those outward signs, which, by being the 
 instruments of excitement in other regions, obtain a value 
 that has no influence among ourselves. The Reformation 
 made early and rude inroads upon the formula of the Rom- 
 ish church. The cross ceased to be a sign in favor with 
 the Protestant ; and, after three centuries, it is just begin- 
 ning to be admitted that this sacred symbol is a more fit- 
 ting ornament of one of "those silent fingers pointing to 
 the skies," which so touchingly adorn our churches, than 
 the representation of a barn-yard fowl ! Had Ulrike been 
 more critical in this sort of distinctions, or had her mind 
 been less occupied with her own sad reflections, she might 
 have thought the movement of the Hermit's hand, when he 
 made the sign alluded to, had such a manner of indecision 
 and doubt, as equally denotes one new in practices of this 
 nature, or one about to abandon any long-established ritual. 
 As it was, however, she noted nothing extraordinary, but 
 silently took the seat to which the Anchorite pointed, while 
 he placed himself on another. 
 
 The earnest, wistful, and half mournful look of each 
 was renewed. They sat apart, with the torch throwing its 
 light fully upon both. 
 
 " Grief hath borne heavily upon thee, Odo," said Ulrike. 
 "Thou art much changed ! " 
 
 " And innocence and happiness have dealt tenderly by 
 thee ! Thou hast well merited this favor, Ulrike." 
 
 " Art thou long of this manner of life — or touch I on a 
 subject that may not be treated ?" 
 
 '' I know not that I may refuse to give the world the profit 
 of my lesson — much less can I pretend to mystery with thee." 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 201 
 
 *'I would gladly give thee consolation. Thou knowest 
 there is great comfort in sympathy." 
 
 ''Tliy pity is next to tlie love of angels — but why speak 
 of this ? Tliou art in the hut of a hermit condemned, of 
 his own conscience, to privation and penitence. Goto thy 
 happy home, and leave me to the solemn duty which I 
 have allotted to be done this night." 
 
 As he spoke, the Anchorite folded his head in a mantle 
 of coarse cloth, for he was evidently clad to go abroad, 
 and he groaned. 
 
 "Nay, Odo, I quit thee not, in this humor of thy mind. 
 The sight of me hath added to thy grief, and it were un- 
 charitable — more, it were unkind, to leave thee thus." 
 
 " What wouldst thou, Ulrike ? " 
 
 " Disburthen thy soul; this life of seclusion hath heaped 
 a load too heavy on thy thoughts. Where liast thou passed 
 the years of thy prime, Odo — what hath brought thee to 
 this condition of bitterness?" 
 
 " Hast thou still so much of womanly mercy, as to feel 
 an interest in the fate of an outcast?" 
 
 Tlie paleness of Ulrike's cheek was succeeded by a mild 
 glow. It was no sign of tumultuous feeling, but a genile 
 proof that a heart like hers never lost the affinities it had 
 once fondly and warmly cherished. 
 
 " Can I forget the past ?" she answered. " Wert thou not 
 the friend of my youth — nay, wert thou not my betrothed ?" 
 
 "And dost thc)u acknowledge those long-cherished ties? 
 Oh Ulrike ! with what maddened folly did I throw away a 
 jewel beyond price ! But listen and thou shalt know in 
 what manner God hath avenged himself and thee." 
 
 The Burgomaster's wife, though secretly much agitated, 
 sat patiently awaiting, wliile tlie Hermit seemed preparing 
 his mind for the revelation he was about to make. 
 
 "Thou hast no need to hear aught of my youth," he 
 at length commenced. " Thou well knowest that, an or- 
 phan from childhood, of no mean estate, and of noble 
 birth, I entered on life exposed to all the hazards that beset 
 the young and thoughtless. I had most of the generous 
 impulses of one devoid of care, and a heart that was not 
 needlessly shut against sympathy with the injured, and, I 
 think, I may say one that was not closed against compas- 
 sion " 
 
 " Thou dost not justice to thyself, Odo! Say that thy 
 hand was open, and thy heart filled with gentleness." 
 
202 THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 The Anchorite, humbled as he was by penitence and 
 self-devotion, did not hear this opinion, uttered by lips so 
 gentle and so true, without a change of features. His eye 
 lighted, and for a moment it gazed towards his companion 
 with some of its former bright, youthful expression. But 
 the change escaped Ulrike, who was occupied with the 
 generous impidse that caused her, thus involuntarily, to 
 vindicate the Hermit to himself. 
 
 " It miglit have been so," the latter resumed, coldly, after 
 a moment of thought ; " but in youth, unless watched and 
 wisely directed, our best qualities may become instruments 
 of our fall. I was of violent passions above all ; miserable 
 traces in that unerring index, the countenance, prove how 
 violent ! " 
 
 Ulrike had no answer to this remark ; for she had felt 
 how easy it is for the strong of character to attach the 
 mild, and how common it is for the human heart to set 
 value on qualities that serve to throw its own into 
 relief. 
 
 " When I knew thee, Ulrike, the influence of thy gen- 
 tleness, the interest thou gavest me reason to believe thou 
 felt in my happiness, and the reverence wdiich the young 
 of our sex so readily pay to innocence, and beauty, and 
 faith, in thine, served to tame the lion of my reckless tem- 
 per, and to bring me, for a time, in subjection to thy gen- 
 tleness." 
 
 His companion looked grateful for his praise, but she 
 remained silent. 
 
 " The tie between the young and guiltless is one of nat- 
 ure's holiest mysteries ! I loved thee, Ulrike, purely, and 
 in perfect faith ! The reverence I bear, here in my soli- 
 tude and penance, to these signs of sacred character, is not 
 deeper, less tinctured w^ith human passion, or more fer- 
 vent, than the respect I felt for thy virgin innocence ! " 
 
 Ulrike trembled, but it was like the leaf quivering at 
 the passage of a breath of air. 
 
 " For this I gave thee credit, Odo," she whispered, evi- 
 dently afraid to trust her voice. 
 
 " Thou didst me justice. When thy parents consented 
 to our union, I looked forw^ard to the marriage with blessed 
 hope ; for young though I was, I so well understood myself, 
 as to foresee that some spirit, persuasive, good, and yet 
 firm as thine, was necessary to tame me. Woman winds 
 herself about the heart of man by her tenderness, nay, by 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 203 
 
 her very dependence, in a manner to effect that which his 
 pride would refuse to a power more evident." 
 
 " And couldst tliou feel all this ?" 
 
 " Ulrike, I felt more, was convinced of more, and 
 dreaded more, tlian I ever dared avow. But all feelings of 
 pride arc now past. Wiiat further shall I say? Thou know- 
 estthe manner in which bold spirits began to assail the mys- 
 teries and dogmas of the venerable Church that has so long 
 governed Christendom, and that some were so hardy as to 
 anticipate the reasonings and changes of more prudent 
 heads, by rash acts. 'Tis ever thus with young and heated 
 reformers of abuses. Seeing naught but the wrong, they 
 forget the means by which it has been produced, and over- 
 look the sufficient causes which may mitigate, if they do 
 not justify the evil." 
 
 *' And this unhappily was thy temper ? " 
 
 ^' I deny it not. Young, and without knowledge of the 
 various causes that temper every theory when reduced to 
 practice, I looked eagerly to the end alone." 
 
 Though Ulrike longed to extort some apology from the 
 penitent for his own failings, she continued silent. After 
 minutes of thought, the discourse at length proceeded. 
 
 *' There were some among thy friends, Odo, who be- 
 lieved the outrage less than the convent reported ? " 
 
 "They trusted too much to their wishes," said the An- 
 chorite, in a subdued tone. *' It is most true, that, heated 
 with wine, and maddened with anger, I did violence in pres- 
 ence of my armed followers, to those sacred elements 
 which Catholics so reverence. In a moment of inebriated 
 frenzy, I believed tlie hoarse applause of drunken para- 
 sites, and the confusion of a priest, of more account than 
 the just anger of God! I impiously trampled on the Host, 
 and sorely hath God since trampled on my spirit ! " 
 
 "Poor Odo ! — That wicked act changed the course of 
 both our lives ! and dost thou now adore that Being to 
 whom this great indignity was offered — Hast thy mind re- 
 turned to the faith of thy youth ? " 
 
 "'Tis not necessary, in order to feel the burthen of my 
 guilt !" exclaimed the Anchorite, whose eye began to lose 
 the human expression which liad been kindled by com- 
 munion with this gentle being, in gleamings of a remorse 
 that had been so long fed by habits of morbid devotion. 
 " Is not the Lord of the imi verse my God ? The insult 
 was to Him ; whether there be error in this or that form 
 
204 THE IIEIDENMAUER. 
 
 of devotion, I was in His temple, at the foot of His altar, in 
 the presence of His spirit — There did I mock His rule, 
 and defy His power; and this for a silly triumph over a 
 terrified monk ! " 
 
 " Heart-stricken Odo ! Where soughtest thou refuge, 
 after the frantic act ? " 
 
 The Anchorite looked intently at his companion, as if a 
 flood of distressing and touching images were pressing 
 painfully upon his memory. "My first thought was of 
 thee," he said ; " the rash blow of my sword was no sooner 
 given, than it seemed suddenly to open an abyss between 
 us. 1 knew thy gentle piety, and could not, even in that 
 moment of frenzy, deceive myself as to thy decision. When 
 in a place of safety, I wrote the letter which thou answered, 
 and which answer was so firm and admirable a mixture of 
 holy horror and womanly feeling. When thou renounced 
 me, I became a vagrant on earth, and from that hour to 
 the moment of my return hither, have I been a wanderer. 
 Much inliuence and heavy fines saved my estates, which 
 the life of a pilgrim and a soldier has greatly augmented, 
 but never till this summer have I felt the courage neces- 
 sary to revisit the scenes of my youth." 
 
 "And whither strayed thou, Odo ?" 
 
 " I have sought relief in every device of man : — the 
 gayety and dissipation of capitals — hermitages (for this is 
 but the fourth of which I am the tenant) — arms — and rude 
 hazards by sea. Of late have I much occupied myself in 
 the defence of Rhodes, that unhappy and fallen bulwark of 
 Christendom. But wherever I have dwelt, or in whatever 
 occupation 1 have sought relief, the recollection of my 
 crime, and of its punishment, pursues me. Ulrike, I am a 
 man of woe ! " 
 
 " Nay, dear Odo, there is mercy for offenders more 
 heavy than thou. Thou wilt return to thy long-deserted 
 castle, and be at peace." 
 
 " And thou, Ulrike ! hath my crime caused thee sorrow ? 
 Thou, at least, art happy ? " 
 
 The question caused the wife of Heinrich Frey uneasi- 
 ness. Her sentiments towards Odo von Ritterstein had 
 partaken of passion, and were still clothed with hues of 
 the imagination ; while her attachment to the Burgomaster 
 ran in the smoother channel of duty and habit : — Still 
 time, a high sense of her sex's obligations, and the com- 
 mon bond of Meta, kept her feelings in the subdued state 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER, 205 
 
 which most fitted her present condition. Had her will 
 been consulted, she would not have touched on this por- 
 tion of the subject at all ; but since it was introduced, she 
 felt the absolute necessity of meeting it with composure. 
 
 " I am happy in an honest husband and an affection- 
 ate child," she said; ''set thy heart at rest on this ac- 
 count — we were not fitted for each other, Odo ; thy birth, 
 alone, offered obstacles we might not properly have over- 
 come." 
 
 The Anchorite bowed his head, appearing to respect her 
 reserve. The silence that succeeded was not free from em- 
 barrassment. It was relieved by the tones of a bell that 
 came from the hill of Limburg. The Anchorite arose, and 
 all other feeling was evidently lost in a sudden return of 
 that diseased repentance which had so long haunted him, 
 and which, in truth, had more than once gone nigh to un- 
 settle his reason. 
 
 "That signal, Ulrike, is for me." 
 
 "And dost thou go forth to Limburg at this hour ?" 
 
 "An humble penitent. I have made my peace with 
 the Benedictines by means of gold, and I go to struggle 
 for my peace with God. This is the anniversary of my 
 crime, and there will be midnight masses for its expia- 
 tion." 
 
 The wife of Heinrich Frcy heard of his intention with- 
 out surprise, though she regretted the sudden interruption 
 of their interview. 
 
 " Odo, thy blessing ! " said Ulrike, kneeling. 
 
 ''Thou, ask this mockery of me!" cried the Hermit, 
 wildly. — " Go, Ulrike ! — leave me with my sins." 
 
 The Anchorite appeared irresolute for a moment, and 
 then he rushed madly from the hut, leaving the wife of 
 Heinrich Frey still kneeling in its centre. 
 
 CHAPTER XVH. 
 
 "Mona, thy Druid riles awake the dead ! " — Rogers. 
 
 Ulrike was in the habit of making frequent and earnest 
 appeals to God, and she now prayed fervently, where she 
 knelt. Her attention was recalled to earth by a violent 
 shaking of the shoulder. 
 
2o6 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 " Ulrike, child ! — Frau Frey ! " exclaimed the assid* 
 nous Use. — " Art glued to the ground by necromancy ? 
 Why art thou here, and whither hath the holy man sped ? " 
 
 '' Sawest thou Odo von Ritterstein ? " 
 
 " Whom ! Art mad, Frau ? I saw none but the blessed 
 Anchorite, who passed me an' he were an angel taking 
 wing for heaven ; and though I knelt and beseeched but a 
 look of grace, his soul was too much occupied with its 
 mission to note a sinner. Had I been evil as some that 
 might be named, this slight might give some alarm ; but 
 being that I am, I set it down rather to the account of 
 merit than to that of any need. Nay, I saw naught but the 
 Hermit." 
 
 " Then didst thou see the unhappy Herr von Ritter- 
 stein ! " 
 
 Use stood aghast. 
 
 *' Have we harbored a wolf in sheep's clothing," she 
 cried, when the power of speech returned. " Hath the 
 Palatinate knelt, and wept, and prayed at the feet of a 
 sinner, like ourselves — nay, even worse tlian ourselves, 
 after all ! Hath what hath passed for true coin been naught 
 but base metal — our unction, hypocrisy — our hopes, wicked 
 delusions — our holy pride, vanity ? " 
 
 "Thou sawest Odo von Ritterstein, Use," returned Ul- 
 rike, rising, "but thou sawest a devout man." 
 
 Then giving her arm to the nurse, for of the two the 
 attendant most required assistance, she took the way from 
 the hut. While walking among the fallen walls of the de- 
 serted camp, Ulrike endeavored to bring her companion 
 to consider the character and former sins of the Anchorite 
 with more lenity. The task was not easy, for Use had been 
 accustomed to think the truant Odo altogether abandoned 
 of God, and opinions that have been pertinaciously main- 
 tained for twenty years, are not gotten rid of in a moment. 
 Still there is a process by which the human mind can be 
 made to do more than justice, when prejudice is finally 
 eradicated. It is by this species of reaction, that we see 
 the same individuals now reprobated as monsters, and now 
 admired as heroes ; the common sentiment as rarely doing 
 strict justice in excessive applause as in excessive con- 
 demnation. 
 
 We do not mean to say, however, that the sentiment of 
 Use toward the Ancliorite underwent this violent revulsion 
 from detestation to reverence ; for the utmost that Ulrike 
 
THE IIEIDENMAUER. 207 
 
 could obtain in his favor, was an admission that he was a 
 sinner in whose behalf all devout Christians might without 
 any manifest impropriety occasionally say an ave. This 
 small concession of Use sufficiently favored the wishes of 
 her mistress, which were to follow the Hermit to the 
 Abbey church, to kneel at its altars, and to mingle her 
 prayers with those of the penitent, on this the anniversary 
 of his crime, for pardon and peace. We pretend not to 
 show by what cord oi human infirmity the wife of Heinrich 
 Frey was led into the indulgence of a sympathy so delicate, 
 with one to whom her hand had formerly been plighted ; 
 for we are not acting here in the capacity of censors of fe- 
 male propriety, but as those who endeavor to expose the 
 workings of the heart, be they for good or be they for evil. 
 It is sufficient for our object, that the result of the whole 
 picture shall be a lesson favorable to virtue and truth. 
 
 So soon as Ulrike found she could lead lier companion 
 in the way she wished, without incurring the risk of listen- 
 ing to stale morals dealt out with a profuse garrulity, she 
 took the path directly towards the convent. As the reader 
 has most probably perused our Introduction, there is no 
 necessity of saying more than that Ulrike and her attend- 
 ant proceeded by the route we ourselves took in going 
 from one mountain to the other. But the progress of Use 
 was far slower than that described as our own, in ascend- 
 ing to the Heidenmauer under the guidance of Christian 
 Kinzel. The descent itself was long and slow, for one of 
 her infirmities and years, and the ascent far more tedious 
 and painful. During the latter, even Ulrike was glad to 
 halt often, to recover breatli, though they went up by the 
 horse-path over which they iiad ridden in the mcjrning. 
 
 The character of the night had not changed. The moon 
 appeared to wade among tleecy clouds as before, and the 
 light was misty but sufficient to render the path distinct. 
 At this hour, the pile of the convent loomed against the 
 sky, with its dark Gcnhic walls and towers, resembling a 
 work of giants, in which those who liad reared the structure 
 were reposing from their labors. Accustomed as she was 
 to worship at its altars,' Ulrike did not now approach the 
 gate without a sentiment of admirati(;n. She raised her 
 eyes to the closed portal, to the long ranges of dark and 
 sweeping walls, and everywhere she met evidences of mid- 
 night trancjuillilv. There was a faint glow u|)on the side 
 of the narrow giddy tower, that contained the bells, and 
 
2oS THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 which flanked the gate ; and she knew that it came from a 
 lamp that burnt before the image of the Virgin in the 
 court. This gave no sign that even the porter was awake. 
 Slie stepped, liovvever, to the wicket, and rang the night- 
 bell. The grating of the bolts quickly announced the 
 presence of one within. 
 
 *' Who coineth to Limburg at this hour ? " demanded the 
 porter, holding the wicket chained, as if distrusting 
 treachery, 
 
 " A penitent to pray." 
 
 The tones of the voice assured the keeper of the gate, 
 who had means also of examining the stranger with the 
 eye, and he so far opened the wicket as to permit the form 
 of Uh-ike to be distinctly seen. 
 
 •' It is not usual to admit thy sex within these holy walls, 
 after the morning mass hath been said, and the confes- 
 sionals are empty." 
 
 " There are occasions on which the rule may be broken, 
 and the solemn ceremony of to-night is one." 
 
 " I know not tliat. — Our reverend Abbot is severe in the 
 observance of all decencies " 
 
 " Nay, I am one closely allied to him in whose behalf 
 this service is given," said Ulrike, hastily. — '' Repel me not, 
 for the love of God ! " 
 
 '' Art thou of his kin and blood ? " 
 
 "Not of that tie," she answered, in the checked manner 
 of one who felt her own precipitation, " but bound to his 
 hopes by the near interests of affection and sympathy." 
 
 She paused, for at that instant the form of the Anchorite 
 filled the space beside the porter. He had been kneeling 
 before the image of a crucifix hard by, and had been called 
 from his prayers by the soft appeal that betrayed Ulrike's 
 interest in him, every tone of which went to his heart. 
 
 "She is mine," he said, authoritatively ; — "she and her 
 attendant are both mine. — Let them enter ! " 
 
 Ulrike hesitated — she scarce knew why, — and Use, 
 wearied with her efforts, and impatient to be at rest, was 
 obliged to impel her forward. The Hermit, as if suddenly 
 recalled to the duty on which he had come to the convent, 
 turned and glided away. The porter, Vv^ho had received 
 his instructions relative to him for whom the mass was to 
 be said, offered no further obstacle, but permitted Use to 
 conduct her mistress within. No sooner were the females 
 in the court, than he closed and barred the wicket. 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 209 
 
 Ulrike hesitated no longer, though she trembled in every 
 limb. Dragging the loitering Use after her with difficulty, 
 she took the way directly toward the door of the chapel. 
 With the exception of the porter at the wicket, and the 
 lamp before the Virgin, all seemed as dim and still within 
 as it had been without the Abbev-walls. Not even a sen- 
 tinel of Duke Fricdrich's men-at-arms was visible ; but this 
 occasioned no surprise, as these troops were known to keep 
 as much aloof from the more religious part of the tenants 
 of Limburg, as was possible. The spacious buildings, in 
 the rear of the Abbot's dwelling, might well have lodged 
 double their number, and in these it was probable they 
 were now housed. As for the monks, the lateness of the 
 hour, and the nature of the approaching service, fully ac- 
 counted for their absence. 
 
 The door of the Abbey-church was always open. This 
 usage is nearly common to every Catholic place of worsliip 
 in towns of any size, and it contains an affecting appeal, to 
 the passenger, to remember the Being in whose honor the 
 temple has been raised. The custom is, in general, turned 
 to account equally by the pious and the inquisitive, the 
 amateur of the arts, and the worshipper of Gcjd ; and it is 
 to be regretted that the former, more especially when they 
 belong to a different persuasion or sect, should not oftener 
 remember, that their taste becomes bad, when it is indulged 
 at the expense of that reverence which should mark all the 
 conduct of man in the immediate presence of his Creator. 
 On the present occasion, however, there were none present 
 to treat either the altar or its worship with levity. When 
 Ulrike and Use entered the chapel, the candles of the great 
 altar were lighted, and the lamps of the choir threw a 
 gloomy illumination on its sombre architecture. The fret- 
 ted and painted vault above, the carved oak of the stalls, 
 the images of the altar, and the grave and kneeling war- 
 riors in stone, that decorated the tombs, stood out promi- 
 nent in tlie relief of their own deep shadows. 
 
 If it be desirable to quicken devotion by physical aux- 
 iliaries, surely all tiiat was necessary to reduce the mind 
 to deep and contemplative awe existed here. The officials 
 of the altar swe})t past tlie gorgeous and consecrated 
 structure in their robes of duty ; grave, expectant monks 
 were in their stalls, and Honiface himself sat on his throne, 
 mitred and c:lad in vestments of embroidery. It is possible 
 that an inquisitive and hostile eye might have detected in 
 
2IO THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 some weary countenance or heavy eyelid longings for the 
 pillow, and little sympathy in the otiices ; but there w».rc 
 others who entered on their duties with zeal and convic- 
 tion. Among the last was Father Arnolph, whose pale 
 features and thoughtful eye were seen in his stall, where 
 he sat regarding the preparations with the tranquil pa- 
 tience of one accustomed to seek his happiness in the 
 duties of his vow. To him might be put in contrast the 
 unquiet organs and severe, rather than mortified, linea- 
 ments of Father Johan, who glanced hurriedly from the 
 altar, and its rich decorations, to the spot where the An- 
 chorite knelt, as if to calculate to what degree of humilia- 
 tion and bitterness it were possible to reduce the bruised 
 spirit of the penitent. 
 
 Odo of Ritterstein, for there no longer remains a reason 
 for refusing to the Anchorite his proper appellation, had 
 placed himself near the railing at the foot of the choir, on 
 his knees, where he continued with his eyes fixed on the 
 golden vessel that contained the consecrated host he had 
 once outraged — the offence whicli he had now come, as 
 much as in him lay, to expiate. The light fell but faintly 
 on his form, but it served to render every furrow that grief 
 and passion liad drawn athwart his features more evident. 
 Ulrike studied his countenance, seen as it was in circum- 
 stances of so little flattery ; and, trembling, she knelt by 
 the side of Use, on the other side of the little gate that 
 served to communicate between the body of the church 
 and the choir. Just as she had assumed this posture, Gott- 
 lob stole from among the pillars, and knelt in tlie distance, 
 on the flags of the great aisle. He had come to the mass 
 as a ceremony refused to none. 
 
 So strong was the light around the altar, and so obscure 
 the aisles below, that it was with difficulty Bonifacius could 
 assure himself of the presence of him in whose behalf this 
 office was had. But when, by contracting his heavy front, 
 so as to form a sort of screen of his shaggy brows, he was 
 enabled to distinguish the form of Odo, he seemed satisfied, 
 and mentioned for the worship to proceed. 
 
 There is little need to repeat the details of a ceremony 
 it has been our office already to relate in these pages ; but 
 as the music and other services had place in the quiet and 
 calm of midnight, they were doubly touching and solemn. 
 There was the same power of the single voice as in the 
 morning, or rather on the preceding day, for the turn of 
 
THE IIEIDENMAUER. 2il 
 
 the night was now passed, and the same startling effect 
 was pnjduced, even on tliose who were accustomed to its 
 thrilling and superhuman melody. As the mass proceeded, 
 the groans of the Anchorite became so audible, that, at 
 times, these throes of sorrow threatened to interrupt the 
 ceremonies. The heart of Ulrike responded to each sigh 
 that escaped the bosom of Odo, and, ere the first prayers 
 were ended, her face was bathed in tears. 
 
 The examination of the different countenances of the 
 brotherhood, during this scene, would have been a study 
 worthy of a deep inquirer into the varieties of human char- 
 acter, or of those who love to trace the various forms in 
 which the same causes work on different tempers. Each 
 groan of the Anchorite lighted the glowing features of 
 Father Johan with a species of holy delight, as if he tri- 
 umphed in the power of the offices ; and, at each minute, 
 his head was bent inquiringly in the direction of the railing, 
 while his ear listened eagerly for the smallest sound that 
 might favor his desires. On the other hand, the working 
 of the Prior's features were those of sorrow and sympathy. 
 Every sigh that reached him awakened a feeling of pity — 
 blended with pious joy, it is true — but a pity that was deep, 
 distinct, and human. Bonifacius listened like one in au- 
 thority, coldly, and with little concern in what passed be- 
 yond that which was attached to a proper observance of 
 the ritual ; and, from time to time, he bent his head on his 
 liand, while he evidently pondered on things that had little 
 connection with what was passing before his eyes. Others 
 of the fraternity manifested more or less of devotion, ac- 
 cording to their several characters ; and a few found means 
 to obtain portions of sleep, as the rights admitted of the 
 indulgence. 
 
 In this manner did the community of Limburg pass the 
 first hours c;f the day, or rather of the morning, that suc- 
 ceeded the Sabbath of this tale. It may have been, after- 
 wards, source of consolation to those among them that 
 were most zeahnis in the observance of their vows, that 
 they were thus passed ; for events were near that had a 
 lasting influence not only on their own destinies, but on 
 those of the very region in which they dwelt. 
 
 The strains of the last hymn were rising into the vault 
 above the choir, when, amid the calm that exquisite voice 
 never failed to j'lroduce, there came a low rushing sound, 
 which might have been taken for the murmuring of wind, 
 
212 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 or for tlie suppressed hum of a hundred voices. When it 
 was first heard, stealing among the ribbed arches of the 
 chapel, the cow-herd arose from his knees, and disappeared 
 in the gloomy depths of the church. The monks turned 
 their heads, as by a general impulse, to listen, but the com- 
 mon action was as quickly succeeded by grave attention to 
 the rites. Bonifacius, indeed, seemed uneasy, though it 
 was like a man who scarce knew why. 'His gray eyes 
 roamed over the body of darkness that reigned among the 
 distant columns of the church, and then they settled, with 
 vacancy, on the gorgeous vessels of the altar. The hymn 
 continued, and its soothing power appeared to quiet every 
 mind, when the sound of tumult at the great gate of the 
 outer wall became too audible and distinct to admit of 
 doubt. The whole brotherhood arose as a man, and the 
 voice of the singer was mute. Ulrike clasped her hands in 
 agony, while even Odo of Ritterstein forgot his grief, in the 
 rude nature of the interruption. 
 
 CHAPTER XVni. 
 
 ** Thy reason, dear venom, give thy reason ! " — T-oelfth Night. 
 
 It is scarcely necessary to explain, that the man who 
 had accompanied Ulrike and Use to the gate of Duerck- 
 heim, was Heinrich Frey. No sooner had his wife disap- 
 peared, and his short conference with the men on watch 
 was ended, than the Burgomaster hurried towards that 
 quarter of the town which lay nearest to the entrance of 
 the Jaegerthal. Here he found collected a band of a hun- 
 dred burghers, chosen from among their townsmen, for 
 resolution and physical force. They were all equipped, 
 according to the fashion of the times, with such weapons 
 of offence as suited their several habits and experience. 
 We might also add, that, as each good man, on going forth 
 on the present occasion, had seen fit to consult his bosom's 
 partner, there was more than the usual display of head- 
 pieces, and breastplates, and bucklers. 
 
 When with his followers, and assured of their exactitude 
 and numbers, the Burgomaster, who was a man nowise de- 
 ficient in courage, ordered the postern to be opened, and 
 issued first himself into the field. The townsmen sue- 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 211 
 
 ceeded in their allotted order, observing the most profound 
 silence. Instead of taking the direct road to the gorge, 
 Heinrich crossed the rivulet, by a private bridge, pursuing 
 a footpath that led him up the ascent of tlic most advanced 
 of the mountains, on that side of the valley. The reader 
 will understand, that this movement placed the party on 
 the hill which lay directly opposite to that of the Heiden- 
 mauer. At the period of the tale, cedars grew on the two 
 mountains alike, and the townsmen, of course, had the ad- 
 vantage of being concealed from observation. A half-hour 
 was necessary to effect this lodgment, with sufhcient 
 caution and secrecy ; but once made, the whole band 
 seemed to consider itself beyond the danger of discovery. 
 The men then continued the march with less attention to 
 order and silence, and even their leaders began to indulge 
 in discourse. Tlicir conversation was, however, guarded, 
 like that of those who felt they were engaged in an enter- 
 prise of hazard. 
 
 *' 'Tis said, neighbor Dietrich," commenced the Burgo- 
 master, speaking to a sturdy smith, who acted on this oc- 
 casion as lieutenant to the commander-in-chief, an honor 
 that was mainly due to the power of his arm, and wiio, 
 emboldened by his temporary rank, had advanced nearly 
 to Heinrich's side, "'Tis said, neighbor Dietrich, that these 
 Benedictines are like bees, who never go fortli but in tlie 
 season of plenty, and rarely return without rich contribu- 
 tion to their hive. Thou art a reflecting and solid towns- 
 man ; one that is little moved by the ligiit opinions of the 
 idle, and a burgher that knoweth his own rights, which is 
 as mucli as to say, his own interests, and one that well 
 understandeth the necessity of preserving all of our vener- 
 able usages and laws, at least in such matters as touch the 
 permanency of the welfare (jf those that may lay claim to 
 have a welfare. I speak not now oi the varlets who be- 
 long, as it were, neitlier t(j heaven nor earth, being con- 
 demned of both to the misery <>f liouseless and irresponsible 
 knaves ; but of men of substance, that, like thee and thy 
 craft, pay scot and lot, keep bed and board, and are other- 
 wise to be marked for their usefulness and natural rights ; 
 — and this brings me to my point, wliich is neither more 
 nor less than to say, that God hath created all men equal, 
 and therefore it is our right, no less than our duty, to see 
 that Uuerckheim is not wronged, esj^ecially in that part of 
 her interests that belong, in particularity, to her substan- 
 
214 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 tial inhabitants. Do I say that wliich is reasonable, or do 
 I deceive both myself and thee, friend smith ?" 
 
 Heinrich had a reputation for eloquence and logic, es- 
 pecially among his own partisans, and his appeal was now 
 made to one who was little likely to refuse him any honor. 
 Dietrich was one of those animal philosophers who seem 
 specially qualified by nature to sustain a parliamentary 
 leader, possessing a good organ, with but an indifferent in- 
 tellect to derange its action. His mind had precisely the 
 description of vacuum which is so necessary to produce 
 a good political or moral echo, more particularly when the 
 proposition is false ; for the smallest addition to his ca- 
 pacity might have had such an effect on his replies, as a 
 sounding-board is known to possess in defeating the repe- 
 titions of the voice. 
 
 "By St. Benedict, Master Heinrich," he answered, *'for 
 it is permitted to invoke the saint, though we so little 
 honor his monks, it were well for Duke Friedrich had he 
 less wine in his Heidelberg tuns, and more of your wisdom 
 in his councils ! What you have just proclaimed is no 
 other than w^iat I have myself thought these many years, 
 though never able to hammer down an idea into speech so 
 polished and cutting as this of your worship! Let them 
 that deny what I say take up their weapons, and I w^ill re- 
 pose on my sledge as on an argument not to be answ^ered. 
 We must, in sooth, see Duerckheim righted, and more is 
 tlie need, since there, is this equality between all men, as 
 hath just been so well said." 
 
 "Nay, this matter of equality is one much spoken of, 
 but as little understood. Look you, good Dietrich ; give 
 me thy ear for a few minutes, and tliou shaltget an insight 
 into its justice. Here are we of the small towns born with 
 all properties and wants of those in your large capitals — 
 are we not men to need our privileges— or are we not 
 human, that air is unnecessary for breath — I think thou 
 wilt not gainsay either of these truths." 
 
 " He that would do it is little better than an ass ! " 
 
 " This being established, therefore, naught remains but 
 to show the conclusion. We, having the same rights as 
 the largest towms in the empire, should be permitted to 
 enjoy them ; else is language little better than mockery, 
 and a municipal privilege of no more value than a serfs 
 oath." 
 
 '' This is so clear I marvel any should deny it ! And 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 215 
 
 what say they of the villages, Master Burgomaster ? Will 
 they, think you, sustain us in this holy cause ?" 
 
 " Nay, I touch not on the villages, good smith, since 
 they have neither burgomasters nor burghers ; and where 
 there is so little to sustain a cause, of what matter is re- 
 sistance. I speak chiefly of ourselves, and of towns hav- 
 ing means, which is a case so clear, that it were manifest 
 weakness to confound it with any other. He that hath 
 right of his side were a fool to enter into league with any 
 of doubtful franchises. All have their natural and holy 
 advantages, but those are the best which are most clear by 
 their riches and force." 
 
 *' I pray you, worshipful Heinrich, grant me but a single 
 favor, an' you love me so much as a hair?" 
 
 " Name thy will, smith." 
 
 *' That I may speak of this among the townsmen ! — such 
 wisdom, and conclusion so evident, should not be cast to 
 the winds." 
 
 " Thou knowest I do not discourse for vain applause." 
 
 " By my father's bones ! I will touch upon it wdth dis- 
 cretion, most honorable Burgomaster, and not as one of 
 vain speech — your honor knows the difference between a 
 mere street babbler and one that hath a shop." 
 
 *' Have it as thou wilt ; but I take not the merit of orig- 
 inality, for there are many good and substantial citizens, 
 and some statesmen, who think much in this manner." 
 
 ''Well, it is happy that God hath not gifted all alike, 
 else might there have been great and unreasonable equal- 
 ity, and some would have arrived to honors they were lit- 
 tle able to bear. But having so clearly explained your 
 most excellent motives, worsliipful Heinricii, wilt conde- 
 scend to ligliten the march by an application of its truth 
 to the enterprise on which we go forth ? " 
 
 " That may be d(jne readily, for no tower in the Palati- 
 nate is more obvious. Here is Limburg, and yon is Duerck- 
 tieim ; rival communities, as it were, in interests and 
 hopes, and of necessity but little disposed to do each other 
 favor. Nature, which is a great master of all questions of 
 right and wrong, sayeth that Duerckhcim shall not harm 
 Limburg, nor Limburg Duercklieim. — Is this clear ?" 
 
 " Himmel ! as the flame of a furnace, honorable Burgo- 
 master." 
 
 " Now, it being thus settled, that there shall be no inter 
 ferencc in each other's concerns, wc yield to necessity, 
 
2t6 the HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 and go forth armed in order to prevent Limburg doing 
 wrong to a principle that all just men admit to be invio- 
 lable. You perceive the nicety ; we confess that what we 
 do is weak in argument, and the greater need it should be 
 strong in execution. We are no madcaps to unsettle a 
 principle to gain our ends, but then all must have heed to 
 their interests, and what we do is with a reserve of doc- 
 trine." 
 
 "This relieves my soul from a mountain!" exclaimed 
 the smith, who had listened with a sort of earnestness that 
 denotes honesty of purpose ; "naught can be more just, 
 and woe to him that shall gainsay it, while back of mine 
 carries harness ! " 
 
 In this manner did Heinrich and his lieutenant lighten 
 the way by subtle discourse, and by arguments that we 
 feel some consciousness may subject us to the imputation 
 of plagiarisms, but for which we can vouch as genuine, on 
 the authority of Christian Kinzel, already so often named. 
 
 The high and disinterested intellect that is active in 
 regulating the interests of the world has been so often 
 alluded to, in other places and on different occasions, that 
 it is quite useless to expatiate on it here. We have already 
 said, that Heinrich Frey was a stout friend of the conserv- 
 ative principle, which, reduced to practice, means little 
 more than that 
 
 " They shall get, who have the power, 
 And they shall keep, who can." 
 
 Justice, like liberality, has great reservations, and perhaps 
 there are few countries in the present advanced condition 
 of the human species, that does not daily employ some 
 philosophy of the same involved character as this of Hein- 
 rich, supported by reasoning as lucid, irresistible, and ner- 
 vous. 
 
 The direction in which the band of Duerckheimers pro- 
 ceeded, led them by a tortuous way, it is true, but surely, 
 to the side of the valley on which the castle of Hartenburg 
 stood. Heinrich, however, brought his followers to a halt 
 long before they had made the circuit whicli would have 
 been necessary to reach the hold of Count Emich. The 
 place he chose for the collection and review of the band, 
 was about tnidway between Duerckheim and the castle, 
 pursuing a line that conformed to the sinuosities and varia- 
 tions of the foot of the mountain. It was in an open grove, 
 
THE HEIDENAJAUER. 217 
 
 where the shadows of the trees effectually concealed the 
 presence of the unusual company. Here refreshments 
 were taken by all, for the good people of the town were 
 much addicted to practices of this consolatory nature, and 
 the occasion must have been doubly urgent that could in- 
 duce them to overlook the calls of the appetite. 
 
 " Seest thou aught of our allies, honest smith?" de- 
 manded Heinrich of his lieutenant, who had been sent a 
 short distance along the brow of the hill to reconnoitre. 
 ** It were unseemly in men so trained as our friends, to be 
 lacking at need." 
 
 " Doubt them not. Master Fleinrich. I know the knaves 
 well ; they merely tarry to lighten their packs by the 
 way, in consumptions like this of our own. Dost see the 
 manner in which the Benedictines affect tranquillity, wor- 
 shipful Burgomaster ? " 
 
 " 'Tis their usual ghostly hypocrisy, brave Dietrich ; but 
 we shall uncloak them ! Good will come of our enter- 
 prise, for, of a truth, by this spirit on our part, which shall 
 for ever demonstrate the necessity of not meddling in the 
 concerns of a neighbor, we settle all uncertainties between 
 us. By the Kings of Koeln ! is it to be tolerated, that a 
 gownsman shall hoodwink a townsman to the day of judg- 
 ment ? — Is there not a light in the Abbey-chapcl ? " 
 
 "The reverend fathers pray against their enemies. 
 Dost think, worshipful Burgomaster, that the tale concern- 
 ing the manner in which thcise heaw stones were carried 
 u{)c>n Limburg hill, has received small additions by oft tell- 
 ing?" 
 
 " It may be thus, Dietrich ; for naught, unless it may 
 be damp snow, gaineth more by repeated rolling, than 
 your story." 
 
 " And gold," rejoined the smith, chuckling in a manner 
 not to displease his superior, since it palpably intimated 
 the idea he entertained of the Burgomaster's success in 
 accumulating money, an idea that is always pleasant to 
 those who duem prosperity of this nature to be the princi- 
 pal end of life — *'Gold well replied increases marvellously! 
 I am of your mind. Master Ileinrich ; for to speak truth, 
 I much question whether the Evil Sj)irit would have 
 troubled himself with so light an affair as carrying the 
 smaller materials a fcjot. — As to the heavy columns, and 
 the hewn key-stones, with other Itxids of weight, it was so 
 much beneath his character, and may be considered as 
 
2i8 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 probable. I have never contradicted that part of the 
 legend, for it hath likelihood to back it, but — ha! here 
 Cometh the succor." 
 
 The approach of a band of men, who came from the di- 
 rection of Hartenburg, always keeping along the margin of 
 the hills, and within the shadows, absorbed all attention. 
 Tliis second party was treble the force of the townsmen, 
 like them it was armed, and, like them, it showed every 
 sign of military preparation. When it had halted, which 
 it did at a little distance from the band of Heinrich, as if 
 it were not deemed advisable to blend the two bodies in 
 one, a warrior advanced to the spot where the Burgo- 
 master had taken post. The new comer was w^ell but 
 lightly armed, wearing head-piece and harness, and carry- 
 ing his sword at rest. 
 
 '' Who leadeth the Duerckheimers ! " he demanded, when 
 near enough to trust his voice. 
 
 "Their poor Burgomaster, in person ; would there had 
 been a better for the duty ! " 
 
 "Welcome, worshipful sir," said the other, bowing with 
 more than usual respect, " In my turn, I come at the 
 head of Count Emich's followers." 
 
 " How art thou styled, brave captain ? " 
 
 "Tis a name but little worthy to be classed with yours, 
 Herr Frey. But such as it is, I disown it not. I am 
 Berchthold Hintermayer." 
 
 " Umph ! — A young leader for so grave an enterprise ! 
 — I had hoped for the honor of thy lord's company." 
 
 " I am commanded to explain this matter to your wor- 
 ship." Berchthold then walked aside with the Burgo- 
 master, while Dietrich proceeded to take a nearer view of 
 the allied force. 
 
 It is well known to most of our readers, that every baron 
 of note, at the time of which we write, entertained more 
 or fewer dependants, who, succeeding to the regularly 
 banded vassals of the earlier ages, held a sort of middle 
 station between the servitor and the soldier. There stands 
 a noble ruin, called Pierrefont, within a day's ride of Paris, 
 and on tlie very verge of a royal forest, — a forest that in 
 some of its features approaches nearer to an American 
 wood than any we have yet met in the other hemisphere 
 — which castle of Pierrefont is known to have been the 
 hold of one of these warlike nobles, who did many and 
 manifest wrongs to the lieges of the king, even in an age 
 
THE ITEIDEN'MAUER. 219 
 
 considerably later tlian this of our talc. In short, European 
 society, just then, "was in the state of transition, beginning 
 to reject the trammels of feudalism, and struggling to wear 
 its bonds, at least in a new and less ti'oublesome form. But 
 the importance and political autliority cjf the Counts of 
 Leiningen fully entitled them to preserve a train that 
 barons of lesser ncjte were beginning to abandon, and con- 
 sequently all of their castles had many of these loose fol- 
 lowers, wlio have since been entirely superseded by 
 the regularly embodied and trained troops of our own 
 time. 
 
 The smith found much to approve, and something to 
 censure, in the [)arty that Bcrchthold had led to their sup- 
 port. So far as recklessness of character and object, au- 
 dacity in acts, and indifference to moral ciiecks, were con- 
 cerned, a better troop could not have been desired, for 
 more tlian half of them were men who lived by the ex- 
 cesses of the community, occupying exactly tliat position 
 in the social scale that fungi do in the vegetable, or that 
 sores and blotches fill in the physical economy of the 
 species. But in respect to thews and sinews, a primary 
 consideration with the smith in estimating the value of 
 every man he saw, they were much inferior, as a body, to 
 the townsmen, in whom orderly living, gainful and regular 
 industry, had permitted the animal to become developed. 
 There was, however, a band of peasants, drawn from among 
 the mountains, or inhabitants of the hamlet beneath the 
 castle walls, who, though less menacing in air, and bold of 
 speech, were youths that Dietrich thought only required 
 the Duerckheim training to become heroes. 
 
 When Heinrich and Bcrchthold rejoined their respective 
 followers, after the private discourse, all disccmtent was 
 banished from the former's brow, and both immediatelv 
 occupied themselves in making the dispositions necessary 
 to the success of the common enterprise. The wood, in 
 which they had halted, lav directly opjiosite to the inner 
 extremity of the Abl)ev hill, from which it was separated 
 by a broad and perfectlv e\eii meadow. The distance, 
 though not great, was sufficient to render it probable, that 
 the approach of tlie invaders would be seen by some of 
 the sentinels, who, tliere was little doubt, the men-at-arms, 
 lent by the Elector to the monks, maintained, were it only 
 for their own security. Limburg was not a fortress, its 
 impunity being due altogether to the moral power that the 
 
220 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 Church, to which it belonged, still wielded, though it were 
 so much weakened in that part of Germany ; but its walls 
 were high and solid, its towers numerous, its edifices mas- 
 sive, and all was so disposed that a body within, resolutely 
 bent on resistance, might well have set at defiance a force 
 like that which now came against it. 
 
 Of all these truths Heinrich was sensible, for he had 
 shown courage and gained experience in the defence of 
 places, during a life that was now past its meridian, and 
 which had been necessarily spent amid the tumults and 
 contentions of that troubled age. He looked about him, 
 therefore, with greater seriousness, in order to ascertain 
 on whom he might rely, and the fine and collected deport- 
 ment of Berchthold Hintermayer gave him that sort of 
 satisfaction which brave men feel by communion with 
 kindred spirits in the moment of danger. When every 
 necessary disposition was made, the party advanced, 
 moving deliberately to preserve their order, and conscious 
 that breath would be necessary in mounting the steep ac- 
 clivity. 
 
 Perhaps there is no time in which the ingenuity of man 
 is more active, than in those moments when he has a sen- 
 sitive consciousness of being wrong, and consequently a 
 feverish desire to vindicate his works or acts to himself, as 
 well as to others. A deep conviction of truth, and the cer- 
 tainty of being right, fortifies the mind with a high moral 
 dignity, that even disinclines it to the humility of vindica- 
 tion. Thus he who rushes from a dispute in which his 
 own convictions cause him to distrust his own arguments, 
 into rash and general asseverations, betrays tlie goadings 
 of conscience rather than spirit, and weakens the very 
 cause that it may be his wish to establish. An arrogant 
 assumption of knowledge, especially in matters that our 
 previous habits and education rather disqualify than teach 
 us to comprehend, can only lead to contradiction and de- 
 tection ;and although circumstances may lend a momentary 
 and fallacious support to error, the triumph of truth is as 
 certain as its punishments are severe. Happily, this is an 
 age, in which no sophistry can long escape unscathed, nor 
 any injury to natural justice go long unrequited. No 
 matter where the wrong to truth has been committed — on 
 the throne, or in the cabinet, in the senate, or by means of 
 the press — society is certain to avenge itself for the decep- 
 tions of which it has been the dupe, and its final judg* 
 
THE IIEIDENMAUER. 221 
 
 ments arc recorded on tliat opinion which lasts long after 
 the specious triumphs of the plausible are forgotten. It 
 were well that they who abuse their situations, by a reck- 
 less disregard of consequences, in order to obtain a mo- 
 mentary object, oftener remembered this fact, for they 
 would spare themselves the mortification, and in some 
 cases the infamy, that is so sure to rest on him who disre- 
 gards right to attain an end. 
 
 Heinrich Frey greatly distrusted the lawfulness of the 
 enterprise in wliich he was engaged ; for, unlike his com- 
 panions, he had the responsibility of advising, as well as 
 that of execution, on his head. He had, therefore, a rest- 
 less wish to find reasons of justification for what he did ; 
 and as he marched slowly across the meadows, with Bercht- 
 hold and the smith at his side, his tongue gave utterance to 
 his thoughts. 
 
 "There cannot be any manner of duubt of the necessity 
 and justice of what we do to Limburg, Master Hinter- 
 mayer," he said; for men usually affirm in all dubiouscases 
 with a confidence precisely in an inverse ratio to the dis- 
 trust they feel of the rectitude oi their cause : — "else why 
 are we here ? Is Limburg forever to trouble the valley 
 and the plain, with its accursed exactions and avarice, or 
 are we slaves for shaven monks to trample on ?" 
 
 " There are sufficient reasons, of a truth, for what we do, 
 Herr Burgomaster," answered Berchthold, whose mind 
 had taken a strong bias to the new change in religious 
 opinions, that were then fast gaining groimd. "When we 
 have so good motives, let us look no farther." 
 
 " Nay, young man, I am certain that the honest smith 
 here will say, no nail that lie drives into a hoof can be too 
 well clenched." 
 
 " That fact is out of all question. Master Berchthold," 
 answered Dietrich, "and therefore must his worship be 
 right in the whole argument." 
 
 " Let it be so ; I shall never gainsay the necessity of 
 breaking up a nest of drones." 
 
 "I call them not drones, voung Berchthold, nor do I 
 come to break them up ; but simplv to show the world, 
 that he who would deal with the affairs of Duerckheiin, 
 hath need of a lesson to teach him not to enter his neigh- 
 bor's grounds." 
 
 "This is wholesome, and will bring great credit on our 
 town ! " responded the smith. " The more the pity that 
 
222 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 we do not press the same matter home upon tlie Elector too, 
 who hath of late raised new pretensions to our earnings." 
 
 " With the Elector the affair may not be discussed, for 
 his interference is of too strong a quality to call upon our 
 manhood in maintaining the right of non-interference. 
 These subtle questions of law are not to be learned over a 
 furnace, but need nice capacities to render them clear ; 
 but clear they are, — to all who have the power to under- 
 stand them. It is more than probable, that to thee, Diet- 
 rich, they are not so manifest ; but wert thou one of the 
 town council, thou shouldst look into the question with 
 different eyes." 
 
 " That I doubt not, honorable Heinrich, tliat I doubt 
 not. Could but such an honor light on one of my name 
 and breeding — Himmcl ! the worshipful council should 
 find a man ready to believe any nicety of this sort, or in- 
 deed of any other sort ! " 
 
 *' Ha ! There is a light at yonder loop ! " exclaimed 
 Berchthold. "This bodes well." 
 
 " Hast a friend in the Abbey ? " 
 
 " Go to, Herr Burgomaster — This touches on excommu- 
 nication ; — but I much like yon Uglit at the loop !" 
 
 "Let there be silence," whispered Heinrich to those in 
 liis rear, who passed the order to their fellows. " We 
 draw near." 
 
 The party was now at the foot of the hill. Not a sign 
 of their approach being known had yet met them ; unless 
 a single taper placed at a dungeon-loop could thus be in- 
 terpreted. On the contrary, the stillness ah-eady described 
 in the approach of Ulrike, reigned over the whole of the 
 vast pile. But, neither Heinrich nor his companion liked 
 this fearful quiet, for it boded a defence the more serious 
 when it did come. They would have greatly preferred an 
 open resistance, and nothing would have more relieved the 
 minds of the two leaders, than to have been able to com- 
 mand a rush, under a \\o\. discharge from the arquebusiers 
 of Duke Friedrich. But this relief was refused them, and 
 the whole band reached a point of the hill, under a flank- 
 ing tower, where it became necessary to abandon all idea 
 of cover, and to make a swift movement, to gain the road. 
 It was the rush of this evolution which first disturbed the 
 monks in the chapel. The second interruption proceeded 
 from the ruder sounds of the assault, that immediately after 
 was made upon the outer gate, itself. 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 2.2.^ 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 " I'll never 
 Be such .1 ghostling to obey instinct, but stand 
 As if a man were author of himself, 
 And knew no other line." — Coriolanus. 
 
 The assailants, as has been seen, were led by the Burgo- 
 master, and his two lieutenants, Berchthold and the smith. 
 Close at the heels of tiie latter followed three of his own 
 journeymen, each, like his master, armed with a massive 
 sledge. No sooner did the party reach the gate, than 
 these artisans commenced the duty of pioneers, with great 
 readiness and skill. At the third blow, from Dietrich's 
 brawny arm, the gate tlew open, and those in front rushed 
 into the court. 
 
 " Who art thou ? " cried Berchthold, seizing a man who 
 knelt with a knee on another's breast, immediately across 
 his passage ; " speak, for this is not a moment of trifling ! " 
 
 " Master Forester, be less liot, and remember thy friends. 
 Dost not see it is Gottlob, that holdeth the convent porter, 
 lest the knave should use the additional bars ? There arc 
 strangers within, and, to consult his ease, the faithless var- 
 let hath not done his fastenings properly, else mightest 
 thou have pounded till Duke Friedrich's men were upon 
 thee." 
 
 " Bravely done, foster-brother ! Thy signal vras seen and 
 counted in\ ; but, since thou knowest the ways so well, lead 
 on, at once, against the men-at-arms." 
 
 " Himmel ! The rogues have bristly beards, well griz- 
 zled with war, and may not like to have their sleep thus 
 suddenly broken ; but service must be done — Choose the 
 most godly of thy followers, worshipful Burgomaster, to go 
 against the monks, who are fortified in their choir, and well 
 armed with prayer ; while I will lead the more carnal to 
 another sort of work against the Elector's people." 
 
 While this short dialogue had place, the whole of the as- 
 sailants poured through the gate, their officers endeavoring 
 t(j maintain something like order among the ill-trained 
 band. All felt the imperious necessity of first disposing of 
 the troops ; for as resj)ects tlie monks lliemselves, there 
 was certainly no cause of immediate apprehension. A few 
 
224 THE IJEIDENMAUER. 
 
 were left, therefore, to gunrd the gate, while Heinrich, 
 guided by the cow-herd, led his followers toward the build- 
 ings where the men-at-arms were known to lodge. 
 
 If we were to say that the party advanced to this attack 
 without concern, we should overrate their valor, and do the 
 reputation of the Elector's men injustice. There was sacri- 
 lege in the invasion of the convent, according to the pre- 
 dominant opinions of the age ; for though Protestantism 
 had made great progress, even reformers had grievous 
 doubts in severing the bonds of habit and long-established 
 prejudices. To this lurking sentiment was added the un- 
 accountable silence that still reigned among the men-at- 
 arms, who, as Gottlob had said, were known to be excel- 
 lent soldiers at need. They lay in the rear of the Abbot's 
 dwelling, and were sufficiently intrenched behind walls, 
 and among the gardens, to make a fierce resistance. 
 
 But all these considerations rather flashed upon the 
 minds of the lenders, than they were maturely weighed. 
 In the moment of assault there is little leisure for thought, 
 especially when the affair gets to be as far advanced as this 
 we are now describing. The men rushed toward the point 
 of attack, accordingly, beset by misgivings rather than en- 
 tertaining any very clear ideas of the dangers they ran. 
 
 Gottlob had evidently made the best of the time he had 
 been at liberty in the Abbey, to render himself master of 
 the intricate windings of the different passages. He was 
 soon at the door of the Abbot's abode, which was dashed 
 into splinters by a single blow of Dietrich's sledge, when 
 there poured a stream of reckless, and we may add lawless, 
 soldiery through the empty apartments. In another mo- 
 ment, the whole of the assailants were in the grounds, in 
 the rear of this portion of the dwellings. 
 
 As there is nothing that more powerfully rebukes vio- 
 lence than a calm firmness, so is there nothing so appalling 
 to or so likely to repulse an assault, as a coolness that 
 seems to set the onset at defiance. In such moments, the 
 imagination is apt to become more formidable than the 
 missiles of an enemy ; conjuring dangers in the place of those 
 which, in the ordinary course of warfare, might be lightly 
 estimated, were they seen. Every one knows that the 
 moment which precedes the shock of battle is by far the 
 most trying to the constancy of man, and a reservation of 
 the means of resistance is prolonging that moment, and of 
 course increasing its influence. 
 
THE IIEIDENMAUER. 225 
 
 Every man among the hostile band, even to the leaders, 
 felt the influence of this mysLenous quiet among the troops 
 of the Elector. So imposing in fact did it become, that 
 they halted in a group, a position of all others most likely 
 to expose them to defeat, — and there was a low rumor of 
 mines and ambuscades. 
 
 Berchthold perceived that the moment was critical, and 
 that there was imminent danger of defeat. 
 
 " Follow ! " he cried, waving his sword, and springing 
 toward the silent buildings in which it was known the 
 men-at-arms were quartered. He was valiantly seconded 
 by the Burgomaster and the smith, when the whole party 
 resumed its courage, and advanced tumultuously against 
 the doors and windows. The sounds of the sledges and 
 the yielding of bars and bolts came next ; after which 
 the rush penetrated to the interior. The cries of the as- 
 sailants rang among empty vaults. There was the straw, 
 the remnants of food, the odor of past debauches, and all 
 the usual disgusting signs of ill-regulated barracks ; for 
 in that day, neatness and method did not descend far be- 
 low the condition of the affluent ; but no cry answered cry, 
 no sword or arquebuse w\as raised to meet the blow of the 
 invader. Stupor was the flrst feeling, on gaining the 
 knowledge of tliis important fact. Then Heinrich and 
 Berchthold both issued orders to bring the captured 
 porter, who was in the centre of the assailants, before 
 them. 
 
 " Explain this," said tlie BurgoiTiaster, authoritatively ; 
 " wliat hatli become of Duke Friedrich's followers ? " 
 
 " They departed at the turn of the night, worshipful 
 Herr, leaving Limburg to the care of its patron saint." 
 
 " Gone ! whither, and in what manner ? — If thou deceiv- 
 cst me, knave, thy saint Benedict himself shall not save 
 thee from a flaying ! " 
 
 " I pray you be not angered, great magistrate, for I say 
 nothing but truth. There came an order from tlie Elector, 
 as tlie Sim set, recalling his meanest warrior; for, it is said, 
 he is sore pressed, and hath great need of succor." 
 
 Tlie silence which followed this explanation was suc- 
 ceeded by a shout, and individuals began to steal eagerly 
 away from the main body, bent on their own designs of 
 pillage. 
 
 '' What road took the Duke's men ? " 
 
 "Worshipful Heinrich, they went down by the horsc' 
 
 15 
 
226 l^HE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 path, in great secrecy and order, and passed up the oppo* 
 site mountain, in order to escape troubling the townsmen 
 to open the gates at that late hour. It was their intention 
 to cross the cedars of the Heidenmauer, and, descending 
 on the other side of the camp, to gain the plain in the rear 
 of Duerckheim." 
 
 There no longer remained a doubt that the conquest 
 was achieved, and the entire party broke off in bands ; 
 some to execute their private orders, and others, like those 
 who had already proved delinquent, to look after their own 
 particular interests. 
 
 Until this moment not a solitary straggler had gone near 
 the chapel. As it was not the wish of those who had 
 planned the assault to do personal injury to any of the fra- 
 ternity, the orders had been so worded as to leave this por- 
 tion of the Abbey for a time unvisited, in the expectation 
 that the monks would profit by the omission, to escape by 
 some of the many private posterns that communicated with 
 the cloisters. But, as there no longer was an armed en- 
 emy to subdue, it now became necessary to tliink of the 
 fraternity. The process of sacking their dormitories was 
 already far advanced, and the bursts of exultation that be- 
 gan to issue from the buildings, announced that the rich 
 and commodious dwelling of the Abbot himself was un- 
 dergoing a similar summary process. 
 
 " Himmel ! " muttered Gottlob, who from the moment of 
 his liberation had not quitted the side of his foster-brother ; 
 "our castle rogues are taking deep looks into the books 
 of the most reverend Bonifacius, Master Berchthold ! It 
 were good to tell them which are Latin, at least, lest 
 they burthen their shoulders with learning they can never 
 use." 
 
 "Let the knaves plunder," replied Heinrich, gruffly; 
 " as much evil as good hath come from that store of 
 letters, and it will be all the better for Duerckheim, were 
 the damnable ammunition of the Benedictines a little less 
 plenty. There are those on the plains who doubt that 
 necromancy is bound up in some of the volumes that bear 
 a saint's name on their backs." 
 
 Perhaps Berchthold might have remonstrated, had not 
 his instinct told him, that remonstrance on such a subject, 
 in that moment of riot and confusion, would have been 
 worse than useless. The consequence was, that valuable 
 works and numerous manuscripts, which had been col- 
 
\ 
 
 THE HEIDENMAUER. 227 
 
 lectcd during centuries of learned ease, were abandoned to 
 the humor of men incapable of estimating their value, or 
 even of understanding their objects. 
 
 "Let us to the monks," said Heinrich, sheathing his 
 heavy blade, for the first time since they had quitted the 
 wood. " Friend smith, thou wilt look to the duties here, 
 and see that what is done is done thoroughly. Remem- 
 ber that thy metal is well heated, and on the anvil, waiting 
 thy pleasure ; it must be beaten flat, lest at another day 
 it be remoulded into a weapon to do us harm. Go to, 
 Dietrich ; thou knowest what we of the town would have, 
 and what we expect of thy skill." 
 
 Taking Berchthold by the arm, the Burgomaster led the 
 way toward that far-famed pile, the Abbey-church. They 
 were followed by a body of some twenty chosen artisans, 
 who, throughout the whole of that eventful night, kept 
 close to the two leaders, like men who had been selected 
 for this particular duty. 
 
 The same ominous silence reigned around the chapel as 
 had rendered the approach to the quarters of the men-at- 
 arms imposing. But here tlie invaders went against a dif- 
 ferent enemy. With most then living, the mysterious 
 power of the Church still possessed a deep and fearful in- 
 terest. Dissenters had spoken boldly, and the current of 
 public opinion had begun to set strongly against the 
 Romish Church, in all that region, it is true; but it is not 
 easy to eradicate by the mere efforts of reason, the deep 
 roots that are thrown out by habit and sentiment. At this 
 very hour, we see nearly the entire civilized world com- 
 mitting gross and evident wrongs, and justifying its acts, 
 if we look closely into its philosophy, on a plea little better 
 than that of a sickly taste formed by practices which in 
 themselves cannot be plausibly vindicated. The very 
 vicious effects of e\-ery system are quoted as arguments in 
 favor of its continuance ; for change is tho\ight to be, and 
 sometimes is, a greater evil than tlie existing wrong ; and 
 men, in millions, are doomed to continue degraded, igno- 
 rant, and brutal, simply because vicious opinions refuse 
 all sympathy with those whose hopeless lot it has been to 
 liave fallen, by the adventitious chances of life, beneath the 
 ban of society. In this mannerdtjes error beget error, until 
 even philoso])hy and justice are satisfied with making 
 abortive attenij)ts to j)alli;Ue a disease that a l)older juid 
 better practice might radically cure. It will not occasioQ 
 
228 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 surprise, thccfore, when we say, that both Heinrich and 
 Berchthold h«»d heavy misgivings concerning the merit of 
 their enterpi/^^e, as they drew near the church. Perhaps 
 no man ever much preceded his age, without at moments 
 distrusting Lis own principles ; and it is certain, thai 
 Luther himself was often obliged to wrestle with harassing 
 doubts. Berchthold was less troubled, however, than his 
 companion, for he acted under the orders of a superior, 
 nnd was both younger and better taught than the Burgo- 
 master. The first of these facts was sufficient of itself, 
 under his habits, to remove a load of responsibility from 
 Ills shoulders, while the latter not only weakened the in- 
 fluence of previous opinions, but caused those which he 
 adopted to be well fortified. In short, there existed be- 
 tween Heinrich and Berchthold that sort of difference 
 which all must have remarked, in the advancing age in 
 which we live, between him who has inherited his ideas 
 from generations that have passed, and him wdio obtains 
 them from his contemporaries. The young Forester had 
 grown into manhood since the voice of the Reformer was 
 first heard in Germany, and as it happened to be his lot 
 to dwell among those who listened to the new opinions, he 
 had imbibed most of their motives of dissent, without 
 ever having been much subject to the counteracting in- 
 fluence of an opposite persuasion. It is in this gradual 
 manner, that nearly all salutary moral changes are ef- 
 fected, since they who first entertain them, are rarely able 
 to do more, in their generation, than to check the prog- 
 ress of habit ; while the duty of causing the current to 
 flow backward, and to take a new direction, devolves on 
 their successors. 
 
 In believing that Wilhelm of Venloo would be foremost 
 in deserting his post, in this moment of outrage and tumult, 
 tlic authors of the assault did him injustice. Though little 
 likely to incur the hazards, or to covet the honors of mar- 
 tyrdom, the masculine mind of the Abbot elevated him 
 altogether above the influence of any very abject passion ; 
 and if he had not self-command to curtail the appetites, he 
 had a dignity of intellect which rarely deserts the mentally- 
 gifted in situations of difficulty. When Heinrich and 
 Berchthold, therefore, entered the church, they found the 
 entire community in the choir remaining, like Roman 
 senators, to receive the blow in their collective and official 
 character. There might have been artifice, as well as mag- 
 
THE HJIIDENMAUER. 229 
 
 nanimity, in the resolution which had decided Bonifacius 
 to adopt this course ; for, coming as they did from the 
 scene of brutal violence without, those who entered the 
 church were much impressed by the quiet solemnity which 
 met them. 
 
 The candles still burned before the altar, the lamps threw 
 their flickering light on the quaint architecture and the 
 gorgeous ornaments of the chapel, while every pale face 
 and shaven head beneath, looked like some consecrated 
 \vatchman, placed near the shrine to protect it from pollu- 
 tion. Each monk was in his stall, w4th the exception of 
 the Prior and Father Johan, who had stationed themselves 
 on the steps of the altar ; the first as the officiating priest 
 of the late mass, and the latter under an impulse of his 
 governing and natural exaggeration, which moved him to 
 throw his person as a shield before the vessel that con- 
 tained the Host. The Abbot \vas on his throne, motionless, 
 indisposed to yield, and haughty, though with features 
 that betrayed great r.nd condensed passion. 
 
 The Burgomaster and Berchthold advanced into the 
 choir alone, for their followers remained in the body of the 
 church, in obedience to a sign from the former. Both 
 were uncovered, and while they walked slowly up the 
 choir, scarce a head moved. Every eye seemed riveted, by 
 a common spell, on the crucifix of precious stones and ivory 
 that stood upon the altar. The blood of Heinrich crept 
 under the influence of this solemn calm, and by the time 
 he had reached the steps, where he stood confronted 
 equally to the Abbot and the Prior, for the former of whom 
 he had quite as much fear as hatred, and for the latter an 
 unfeigned love and reverence, the resolution of the honest 
 Burgomaster was sensibly weakened. 
 
 "Who art thou ?" demanded Bonifacius, admirably tim- 
 ing his question, by the indecision and the quailing eye of 
 jiim he addressed. 
 
 " By"St. Benedict ! my face is no such stranger in Lim- 
 burg that you put this question, most holy Abbot," an- 
 swered Heinrich, making an effort to imitate the other's 
 composure, that was very sensible to himself, but better 
 concealed from otliers ; " though not shaven and blessed, 
 like a monk, I am one well known to most that dwell in or 
 near Duerckheim ! " 
 
 ** I had better said, ^ WJiat art thou?' Thy name and 
 office are known to me, Heinricli Frey ; but in what char- 
 
230 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 ficter dost thou now presume to enter Limburg church, 
 and to show this want of reverence to our altars?" 
 
 *'To speak thee fairly, reverend Bonifacius, 'tis in the 
 character of the head-man of Duerckheim, a much-injured 
 and long-abused town, that is tired of monkish exactions 
 and monkish pride, and which hath at length assumed the 
 office of doing itself justice, that I appear. We are here 
 to-night, not as peaceful citizens bent on prayers and 
 hymn-singing, but armed, as thou seest, and bold in the 
 intention to do away a nuisance from the neighborhood 
 forever." 
 
 *'Thy words are as little friendly as thy guise, and what 
 thou sayest here but too well answers to that which thy 
 rude followers perform beyond the walls of this conse- 
 crated spot. Hast thou well pondered on this bold step of 
 thy town, Herr Heinrich ? " 
 
 " If often pondering be well pondering, it hath been be- 
 fore us, Bonifacius, at different meetings, and in various 
 discussions, any time this year past." 
 
 " And hast thou no dread of Rome ? " 
 
 "That is an authority which lessens daily in this region, 
 holy Benedictine. Not to deal doubly by thee, of tlie two 
 we have most distrusted the anger of Duke Friedrich ; but 
 that fear is diminished by the certainty that he hath so 
 much on his hands just now that his thoughts cannot easi- 
 ly turn to other affairs. We did not know, in sooth, that 
 he had recalled his men-at-arms, but had counted on some 
 angry discussion with those obstinate warriors ; and thou 
 wilt easily comprehend that their absence hath, in no man- 
 ner, lessened our faith in our own cause." 
 
 " The Elector may regain his power, when a day of 
 reckoning will come for those who have dared to profit by 
 his present distress." 
 
 " We are traders and artisans, good Bonifacius, and 
 have made our estimates with some nicety. If the Abbey 
 must be paid for — an event by no means certain — we shall 
 count the bargain profitable so long as it cannot be re- 
 built. Brother Luther, we think, is laying a corner-stone 
 that will prevent the devil from ever attempting to set up 
 that which we now propose to throw down." 
 
 ** This is thy final answer. Burgomaster?" 
 
 "Nay, I say not that, Abbot. Send in thy terms to the 
 town-council to-morrow, and, if we can entertain them, it 
 may happen that a present accommodation shall stop all 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 231 
 
 further claims. But what has here been so happily com« 
 nienced, must be as happily finished." 
 
 "Then before I quit these holy walls, hearken to my 
 malediction," returned Bonifacius, rising with priestly and 
 practised dignity ; — *'on thee and on tliy town — on all that 
 call thee magistrate — parent " 
 
 " Stay tlie dreadful words ! " cried a piercing female 
 voice from among the columns behind the choir. " Rever- 
 end and holy Abbot, have mercy ! " added Ulrike, pale, 
 trembling, and shaken equally with horror and alarm, 
 though her eye was bright and wild, like that of one sus- 
 tained by more than human purpose : " Holy Priest, for- 
 bear ! He knows not what he does. Madness hath seized 
 on him and on the town. They are but tools in the hands 
 of one more powerful than they." 
 
 At the appearance of Ulrike, Bonifacius resumed his 
 seat, disposed to await the effect of her appeal. 
 
 " Thou here ! " said Heinrich, regarding his wife with 
 surprise, but entirely without anger or suspicion. 
 
 '' Happily here, to avert this fearful crime from thee and 
 thy household." 
 
 " I had thought thee at thy prayers with the poor Herr 
 von Ritterstein, in his comfortless hermitage of the Heiden- 
 mauer I " 
 
 '' And canst thou think of the deed which hath driven 
 the Herr Odo to this penitence and suffering, and stand 
 here armed and desperate I Thou seest that years do not 
 suffice to relieve a soul on which the weight of sacrilege 
 rests ; oh ! hadst thou been with me, to witness the agony 
 that preyed upon poor Odo, as he knelt at yonder step, 
 listening to the mass tliat liath this niglit been said in his 
 behalf, thou mightest better know how deep is the wound 
 made on the heart that hath been seared by God's anger ! " 
 
 "This is most strange!" rejoined the wondering Burgo- 
 master ; " that those whom I had hoped well disposed of, 
 and that in a manner neither to suspect nor to trouble our 
 enterprise, slunild cross us at the moment when all is so 
 near completion ! Sapperment ! young Berchthold, thou 
 seest in what manner matrimony clogs the stoutest of us, 
 th(jugh girded with the sw(jrd." 
 
 "And thou, Berchthold Hintermayer, son of my dearest 
 friend — child of my fondest hop(^, — tlnHi comest, too, on 
 this unlioly errand, Hke the midnight rubber, stealing upon 
 the unarmed and cuuhccrated ! " 
 
232 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 " None love, or none reverence thee, more than I, Mad- 
 ame Ulrike," answered the youtli, bowing with sincere 
 respect ; " but wert thou to address thy speech to the Herr 
 Ileinrich, it would go at once to him who directs our move- 
 ments." 
 
 " Then on thee. Burgomaster, will be thrown the heavi- 
 est load of Heaven's displeasure, as on the leader of the 
 outrage. What matters it that the Benedictines are grasp- 
 ing, or overweening in their respect for themselves, or that 
 some among them have forgotten their vows ? Is not this 
 temple devoted to God ? Are not these His altars, before 
 which thou hast dared to come, with a hostile heart and 
 an angry purpose ? " 
 
 " Go to, good Ulrike," returned Heinrich, saluting the 
 cold but ever handsome cheek of his wife, who leaned her 
 head on his shoulder to recall her faculties, while she 
 firmly held his hand with both her own, as if to stay his 
 acts ; *' Go to, thou art excellent in thy way, but what can 
 thy sex know of policy ? This matter hath been had up 
 before many (Councils ; and — by my beard ! — tongue of 
 woman cannot shake the resolutions of Duerckheim. Go, 
 depart with thy nurse, and leave us to do our pleasure." 
 
 *' Is it thy pleasure, Heinrich, to brave Heaven ? Dost 
 thou not know, that the crimes of the parent are visited on 
 the child— that the wrong done to-day, however we may 
 triumph in present success, is sure to revisit us in the 
 dread shape of punishment ? Were there no other power 
 than conscience, so long as that fearful scourge remains 
 on earth, 'tis vain to expect immunity. Dost thou owe all 
 'to thy Duerckheim council and its selfish policy? Hast 
 thou forgotten the hour that my pious parents gave thee 
 my hand, and the manner in which thou then plighted thy 
 faith to protect me and mine, to assume the place of these 
 departed friends, to be father, and mother, and husband, 
 to her thou took to thy bosom ? Is Meta — that child of 
 our mutual esteem — naught, that thou triflest with her 
 peace and hopes ? Lay aside, then, these hasty intentions, 
 and turn thy mind to thine own abode ; bethink thee of 
 those whom nature and the law condemn to suffer for thy 
 faults, or to whom both have given the dearer right to re- 
 joice in thy clemency and mercy." 
 
 "Was ever woman so bent on crossing the noble duties 
 of man ! " said the Burgomaster, who, spite of himself, 
 had been sensibly moved by this hasty and comprehensive 
 
I 
 
 rilE HEIDENMAUER, 233 
 
 picture of his domestic duties, and who was greatly 
 troubled to find the means of extricating himself from the 
 position in which he stood. — " Thou art better in thy 
 chamber, good Ulrike. Meta will hear of this onset, and 
 have her fears. — Go then, and calm the child ; thou shalt 
 have such escort as bccometh my quality and thy de- 
 serts." 
 
 " Berchthold, I make the last appeal to thee. This cruel 
 father, this negligent husband, is too madly bent on his 
 council, and o\\ the wild policy of the town, to remember 
 God ! But thou hast young hopes, and sentiments that 
 become thy vears and virtue. Dost think, rash boy, that 
 one like Meta will dare trust the last chance of happiness 
 to a participator in this crime, when such an inheritance 
 of guilt will be the portion that shall descend from her 
 ovvm father ? " 
 
 A stir among the monks, who had hitherto listened with 
 an attention that vacillated between hope and fear, inter- 
 rupted the answers of the wavering Burgomaster and his 
 young companion. The movement was caused by the en- 
 trance of the group, which, luitil now, had stood aloof in 
 the obscurity of the great aisle, but which seized the mo- 
 ment of doubt to advance into the centre of the choir. 
 One, closely muffled, walked from out its centre, and 
 throwing aside the cloak that had concealed his form, 
 showed the armed person of Emich of Leiningen. The 
 moment Ulrike recognized the unbending eye of the 
 Baron, she buried her face in her hands, and quitted the 
 place. She went not unattended, however, for both her 
 husband and Berchthold followed anxiously ; nor did 
 cither return to the work of the night, until he had seen 
 the heart-stricken wife and mcjther luider the protection of 
 a well-chosen company of the townsmen. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 "He, who the sword of heaven will bear, 
 
 Should be as holy as severe — " AFcasiirc for ATeasitre. 
 
 The first glances between Emich and Bonifacius were 
 filled with those passions which each had so long dis- 
 sembled, and of which the reader has already had glimi> 
 
234 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 ses during the more unguarded moments of the recent 
 debauch. In the eyes of the Count, triumph mingled 
 with liatred ; while there still remained a slight covering 
 of artifice and caution about the lineaments of the Abbot, 
 masks that he scarcely thought it yet expedient to throw 
 entirely aside. 
 
 *'We owe this visit, then, to thee, Herr Emich ? " said 
 the hitter, struggling to appear calm. 
 
 "And to thine owm desert, most holy Bonifacius." 
 
 " What wouldst thou, audacious Baron ?" 
 
 " Peace in this oft-violated valley — humility in shaven 
 crowns — religion without hypocrisy — and mine own." 
 
 "I will not talk to thee of Heaven, bold man, for the 
 word were blasphemy in such a presence ; but thou art not 
 vet so lost to worldly policy as to overlook the punishment 
 of the empire. Hast thou well counted thy gold, and art 
 thou sure thy coffers are sufficiently stored to rebuild the 
 sainted pile which thy hand would fain destroy — or dost 
 think thy riches can replace all that pious princes have 
 here bestow^ed, during ages in which the Church hath been 
 duly reverenced ? " 
 
 " As to thy vessels and precious stones, reverend Abbot, 
 it shall be my heed to preserve them to meet this demand, 
 which haply may never be made ; and as to the cost of 
 rebuilding the Abbey, why, the same notable workman 
 that helped first to set it up, will owe me a good turn for 
 punishing those that outwitted him, and sent him away 
 without the promised boon of souls. Though, God's truth ! 
 w^ere the fact fairly dived into, I am of opinion that Lim- 
 burg, after all, hath sent more customers to his furnaces 
 than all the drink ing-inns and pot-houses of the Palati- 
 nate ! " 
 
 This sally of their lord produced a general and derid- 
 ing laugh among his followers, who now began to flock 
 into the church from other parts of the Abbey, with the ex- 
 pectation that there was rich plunder to be had in the sanc- 
 tuary. It was about this time, too, that a brand was cast 
 among the straw of the barracks, and the strong light 
 which glared through the stained window^s very effect- 
 ually told the monks of the inefficiency of further remon- 
 strances. 
 
 Notwithstanding his known licentiousness, and the gen- 
 eral freedom of his life, the Abbot had imbibed from the 
 high objects of his calling, by that secret process that ren- 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 235 
 
 ders even the least deserving in some measure subject to 
 the influence of their professions, a. cast of dignity, and 
 perhaps wc might add even of sincerity (for there is often 
 a strange admixture of inherent faith and practical unbe- 
 lief about the dissolute) that caused him frequently to rise 
 to the level of his most solemn duties. A character strong 
 and masculine as his could not be aroused without dis- 
 playing some of its latent energies, be it for good or be it 
 for evil ; and Emich had doubts of the result when he 
 witnessed the manner in which his enemy succeeded in re- 
 pressing his fierce resentment, and the expression of cleri- 
 cal dignity and official calmness that reigned in his coun- 
 tenance. The Abbot arose, like a prelate in the undis- 
 turbed exercise of his functions, and raising his voice, so 
 as to send his words to the deepest recesses of the chapel, 
 he spoke after the manner of the peculiar rites of the 
 Church he served. 
 
 " God, in his hidden wisdom, hath permitted to the 
 wicked a momentary triumph," he said; "we search not 
 now into the reasons of this mysterious dispensation ; the 
 truth will be known in His own time : — but, as servitors of 
 the altar — as guardians of this holy sanctuary — as the 
 sworn and professed of Heaven — as one consecrated and 
 blessed — there remaineth a solemn, an imperative duty to 
 perform." 
 
 " Bonifacius, beware ! " interrupted the Count of Lein- 
 ingen ; " thou dealest not now with burgomasters and weep- 
 ing wives." 
 
 "In the behalf, then, of that God to whom this shrine 
 hath been raised," continued the unmoved Abbot, " in His 
 holy interest, and in His holy name^ " 
 
 " At thy peril, priest ! " and Emich shook, partly in 
 anger, and partly in a terror he could scarce explain. 
 
 " As his unworthy but necessary minister — as consecra- 
 ted and blessed — gifted with the power by the head of the 
 Church, and now required to use it, do I pronounce 
 thee " 
 
 "Where arc ye, followers of Hartenburg? Down with 
 the silly maledictions of this mad monk ; remember ye are 
 not trembling women, to need a Benedictine's blessing !" 
 
 The voice of Emich was drowned, as well as that of the 
 Abbot, by the noises that were now raised in the chapel. 
 The first interruption came from a long dark instrument, 
 that was thrust frum out of the aisle behind the throne of 
 
236 THE HETDENMAUER. 
 
 Bonifaciiis, and within a few feet of his head ; an interrup- 
 tion that filled the whole edifice with the wild, plaintive 
 strains of the mountains. 
 
 This signal, which came from the cherry-wood trumpet 
 of Gottlob, who rarely went abroad without this badge of 
 his profession, was immediately followed by a general 
 shout from the band of the Count, and by a variety of simi- 
 lar sounds, that were raised by different instruments that 
 had hitherto been mute. The effect of these shrill strains, 
 echoing among the vaulted and fretted roofs, which were 
 brightly illuminated by the growing and fierce light that 
 now pervaded the church, and of the seeming calm of the 
 Abbot, who ended his malediction, spite of the uproar, is 
 left to the readers imagination. When he had finished 
 the unheard curse, Bonifacius looked about him in gloomy 
 observation. 
 
 It was evident to his cool and instructed mind, which 
 was far too earthly in its habits to cling to any hopes of a 
 merely spiritual nature, that the outrage had already gone 
 so far, as to render it more hazardous to his enemy to 
 retreat than to advance. Signing to the community, he 
 descended slowly, and with dignity, from his throne, and 
 led the way from the choir. The ready monks obeyed, the 
 fraternity walking from that extraordinary scene, in their 
 customary silent order. Emich followed the dark proces- 
 sion with a troubled eye, for even the conqueror regards 
 the calm retreat of his foes wnth uneasiness, and there was 
 an instant of painful distrust of his own purpose, as the 
 last flowing robe vanished through a private door that led 
 to a secret postern, by which the routed Benedictines quit- 
 ted a mountain, where they had so long dwelt in the calm, 
 and, we might add, in the ease, of an affluent and privi- 
 lesred seclusion. 
 
 The invaders of the Abbey took this open abandonment 
 of the place by its ancient possessors, to be an unequivocal 
 admission of their triumph. There is no moment so likely to 
 produce excesses as that in which the uncertainty of strife 
 is changed to the certainty of victory. The feelings seem 
 willing to avenge themselves for all their previous doubts, 
 and man is ever too ready to ascribe his successes to some 
 inherent qualities, which give him an apparent right to 
 abuse any advantages that may happen to be their conse- 
 quence. The band of the castle and the people of the 
 town, among whom a large proportion had to the last dis- 
 
THE HEIDEA'MAUER. 237 
 
 trusted the presence of the community, to which vuli:^ar 
 opinion attributed the power of working miracles, no sooner 
 found themseh'es, ns they believed, in undisputed posses- 
 sion of the mountain, than tlie reaction of feeling, towhicli 
 there has just been allusion, urged them to increase their 
 violence, and to redouble those efforts which had momcn 
 tarily been checked. 
 
 A shout of triumph was the common signal for renew- 
 ing the assault. It was followed by the crashing of win- 
 dows, and the overthrow of every fixture in the body of the 
 church that was not too solid to resist their first and ill- 
 directed efforts, and a general mutilation of the monuments 
 and labored statuary. Marble cherubs fell on every side, 
 wings and limbs of angels separated from the trunks, and 
 the grave and bearded visages of many an honored saint 
 were doomed to endure contumely and fractures. Even 
 the inferior altars were no longer respected, but they and 
 their decorations were ruthlessly scattered, as if the enmity 
 of the conquerors was transferred from those who had ad- 
 ministered at them, to the dreaded Being in whose name 
 the rites had been celebrated. 
 
 The reader will imagine the confusion and tumult that 
 attended a scene like this. During the uproar, Emich bur- 
 ied his face in his mantle, and paced to and fro in the choir, 
 which his presence, and perhaps some lingering rever- 
 ence for the sacred spot, still preserved from violence. 
 He was joined only by the Burgomaster and Berchthold, 
 the remainder of the party having mingled with thcjse 
 who were destroying the chapels and decorations of the 
 church. Ileinrich seated himself in one of the vacant 
 stalls, for the recent scene and the subsequent parting with 
 his wife had shaken his resolution ; while the young For- 
 ester advanced respectfully t(j the side of his lord. 
 
 "Is the rierr C<junt troubled?" demanded the latter, 
 after a moment of deferential silence. 
 
 I£mich dropped the cloak, and leaning a hand familiarly 
 on the shoulder of his young servitor, he stood regarding 
 the gorgeous riches and elaborate beauty of the high altar, 
 all of which was rendered doubly imposing by the power- 
 ful light that now illuminated the whole interior of the 
 edifice, which was never more beautiful than as then seen, 
 with its strong relief and dei.'p shadows. 
 
 " Berchtliold, there is a God ! " he said with emphasis. 
 
 " None but the fool doubts it, Ilerr Emich." 
 
238 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 "And he hath His ministers on earth — those whom He 
 hath commissioned to do Him pleasure, and to burn Flis 
 incense." 
 
 "We have high authority for this belief, my good Lord." 
 
 "We have — the authority is high, that hath so much 
 antiquity — v^hich so suits our secret desires — which de- 
 scends to us from our fathers." 
 
 "And which is so supported by proofs, sacred and pro- 
 fane." 
 
 "Thou nast been well schooled, good Berchthold," 
 said the Count, looking earnestly at his companion. 
 
 " Heaven left me a pious and tender mother, when it 
 took my father away." 
 
 Emich continued to lean on the shoulder of Bercht- 
 hold, while his eye, in which sternness of purpose Avas sin- 
 gularly blended with the waverings of doubt, never turned 
 from its contemplation of the altar. Above the chased' and 
 gilded cabinet which contained the host, was a small pict- 
 ure of the Mother of Christ, delineated in those mild and 
 attractive colors with w^hich the pencil is accustomed to 
 portray the Virgin Wife of Joseph. Her eye seemed to 
 meet the gaze of Emich in sorrow. It was easy to fancy 
 the gentle expression was in reproacli of the sacrilege. 
 
 "These Benedictines are at length unhoused" — he con- 
 tinued, trying fruitlessly to avert his look from that mild 
 but expressive image ; " they have too long ridden roughly 
 on their betters." 
 
 Berchthold bowed. 
 
 ^' Dost thou see aught strange, youth, in that image of 
 Maria?" 
 
 " 'Tis a skilful design, Herr Count, and a fair face to re- 
 gard." 
 
 " Methinks it looks upon this violence with an evil 
 eye ! " 
 
 " 'Tis but the work of an ingenious man, my Lord, and 
 cannot look other than it hath always seemed." 
 
 '' Dost think thus, Berchtliold ? There are many who 
 pretend that images and paintings have been known to 
 speak, when it was Heaven's pleasure." 
 
 " They relate such legends, my good Lord, but these are 
 events that are little wont to touch those who are not much 
 disposed to see them." 
 
 " And yet in these facts had my fathers faith, and in this 
 belief was I trained ! " 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 239 
 
 Berchthold was mute, his own education having been 
 more suited to the growing opinions of the times. 
 
 " That God can surpass the ordinary workings of nature, 
 to effect His pleasure," continued Emich, " we may at least 
 believe." 
 
 " It may be believed, Herr Count, but is it necessary ? 
 He who made nature may use it at his pleasure." 
 
 " Ha ! thou has no faith in miracles, boy ! " 
 
 " I am myself a miracle, that tells me every moment of 
 the existence of a superior power ; and in that much I 
 bend to its control. But it hath never been my fortune to 
 hear an image speak, or see it do aught else that belongs 
 to the will." 
 
 " By my father's bones ! but thou art fit to deal with the 
 cunningest knave that wears a cowl ! How now, brave fol- 
 lowers !" turning toward his people ; "leave no vestige of 
 the roguery and abominations that have so long been done 
 within these polluted walls ! " 
 
 " Herr Count ! " said Berchthold eagerly, presuming in 
 his haste to touch the cloak of Emich, " here are the 
 Benedictines ! " 
 
 The word caused the bold, and at that moment the in- 
 dependent, Banjn to turn suddenly, laying a hand on his 
 sword, as he did so. But the hand released its grasp, and 
 tlie features of Emich immediatety reverted to their former 
 expression of anxiety and doubt, at what he now be- 
 held. 
 
 By this time all of the different edifices which composed 
 the Abbey of Limburg were fired, the church and its imme- 
 diate appendages alone excepted. The consequence was 
 sucii an increase of light Avilhin the latter, as penetrated 
 the most obscure of its Gothic recesses. Tlie choir, above all, 
 received the strongest iUumination ; and young Berchthold 
 thought its tracery never appeared so beautiful as in that 
 fearful moment cjf impending destruction. The candles 
 and lamps of the great altar began to look dim, and all 
 around prevailed the glorious and fiery briglUness which 
 accompanies a fierce conllagration. During the instant 
 that Emich wa^ turned toward his people, two monks 
 had come from the sacristy, and placed themselves on 
 the steps of the altar. They were the Prior and Father 
 Johan. The former bore a small ivory crucifix, which 
 from time to time lie kissed, while the latter placed at his 
 feet a massive and curiously carved chest, of sufficient size 
 
240 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 nnd weight to have required the aid of a lay-brother to 
 bring it from its repository. 
 
 The countenance of the Prior was mild, persuasive, and 
 filled with holy concern. That of his companion flushed, 
 excited, and bearing the look of feverish fire, which is the 
 effect of an enthusiasm tiiat springs as much from temper- 
 ament as from conviction. 
 
 Emich looked at the Benedictines uneasily, and he ad- 
 vanced so near, always attended by the Forester, as to be 
 within reach of his arm. 
 
 " 'Fore God, but ye are tardy, Fathers," he said, deter- 
 mined to assume an indifference he was far from feeling ; 
 *'the pious Bonifacius hath departed many minutes, and 
 quickened, as he is, by love of his person, I make no 
 question that his footsteps have already gone down the 
 mountain side ! " 
 
 " Thou hast at length yielded to the whispering of the 
 devil, Count of Leiningcn ! " returned the Prior ; '' thou 
 art resolute that this blot shall rest upon thy soul !" 
 
 "We are not at confession, holy Arnolph, but engaged 
 in a knightly redressing of our rights ; if thou hast aught 
 here that is dear to thee, take it, of God's name, and go 
 thy way. Thou shalt have safe conduct, were it to the 
 gates of Rome ; for, of all thy fraternity, thou art he for 
 whom alone I feel regret or amity, in this just enterprise." 
 
 " I know not this difference in love, when it touches the 
 existence of our shrine, or the duty that ties us to its ser- 
 vice. This question is not between thee and me, Lord 
 Emich, but between thee and God." ' 
 
 *' Hav^e it as thou wilt, Herr Prior, so thou dost but de- 
 part in peace." 
 
 " I am not weak enough to resist when resistance is 
 vain," mildly answered the Monk ; " nor am I quick to 
 desert my post, while there is hope. Thou hast not well 
 bethought thee of this act, Emich ; thou hast not remem- 
 bered thy posterity, nor thy kind interest in the noble 
 Ermengarde !" 
 
 " Dost fancy me an uxurious citizen, reverend Arnolph, 
 that thou wouldest fain stop a knight in his onset by speak- 
 ing of the good wife and her babes?" 
 
 As lie concluded, Emich laughed. 
 
 *' Thou hast not well conceived me. This is not a ques- 
 tion of death in battle, or of the grief of those who sur- 
 vive ; for such thoughts arc, unhappily, but too common 
 
 i 
 
TJIE IIEIDENMAUER. 241 
 
 with those who rule the earth, to raise disquiet ; but I 
 would speak to thee of the long future and of its pains. 
 Dost thou know, irrcvercnd Baron, that the God of Israel 
 — who is my God and thine — the God of Israel hath said 
 that he will visit the sins of the parent upon the descend- 
 ant, from generation to generation ? and yet, blinded by 
 this specious success, thou seemest to court his anger." 
 
 " This may be so or not ; for ye of tiie cloisters have 
 many subtle ways of reasoning as you wish ; but to me it 
 seemeth better that each should suffer for his own sins ; 
 and such, I take it, is what the community of Limburg 
 doth now undergo." 
 
 " That we have done much evil, and neglected much 
 good, is, alas, too true ! " 
 
 " By the kings of Koeln ! thou art getting to be of our 
 side, holy Arnolph ! " 
 
 " For such is the common course," continued the un- 
 moved Prior, — " but that thou art not our judge is equally 
 certain. That each docs and will suffer for his own acts is 
 beyond denial, but the fearful consequences of crime do 
 not stop with him who hath committed it. This much 
 is taught us by reason, and what is still more sure, it is 
 consecrated by words from God's own mouth. Ponder, 
 then, while thou may, on the load of sorrow thou art 
 heaping on thy descendants ; remember that thou standest 
 there, subject to goading passions, the miserable being 
 thou art, simply that in thy person thou payest the price 
 of a parent's sins. What our common father did is still 
 avenged on us his children." 
 
 " How now, Herr Prior, thou pushest my pedigree much 
 beyond its pretensions. Noble and princely, if thou wilt, 
 but I pass not the dark ages in any of my claims. Let 
 them that have greater ambition pay for the purchase in 
 the way thou namest ; I am content with more modern 
 honors." 
 
 Emich spoke jeeringly, but the attentive Monk saw that 
 he was troubled. 
 
 '' If thou hast no thoiiij^ht for posterity — none for thyself 
 — none for thy God, limich," the latter resumed, "bethink 
 thee of those who liave gone before. Hast already for- 
 gotten thy visit to the tombs of thv family ?" 
 
 "Thou hast me there, Arnolph! — those sacred vaults 
 have been thy convent's shield these manv months!" 
 
 " And thou art now disposed to forget them ? " 
 16 
 
242 THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 " If thou wilt ask yon honest men, they will tell thee, 
 Prior, tliey have no order to spare the meanest of thy mar- 
 ble cherubs, even though it hover over a grave of mine own 
 house." 
 
 " Then do I indeed despair of touching thy heart ! " an- 
 swered Father Arnolph, sorrowing as much for the crime 
 as for its consequences. " Then indeed art thou madly 
 and ruthlessly bent, not only on our destruction, but on 
 thine own ; for pity for the child, and love of the parent, 
 are equally despised. Emich of Leiningen, I curse thee 
 not — this is a weapon too fearful for human hands lightly 
 to wield. I bless thee not ; duty to God forbids the holy 
 office." 
 
 " Hold ! reverend Arnolph, let us not part in anger — I 
 would, in sooth, crave from thy worthy hands some touch 
 of consolation — if — aye — if there be chapel in this church, 
 for which thou hast more than usual reverence, let it be 
 named, and I swear, by knight's faith, unless the work be 
 already done, it shall stand unscathed amid the ruins, in 
 testimony of my love for thee — or if thou hast aught here 
 of price, whether of monkish or worldly value, point it out, 
 that it may be held safe for thy better leisure. In return, 
 I ask but the parting words of peace." 
 
 '"Tis forbidden to those who war against God," re- 
 turned the grieved Prior, releasing his robe from the eager 
 grasp of the Baron. — " I can and will pray for thee, Emich ; 
 but to bless thee were treachery to Heaven ! " 
 
 So saying, the pious Arnolph buried his face in his 
 dress, to shut out the view of the profanation that was 
 working around him, and withdrew slowly from the choir. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 '* Avail nt ! 
 Incarnate Lucifer ! 'tis holy ground : 
 A martyr's ashes now He there, which make it 
 A shrine." — Byron. 
 
 During the foregoing scene, the Benedictine, already 
 known to the reader as Father Johan, had awaited its issue 
 with a species of lofty patience on the steps of the altar. 
 But in a character so exaggerated, there remained little 
 
THE HEIDENMAdER. 243 
 
 that was purely natural ; even the forbearance of the Monk 
 partook of the forced and fervid qualities of his mind. 
 Conventual discipline, deep and involuntary respect for 
 the Prior, and that very disdain which he felt for all gentle 
 means of recalling a sinner to the fold, kept him tolerably 
 tranquil, while Emich and his spiritual superior held their 
 parley ; but there was a gleam of wild delight in his eye, 
 when he found, of all that powerful and boasted fraternity, 
 that he alone remained to defend the altars. The feeling 
 of the moment in such a breast, notwithstanding the scene 
 of tumult that rather increased than diminished in the 
 church, was that of triumph. He exulted in his ow^n con- 
 stancy, and he anticipated the effects which were to follow 
 from his firmness, with the self-complacency of a prurient 
 confidence, and with the settled conviction of an enthusiast. 
 
 Eaiich took little heed of his presence, during the first 
 moments that succeeded the departure of the Prior. There 
 is a majesty and a quiet energy in truth and sound prin- 
 ciples, that happily form their constant buttresses. With- 
 out this wise provision of Providence, the w^orld would be 
 hopelessly abandoned to the machinations of those who 
 consider all means lawful, provided the ends tend to their 
 own success. All near the Abbey of Limburg had felt the 
 influence of these high qualities in Father Arnolph, and it 
 is more than probable that, as in the case of the city of 
 Canaan, had the community contained four of his spiritual 
 peers, the Abbey would not have fallen. 
 
 The Count, in particular, who, like all that first break 
 from mental servitude, w^as so often troubled with strong 
 doubts, had long entertained a deep respect fortius monk ; 
 and it is not improbable, that had the pious Arnolph fully 
 imderstood his own power, by an early and more vigilant 
 use of his means, he might have found a way to avert the 
 blow that had now alighted on Limburg. But the meek- 
 ness and modesty of the Prior were qualities as strongly 
 marked as his more active virtues, and the policy of 
 LimburQ: was not of a character to rclv on either for its 
 secmity. 
 
 "There is good in that brother," said Emich to Bcrcht- 
 hold, when his thoughtful eye again rose to the face of the 
 young Forester. — " Had he been mitred, instead of Boni- 
 facius, our rights might have still suffered." 
 
 "Few are more beloved than Father Arnolph, Ilcrf 
 Coimt, and none so deserve to be." 
 
244 ^^^ HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 " Thou art of this mind ! How now, Master Heinrich ! 
 art in monkish meditation in thy stall, or dost dispose of 
 the lesson of the virtuous Ulrike, more at thy ease, in a 
 seat where so much substantial carnal aliment hath been 
 digested by godly Benedictines ! Come to the front, like a 
 stout soldier, and give us the savor of thy good wisdom in 
 this strait." 
 
 '* Methinks, our work is well-nigh done. Lord Emich," 
 answered Heinrich, complying with the request ; " my 
 faithful townsmen are not idle in the chapels and among 
 the tombs, and the sledge of yon smith dealeth with an 
 angel an' it were a bar of molten iron. Each stroke leaves 
 a mark that no chisel will repair ! " 
 
 "Let the knaves amuse themselves; every blow is 
 quickened by the recollection of some hard penance. Thou 
 seest that they place the confessionals in a pile ready for 
 the torch ! This is attacking the enemy in his citadel. But 
 Heinrich, is the excellent Ulrike wont to come forth with 
 thee in thy frays against the Church ? God's judgments ! 
 Were Ermengaide of this humor, we should have no hope 
 of salvation in our castle ! " 
 
 " You do my wife injustice, Herr Count ; Ulrike was here 
 to pray, and not to encourage." 
 
 "Thou mightcst have spared the explanation, for truly 
 such encouragement never did soldier need ! Wert privy to 
 the visit, — ha! — wert privy, worthy Burgomaster ?" 
 
 " To speak you honestly, Herr Emich, I thought the 
 woman otherwise bestowed." 
 
 " By the Magi ! — in her bed ? " 
 
 " Nay, at her prayers, but in a different place. But we 
 do her too much honor, noble Emich, to let the movements 
 of a mere housewife occupy our high thoughts in this busy 
 moment." 
 
 " Nothing that touches thee is of light concern with thy 
 friends, good Burgomaster," answered the Baron, who 
 pondered with instinctive uneasiness, even in that mo- 
 ment of tumult, on this visit of Ulrike to the Benedictines, 
 at an hour so unusual. 
 
 '• Thou art well wived, Herr Heinrich, and all that know 
 thy consort do her honor ! " 
 
 The Burgomaster was a man by far too well satisfied 
 with his own superior merits to harbor jealousy. Self-com- 
 placency might have been at the bottom of his security, 
 though it were scarce possible for one even much more ad' 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 245 
 
 dieted by nature to that tormenting passion, to have lived 
 so long in perfect familiarity with the pure mind of Ulrike, 
 without feeling reverence for its principles and virtue. The 
 sentiments of the Baron were very different ; for though in 
 his heart equally convinced of the character of her to 
 whom he alluded, he could not altogether exclude the sus- 
 picions of a man of loose habits, nor the uneasiness of one 
 who had himself been discarded. The answer of the hus- 
 band, however, served to turn the discourse, by giving the 
 Burgomaster an opportunity of placing himself in the most 
 prominent relief. 
 
 "A thousand thanks, illustrious Ilerr," he said, raising 
 his cap ; *' the woman is not amiss, though much troubled 
 with infirmity on the score of altars and penances. When 
 we shall have fairly disposed of Limburg, another reign 
 will commence among our wives and dauglUers, and we 
 can hope for more quiet Sabbaths. As to this grace of 
 your present speech, Lord Count, I take it, as was no 
 doubt meant, to be another pledge of our lasty amity and 
 close alliance." 
 
 " Thou talkcst well," quickly answered Emich, losing 
 the passing feeling of distrust in the recollection of his 
 present purpose; ''no words of friendship are lost, on a 
 true and sworn supporter. Well, Heinrich, is our affair 
 finally achieved ? " 
 
 *' Sapperment ! Herr Count, if not finished, it is in a fair 
 way to be so quickly." 
 
 " Here remaineth a Benedictine ! " said Bcrchthold, 
 drawing their attention to the Monk, who still maintained 
 his post on the steps of the altar. 
 
 " The bees do not relish quitting their hive, while any 
 of the hard earnings are left," said the Count, laughing ; 
 " wliat wouldst thou, Father Johan ? — if thy careful mind 
 hath had thcjught of the precious vessels, make thy choice 
 and depart." 
 
 The Benedictine returned the laugh of the noble, with a 
 smile of deep but quiet exultation, 
 
 ''Assemble thy followers, rude Baron," he said; "call 
 all within thy control to this sanctified spot, for there yet 
 remaineth a power to be overcome oi which thou hast not 
 taken heed ; at the moment wlien thou fanciest thyself 
 most secure, art tli(ju nearest to disgrace and to destruc- 
 tion." 
 
 As the excited Monk suited his words by a correspond- 
 
246 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 ing energy of emphasis and tone, Emich recoiled a step, 
 like one who distrusted a secret mine. The desperate char- 
 acter of Father Johan's enthusiasm was well-known and 
 neither of the three listeners was without apprehension 
 that the fraternity, aware of the invasion, had plotted 
 some deep design of vengeance, which this exaggerated 
 brother had been deputed to execute. 
 
 " Ho ! without there ! " cried the Count — " Let a party 
 descend quickly to the crypt, and look to the villanies of 
 these pretended saints ; cousin of Viederbach," revealing in 
 the eagerness of the moment the presence of this sworn 
 soldier of the Cross, " see thou to our safety, for the Rho- 
 dian warfare hath made thee familiar with these treacheries." 
 
 The call of the Count, which was uttered like a battle 
 cry, stayed the hands of the destroyers. Some rushed to 
 obey the order, w4iile most of the others gathered hastily 
 into the choir. It is certain that the presence of fellow- 
 sufferers diminishes the force of fear, even though it may 
 in truth increase the danger ; for such is the constitution 
 of our minds, that they willingly admit the influence of 
 sympathy whether it be in pain or pleasure. When Emich 
 found himself backed by so many of his band, he thought 
 less of the apprehended mine, and he turned to question 
 the Monk, with more of the calmness that became his con- 
 dition. 
 
 *'Thou wouldst have the followers of Hartenburg, Fa- 
 ther," he said, ironically, ^'and thou seest how readily they 
 come ! " 
 
 " I would that all who have listened to schismatics — all 
 wiio refuse honor to the holy Church — all who deny 
 Rome — and all that believe themselves on earth freed from 
 the agency of Heaven, now stood before me ! " answered 
 the Benedictine, examining the group of heads that clus- 
 tered among the stalls, with the bright but steady eye of 
 one engrossed with the consciousness of his force. "Thou 
 art in hundreds. Count Leiningen — would it were God's 
 pleasure that it had been in millions ! " 
 
 " We are of sufficient strength for our object, Monk.* 
 
 " That remaineth to be seen. Now, listen to a voice 
 from above ! — I speak to you, unhallowed ministers of the 
 will of this ambitious Baron — to you, misguided and ig- 
 norant tools of a scheme that hatli been ph^tted of evil, 
 and hath been brought forth from the prolific brain of the 
 restless Father of Sin. Ye have come at the heels of vour 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 247 
 
 lord, vainly rejoicing in a visible but impotent power — 
 impiously craving tlie profits of your unholy enterprise, 
 and forgetting God I " 
 
 "By the mass, priest!" interrupted Emich ; "thou hast 
 once already given us a sermon to-day, and time presseth. 
 If thou hast an enemy to present, bring him forth ; but we 
 tire of these churchly offices." 
 
 *'Thou hast had thy moment of wanton will, abandoned 
 Emich, and now cometh the judgment — seest thou this 
 box of precious relics ! — dost thou forget that Limburg is 
 rich in these holy remains, and that their virtues are yet 
 untried ? — Woe to him who scoffeth at their character, and 
 despiseth their power ! " 
 
 "Stay thy hand, Johan !" cried the Count hastily, when 
 lie saw that the Monk was about to expose some of those 
 well-l<nown vestiees of mortalitv to which the Church of 
 Rome then, as novr, attributed miraculous interventions ; 
 " this is no moment for fooleries ! " 
 
 " Callest thou this sacred office by so profane a name! 
 — abide the issue, foul-mouthed asperser of our holy au- 
 thority, and triumph if thou canst ! " 
 
 The Count was much disturbed, for his reason had far 
 less influence now in supporting him than his ambition. 
 The party in the rear, too, began to waver, for opinion was 
 not then sufficiently confirmed to render the mass indif- 
 ferent to such an exposure of clerical power. Whatever 
 may be the difference that exists between Christian sects 
 ccMKjcrning the validity of modern miracles, all will allow% 
 that, when trained in the belief of their reality, the mind 
 is less prepared to resist their influence than that of any 
 other engine by which it can be assailed, since it is placing 
 tlie impotency of man in direct and obvious collision with 
 the power of the Deity. Before such an exhibition of 
 force, nature coffers no means of resistance ; and the myste- 
 rious and unseen agency by wliich the wonder is produced, 
 enlists in its interest both the imagination and that innate 
 dread of omnipotence which all ])ossess. 
 
 *''Twere well this matter went no farther!" said Emich, 
 uneasily whispering his princij^al agents. 
 
 " Nay, my Lord Count," answered Berchthold, calmly, 
 "it may be good to know the right of the matter. If we 
 are n(jt of Heaven's side in this affair, let it be shown in 
 (air own behalf ; and if the Benedictines are no better 
 than pretenders, our consciences will be all the easier." 
 
248 THE HEIDEJSTMAUER, 
 
 " Thou art presuming, boy — none know the end of this ! 
 — Herr Heinrich, thou art silent ? " 
 
 " What would you have, noble Emich, of a poor Burgo- 
 master ? I will own, I think it were more for the advantage 
 of Duerckheim that the matter went no farther." 
 
 **Thou hearest, Benedictine !" said the Count, laying 
 the point of his sheathed sword on the richly chased and 
 much reverenced box that the Monk had already unlocked, 
 — " this must stop here ! " 
 
 " Take away the weapon, Emich of Leiningen," said Fa- 
 ther Johan, with dignity. 
 
 The Count obeyed, though he scarce knew why. 
 
 " This is a fearful instant for the unbeliever," continued 
 the Monk ; " the moment is near when our altars shall be 
 avenged — nay, recoil not, bold Baron — remain to the end, 
 ye dissolute and forsaken followers of the wicked, for in 
 vain ye hope to flee the judgment." 
 
 There was so much of tranquil enthusiasm in the air and 
 faith of Father Johan, that, spite of a general wish to be at 
 a distance from the relics, curiosity, and the inherent prin- 
 ciple of religious awe, held each man spell-bound ; though 
 every heart beat quicker as the Monk proceeded, calmly, 
 and with a reverential mien, to expose the bones of saints, 
 the remnants of mantles, the reputed nails of the true 
 cross, and morsels of its wood, with divers other similar 
 memorials of holy events, and of sainted martyrs. Not a 
 foot had power to retire. When all were laid, in solemn 
 silence, on the bright and glowing shrine, Father Johan, 
 crossino^ himself, aijain turned to the crowd. 
 
 '' What may be Heaven's purpose in this strait, I know 
 not," he said ; " but withered be the hand, and for ever 
 accursed the soul, of him who dareth violence to these holy 
 vestiges of Christian faith ! " 
 
 Uttering these ominous words, the Benedictine faced 
 the crucifix, and kneeled in silent prayer. The minute 
 that followed was one of fearful portent to the cause of 
 the invaders. Eye sought eye in doubt, and one regarded 
 the fretted vault, another gazed intently at the speaking 
 image of Maria, as if each expected some miraculous mani- 
 festation of divine displeasure. The issue would have 
 been doubtful, had not the cherry-wood trumpet of the 
 cow-herd again soimded most opportunely in his master's 
 behalf. The wily knave blew a well-known and popular 
 imitation of the beasts of his herd, among the arches of 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER, 249 
 
 the chapel, striking at the effect of what had just passed 
 by the interposition of a familiar and vulgar idea. The in- 
 fluence of the ludicrous, at moments wlien the passions 
 vacillate, or the reason totters, is too well known to need 
 elucidation. It is another of those caprices of humanity 
 that baffle theories, proving how very far we are removed 
 from being the exclusively reasoning animal we are fond 
 of thinking the species. 
 
 The expedient of the ready-witted Gottlob produced its 
 full effect. The most ignorant of the castle followers, 
 those even whose dull minds had been on the verge of an 
 abject deference to superstition, took courage at the daring 
 of the cow-herd ; and, as the least founded in any belief 
 are commonly the most vociferous in its support, this por- 
 tion of the band echoed the interruption from fifty hoarse 
 throats. Emich felt like a man reprieved ; for under the 
 double influence of his own distrust, and the wavering of 
 his followers, the Count for a moment had fancied his long- 
 meditated destruction of the communitv of Limburof in 
 great danger of being frustrated. 
 
 Encouraged by each other's cries,, the invaders returned 
 to their work laughing at their own alarm. The chairs and 
 confessionals had been already heaped in the great aisle, 
 and a brand was thrown into the pile. Fire was applied 
 to the church wherever there was food for the element, and 
 some of the artisans of Duerckheim, better instructed than 
 their looser associates, found the means to light the con- 
 flagration in such parts of the roofs and the other superior 
 stories, as would insure the destruction of the pile. In the 
 meantime, all the exterior edifices had been burning, and 
 the whole hill, to the eye of him who dwelt in the valley 
 beneath, presented volumes of red flame, or of lurid 
 smoke. 
 
 During the progress of this scene, Emich paced the 
 choir, partly exulting in his success, and partly doubting 
 (jf its personal fruits. Over the temporal consequences 
 he had well p(jndered ; but the motionless attitude of 
 Father J(jhan, the presence of the long-reverenced relics, 
 and the denunciations of the Church, still had their terrors 
 for one whose mind had few well-grounded resources to 
 sustain it. From this state of uncnsincss he was aroused 
 by the noise of the sledge, at work in the crypt. Followed 
 by Ileinrirh and Berchthold, the Count hastened to de- 
 scend to this place, which it will be remembered contained 
 
250 THE HEJDENMAUER. 
 
 the tombs a,nd the chapel of his race. Here, as above, all 
 was in bright light, and all was in confusion. Most of the 
 princely and noble tombs had already imdergone mutila- 
 tion, and no chapel had been respected. Before that of 
 Hartenburg, however, Albrecht of Viederbach stood, 
 with folded arms and a thoughtful eye. The cloak which, 
 during the commencement of the attack, had served to con- 
 ceal his person, was now neglected, and he seemed to for- 
 get the prudence of disguise, in deep contemplation. 
 
 " We have at length got to the monuments of our fathers, 
 cousin ; " said the Count, joining him. 
 
 " To their very bones, noble Emich ! " 
 
 " The worthy knights have long slept in evil company ; 
 there shall be further rest for them in the chapel of Harten- 
 burg." 
 
 '' I hope it may be found, Herr Graf, that this adventure 
 is lawful!" 
 
 " How ! — dost thou doubt, with the work so near accom- 
 plished?" 
 
 *' By the mass ! a soldier of Rhodes might better be 
 figliting your turbaned infidel, than awakening the nobles 
 of his own house from so long a sleep, at so short a sum- 
 mons ! " 
 
 " Thou canst retire into my hold, Herr Albrecht, if thy 
 arm is wearied," said Emich, coldly ; "not a malediction 
 can reach thee there." 
 
 " That would be poor requital for a free hospitality, 
 cousin ; the travelling knight is the ally of the last friend, 
 even though there be some wrong to general duties. But 
 we cavaliers of the island well know, that a retreat, to be 
 honorable, must be orderly, and not out of season. I am 
 with thee, Emich, for the hour, and so no more parley. 
 This was the image of the good Bishop of our line ?" 
 
 ^' He had some such reverend office, I do believe ; but 
 speak of him as thou wilt, none can say he was a Bene- 
 dictine." 
 
 *' It had been better, cousin, since this church is to be 
 sacked, that our predecessors had found other conse- 
 crated ground for their dust. Well, we sworn soldiers pass 
 uneven lives ! It is now some twelve months or so, that 
 like a loyal and professed Rhodian, I stood to my knees in 
 water, making good a trench against your believer in 
 Houris and your unbeliever in Christ ; and now, forsooth, 
 I am here as a spectator (none call me more with honesty), 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER, 251 
 
 while a Christian altar is overturned, and a brotherhood of 
 shaven monks arc sent adrift upon earth, like so many 
 disbanded mercenaries ! " 
 
 " By the Three Kings ! my cousin, thou makest a fit 
 comparison ; for like disbanded mercenaries have they 
 gone forth to prey upon society in a new shape, — Sparc 
 the angel of my grandfather, good smith," cried Emich, 
 interrupting himself; ''if there be any virtue in the 
 image, 'tis for the benefit of our house ! " 
 
 Dietrich stayed his uplifted arm, and directed the in- 
 tended blow at another object. The marble flew in vast 
 fragments at each collision with his sledge, and the leaders 
 of the party soon found it necessary to retire, to avoid the 
 random efforts of the heated crowd. 
 
 There no longer remained a doubt of the fate of these 
 long known and much celebrated conventual buildings. 
 Tomb fell after tomb, monuments were defaced, altars 
 were overturned, chapels sacked, and every object that was 
 in the least likely t(j resist the action of fire received such 
 indelible injuries as rendered its restoration difficult or 
 impossible. 
 
 During the continuance of their efforts, the conflagration 
 liad advanced, as the fierce element that had been called 
 in to assist the destroyers is known to do its work. Most 
 of the dormitories, kitchens, and outer buildings were con- 
 sumed, so far as the materials allowed, beyond redress ; 
 and it became apparent that the great church and its de- 
 pendencies would soon be untenable. 
 
 Emich and liis companions were still in the crypt, when 
 a cry reached them, admcjnishing all within hearing to re- 
 treat, lest thev become victims to the llames. Bcrchthold 
 and the smith drove before them the crowd from the 
 crypt, and there was a general rush to gain the outer 
 do(jr. 
 
 When the interi(jr of the church was clear, the Ccnint 
 and his f(jllowers paused in the court, contemplating the 
 scene, with curious eves, like men satisfied with their 
 work. No socMier was the (^(jnunon altciuion directed 
 back towards the spot from wIkjucc thev had just escaped, 
 than a general cry, that partook equally of wonder and 
 horror, broke from the crowd. As the doors were all 
 tin-own wide, and everv cranny of tiie building was illu- 
 minated bv the fierce light of the llames that were raging 
 in the roofs, the choir was nearly as visible to those with' 
 
252 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 out as if it stood exposed to the rays of a noon-aay sun. 
 Father Johan was still kneeling before the altar. 
 
 In obedience to the commands of Emich, the sacred 
 shrine had been stript of its precious vessels, but none 
 had presumed to touch a relic. On these long venerated 
 memorials, the Benedictine kept his eyes riveted, in the 
 firm conviction that, sooner or later, the power of God 
 would be made manifest in defence of his violated temple. 
 
 " The monk ! the monk ! " exclaimed fifty eager voices. 
 
 " I would fain save the fanatic ! " said Emich, with great 
 and generous concern. 
 
 " He may listen to one who beareth this holy emblem," 
 cried the Knight of Rhodes, releasing his cross from the 
 doublet in which it had been concealed. *' Will any come 
 with me to the rescue of this mad Benedictine ? " 
 
 There was as much of repentant atonement in the offer 
 of Albrecht of Viederbach, as there was of humanity. But 
 the impulse wliich led young Berchthold forward, was 
 purely generous. Notwithstanding the imminent peril of 
 the attempt, they darted together into the building, and 
 passed swiftly up the choir. The heat was getting to be op- 
 pressive, though the great height of the ceilings still ren- 
 dered it tolerable. They approached the altar, advising 
 the monk of his danger by their cries. 
 
 " Do ye come to be w^itnesses of Heaven's power ?" de- 
 manded Father Johan, smiling with the calm of an invet- 
 erate enthusiast ; '' or do ye come, sore-stricken penitents 
 that ye have done this deed ?" 
 
 "Away, good father!" hurriedly answered Berchthold ; 
 *' Heaven is against the community to-night ; in another 
 minute, yon fiery roof will fall." 
 
 " Hearest thou the blasphemer. Lord? Is it thy holy 
 will, that " 
 
 "Listen to a sworn soldier of the cross," interrupted Al- 
 brecht, showing his Rhodian emblem — *'we are of one 
 faith, and we will now depart together for another trial." 
 
 *' Away! false servant ! and thou, abandoned boy! — See 
 ye these sainted relics ! " 
 
 At a signal from the knight, Berchthold seized the monk 
 by one side, while Albrecht did the same thing on the 
 other, and he was yet speaking as they bore him down 
 the choir. But they struggled with one that a long en- 
 c(niraged and morbid view of life had rendered mad. Be- 
 fore they reached the great aisle, the fanatic had liberated 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 "5^ 
 
 himself, and, wliile his captors were recovering breath, he 
 was again at the foot of tlie ahar. Instead of kneeling, 
 however, Father Johan now seized the most venerated of 
 the relics, which he held on high, audibly imploring 
 Heaven to hasten the manifestation of its majesty. 
 
 " He is doomed ! " said Albrecht of Viederbach, retiring 
 from the church. 
 
 As the Knight of Rhodes rushed through the great 
 door, a massive brand fell from the ceiling npon the pave- 
 ment, scattering its coals like so many twinkling stars. 
 
 '* Berchthold ! Berchthold ! " was shouted from a hun- 
 dred throats. 
 
 '^ Come forth, rash boy ! " cried Emich, with a voice in 
 which agony was blended with the roar of the conflagra- 
 tion. 
 
 Berchthold seemed spell-bonnd. He gazed wistfully at 
 the monk, and darted back again towards the altar. An 
 awful crashing above, which resembled the settling of a 
 mountain of snow ab(nit to descend in an avalanche, grated 
 on the car. The very men whcj, so short a lime before, 
 had come upon the hill ready and prepared to slay, now 
 uttered groans of horror at witnessing the jeopardy of 
 their fellow-creatures ; for, whatever we may be in mo- 
 ments of excitement, there are latent sympathies in human 
 nature, which too much use may deaden, but which noth- 
 ing but death can finally extinguish. 
 
 " Corne forth, young Berchthold ! come forth, my gal- 
 lant forester! " shouted the voice of the Count above the 
 clamor of the crowd, as if rallying his followers with a 
 battle-cry, " He will die with tlie wretched monk ! — The 
 youth is mad ! " 
 
 I-Jerchthold was struggling with tlic Benedictine, though 
 none knew what passed between them. Tiiere was another 
 crasli, and the whole pavement began to glow with fallen 
 brands. Then came a l)reaking of rafters, and a scatter- 
 ing of fire that denoted the end. IMie interior of the 
 chapel resembled the burning shower which usually closes 
 a Roman girandola, and the earth shook with the fall of 
 the massive structure. There are horrors on which few 
 human eyes can bear to dwell. At this moment nearly 
 every hand veiled a face, and every head was averted. But 
 the movement lasted only an instant. When the interior 
 was again seen, it appeared a fiery furnace. The altar 
 still stood, however, and Johan miraculously kept his 
 
254 
 
 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 post on its Steps. Bcrchthold hud disappeared. The ges- 
 ticulations of the Benedictine were wilder than ever, and 
 his countenance was that of a man whose reason had liope- 
 lessly departed. He kept his feet only for a moment, but 
 w^ithering fell. After w^hich his body w^as seen to curl like 
 a green twig that is seared by the flames. 
 
 CHAPTER XXn. 
 
 ** Masters, you ought to consider with yourselves." 
 
 — Alidstwniier NighC s Dream. 
 
 The constant moral sentinel that God hath set on watcii 
 in every man's breast, but which acts so differently in dif- 
 ferent circumstances, though, perhaps, in no condition of 
 humiliation and ignorance does it ever entirely desert its 
 trust, is sure to bring repentance witli the sense of error. 
 It is vain to say that this innate sentiment of truth, which 
 we call conscience, is the mere result of opinion and habit, 
 since it is even more apparent in the guileless and untrained 
 child than in the most practised man, and nature has so 
 plainly set her mark upon all its workings as to prove its 
 identity with the fearful being that forms the incorporeal 
 part of our existence. Like all else that is good, it may 
 be weakened and perverted, or be otherwise abused ; but, 
 like everything that comes from the same high soiuxe, 
 even amid these vicious changes, it will retain traces of its 
 divine author. We look upon this unwearied monitor as 
 a vestige of that high condition from w^hich the race fell : 
 and we hold it to be beyond dispute, that precisely as men 
 feel and admit its influence, do they approach, or recede 
 from, their original condition of innocence. 
 
 The destruction of the Abbey was succeeded by most of 
 those signs which attend all acts of violence, in degrees 
 that are proportioned to previous habits. Even they who 
 had been most active in accomplishing this long-meditated 
 blow began to tremble for its consequences ; and few in 
 the Palatinate heard of the deed, without holding their 
 breaths like men who expected Heaven would summarily 
 avenge the sacrilege. But in order that the thread of the 
 narrative should not be broken, we will return to our in- 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 -Yd 
 
 cidcnts in their proper order, advancing the time but a few 
 days after tlie niglit of the conllagratiun. 
 
 The reader will have to imagine another view of the 
 Jaegerthal. There was tlie same smiling sun, and the same 
 beneficent season ; the forest w^as as green and waving, 
 the meadows were as smooth and dark, the hill-sides as 
 bright beneath tlie play of light and shade, while the mur- 
 muring brook was as limpid and swift, as when first present- 
 ed to his eye in these pages. Not a hut or cottage w\as dis- 
 turbed, either in the liamlets or along the travelled paths, 
 and the Hold of Ilartcnburg still frowned in feudal power 
 and baronial state, on the well-known pass of the moun- 
 tains, gloomy, massive, and dark. But the hill of Limburg 
 presented one of those sad and melancholy proofs of the 
 effects of violence which are still scattered over the face of 
 the old world, like so many admonitory beacons of the 
 scenes through Avhich its people have reached their present 
 state of comparative security : — beacons that should be as 
 useful in communicating lessons for the future, as they are 
 pregnant with pictures of the past. 
 
 The outer wall remained unharmed, with the single ex- 
 ception of the principal gate, which bore the indelible 
 marks of the smith's sledges ; but above this barrier the 
 work of devastation appeared in characters not to be mis- 
 taken. Every roof, and there had been fifty, was fallen ; 
 every wall, some of wliich were already tottering, was 
 blackened ; and not a tower pointed towards the sky that 
 did not show marks of the manner in which the flames had 
 wreathed around its slender shaft. Mere and there a 
 small thread of white smoke curled upwards, losing itself 
 in the currents of the air, resembling so many of the les- 
 sening symptoms of a volcano after an explosion. A small 
 crucifix, which popular rumor said was wood, but which, 
 in fact, was of painted stone, still kept its place on a gable 
 of the ruined chiuxh ; and many a peasant addressed to it 
 his silent prayers, firm in the belief that God liad protected 
 this image of His sacrifice, throughout the terrors of the 
 memorable night. 
 
 In and about the castle, there appeared the usual evi- 
 dences of a distrustful watcli ; — such ward as is kept by 
 him who feels that he has justly bec(jme obnoxious to the 
 hand of the constituted powers. The gates were closed ; 
 the sentinels on the walls and bastions were doubled ; and, 
 from time to time, signals were made that commiuiicated 
 
256 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 with lookouts, so stationed on the hills that they could 
 command views of the roads which led toward the Rhine, 
 beyond the gorge of the valley. 
 
 The scene in Duerckheim was different, though it also 
 had some points of resemblance with that in tfie hold. 
 There was the same apprehension of danger from without, 
 the same watchfulness on the walls and in the towers, and 
 the same unusual display of an armed force. But in a town 
 of this description, it was not easy to imitate the gloomy 
 reserve of baronial state. The citizens grouped together 
 in the streets, the women gossiped as in all sudden and 
 Btrong cases of excitement, and even the children appeared 
 to reflect the uneasiness and indecision of their parents ; 
 for as the hand of authority relaxed in their seniors, most 
 wandered idly and vaguely among the men, listening to 
 catch such loose expressions as might enlighten their 
 growing understandings. The shops were opened, as 
 usual, but many stopped to discourse at the doors, while 
 few entered ; and most of the artisans wasted their time in 
 speculations on the consequence of the hardy step of their 
 superiors. 
 
 In the meantime there was a council held in the town- 
 hall. Here were assembled all who laid claim to civic 
 authority in Duerckheim, with some who appeared under 
 the claim of their services in the late assault upon the 
 monks. A few of the anxious wives of the burghers, also, 
 were seen collected in the more public rooms of the build- 
 ing ; for domestic influence was neither covert nor trifling 
 in that uxorious and simple community. We shall resume 
 the narrative within the walls of this municipal edifice. 
 
 The Burgomaster and other chief men were much moved 
 by the vague apprehension which was the consequence of 
 their hazardous experiment. Some were bold in the au- 
 dacity of success ; some doubted merely because the de- 
 struction of the brotherhood seemed too great a good to 
 come unmixed with evil ; some held their opinions in sus- 
 pense, waiting for events to give a value to their predic- 
 tions, and others shook their heads in a manner that would 
 appear to imply a secret knowledge of consequences that 
 were not apparent to vulgar faculties. The latter class was 
 more remarkable for its pretension to exclusive merit tlian 
 for numbers, and would have been equally prompt to ex- 
 aggerate the advantages of the recent measure had the 
 public pulse just then been beating on the access. But 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER, 257 
 
 tlie public pulse was on the decline, and, as we have said, 
 seeing- and understanding all the advantages that were to 
 be hoped from the defeat of Bonifacius, uncertainty quick- 
 ened most imaginations in a manner to conjure disagreea- 
 ble pictures of the future. Even Heinrich, who wanted for 
 neither moral nor pliysical resolution, was disturbed at his 
 own victory, though if questioned he could scarcely have 
 told the reason why. This imeasiness was heiglitened by 
 the fact that most of his compeers regarded him as the 
 man on whom the weight of the Church's and of the 
 Elector's displeasure was most likely to fall, though it is 
 more than probable that his situation would have been far 
 less prominent had there been no question of any results 
 but such as were agreeable. 
 
 This sort of distinction, so isolated in defeat, and so so- 
 cial in prosperity, is a species of revenge that society 
 is very apt to take of all who pretend to be wiser or 
 better than itself by presuming to point the way in 
 cases of doubtful expediency, or in presuming to lead the 
 way in those that require decision and nerve. He alone is 
 certain of an unenvied reputation who, in preceding the 
 main body in the great march of events, leaves no very 
 sensible space between him and his fellows ; while he alone 
 can hope for impunity who keeps so near his backers as 
 to be able to confound liimself in the general mass when 
 singularity brings comment and censure. 
 
 Heinricli fully felt the awkwardness of his position, 
 and, just then, he would gladly have compounded for less of 
 the fame acquired by the bold manner in wliichhe had led 
 the attack, in order to be rid of some of his anxiety. Still 
 a species of v^rarlike instinct led him to put the best face 
 on the affair, and when he addressed his colleagues, it was 
 with cheerfulness in his tones, however little there might 
 have been of that desirable feeling in his heart. 
 
 "Well, brethren," he said, looking around at the knot of 
 well-known faces which surrounded him in the gravity of 
 civic authority, " tliis weighty matter is, at length, happily, 
 and, as it has bc^cn effected williout bkjudslied, I may say, 
 peaceably over! The Benedictines are departed, and 
 though the excellent Abb(Jt hatli taken post in a neighbor- 
 ing Abbey, whence he sends forth brave words to frighten 
 those who are unused to more dangerous missiles, it will 
 be long before we shall again hear Limburg bell tolling in 
 the Jaegerthal." 
 
 17 
 
358 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 '* For that I can swear," said the smith, who was among 
 the inferiors that crowded a corner of the hall, occupying 
 as little space as possible in deference to their head-men ; 
 — " my own sledge hath helped to put the fine-tuned in- 
 strument out of tune !" 
 
 " We are now met to hear further propositions from the 
 monks ; but as the hour set for the arrival of their agent 
 is not yet come, we can lighten the moments by such 
 discourse as the circumstances may seem to require. 
 Hast anything to urge that will ease the minds of the 
 timid, brother Wolfgang ? — if so, of God's name, give it 
 utterance, that we may know the worst at once." 
 
 The affinity between Wolfgang and Heinrich existed al- 
 together in their civic relations. The former, although he 
 coveted the anticipated advantages that were to result 
 from the downfall of Limburg, had a constitutional defer- 
 ence for all superior power, and Avas unable to enjoy the 
 triumph without the bitterest misgivings concerning the 
 displeasure of the Elector and Rome. He was aged, too 
 — a fact that served to heighten the tremor of tones, that, 
 by a very general convention, are termed raven. 
 
 " It is wise to call upon the experienced and wise, for 
 counsel, in pressing straits," returned the old burgher, 
 " for years teach the folly of everything human, inclining 
 us to look at the world with moderation, and with less love 
 for ourselves and our interests " 
 
 " Brother Wolfgang, thou art not yet yielding so fast as 
 thou wouldest have us believe," interrupted Heinrich, who 
 particularly disliked any discouraging views of the future. 
 " Thou art but a boy — the difference between us cannot be 
 greater than some five-and-twenty years." 
 
 " Not that, not that ; — I count but tliree-and-seventy, 
 and thou mayest fairly number fifty-and-five." 
 
 "Thou heapest honors on me I little deserve, friend 
 Wolfgang. I shall not number the days thou namest these 
 many months, and time marches fast enough without any 
 fillips from us to help him. If I have yet seen more than 
 fifty-four, may my fathers arise from their graves to 
 claim the little they left behind, when they took leave of 
 earth ! " 
 
 ''Words will make neither young, but I could wish we 
 had found means to lay this unquiet spirit of Limburg, 
 without so much violence and danger to ourselves. I am 
 old, and have little interest in life, except to see those who 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 259 
 
 will come after me happy and peaceful. Thou knowest 
 that I have neither chick nor child, neighbor Heinrich, 
 and the heart of such a man can only beat for all. 'Twere, 
 indeed, folly in me to think of much else than of that great 
 future which lies before us." 
 
 " Sapperment ! " exclaimed the smith, who was disposed 
 to presume a little on the spirit he had shown in the late 
 attack. — '* Worshipful Burgomaster, were Mabter Wolfgang 
 to deal out some of his stores a little freely to the Bene- 
 dictines, the whole affair might be quietly settled, and 
 Duerckheim would be a great gainer. I warrant you now, 
 that Bonifacius would be glad to receive a wxU-told sum 
 in gold, without question or farther account, in lieu of his 
 lodgings and fare in Limburg, of which he was only a life- 
 tenant at best. At least such had been my humor, an' it 
 had pleased Heaven to have made me a Benedictine, and 
 Bonifacius a smith." 
 
 " And where is this gold to be had, bold-speaking arti- 
 san ? " demanded the aged burgher, severely. 
 
 "Where but from your untouched stores, A'enerable 
 Wolfgang," answered the single-minded smith ; "thou art 
 old, father, and, as thou truly sayest, without offspring ; 
 the hold of life is getting loose, and to deal with thee in 
 frankness, I see no manner in which the evil may be so 
 readily turned from our town." 
 
 " Peace, senseless talker ! dost think thy betters have no 
 other employment for their goods than to cast them to tlie 
 winds, as thy sparks scatter at the stroke of the sledge ? 
 The little I have hath been gained with sore toil and much 
 saving, and it may yet be needed to keep want and beg- 
 gary from my door. Nay, nay, when we are young we 
 think the dirt may be turned to g^^hl ; hot blood and lusty 
 limbs cause us to believe man equal to any labor, aye, even 
 to living without food ; but wlicn experience and tribula- 
 tion have taught us truth, we C(jme to know, neighbors, the 
 value of pence. 1 am of a long-living stock. Heaven help 
 us! and there is greater likelihood oi mv yet becoming a 
 charge to the town than of my ever doing a tithe of that 
 this heedless smith hath hinted." 
 
 "By St. Benedict, master! I hinted nauglit ; what I said 
 was in plain W(jrds, and it is this, that one so venerable for 
 his years, and so respected for his means, might do great 
 g(jod in this stinit ! Such an act would sweeten the few 
 days thou yet hast." 
 
26o THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 " Get thee away, fellow ; thou talkest of death an' it 
 were a joke. Do not the young go to their graves as well 
 as the old, and are there not instances of thousands that 
 have outlived their means ? No, I much fear that this 
 matter will not be appeased without mulcting the artisans 
 in heavy sums ; — but happily, most that belong to the 
 crafts are young and able to pay! " 
 
 The reply of the smith, who was getting warm in a dis- 
 pute in which he believed all the merit was on his own 
 side, was cut short by a movement among the populace, 
 who crowded the outer door of the town-house ; the burgh- 
 ers seemed uneasy, as if they saw a crisis was near, and 
 then a beadle announced the arrival of a messenger from 
 the routed community of Limburg. The civic authorities 
 of Duerckheim, although assembled expressly with the ex- 
 pectation of such a visit, were, like all men of but indif- 
 ferently regulated minds, taken by surprise at the moment. 
 Nothing was digested, no plan of operations had been 
 proposed, and, although all had dreamed for several nights 
 of the very subject before them, not one of them all had 
 thought upon it. Still it was now necessary to act, and 
 after a little bustle, which had no other object than an idle 
 attempt to impose upon the senses of the messenger by a 
 senseless parade, orders were given that the latter should 
 be admitted. 
 
 The agent of the monks w^as himself a Benedictine. 
 He entered the hall, attended only by the city-guard who 
 had received him at the gate, with his cowl so far drawn 
 upon his head as to conceal the features. There was a mo- 
 ment of curiosity, and the name of " Father Siegfried" was 
 whispered from one to another, as each judged of the man 
 by the exterior. 
 
 " Uncover, of Heaven's mercy! Father," said Heinrich, 
 *'and seat thyself as freely in the town-hall of Duerck- 
 heim as if thou wert at thy ease in the ancient cloisters of 
 Limburg. We are lions in the attack, but harmless as thy 
 marble cherubs when there is not occasion for your true 
 manly qualities ; so take thy seat, of God's name ! and be 
 of good cheer ; — none will harm thee." 
 
 The voice of the Burgomaster lost its confidence as ho 
 concluded. The Benedictine was calmly removing the 
 cowl ; and when the cloth fell, it exposed the respected 
 features of Father Arnolph. 
 
 ** He that comes in the service of Him I call master, 
 
THE IIF.IDENMAUER. 261 
 
 needeth not this assiirnncc," answered the monk ; *' still I 
 rejoice to find ye in this mood, and not bent on maintain- 
 ing an original error, by further outrages. It is never too 
 late to see our faults, nor yet to repair them." 
 
 " I cry thy mercy, Holy Prior ! we had taken thee for a 
 very different member of the fraternity, and thou art not 
 the less welcome for being him thou art." 
 
 Heinrich arose respectfully, and his example was fol- 
 lowed by all present. The Prior seemed pleased, and a 
 glow, like that which a benevolent hope creates, passed 
 athwart his countenance. With perfect simplicity he took 
 the offered stool, as the least obtrusive manner of induc- 
 ing the burghers to resume their seats. The experiment 
 produced the effect he intended. 
 
 " I should pretend to an indifference I do not feel, were 
 I to say, Heinrich Frey, that I come among you, men to 
 whom I have often administered the rites of the Church 
 during long and watchful years, without the wish to find 
 that my ministrations arc remembered." 
 
 '* If there dwelleth knave in Duerckheim whose heart 
 hath not been touched by thy good works. Father, the 
 hound is without bowels, and unfit to live among honest 
 people." 
 
 " Most true ! " exclaimed the smith, in his audible by- 
 play. " The Burgomaster doth us all justice ! I never 
 struck spark from iron more freely than I will render re- 
 spect to the most reverend Prior. His prayers are like 
 tried steel, and next to those of him of the hermitage arc 
 in most esteem among us. Fill me an abbey with such 
 men, and for one I shall be ready to trust all our salvation 
 to their godliness, without thought or concern for our- 
 selves. Sapperment ! could such a community be found, 
 it would be a great relief to the laymen, and more partic- 
 ularly to your artisan, who might turn all his thoughts to 
 his craft, with the certainty of being watched by men ca- 
 pable of setting the quickest-witted devil at defiance ! " 
 
 Arnolph listened to this digression witii patience, and 
 he acknowledged the courtesy and friendliness of his re- 
 ception by a slow inclination of the head. He was too 
 much accustf)nied to hear these temporal applications of 
 the spiritual interests of which he was a minister, to be 
 surprised at anything ; and he was too meek on the sub- 
 ject of his own deserving, to (l('S]-)isc any because they were 
 weaker than himself. The Christian religion seems to be 
 
262 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 divided into two great classes of worshippers ; those who 
 think its consolations are most palpable in tlieir direct and 
 worldly form, and those whose aspirations are so spiritual- 
 ized, and whose thoughts are so sublimated as to consider 
 it a metaphysical theory, in whicli the principal object is 
 to preserve the logical harmony. For ourselves, we be- 
 lieve it to be a dispensation from God to those of his 
 creatures who are fearfully composed of the material and 
 immaterial, and that so far as it is connected with our pro- 
 bation here, it is never to be considered as entirely distinct 
 from one or the other of the great attributes of our nature. 
 It is evident that such were not the views of the honest 
 smith ; and it is probable had the matter been thoroughly 
 sifted, it would have been found that, as respects Duerck- 
 heim, he was altogetlier of the popular party. 
 
 " Thou comest. Father, like the dove to the ark, the 
 bearer of the olive branch," resumed Heinrich ; "though 
 for our northern regions a leaf of tiie oak would more 
 likely have been the emblem, had Ararat been one of these 
 well-wooded hills of ours." 
 
 " I come to offer the conditions of our brotherhood, and 
 to endeavor to persuade the misguided in Duerckheim to 
 accept them. The holy abbots, with the right reverend 
 fathers in God, the Bishops of Spires and Worms, now as- 
 sembled in the latter city, have permitted me to be the 
 bearer of their terms, an office I have sought, lest 
 another should forget to entreat and influence in the de- 
 sire to menace." 
 
 " Gott bewahre ! thou hast done well, as is thy wont, ex- 
 cellent Arnolph ! Threats are about as useful with 
 Duerckheim as the holy water is in our rhenish, both be- 
 ing well enough in their places ; but he that cannot be 
 driven must be led, and liquor that is right good in itself 
 needeth no flavor from the Church. As for this old mis- 
 understanding between Limburg of the one side, and the 
 noble Count of Hartenburg with our unworthy town of 
 the other, the matter may be said to be now of easy ad- 
 justment, since the late events have cleared it of its 
 greatest difficulty ; and so, from my heart, T wish thee joy 
 of thy mission, and felicitate the town that it hath to treat 
 with one so skilful and so reasonable. Thou wilt find us 
 in a friendly humor, and ready to meet thee half-way ; for I 
 know not the man in Duerckheim that desireth to push the 
 controversy a foot further, or who is not at heart content." 
 
THE riEIDEISfMAUER. 263 
 
 " No, that would be out of reason and charity," said 
 the smith, speaking again among the auditors. "We 
 ought to show those Benedictines an example of modera- 
 tion, neighbors ; and therefore for one, though no better 
 than a poor artisan that gaineth his bread by blows on the 
 anvil, do I agree with the worshipful Heinrich, and say, of 
 God's name ! let us be reasonable in our demands, and be 
 content with as little as may be, in the settlement of our 
 dispute." 
 
 The Prior listened patiently, as usual, but a hectic 
 glowed, for an instant, on his cheek. It disappeared, and 
 the benevolent blue eye was again seen shining amid 
 features that the cloister and the closet had long since 
 robbed of all other bloom. " Ye know, burghers, of 
 Duerckheim," he answered, " ihac in assailing the altars of 
 Limburg ye set a double power at defiance; — that of the 
 Church, as it is constituted and protected on earth, and 
 that of God. My errand, at this moment, is to speak of 
 tlie first. Our Fatlier of Worms is sorely angered, and he 
 lias not failed to address himself directly and promptly to 
 our Father at Rome. In addition to this reverend appeal, 
 messengers have been dispatched to both the Elector and 
 Emperor, as well as to divers of the Ecclesiastical Princes 
 who rule on the banks of the Rhine. This is a fearful 
 array of power to be met by a mountain baron, and a city 
 whose walls can be measured by the leg in so short a time. 
 But cliictly would I lay stress on the evil that may flow 
 from the displeasure of the Head of the Church." 
 
 "And should he read the late exploit with severity, rev- 
 erend Prior, what are we to look to, as its fruits ? " 
 
 "To be denounced as excluded from the fold, and to be 
 left to the wickedness and folly of your own hearts. In a 
 word, excommunication." 
 
 " Umph ! — this might prove a short way of recruiting the 
 folknvers of Brother Luther! thou knovvest, holy Arnolph, 
 that men look more and mure closely, every day, into these 
 disputed ])oints." 
 
 " Would that they looked with more humility and under- 
 standing! If ye consider the denunciations and benedic- 
 tions of him to whom has been confided the authority to 
 bless and to curse as of little weight, no words of mine 
 can heighten their effect ; but all among ye who are not 
 ])repared to ^r^o the length that your Burgomaster hath just 
 hinted, may deem it prudent to pause, ere they incur the 
 
264 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 heavy risk oi living under such a weig^it of Heaven's dis- 
 pleasure." 
 
 The burghers regarded each other in doubt, few among 
 them being yet prepared to push resistance so far. Some 
 inwardly trembled, for habit and tradition were too strong 
 for the new opinions ; some shrewdly weighed the tempo- 
 ral rather than the spiritual consequences, and others ru- 
 minated on the possibility of enduring the anathema in so 
 good company. There are thousands that are willing to 
 encounter danger in large bodies, who shrink from its haz- 
 ards alone ; and perhaps the soldier goes to the charge 
 quite as much stimulated by the sympathy of association, 
 as he is sustained by the dread of shame or the desire of 
 renown. The civic counsellors of Duerckheim now found 
 themselves in some such plight, and each man felt assur- 
 ance or doubt, much as he happened to meet with either 
 of those feelings expressed in the eyes of his neighbor. 
 
 " Have ye any less godly proposition to make ? " asked 
 Heinrich, who perceived that the moral part of his civic 
 support began to waver, " for these are points in which we 
 are better skilled than on those that touch your doctrinal 
 niceties." 
 
 " I am commanded to say, that, as becomes their divine 
 office, the brotherhood of Limburg is disposed to pardon 
 and forget, inasmuch as duty will allow, the late act of 
 Duerckheim, on conditions that may be named." 
 
 " Aye, this is Christian-like, and will meet with a ready 
 return, in our dispositions. On our side, too, holy Prior, 
 there is every wish to forget the past, and to look only to 
 a quiet and friendly future — do I interpret the intentions 
 of the town well, my neighbors ? " 
 
 " To the letter ! — no clerk could do it better." — " Yes, we 
 are of the community's mind ; it is wise to live at peace, 
 and to pardon and overlook ; " were ready answers to this 
 appeal. 
 
 " Thou hearest. Father ! a better mood no minister or 
 messenger need wish ! 'Fore Heaven ! we are all of one 
 mind in this particular ; and I know not that the man 
 would find safety in Duerckheim who should talk of aught 
 but peace ! " 
 
 " It is to be mourned that ye have not always been of 
 this humor ; I come not, however, to reproach, but to re- 
 claim ; not to defy, but to persuade ; not to intimidate, but 
 to convince. Here are the written propositions of the holy 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 265 
 
 divines by whom I am charged with this office of mediator, 
 and I leave it for a time to your private consultations. 
 When ye shall have well digested this fit offer, I will come 
 among ye in peace and friendliness." 
 
 The written proposals were received, and the whole as- 
 sembly rose to do the Prior honor. As the latter left the 
 hall, he asked permission of several of the burghers, among 
 whom was Heinrich Frey, to visit their families, in the 
 spirit of Christian guardianship. The desired consents 
 were obtained without demur or doubt, on the part of any ; 
 for whatever may be said or thought of the errors of pub- 
 lic opinion, it is usually right where the means are pos- 
 sessed of at all giving it a true direction. The high esti- 
 mation in which Arnolph was held, by the mere force of 
 popular instinct, was never more plainly seen than on the 
 present occasion, when even those who had so lately warred 
 against the community, threw open their doors without 
 reserve ; though it was well known that the late policy of 
 the towm had many a secret enemy, and many a bitter com- 
 mentator, in that sex which is sometimes as slow to incite 
 to violence and resistance, as at others it is thoughtless and 
 hasty. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 "What well-appointed leader fronts us here?" — King Henry IV. 
 
 The missive of the monks was written in Latin. At that 
 period few wrote but the learned, and every noble or town 
 was obliged to maintain a scholar to perform wliatarenow 
 the conunoncst duties of intercourse. The clerkly agent 
 of Duerckheim had been educated for the Church, and had 
 even received the tonsure ; but some irregularities of life, 
 which, as it would appear, were not within the pale of 
 clerical privileges, or which had been so unguarded as to 
 bring scandal on the profession, compelled him to give his 
 destinies a new direction. As happens with most men who 
 have expended much time and labor in qualifying them- 
 selves for any particular pursuit, and who are unexpect- 
 edly driven from its exercise, this individual, who was 
 named Ludwig, and who w\as often ironically styled in 
 common parlance Father Ludwig, never completely suc- 
 ceeded in repairing the injury done by the lirst false step 
 
266 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 he had made. His acquirement procured for him a certain 
 amcHint of consideration, but as he was known to be some- 
 what free in his manner of life, and, especially as schism 
 grew strong in Germany, a bold skeptic on most of the 
 distinctive doctrines of the Catholic Church, he ever wore 
 about his character some of that fancied looseness, which 
 insensibly attaches itself to all renegades, whether their 
 motives be more or less corrupt. Still, as he was known to 
 be instructed, the multitude ascribed more virtue to his 
 secession than it would have imputed to the withdrawal 
 from the fold of fifty sincere believers ; for most believed 
 there were means of judging that belonged to the initiated, 
 which did not fall to the lot of those who worshipped in 
 the outer court. We have daily proofs that this weakness 
 reaches into the temporal interests of life, and that opin- 
 ions are valued in proportion as there is believed to be 
 some secret means of acquiring information ; though men 
 rarely conceal any tiling that they know which may be re- 
 vealed, and few indeed are disposed to "hide their lights 
 under a bushel." 
 
 Ludwig forgot no part of the intonation or emphasis, 
 while he uttered the unintelligible phrases of the monkish 
 missive. His auditors listened the more attentively, be- 
 cause they did not understand a syllable of what was said ; 
 attention seeming usually to be riveted in an inverse ratio 
 to the facilities of comprehension. Perhaps some of the 
 higher dignitaries flattered themselves that their inferiors 
 might be duped into the belief of their attainments ; a fact 
 that could not fail to increase their influence, since there 
 is no better evidence of the innate aspirations of our in- 
 tellectual being than the universal deference that is paid 
 to knowledge. We have hazarded this supposition 
 against the civic authorities of Duerckheim, because we 
 believe it depends upon a general principle of human am- 
 bition ; and because in our own case, we well remember 
 hearing out a sermon of more than an hour's duration de- 
 livered in Low Dutch, and in a damp church in Holland, 
 when not a word, from the text to the benediction, was 
 understood. 
 
 " Right learnedly worded, and no doubt of proper cour- 
 tesy ! " exclaimed Heinrich, when the letter was ended, and 
 while the clerk was clearing his spectacles, preparatory to 
 the more vulgar version — *' It is a happy strife, neighbors, 
 in which such language passes between the parties ; for it 
 
THE ITEIDEN-MAUER. 267 
 
 proves thnt charity is stronger than malice, and tliat rea- 
 son is not forgotten merely because there have been 
 blows !" 
 
 " I have rarely heard braver words," answered a fellow- 
 burgher, ''or those that are better penned ! " 
 
 " Potz-tausend ! " muttered tlie smith ; "it were almost 
 a sin to dispossess men that can write thus !" 
 
 Murmurs of approbation passed through the crowd, and 
 not an individual was there, with the solitary exception of 
 a gaping idiot that had stolen into the hail, who did not 
 affect to have received more or less pleasiu'e from the com- 
 munication. Even the idiot had his share of satisfaction, 
 for, by the pure force of sympathy, he caught gleamings 
 of a delight that seemed so strong and so general, 
 
 Ludwig now commenced translating the letter into the 
 harsh, energetic German of the Rhine. The wonderful 
 capabilities of the language enabled him to convert the 
 generalities and comprehensive terms of the Latin, with a 
 minuteness of signification, which put the loss of any shade 
 of idea utterly out of the question. 
 
 What the monks had meant, and perhaps even more, 
 was laboriously, and with malignant pleasure, rendered ; 
 and so rendered, as to give to each expression the fullest 
 weight and meaning. 
 
 We have no intention of attempting the office of trans- 
 lating this harsh summons ourselves, but must be content 
 with a brief summary of its contents. The instrument 
 opened with a greeting that was not unlike those which 
 were sent, in the first ages of the present dispensation, 
 from the apostles to the churches of the east. It then con- 
 tained a short but pointed narrative of the recent events, 
 which were qualified in a way tliat the reader can easily 
 imagine ; it proceeded tcj refer to the spiritual and tem- 
 poral authorities from which the brotherhood had assur- 
 ances of support ; and it concluded by demanding, under 
 the penalty of incurring every earthly and heavenly risk, 
 an enormous sum in gold, as a pecuniary reparation for 
 tlie injury done — a complete and absolute submission of 
 the town to the jurisdiction of tlie community, even more 
 than was ever before pretended to — a public and general 
 acknowledgment of error, with a variety of penances and 
 pilgrimages to be performed by functionaries that were 
 named — and the delivery of Ileinrich Frey, with eleven 
 others of the principal inhabitants, into the Abbot's hands 
 
268 THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 as hostages, until all of these exactions and conditions 
 should be completely and satisfactorily fulfilled. 
 
 <'"V\rh — e — e — e — w ! " whistled Heinrich, when Ludvvig 
 ended, after a most provoking prolixity, that had com- 
 pletely exhausted tlie Burgomaster's patience. " Himmel ! 
 liere is a victory that is likely to cost us our means, our 
 characters, our liberties, our consciences, and our ease ! 
 Are the monks mad, Master Ludwig, or art thou sporting 
 v^ith our credulity : — Do they really speak of hostages, 
 and of gold ?" 
 
 " Of a surety, worshipful Herr, and seemingly with a 
 right good will." 
 
 " Wilt read the part touching the hostages again, in the 
 Latin ; thou mayest have indiscreetly overlooked a con- 
 junction or a pronoun, as I think thou callest these notable 
 figures of speech." 
 
 "Aye, it were well to judge of the letter by the Latin," 
 echoed the smith ; " one never knows the quality of his 
 metal, at the first touch of the hammer." 
 
 Ludwig read, a second time, extracts in the original, and, 
 through a species of waggery, by which he often took a se- 
 cret and consolatory revenge for the indignities he fre- 
 quently received from the ignorant, and which served him 
 as food of merriment and as a vent to his confined humors 
 in occasional interviews with others of his own class, he 
 gave with singular emphasis the terms of greeting, which 
 were, as usual, embellished with phrases of priestly bene- 
 diction, as the part that especially demanded the prompt 
 delivery of Heinrich Freyand his fellows into the hands of 
 the Benedictines. 
 
 " Gott bevvahre ! " cried the Burgomaster, who had 
 shifted a leg each time the clerk glanced an eye at him 
 over his spectacles — " I have other concerns than to sit in 
 a cell, and Duerckheim would fare but badly were the 
 town left without so large a share of its knowledge and ex- 
 perience. Prithee, Master Ludwig, give us the kinder lan- 
 guage of these Benedictines ; for methinks there may be 
 found some words of peace in the blessings they bestow." 
 
 The crafty clerk now read, in the original, the strongest 
 of the denunciations, and the parts of the letter which so 
 peremptorily demanded the hostages. 
 
 " How now, knave ! " said the hasty Burgomaster, "thou 
 hast not been faithful in thy former readings. Thou hear- 
 est, neighbors, I am named especially in their benedictions ; 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 269 
 
 for you must know, worthy burghers, that Henricus means 
 Heinrich, and Frey well pronounced, is much the same in 
 all languages. This I know from long experience in these 
 cunning instruments. I owe the reverend Benedictines 
 grace for their goc^d wishes, expressed with this particu- 
 larity ; though the manner in wiiich they introduce the host- 
 ages is unseemly." 
 
 " I thought when it came to the worst," muttered the 
 smith," that Master Heinrich Avould be considered with es- 
 pecial favor. This it is, brother artisans, to be honored in 
 one's town, and to have a name ! " 
 
 "There sounds a parley ! " interrupted the Burgomaster. 
 " Can these crafty monks have dared to trillc with us, by 
 sending the choicest of their Hock to hold us in discourse, 
 while they steal upon us in armor?" 
 
 The idea was evidently impleasant to most of the coun- 
 cil, and to none more so than to the aged Wolfgang, whose 
 years would seem to have given less value to his personal 
 safety than to the rest. Many quitted the hall, while those 
 that remained appeared to be detained more by their ap- 
 prehensions than by their fortitude. Heinricli, who was 
 constitutionally firm, continued the most undisturbed of 
 them all, though even he went from window to window 
 like a man that was uneasy. 
 
 " If the godly villains have done this treachery, let them 
 look to it — we are not vassals to be hoodwinked with a 
 cowl ! " 
 
 " Perhaps, worshij)ful and wise Heinrich," said the crafty 
 Ludwig," they send the trumpet, in readiness to receive the 
 hostages." 
 
 " Tlie holy Magi curse them, and their impudent hmg- 
 winded musician! — How now, fellow! — who maketh this 
 tan — ta — ra — ra — at our c^ate ?" 
 
 "The noble Count of Hartenburg is at the valley side 
 of the town, honorable Burgomaster, with a stout troop of 
 mounted followers," annoiniced the breatliless runner, 
 who came on this errand. "He cliafes at the delay, but 
 as the order to keep fast is so rigid, the captain of the 
 watch dares not unbar and unbolt without permission 
 had." 
 
 " Bid the valiant and faithful burgher undo his fasten- 
 ings, o' Heaven's name ! — and riglit speedily. We should 
 have betliought us, excellent neighbors, of the chances of 
 this visit, and had a care that our princely friend were 
 
270 
 
 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 without this cause of complaint. But we should rejoice, 
 too, that our people are so true, as to keep their trust even 
 against one so known and honored. I warrant ye, neigh- 
 bors, were it the imperial Karl himself, he would fare no 
 better " 
 
 Heinrich was interrupted while vaunting and extolling 
 the civic discipline, by the tramping of horses' feet on the 
 pavement below the windows, and on looking out he saw 
 Emich and all his cortege coolly alighting. 
 
 " Umph ! " ejaculated the Burgomaster — " go forth, and 
 do reverence to my Lord the Count." 
 
 The council awaited in deep silence the appearance of 
 their visitor. Emich entered the hall with the assured step 
 of a superior, and with a countenance that was clouded. 
 He bowed to the salutations of the council, signed for his 
 armed followers to await at the door, and walked himself 
 to the seat which Heinrich had previously vacated, and 
 which in truth was virtually the throne cjf Duerckheim. 
 Placing his heavy form in the chair, with the air of one 
 accustomed to fill it, he again bowed, and made a gesture 
 of the hand, which the burghers understood to be an invi- 
 tation to be seated. With doubting faces the awed authori- 
 ties submitted, receiving that permission as a boon, which 
 tliey were ready so lately themselves to urge as a civility. 
 Heinrich looked surprised, but, accustomed to pay great 
 deference to his noble friend, he returned the bow and 
 smile — for he was especially saluted with a smile — and 
 took the second place. 
 
 " It was not well, my worthy townsmen, to close your 
 gates thus churlislily against me," commenced the baron ; 
 " there are rights and honors that ouglit to be respected, 
 at all hours and seasons, and I marvel that this need be 
 taught to the Duercklicimers by a Count of Leiningen. 
 I and my train were held at parlance at your barriers, an' 
 we had been so many wandering gipsies, or some of the 
 free bands that sell their arquebuses and lances to the 
 highest bidder ! " 
 
 " That there may have been some little delay, my Lord 
 Count — " answered Heinrich 
 
 "Little, Burgomaster! dost thou call that little which 
 keeps a noble of Leiningen chafing at a gate, amid dust 
 and heat, and gaping moutlis ? thou knowest not the spirit 
 of our steeds, Hcrr Frey, if thou imaginest they like such 
 sudden checks of the curb. We are of high mettle, 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER, 271 
 
 horses and riders, and must have our way when fairly 
 spurred ! " 
 
 "There was every desire, nobly born Emich, to do you 
 honor, and to undo our bolts as speedily as might be done ; 
 for this end we were about to depute the necessary orders, 
 when we were suddenly favored with your gracious and 
 high dispensing company. We doubt not that the captain 
 of the watch reasoned with himself, and did that, of good 
 intention and of his own accord, which he would speedily 
 have been called upon to do, by our commands." 
 
 " God's truth ! that may not prove so true," answered 
 Emich, laughing. "Our impatience was stronger than 
 your bolts, and lest the same oversight might renew the 
 inconvenience, we found means to enter with little for- 
 mality." 
 
 The burghers in general seemed greatly troubled, and 
 Heinrich as greatly surprised. The baron saw that 
 enough had been said for the moment ; and assuming a 
 more gracious mien, he continued in another strain. 
 
 "Well, loving townsmen," he said, "it is now a happy 
 week, since all our desires have been accomplished. The 
 Benedictines are defeated, the Jaegertlial is at peace and 
 under the sway of its rightful lord, and yet tlie sun rises 
 and sets as before, the heavens seem as smiling, the rains 
 as refreshing, and all our liupes as reasonable as of old ! 
 There is to be no miracle in tiieir behalf, Herr Heinrich, 
 and we may fain sleep in peace." 
 
 '■'■ That may depend, Lord Count, on other humors than 
 ours. Here are reports abroad that are anything but 
 pleasant to the car, and our honest townsmen are troubled 
 lest, after doing good service in behalf of their betters, 
 they may yet be made to pay all the charges of the 
 victory." 
 
 "Set their hearts at peace, worthy Burgomaster, for I 
 have not thrust a hand into the ecclesiastical flame, with- 
 out thought of keey)ing it from being scorched. Thou 
 knowcst I have friends, and 'twill not be easy to put a 
 Count of Leiningen to the ban." 
 
 " Nay, we doubt but little, illustrious noble, of your 
 safety, and of your house's ; our fear is for o'luselves." 
 
 "Thou hast only to lean on me, Master Frey. When 
 the tie between us shall be explained more clearly to the 
 Em[)eror and the l)iet, and when our loving wishes, as re- 
 spects each other, shall be better understood, all will know 
 
272 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 that to strike Ducrckheim is to aim a blow at me. Whence 
 Cometh this sudden fear, for last reports touching your 
 condition said that the town was firm of heart, and bent 
 on joining Luther, rather than confess ?" 
 
 " Sapperment ! the heart must not always be judged by 
 the countenance ! Here is the smith, w^ho is seldom of a 
 brigiit visage, but were it said that his heart is as black as 
 his face, great injustice would be done the man." 
 
 A movement and a murmur betrayed the admiration of 
 those who crowded the door, at this figure of the Burgo- 
 master. 
 
 " Thou hast some reason for this sudden despondency ?" 
 rejoined the Count, glancing a look of indifference at the 
 artisans. 
 
 ''Why, to speak the truth, Lord Emich, Bonifacius hath 
 sent us a missive, w^ritten in very fair Latin, and in a 
 scholarly manner, that threatens us to a man with every 
 Christian wish, from plagues to downright incurable dam- 
 nation." 
 
 " And art thou troubled, Heinrich, at a scrawl of unin- 
 tellia^ible words ! " 
 
 *' 1 know not what is to be understood, Flerr Count, if a 
 demand for Heinrich Frey, with eleven others of our most 
 respected, as iiostages, doubtless to be kept from their af- 
 fairs in some convent cells, on hard fare, and hard pen- 
 ance, for weary months, be not plain ! To this they add 
 demands for gold, with pilgrimages, and penances, and 
 other godly recreations." 
 
 " By whose hand got ye this ? " 
 
 " By that of the honest Prior, a man of so much bowels, 
 that I marvel he should be the bearer of a message so un- 
 welcome and so uncharitable. But the best of us have our 
 moments of weakness, for all are not always thoughtful or 
 just." 
 
 " Ha ! Arnolph is afoot ! — Hath he departed ? " 
 
 '' He tarries, my good lord ; for look you, we have not 
 yet determined on the fashion of our reply." 
 
 " Thou wouldst not have thought of sending answer, 
 without taking counsel of me, Herr Frey ! " said Emich, 
 sharply, and much in the manner that a parent reproves 
 his child. " I am luckily arrived, and the matter shall be 
 looked to. Have ye bethought ye of the fitting terms ? " 
 
 " No doubt all have bethought them much, though as 
 yet, none have uttered their secret opinions. For one, I 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 273 
 
 cry out loudly against all hostages, though none could be 
 readier than 1 to undergo this risk to serve the town ; but 
 it is admitting an error in too plain evidence, and carrieth 
 with it a confession that our faith is not to be depended 
 on." 
 
 This sentiment, which had long been struggling in Hein- 
 rich's breast, met with an audible echo in that of everyone 
 of the eleven who were likely, by situation and years, to 
 be chosen for this honorable distinction ; and every man 
 among them uttered some proper phrase concerning the 
 value of character, and the necessity of so demeaning them- 
 selves, as not to cheapen that of Duerckheim. Emich lis- 
 tened coolly, for it was of great indifference to him how 
 much the burghers were alarmed, since their fears could 
 only induce them the more to seek support from his in- 
 terest and power. 
 
 "Thou hast then refused the conditions ?" 
 
 " We have done nothing, Herr Count, but we have 
 thought much and sorely, as hath just been said. I take 
 it, the gold and tlie hc^stagcs will find but little favor 
 among us ; but, rather than keep the Palatinate in a dis- 
 turbed and insecure state, and as we are quiet burghers, 
 who look to peace and the means of getting their 
 ])read, our answer may not be so short, could the 
 matter be brought down to a few chosen penitents and 
 pilgrimages. Thougli half of Brother Luther's mind in 
 many things, it were well to get quit of even the chances' 
 of damnation, for a few sore feet and stripes, that might be 
 so managed as to do little civic harm." 
 
 " By the lineage of my house ! excellent Heinrich, thou 
 dost but echo my thoughts. The Prior is a man with 
 bowels, and this matter shall be speedily arranged. We 
 must bethink us of the details, for these monks are close 
 calculators, and on a time are said to have outwitted Luci- 
 fer. First then, there shall be an offering of gold." 
 
 "Nay, my Lord Count will consider the means of our 
 town ! " 
 
 "Peace, honest Ilcinrich," whispered Emich, leaning to- 
 waid the place where the Burgomaster and two or three 
 of the principal members of the council sat — " We have 
 acc(junts from the Hebrews at Ko(;ln, which say the Lim- 
 burg treasures mav be well applic.'d, in this manner, to 
 purcliase a little peace. We will be liberal as becomes our 
 names," lie n(jw spoke to all, "and not send the brother- 
 18 
 
274 THE HEIDENMAURR. 
 
 hood naked into a world, which is getting every day less 
 disposed to clothe them ; we must drain our coffers rather 
 than they should starve, and this point may be looked 
 upon as settled. As for our penitents and pilgrims, the 
 castle and the town shall equally furnish a share. I can 
 send the lieutenant of my men-at-arms, who hath a nimble 
 foot — Gottlob the cow-herd, to whom punishment is fairly 
 due, on many general accounts — and others doubtless that 
 may be found. What good, of this nature, can Duerck- 
 heim supply ? " 
 
 " We are a homely people, high-born Graf, and having 
 fewer virtues than our betters, are not so well gifted either 
 in vices. As becometh a middle state, we are content 
 with no great excess in the one or the other of the more 
 striking qualities ; and yet I doubt not, neighbors, that at 
 need there might be among us men who would not fare 
 the worse for wholesome correction and fitting penances ?" 
 
 Heinrich looked about him, in an inquiring manner, 
 while each burgher passed the investigation on to the next, 
 as men forward a glance that they wish to think has no 
 application to themselves. The crowd at the door recoiled 
 a pace, and heads wxre turned curiously, and eyes roamed 
 among the inferiors, with quite as much expression as had 
 just been done by their superiors, 
 
 ** There are delinquents, young and thoughtless varlets, 
 who vex the town with their ribaldry and noise, that it 
 might do to scourge with the Church's rod," — suggested 
 the tremulous and aged Wolfgang. 
 
 " St. Benedict will be put off with none of these," bluffly 
 answered the Burgomaster ; " he must have men of sub- 
 stance and of some esteem, or the affair will be as far as 
 ever from a happy conclusion. What thinkest thou, honest 
 and patriotic Dietrich ? — Thou hast a constitution to en- 
 dure, and a heart of iron." 
 
 *' Tausend sex und zwanzig ! " returned the smith ; " you 
 little know all my ailings, most worshipful masters, if you 
 tliink I am near this force ! I have difficulties of breath, 
 that are only at peace near the heat of the forge, and my 
 heart gets soft as a feather on a journey. Then there is the 
 wife and the young to wail my absence, and I am not 
 scholar enough to repeat a prayer more than some six or 
 ten times in a day." 
 
 This excuse did not appear to satisfy the council, who, 
 acting on that principle of exaction which is found among 
 
THE FIEIDENMAUER. 275 
 
 all people and in all communities, felt disposed to recollect 
 the former services of the artisan, as a sort of apology for 
 further claims on his exertions, 
 
 " Nay, for one that hatli ever been so free at the wish of 
 Duerckheim, this plea cometh with an ill grace," answered 
 Heinrich, — a sentiment that was audibly repeated in a gen- 
 eral exclamation of discontent by all the other burghers. — 
 "We expected other reply from thee ! " 
 
 " Well, since the worshipful council expects — but there 
 will be the wife and the young, with none to care for 
 them ! " 
 
 " That difficulty may be disposed of — thou hast six, if I 
 remember, in thv household ?" 
 
 ^' Ten, honorable Heinrich — not a moutli less than half 
 a score, and all of an age to require much food and 
 strong," 
 
 *' Here are all but two of our dozen, in a word, noble 
 Emich," promptly added the Burgomaster; "and of a 
 scriptural quality, for we are told, the prayers and sacri- 
 fices of the young and innocent are acceptable. Thanks, 
 honest smith, and more than thanks : thou shalt have marks 
 of a qualitv different from those left by the scourge. No 
 doubt the others may be picked up among the useless and 
 idle." 
 
 " Our affairs seem settled, loving burghers," answered 
 the Count. " Leave me to dispose of the question of in- 
 demnity, and look ye to the penitents, and to the seemli- 
 ncss of the atonement. Ye may retire, ye that throng tlie 
 way." — The mandate was hurriedly obeyed, and the door 
 closed, — " As for support at Heidelberg and Madrid," con- 
 tinued the Count, "the matter hath been looked to ; and 
 sliould the com})laint be pushed beyond decency at Rome, 
 we have always Brother Luther as an ally. Bonifacius 
 wanteth not for understanding, and wlien he looks deeper 
 into our defences, nnd into tiie humor of the times, I know 
 him for (jne that will be disposed to stay an evil, before it 
 becomes an incurable sore. These shaven crowns, Master 
 Heinrich, are not like us fatliers (jf families, much troubled 
 f(;r posterity ; foi- they leave no name or bUnnl behind 
 them ; and so long as we can fairly satisfy their present 
 longings, the truce may be considered as UKjre than half 
 concluded. To strip a churcliman of his hoardings, needeth 
 but a bold spirit, a present bribe, and strong hand." 
 
 The whole council nuirmured its approval of this rea- 
 
276 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 soning, and the discussion now took a turn more inclining 
 to the details. 
 
 Emich grew gracious, and the burghers bolder. Some 
 even laughed openly at their late apprehensions, and near- 
 ly all thought they saw a final settlement of this long-dis- 
 puted and serious question. The Prior, who had been 
 engaged in visits of religious charity in the town, was soon 
 summoned, and the Count assumed the office of com- 
 municating the common answer. 
 
 The meeting between Emich and Father Arnolph was 
 characteristic. It took place in the public hall, and in 
 the presence of a few of the principal burghers. The 
 Count was at first disposed to be haughty, imperious, 
 and even repulsive ; but the Monk was meek, earnest, and 
 calm. The effect of this forbearance was quickly appar- 
 ent. Their intercourse soon grew more courteous, for 
 Emich, when not excited, or misled by the cupidity that 
 disgraced the age, possessed most of the breeding of his 
 peers. On the other hand, Arnolph never lost sight 
 of his duties, the chiefest of which he believed to be 
 charity. 
 
 "Thou art the bearer of the olive brancli, holy Prior," 
 said the Count, as they took their seats, after some little 
 previous parley ; "and pity 'tis, that all wiio wear the cowl, 
 did not as well comprehend the pleasantest quality of their 
 sacred characters. The world would grow less quarrel- 
 some, and we who w^orship in the court of the temple, 
 would be less disturbed by doubts touching those who lift 
 its veil." 
 
 " I did not look to hold discussion of clerkly duties w^ith 
 thee. Lord Count, when my superior sent me on this er- 
 rand to the town of Duerckheim," mildly answered the 
 monk, indifferent to the other's wily compliments. "Am 
 I, then, to consider the castle and the council as one ?" 
 
 " In heart, humor, and interests ; — I miglit add also, in 
 rights and sovereignty ; for, now all question of the Abbey 
 is settled, the ancient temporal rule is replaced. — Say I 
 well, loving burghers?" 
 
 " Umph !" ejaculated Heinrich. The rest bent their 
 heads, though doubtingly, like men taken by surprise. 
 But Emich seemed perfectly satisfied. 
 
 "It is of no great moment who governs here, since the 
 wrong done to God and our brotherhood must be repaired 
 by those who have committed it. Hast thou examined the 
 
THE ITEIDENMAUER. z'jj 
 
 missive of tlie Abbey, Herr Burgomaster, and art ready 
 with the reply ?" 
 
 " This duty hath been done, reverend Arnolph, and here 
 is our answer. As for the letter, it is our mature opinion, 
 that it hath been indited in a fair hand, and in very learned 
 Latin, as befitteth a brotherhood of so much repute. We 
 deem this more creditable, since there have been some late 
 heavy losses in books, and he who did this might not have 
 the customary aid of materials to which use had made him 
 familiar. As f(^r what hath been said in the way of greet- 
 ing and benedictions, holy Prior, we are thankful, and 
 most especially for the part that is of thy share, which 
 we esteem to be of particular unction ; in mine own behalf, 
 especially would I thank all of the convent for the manner 
 in which my name hath been introduced into their good 
 wishes ; though I must add, it were better that he who 
 wrote had been content to stop there, since these frequent 
 introductions of private personages, in matters of general 
 concernment, are apt to raise envy and other evil passions. 
 As respecting, moreover, any especial pilgrimages and 
 penances in my own person, I feel not the occasion, as 
 would doubtless be tlie fact at need, since we see most 
 men pricked on to these mortifications by their own con- 
 sciences." 
 
 " The expiation is not sought for particular consolation, 
 neither is it desired as a balm to the Convent's wounds, 
 but as an humble and a necessary atonement to God. In 
 tliis view have we deemed it important to choose those 
 who are most esteemed among men, since it is before the 
 eyes of mankind that the expiation must be made. I am 
 the bearer of similar proposals to the Castle, and, by high 
 ecclesiastical authority, am I charged to demand that its 
 well-born lord, himself, make these acknowledgments in 
 his own person. The sacrifice of the honored and innc^cent 
 hath more flavor than that of the mean and wicked." 
 
 " Potz Tausend ! " muttered Ileinrich. — "I sec little 
 use for leading a clean life with such doctrines and disci- 
 pline ! " 
 
 But Emich heard the proposal without a frown. Bold, 
 haughty, and audacious, he wasalsci deeply artful and 
 superstitious. For years, his rude mind had been tor- 
 mented by conflicting passions — those <jf cupidity and re- 
 ligious dread ; and now that the former was satisfied, he 
 had begun to rellect seriously of appeasing his latent up- 
 
278 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 prehensions in some effectual manner. Plans of various 
 expiatory offerings had already crossed his mind, and so 
 far from hearing the declaration of the Benedictine with 
 resentment, he entertained the idea with pleasure. It 
 seemed an easy and cheap expedient of satisfying all scru- 
 ples ; for the re-establishment of the community on the 
 hill of Limburg was a condition he knew to be entirely 
 out of the question, in the present state of the public mind 
 in Germany. In this humor, then, did he reply. The con- 
 ference of course proceeded harmoniously, and it was pro- 
 tracted for several hours. But as its results will be more 
 regularly developed in the course of the narrative, we 
 shall not anticipate events. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 "In a strange land 
 Such things, however trivial, reach the heart, 
 And through the heart the head, clearing away 
 The narrow notions that grew up at home. 
 And in their place grafting good-will to all." — ROGERS. 
 
 It is necessary to advance a few weeks in the order of 
 time ; a change that will bring us to the middle of the 
 warm and generous month of July. The hour was towards 
 the close of day, and the place and scenery such as it is 
 now our duty to describe. 
 
 Let the reader imagine a high naked down, whose sur- 
 face was slightly broken by irregularities. Scarce a tree 
 was visible over the whole of its bald face, though a few 
 stunted shrubs betrayed the efforts of the earth to push 
 forth a meagre vegetation. The air was pure, thin, and 
 volatile, and, together with the soft blue of the void, de- 
 noted a great elevation above the vapors and impurities 
 which linger nearer to regions that lie on the level of the 
 sea. Notwithstanding these never-failing signs of a moun- 
 tain country, here and there were to be seen distant peaks, 
 that shot upward into the fierce light, glittering with ever- 
 lasting frost. Along one side of tliis naked expanse, the 
 land fell suddenly away, towards a hmg, narrow sheet of 
 water, which lay a thousand feet below. The shores of 
 this lake, for such it was, were clothed with innumer- 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER, 279 
 
 jiblc white dwellings, and garnished with hamlets and vinc- 
 ^-^rds, while a wailed town, with its towers and battle- 
 ments, occasionally darkened the shores. But these were 
 objects scarcely to be seen, from the precise situation 
 which we desire the mind of the reader to occupy. In the 
 distant view, always in that direction, one favorably placed 
 might have seen a vast range of undulating country, stretch- 
 ing towards the north and east, that had the usual charac- 
 teristics of a region in which Alpine mountains begin 
 gradually to melt into the plain. This region was beauti- 
 fied with several spots of dark blue, resembling so many 
 deep reflections of the skies, which wxre sheets of limpid 
 and tranquil water. Tow^ards the south and west, the down 
 was bounded by a natural wall of rude and gray rock, that 
 rose, in nearly all its line, to the elevation of a mountain, 
 and which shot up to a giddy height, near its centre, in two 
 pointed cones, that, by their forms, coupled with other 
 circimistances that shall be soon explained, had obtained 
 the name of the " Mitres." 
 
 Near the barrier of mountain, and almost directly be- 
 neath these natural mitres, was a small village, whose 
 houses, constructed of wood, had the wide roofs, numer- 
 ous windows, and the peculiar resin-like color of Swiss 
 habitations. 
 
 The place was a hamlet, rather than a village, and most 
 of tlie land around it lay at w^aste, like all that was visible 
 for miles, in every direction. On a rising ground near the 
 hamlet, from which it was separated merely by a large es- 
 planade, or green, as we should be apt to term the spot, 
 stood one of those mazes of roofs, chimneys, and towers, 
 wliich in that age, and indeed, even now, mark a conven- 
 tual pile. The edifices were large, complicated in their 
 forms and order, and had been constructed without much 
 architectural kn(jwledge or taste ; the air of tiie whole be- 
 ing that of rude but abundant wealth. In the centre was 
 a church, or cliapel, evidentlv of ancient existence and 
 simjjle origin, though its quaint outlines were elaborately 
 decorated, after the fashion of tlie times, by a variety of 
 after-thoughts, in a manncn- to show that means were not 
 wanting to render tiie whole more magnificent, and that 
 tlie fault of the construction lay rather in the first idea, 
 than in any subsccjuent ability or inclination to repair it. 
 
 Tiie site i)f this hamlet and d(jwn was in the celebrated 
 Canton of Scliwytz, a small district that has since given its 
 
28o THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 name to the heroic confederation that occupies so much 
 of the country among and near the Western Alps. Its 
 name was Einsiedlen ; the monastic buildings belonged 
 to a convent of Benedictines, and the church contained 
 one of the shrines even then most in repute, after that of 
 Loretto. Time and revolutions have since elevated our 
 Lady of Einsiedlen, perhaps, to the very highest rank 
 among the pilgrimages of the Catholic ; for we have lately 
 seen thousands crowding her altars, while we found the 
 Santa Casa abandoned chiefly to the care of its guardians, 
 or subject to the casual inspection of curious heretics. 
 
 Having thus described the spot to which the scene is 
 shifted, it is proper to refer to the actors. 
 
 At a point distant less than a league from the hamlet, 
 and on the side of the open down just mentioned, which 
 lies next to the steep ascent from the lake of Zurich, and 
 in the direction of the Rhine, there came a group of trav- 
 ellers of both sexes, and apparently of all ages between 
 declining manhood and vigorous youth. They were afoot, 
 wearing the garb and symbols of pilgrims. Weariness had 
 caused them to lengthen their line, and they went in pairs, 
 the strongest in front, the feeble and more fatigued in the 
 rear. 
 
 In advance marched two men. One wore the gown and 
 cowl of a Benedictine, while he carried, like the rest, the 
 staff and wallet of a pilgrim. His companion had the usual 
 mantle decorated with scollop shells, and also bore his 
 scrip and stick. The others had the same attire, with the 
 usual exceptions that distinguish the sexes. They con- 
 sisted of two men of middle age, who followed those in 
 front ; two of each sex in pairs, all still young and active ; 
 two females, who were in their prime, though wearied and 
 sad ; and a maiden, who dragged her limbs after them with 
 a difficulty disproportioncd to her years. At the side of 
 the latter was a crone, whose infirmities and age had en- 
 abled her to obtain the indulgence of an ass, on which she 
 was seated comparatively at her ease ; though, by a li- 
 cense that had been winked at by the monk, her saddle 
 was encumbered with the scrips of most of the female pen- 
 itents. In the rear of all came two males, who seemed to 
 form a sort of rear guard to the wliole party. 
 
 This group was composed of the Prior and Emich, who 
 led the van ; of Heinrich, and Dietrich, the smith ; of 
 Gisela and Gottlob, with a youth and maiden from Duerck- 
 
THE IIEIDENMAUER. 281 
 
 hcim ; of Ulrike and Lottchen, of Mcta and Use, and of 
 M. Latouche and the Knight of Rhodes. These were the 
 penitents chosen to expiate the late offence to the majesty 
 of God, by prayers and mortifications before the shrine of 
 Einsiedlen. The temporal question had been partially put 
 at rest, by the intrigues and influence of the Count, backed, 
 as he was, by timely applications of gold, and by the in- 
 creasing heresy that had effectually shaken the authority 
 of the Church throughout all Germany, and whicli had 
 sufficiently apprized the practised Bonifacius, and his su- 
 periors, of the expediency of using great moderation in 
 their demands. 
 
 " St. Benedict make us thankful, holy father ! " .said the 
 Count, as his gratified eye first beheld the long-wished-for 
 roofs of the Convent. — " We have journeyed a weary dis- 
 tance ; and this snail's pace, which, in deference to the 
 w^eak, we are bound to observe, but little suits the impa- 
 tience of a warrior accustomed to steed and spur. Thou 
 hast often visited this sacred shrine, pious Arnolph ? " 
 
 The Monk had stopped, and with a tearful eye he stood 
 gazing, in religious reverence, at the distant pile. Then 
 kneeling on the grass, he prayed, while the others, accus- 
 tomed to these sudden demonstrations of zeal, gladly 
 rested their limbs, the while. 
 
 " Never before hath eye of mine greeted yon holy pile," 
 answered the Prior, as they slowly resumed their journey ; 
 "though often, in night dreams, hath my soul yearned for 
 the privilege ! " 
 
 '' Methinks, Father, thou hast little occasion for peni- 
 tence or pilgrimage : — thou, whose life hath rolled on in 
 deeds of Christian charity and love." 
 
 " Each day brings its evil, and each day should have its 
 expiation." 
 
 "Truly, not in marches over stony and mountain paths, 
 like these we travel. Einsiedlen must have especial vir- 
 tue, to draw men so far from their homes to do it honor, 
 iiast tiie history of the shrine at conuuand, reverend 
 Prior ? " 
 
 " It should be known to all Christians, and chiefly to the 
 pilgrim. I had thought thee instructed in these great 
 events ! " 
 
 "By the Magi! — to speak thee honestly, Father Ar- 
 nolph, the little friendship which hath subsisted between 
 Limburg and my house, had given a disrelish for any 
 
2 82 THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 Benedictine miracle, let it be of what quality it would ; but 
 now that we are likely to be so lovingly united, I could 
 gladly hear the tale, which will at least serve to divert our 
 thoughts from a subject so grovelling as our own feet ; for 
 to conceal nothing, mine make most importunate appeals 
 to be at rest ! " 
 
 " Our journey draweth near its end ; but, as thy request 
 is reasonable, it shall be answered. Listen, then, Emich, 
 and may the lesson profit thy soul! During the reign of 
 the illustrious and warlike Charlemagne, who governed 
 Gaul, with so much of our Germany and the country of 
 the Franks, there lived a youth of the ancient family of 
 Hohenzollern, branches of which still possess principalities 
 and marches in the empire. The name of this learned and 
 pious youth was Meinard. Early fatigued with the vani- 
 ties of life, he sought a hermitage, nearer than this to the 
 banks of that lake which we so lately crossed at Rapper- 
 schwyl. But, overburdened by the number of the curious 
 and pious who visited his cell, the holy Meinard, after sev- 
 en years of prayer, retired to a clear fountain, which must 
 still run near yonder church, where another cell and a 
 chapel were built for him, expressly by command of Flil- 
 degarde, a royal lady, and the Abbess of a monastery in 
 the town of Zurich. ITere Meinard lived and here he died, 
 filled w^th grace, and greatly blessed by godly exercises." 
 
 " Father, had he a profitable and happy end, in this wild 
 region ! " 
 
 " Spiritually, nothing could have been more desirable ; 
 temporally, naught more foul. He died by the hands of 
 vile assassins, to whom he had rendered hospitality. The 
 deed was discovered by means of two crows, who followed 
 the murderers to Zurich, where they were taken and ex- 
 ecuted — at least, so sayeth tradition. In a later age, the 
 holy Meinard was canonized by Benedict VIII. For nearly 
 half a century, the cell of Meinard, though in great request 
 as a place of prayer, remained without a tenant ; but at 
 the end of that period, Beurun, a canon of the house of 
 Burgundy, which house then ruled most of the country far 
 and near, caused the chapel and cell to be repaired, re- 
 placed the image of the blessed Maria, and devoted his own 
 life to the hermitage. The neighboring Seigneurs and 
 Barons contributed to endow the place, and divers holy 
 men joined themiselves to the service of the altar, from 
 which circumstance the shrine obtained the name of our 
 
THE IlEIDENMAUER. 2S3 
 
 * Lady of the Hermits,* its true appellation to this hour. 
 It would weary thee to listen to the tale of miracles per- 
 formed in virtue of their prayers, even in that early and 
 less gifted condition of the place ; but its reputation 
 so circulated that many came from afar to see and to be- 
 lieve. In the process of time, a regular community was 
 established, and the church thou seest was erected, con- 
 taining in its nave the original cell, chapel, and image of 
 Saint Meinard. Of the brotherhood, Saint Eberhaud was 
 named the Abbot." 
 
 " I had thought there was still higher virtue in the 
 place ! " observed Emich, when the Prior paused, and seem- 
 ingly a little disappointed ; for your deep sinner as little 
 likes a simple dispensation, as the drunkard relishes small 
 drinks. 
 
 " Thou shalt hear. When the buildings were completed, 
 and it became necessary to C(3nsecrate the place, agree- 
 ably to tlie forms and usages of the Church, Conrad Bisliop 
 of Constance, was invited to discharge the holy office. 
 Here comcth the wonderful favor of Heaven ! As Conrad 
 of Constance, with other pious men, arose to pray, al' 
 midnight of the day appointed for the service, they sud- 
 denly heard divine music most sweetly chanted by angels. 
 Though sore amazed and impressed, they were still suffi- 
 ciently masters of their reason to discover that the unseen 
 beings sang the prescribed formula of the consecration, 
 that office which they were preparing themselves to per- 
 form a few hours later. Satisfied with this especial and 
 wonderful interference, Conrad would have abstained 
 from repeating a service which had already been thus per- 
 formed, but for the demands and outcries of the ignorant, 
 liiit when, after hours of delay, he was about to yield to 
 their impatience, a clear voice three times admonished 
 him of the blasphemy, by saying, 'Cease, brother! thy 
 chapel is divinely consecrated ! ' From that moment the 
 place is so esteemed, and nil our rites are performed as at 
 a shrine of high behest and jiarticular virtue." 
 
 Emich crossed himself devoutly, liaving listened in })er- 
 fect faith, and with deep interest ;— hn* at that moment 
 early impressions were stronger than the modern doubts. 
 
 " It is good to be here, father," he reverently answered ; 
 " I would that Ermengarde, and all of my house, were at 
 mv side ! But are there any especial favors accorded to 
 those who come hither, in a litting temper, in the way of 
 
284 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 temporal gifts or political considerations ; since, being be- 
 fore a shrine so holy, I could fain profit by the sore pains 
 and privations by which the grace is gained ?" 
 
 The Prior seemed mortified, for, though he lent the 
 faith required by the opinions of the age to the tradition 
 he had recounted, he was too well instructed in the true 
 doctrines of his Church not to perceive the false bias of his 
 companion's mind. The embarrassment caused a silence, 
 during which the reader is to imagine that they passed on, 
 giving place to other personages of the tale. 
 
 Before turning to another group, however, we desire to 
 say distinctly, that, in relating the manner of the miracu- 
 lous consecration of the chapel of 'Our Lady of the Her- 
 mits,' we have wished merely to set the tradition before the 
 reader without inferring aught for, or against, its authen- 
 ticity. It is well known that the belief of these super- 
 natural interferences of Divine Power forms no necessary 
 part of doctrine, even in that Church which is said to be 
 the most favored by these dispensations ; and it ought 
 always to be remembered that those sects which impugn 
 these visible and physical signs of Omnipotence, entertain 
 opinions of a more purely spiritual character, that are 
 scarcely less out of the course of ordinary and vulgar 
 nature. In cases in which there exist so nice shades of 
 distinction, and in which truth is so difficult of discovery, 
 it is our duty to limit ourselves to popular facts, and as 
 such have we given the history of Einsiedlen, its Ab- 
 bey, and its Virgin. The opinion of Father Arnolph is 
 the local opinion of our own times, and it is the opin- 
 ion of thousands who, even now, yearly frequent the 
 shrine. 
 
 Heinrich and the smith were the couple next to the 
 Count and the Prior, and of course they were the next to 
 cross the stage. 
 
 " It is no doubt much, or I may add altogether as you 
 say, Worshipful Burgomaster " 
 
 '• Brother Pilgrim," ruefully interrupted Heinrich. 
 
 " I should have said. Brother Worshipful Pilgrim, — 
 though. Heaven it knows, the familiarity goes nigh to 
 choke me ! — but it is much as you say, that whether we 
 cling to Rome, or finally settle quietly into the new wor- 
 ship of Brother Luther, this journey ought, in all fairness, 
 to be set down to our account, as of so much virtue ; for, 
 look you, Brother Worshipful, it is made at the cost of 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 285 
 
 Christian Hesh and blood, and therefore slioiild it be 
 savory, witiioiit nuicli particularity concerning mere out- 
 ward apjicarances. I do not think, were truth spoken, that 
 wielding the sledge a twelve-month would have done this 
 injury to my feet ! " 
 
 " Have mercy on thyself and me, good smith, and think 
 less of these trifling grievances. What Heaven wills must 
 liappen, else would one of thy merit have risen higher in 
 the world." 
 
 " Thanks, Worshipful Brother Pilgrim and Burgomaster ; 
 I will bethink me of resignation, though these w4re-drawn 
 pains are never to the liking of your men of muscle and 
 great courage. A knock o' the head, or the bullet of an 
 arquebuse gives less uneasiness than smaller griefs much 
 endured. Were things properly governed, the penances 
 and pilgrimages, and other expiations of the Church, would 
 be chiclly left to the women." 
 
 "We shall see hereafter how Luther hath ordered this ; 
 but having ourselves embarked in this journey for the go(jd 
 of Duerckheim, to sav nothing of our own souls, it be- 
 hooveth us to hold (nit manfullv ; — a duty the more easily 
 performed, as we can now see the end of it. To speak thee 
 fair, Dietrich, I do not remember ever to have beheld Ben- 
 edictine abode with S(j much joy as this we see at yonder 
 mountain's foot ! " 
 
 " Be of cheer, most honorable and excellent Brother 
 Worshipful Pilgrim ; the trial is near its end, and if we 
 come thus far to do this honor to our own community, 
 why, — Himmel! it is but the price paid for getting rid of 
 another ! " 
 
 " Be of cheer, truly, brother smith, for it is but some 
 kneeling, and a few stripes that each is 10 apply to his own 
 back ; after which the return will reasonably be mt)re joy- 
 ous than the advance." 
 
 Encouraged by each other, the devotees hobbled on, 
 their heavy massive frames yielding at every step, like 
 those of overgrown oxen which had been but indifferently 
 shod. As they passed by, their places were filled by the 
 four, of wh(jm Gisela and Gottlob formed a part. Among 
 these the discourse was light and trilling, for bodily fatigue 
 had little influence on the joyous buoyancy of sucli spirits ; 
 especially at a moment when they saw before them tlie im- 
 mediate termination of their troubles. Not so with those 
 that came next ; these were Ulrike and her friend, who 
 
2S6 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 moved along the path, like those who were loaded with 
 griefs of the soul. 
 
 " God is among these hills, as he is on our plains, Lott- 
 chen ! " said the former, continuing the discourse. "Yon 
 temple is his shrine, as was that of Limburg; and it 
 is as vain for man to think of forgetting him on earth, 
 as it would be to invade him in that Heaven which is 
 His throne ! What he doth is wise, and we will endeavor 
 to submit" 
 
 The words of Ulrike were perhaps more touched with 
 resignation than her manner. The latter, though subdued, 
 was filled with sorrow, and her voice was tremulous nearly 
 to tears. Though the exhibition of her melancholy was 
 deep and evident, it was of a character which denotes no 
 extinction of hope. On the other hand, the features, eye, 
 and entire manner of her friend, bore the heavy and fatal 
 impress of incurable woe. 
 
 " God is among these hills ! " repeated Lottchen, though 
 she scarce seemed to hear the words ; " God is among these 
 hills!" 
 
 "We approach a much-esteemed shrine, dearest Lott- 
 chen ; the Being, in whose name it hath been raised, will 
 not permit us to depart from it unblessed." 
 
 "We shall be blessed, Ulrike!" 
 
 " Thou dwellest hopelessly on thy loss, my Lottchen ! 
 Would thou had less thought of the past, and more of the 
 future ! " 
 
 The smile with which the widow regarded her friend 
 was full of anguish. 
 
 " I have no future, Ulrike, but the grave ! " 
 
 " Dearest Lottchen ! — we will speak of this holy shrine ! " 
 Emotion smothered her voice. 
 
 "Speak of what thou wilt, my friend," answered the 
 childless widow, with a frightful calm. " I see no dif- 
 ference in subjects." 
 
 "Lottchen ! — not when we discourse of Heaven ! " 
 
 The widow bowed her vacant eyes to earth, and they 
 passed on. Their footsteps v/crc succeeded by those of 
 the beast ridden by Use, and by the faltering tread of Meta. 
 
 " Aye, — yon is the shrine of our Lady of the Hermits ! " 
 said the former ; " a temple of surpassing virtue ! Well, 
 Heaven is not in churches and chapels, and that of Lim- 
 burg may yet be spared ; the more especially as the broth- 
 erhood was far from being of unexceptionable lives. Keep 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 2S7 
 
 up thy heart, Mcta, and think not of weariness, for not a 
 pain dost thou now bear that will not be returned to thee, 
 another day, in joy, or in some other preeious gift. This 
 is Heaven's justice, wliicli is certain to requite all equally, 
 for good or evil Well-a-day ! — it is this certainty that 
 comforteth the godly, and givcth courage to the totter- 
 iag." 
 
 She spoke to an insensible listener. The countenance 
 of Meta, like that of Lottchen, expressed hopelessness, 
 though it were in less palpable and certain signs. The 
 eye was dull but wandering, the cheek pale, the mouth 
 convulsive and at times compressed, the step languid, and 
 the whole being of this young and innocent creature 
 seemed wasting under a premature and unnatural blight ! 
 Slie looked at the convent with indifference, though it 
 brought relief to her bodily pains. The mountains rose 
 dark and rugged near, or glittered in the distance like hills 
 of alabaster, without giving birth to a single exclamation 
 of that delight wiiich these scenes are known to excite in 
 young breasts ; and even the pure void above was gazed 
 at, thougii it seemed to invite to a more tranquil existence, 
 with vacuity and indifference. 
 
 "Ah's me!" continued Use, whose observation rarely 
 penetrated beyond her own feelings, and whose tongue was 
 never known to wax weary — " All's me ! Meta. O ! it must 
 be a wicked world that needs all these pilgrimages and 
 burnings. But they are only types, child, of the past and 
 of the future; of the *has been,' and of the 'to come.* 
 First, life is a pilgrimage, and a penance ; though few of 
 us think so while journeying on its way; but so it is to all ; 
 especially to the little favored — but a penance it is, by 
 means of our ailings and other infirmities, particularly in 
 age ; and therefore do I bear witli it cheerfully, since pen- 
 ances are to be borne ; and the burnings of convents and 
 villages arc types of the burnings of the wicked. Thou 
 dost not answer, child ?" 
 
 "Dost think, nurse, that they who die by fire are 
 blessed ! " 
 
 *'Of what art speaking, Meta! — Poor Berchthold Ilin- 
 termayer perished, as thou knowest, in the ilames of Lim- 
 burg ; so did Father Johan, and so did one, far more evil 
 than either! — Oh! I could reveal secrets, an' I had not a 
 prudent tongue ! But wisdom lieth in jirudence, and I 
 say naught ; therefore, Meta, be thou silent." 
 
288 THE HEIDENMAUKR. 
 
 " I will obey thee, nurse." 
 
 The tones of the girl trembled, and the smile with which 
 she gladly acquiesced in the demand of Use was such as 
 the sinking invalid gives the kind attendant. 
 
 " Thou art dutiful, and it is a merit. I never knew thee 
 more obedient and less given to merriment or girlish ex- 
 clamations, than on this very pilgrimage ; all of which 
 shows that thy mind is in a happy state for these holy 
 offices. Well-a-day ! — the pious Arnolph has halted, and 
 now we are about, in sooth, to reap the virtue of all our 
 labors. Oh ! an' I had been a monk, thou wouldest have 
 had a leader! " 
 
 Use beat the sides of the patient animal she rode, and 
 Meta toiled after, as well as her trembling limbs permitted. 
 The Knight and the Abbe came last. 
 
 "Thou hast made many of these pious expiations, rev- 
 erend Abbe?" observed the former, when they had risen 
 the hill, which commanded a view of the convent. 
 
 " Never another. Had not chance made me an innocent 
 participator in the destruction of Limburg, this indignity 
 would have been spared." 
 
 " How ! callest thou a pilgrimage, and prayer at a shrine, 
 an indignity ? — thou, a churchman ! " 
 
 " Gallant Knight, I speak to thee as to a comrade of 
 many days, and of weary passages ; as one enlightened. 
 Thou knowest the constitution of earth, and the divers 
 materials that compose society. We have doctrines for all ; 
 but practices must be mitigated, like medicaments to the 
 sick. Your pilgrimage is well enough for the peasant, or 
 the citizen, or even for your noble of the Provinces, but 
 their merit is much questioned among us of the capitals — 
 unless, indeed, there should mingle some hope for the fut- 
 ure ; but penance for deeds accomplished we hold to be 
 supererogatory." 
 
 " By my rapier ! no such doctrine was in vogue at 
 Rhodes, where all ordinances were much respected, and 
 uniformly admitted." 
 
 " And had ye then these familiar practices of religion in 
 your daily habits, Sir Knight ?" 
 
 " I say not in practice ; but ever in admission. Thou 
 knowest the distinction, Sir Abbe, between the purity of 
 doctrine, and some constructions of practice." 
 
 "That doubtless. Were we to tie the gentle down to all 
 the observances and exactions of a severe theory, there 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 289 
 
 would grow lip numberless inconveniences. For myself, 
 had it been possible to preserve the ecclesiastical charac- 
 ter, without penance under the odium of this unhappy but 
 accidental visit to our host the Count, I could have dis- 
 pensed with the last act of the drama." 
 
 " 'Tis whispered, Herr Latouche, my cousin bethought 
 him, that the presence of an ecclesiastic might prove a 
 cloak to his intentions, and that we owe the pleasure of thy 
 agreeable society to a policy that is deeper than chance ! " 
 
 Albrecht of Viederbach laughed, as he intimated this 
 ruse of Emich ; and his companion, who had long per- 
 ceived how completely he had been the dupe of his host, 
 for in truth he knew nothing previously of the intended 
 assault, was fain to make the best of his situation. He 
 laughed, in his turn, as the loose of principle make light 
 of any misadventure that may happen to be the conse- 
 quence of their laxity of morals ; and, pressing each other, 
 on their several parts in the late events, the two proceeded 
 leisurely towards the spot where the Prior and Emich, as 
 leaders of the party, had now come to a halt. We shall 
 profit by the occasion to make some necessary explanations. 
 
 We are too much accustomed in this Protestant country, 
 to believe, that most of the piety of those who profess the 
 religion of Rome consists in externals. When the great 
 antiquity of this Church shall be remembered, as well as 
 the general tendency, in the early ages, to imitate the 
 forms and habits of tlieir immediate predecessors, it should 
 not occasion surprise if some observances were retained, 
 that cannot very clearly be referred, either to apostolic 
 authority or to reason. The promulgation of abstract 
 truth dcjcs n(jt necessarily infer a departure from those 
 practices whicii have become of value by use, even though 
 they may wiA materially assist in the attainment of the 
 great end. We have inherited many of the vestments and 
 ceremcmies, which are retained in the Protestant churches, 
 from Pagan priests ; nor is there any sufficient motive for 
 abandcming tlicm, so long as they aid the decencies of wor- 
 ship, witliout weakening its real objects. The Pagans 
 themselves probably derived some of these very practices, 
 from those whom we are taught to believe held direct com- 
 munion with God, and who should have best known in 
 what manner to render human adoration most acceptable 
 to the ruler of the universe. 
 
 In this country, Catholicism, in its limited and popular 
 
 19 
 
290 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 meaning, is no longer catholic, since it is in so small a 
 minority as to have no perceptible influence on the opin- 
 ions or customs of the country. The outward symbols, 
 the processions, and all the peculiar ceremonies of the 
 Romish Churcti, are confined to the temples, and the eye 
 rarely or never meets any evidence of its existence be- 
 yond their walls. But in Europe the reverse is altogether 
 the case, more particularly in those countries in which the 
 spiritual sway of the head of the Church has not been in- 
 terrupted by any adventitious changes, proceeding from 
 political revolutions, or other powerful causes. The cruci- 
 fix, the spear, the cock, the nails, and the sponge, are erect- 
 ed at cross-roads, — chapels dedicated to Mary are seen 
 near many a spring, or at the summit of some weary 
 mountain ; while the usual symbols of redemption are 
 found scattered along the highways, marking the site of 
 some death by accident, or the scene of a murder. 
 
 In no part of the other hemisphere are these evidences 
 of faith and zeal more common than in the Catholic can- 
 tons of Switzerland. Hermitages arc still frequent among 
 the rugged rocks of that region, and it is usual to see near 
 these secluded abodes a sort of minor chapel, that is term- 
 ed, in ordinary language, a "station." These stations are 
 so many tabernacles raised by the way-side, each contain- 
 ing a representation of one of the tvv^elve sufferings of 
 Christ. They are met equally on the side of Vesuvius, 
 overlooking the glorious sea and land of that unequalled 
 country ; among the naked w^astes of the Apennines ; or 
 buried in gorgeous groves ; as accident may have deter- 
 mined their location. In some of the valleys of Switzer- 
 land, these little tabernacles dot the mountain side for 
 miles, indicating by zig-zag lines and white w^alls the path 
 that leads from the village beneath to some shrine, that is 
 perhaps perched on the pinnacle of a naked rock, or 
 which stands on a spur of the nearest range. 
 
 The shrine of Einsiedlen possessed the usual number of 
 these tabernacles, stretching along the path that commu- 
 nicated with the lake of Zurich. They were designated in 
 the customary manner; each alluding to some one of those 
 great personal afflictions that preceded the crucifixion, and 
 each having sentences of holy writ, to incite the pious to 
 devotion. Here the pilgrims ordinarily commenced the 
 worship peculiar to the place, and it was here that the 
 Prior now awaited his companions. 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 291 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 ** Was Godde lo serche our licrtes andreines, 
 The best were synncrs grete ; 
 Christ's vycarr only knowes no synne, 
 Ynnealle thys mortall state." — Chatterton. 
 
 When all were arrived, the pilgrims divided themselves 
 along the path, some kneeling before one tabernacle, and 
 some at another. Ulrike and Lottchen, followed by the 
 pallid Meta, prayed long at each in succession. The other 
 females imitated their example, though evidently with less 
 zeal and earnestness. The Knight of Rhodes and Mon- 
 sieur Latouche limited their observances to a few genu- 
 flexions, and much rapid crossing of themselves with the 
 fingers, appearing to think their general professions of 
 faith possessed a virtue that superseded the necessity of 
 any extraordinary demonstrations of piety. Heinrich and 
 the smith were more particular in showing respect for the 
 prescribed forms ; the latter, who was secretly paid by his 
 townsmen for what he did, feeling himself bound in honor 
 to give them the worth of their money, and the Burgo- 
 master, in addition to his looking for great temporal ad- 
 vantages from the whole affair, being much influenced by 
 paternal regard for Duerckheim. As for Use, none was 
 more exact than she ; and, we may add, none more osten- 
 tatious. 
 
 " Mast bethought thee, Dietrich, to say an extra word in 
 behalf of the general interests?" demanded Heinrich, 
 while he patiently awaited the removal of the other, from 
 behjrc the last tabernacle, in order to assume the post him- 
 self. 
 
 *' Nay, worshipful l>iirgomaster " 
 
 " Brother Pilgrim, good smith !" 
 
 " Xay, worshiy)fiil brotiicr, and good pilgrim, there was 
 no question of this duty in the understanding." 
 
 " Hinunel ! Art such a IkuukI, Dietrich, as to need a 
 bribe to pray in thine own interest? Do tiiat thou hast 
 promised, for tlie penance, and in the interest of tlie 
 monks, and then bethink tliee, like an honest artisan, of 
 the town of wliich thou art a citizen. I never rise frcjni 
 my kiuMjs without counting a few beads on tl)e score oi 
 Duerckheim, and others for favor on the family of Frey." 
 
292 THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 " I cry you mercy, honorable Heinrich and excellent 
 brother Pilgrim ; the wish is reasonable, and it shall be 
 performed." 
 
 The smith then counted off his rosary, making place for 
 the Burgomaster as soon as he could conveniently get 
 through with the duty. In the mean time, Arnolph had 
 prayed devoutly, and with sincere mental abasement, be- 
 fore each station. 
 
 The pilgrims then arranged themselves in two lines, a 
 form of approaching the convent of Einsiedlen that is still 
 observed by thousands annually ; the men placing them- 
 selves on the right of the path in single files, and the fe- 
 males on its left, in a similar order. Arnolph walked 
 ahead, and the whole proceeded. Then began the repeti- 
 tion of the short prayers aloud. 
 
 Whoever has wandered much througli this remarkable 
 and wild country, must have frequently met with parties 
 of pilgrims, marching in the manner described, and utter- 
 ing their aspirations in the pure air, as they ascend to, or 
 descend from, the altar of *'our Lady of the Snow," on 
 the Rhigi, or wend their way among rocky and giddy 
 paths, seeking or returning from some other shrine. We 
 know of no display of human worship that is more touch- 
 ing or impressive than this. The temple is the most mag- 
 nificent on earth, the air is as limpid as mountain torrents 
 and a high region can bestow, while sound is conveyed to 
 the ear, in its clearest and most distinct tones, aided per- 
 haps by the echoes of dells that are nearly unfathomable, 
 or of impending masses that appear to prop the skies. 
 Long before the party is seen, the ear announces its ap- 
 proach by the music of the prayers ; for music it is in such 
 a place, the notes alternating regularly between the deep 
 bass of the male to the silvery softness of the female 
 voice. 
 
 Such was now the effect produced by the advance of our 
 party from the Palatinate. Father Arnolph gave the lead, 
 and the powerful lungs of Heinrich and the smith, though 
 much restrained, uttered the words in tones impressively 
 deep and audible. The response of the women was trem- 
 ulous, soft, and soothing. In this manner did they pro- 
 ceed for a mile, when they entered the street of the 
 hamlet. 
 
 An express had announced to the community of Ein- 
 siedlen the approach of the German penitents. By a sin- 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER, 293 
 
 gular perversion of the humble doctrines of the founder of 
 the religion, far more importance was attached to the ex- 
 piations and offerings of princes, and of nobles of high 
 degree, than to those which proceeded from sources that 
 were believed to be meaner. All the dwellers of the ham- 
 let, therefore, and most of the others that frequented the 
 shrine, were abroad to witness this expected procession. 
 The name of Emich was whispered from ear to ear, and 
 many curious eyes sought the form of the powerful 
 baron, under the guise common to the whole party. By 
 general consent, after much speculation, the popular 
 opinion settled on the person of the smith, as on the 
 illustrious penitent ; a distinction which Dietrich owed to 
 the strength of his lungs, to some advantage in stature, 
 and particularly to the zeal which, as a hireling, he thought 
 it just to throw into his air and manner. 
 
 Among the other traditions that serve to give a popular 
 celebrity to the shrine of our Lady of the Hermits, is one 
 which affirms that, on an occasion it is unnecessary to re- 
 late, the Son of God, in the form of man, visited this fa- 
 vored shrine. He is said to have assuaged his thirst at the 
 fountain which flows, with Swiss purity and profusion, be- 
 fore the door of the building ; and as tlie clear element has 
 been made to run through different metal tubes, it is a 
 custom of the Pilgrims, as they arrive, to drink a hasty 
 swallow at each, in order to obtain the virtue of a touch so 
 revered. There was also a plate of silver, that had marks 
 which were said to have been left by the fingers of Jesus, 
 and to these it was the practice to apply tlie hand. The 
 former usage is still universal ; though modern cupidity 
 has robbed the temple of the latter evidence of the reputed 
 visit, in consequence of the value of the metal which bore 
 its memorial, 
 
 Arnolph halted at the fountain, and, slowly making its 
 circuit, drank at each spout. He was followed by all of 
 his compani(jns. But he passed the silver plate, and en- 
 tered the building, praying aloud initil his foot was on 
 the threshold. Without stopping, he advanced and knelt 
 on the cold stones before the shrine, fastening his eye 
 the while on the carved image of Mary. The otliers imi- 
 tated his movements, and, in a few minutes, all were 
 kneeling before the far-famed chapel of the Divine Conse- 
 cration. 
 
 The ancient church of Einsicdlen (for the building has 
 
294 THE HEIDENMAUEK. 
 
 since been replaced by another still larger and more mag- 
 nificent) had been raised around the spot where the cell of 
 Saint Meinard originally stocjd. The chapel reputed to 
 have been consecrated by angels, was in this revered cell, 
 and the whole stood in the centre of tlie more modern 
 edifice. Tt was small, in comparison with the pile which 
 held it, but of sufficient size to admit of an officiating 
 priest, and to contain many rich offerings of the pious. 
 The whole was encased in marble, blackened by time and 
 the exhalations of lamps ; while the front, and part of the 
 sides, permitted a view of the interior, through openings 
 that were protected by gratings curiously and elaborately 
 wrought. 
 
 In the farther and dark extremity of this sacred chapel, 
 were the images of the Mother and Child. Their dresses, 
 as is usual at all much-worshipped shrines, were loaded 
 with precious stones and plates of gold. The face of each 
 had a dark and bronzed color, resembling the complexi(jn 
 of the far east, but which probably is a usage connected 
 with the association of an origin and destiny that are su- 
 perhuman. The whole was illuminated by strong lights, 
 in lamps of silver gilt, and the effect, to a mind indisposed 
 to doubt, was impressive, and of a singularly mvsterious 
 influence. Such was the shrine of our Lady of the Her- 
 mits at the time of our tale, and such it continues to be to 
 this day, with some immaterial additions and changes, that 
 are more the results of time than of opinion. 
 
 We have visited this resort of Catholic devotion in that 
 elevated region of hill and frost ; have strolled, near 
 the close of day, among its numerous and decorated 
 chapels ; have seen the bare-kneed peasant of the Black 
 Forest, the swarthy Hungarian, the glittering-eyed Pied- 
 montcse, and the fair-haired German, the Tyrolese, and 
 the Swiss, arrive, in groups, wearied and foot-sore ; have 
 w.atched them drinking with holy satisfaction at the seve- 
 ral spouts, and, having followed them to the front of the 
 altar, have wondered at the statue-like immovability with 
 which they have remained kneeling, without changing 
 their gaze from that of the unearthly-looking image that 
 seemed to engross their souls. Curiosity led us to the 
 spot alone, and at no moment of a pilgrimage in foreign 
 lands, that has now extended to years, do we remember to 
 liave felt so completely severed from all to which we v/ere 
 most accustomed, as at that hour. The groups arrived in 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 295 
 
 scores, and, without pausing to exchange a greeting, with- 
 out thouglit of lodging or rest, each hurried to the shrine, 
 where lie seemed embodied with the stone of the pave- 
 ment, as, with riveted eye and abased mien, he murmured 
 the first prayers of expiation before the image of Mary. — 
 But to return to the narrative. 
 
 For the first hour after the arrival of the expected pil- 
 grims of Duerckheim, not a sign of recognition, or of 
 grace, was manifested in the convent. The officials came 
 and went, as if none but of common character made their 
 expiations ; and the fixed eye and swarthy face of the image 
 seemed to return each steady g^ze, w^th supernatural tran- 
 quillity. At length Arnolpli arose, and, as if his move- 
 ments were watclied, a bell rang in a distant aisle. A 
 lateral du(jr, which communicated with the conventual 
 buildings, opened, and the whole brotherhood issued 
 through it int(3 the body of the church. Arnolpli immedi- 
 ately kneeled again, and, by a sign, commanded his com- 
 panions to maintain their places. Though grievously 
 wearied with their positions, the men complied, but neither 
 of the females had yet stirred. 
 
 The Benedictines of Einsiedlen entered the church in 
 the order that has been already described in the proces- 
 sions of Limburg. The junior monks came first, and the 
 dignitaries last. In that age, their Abbot was commonly 
 of a noble and ancient, and sometimes of a princely house ; 
 for, in maintaining its influence, the Church has rarely 
 been known to overlook the agency of those opinions and 
 prejudices that vulgarly exist among men. In ever)" case, 
 however, the prelate wiio presided over this favored com- 
 munity possessed, in virtue of his office, the latter tempo- 
 ral distinction ; being created a mitred Abbot and a Prince 
 of the Empire, on the day of his consecration. 
 
 During the shnv advance of the long line of monks, lliat 
 now drew near the shrine, there was a chant in the loft, 
 and the deep organ accompanied the words, on a low key. 
 Even Albrecht and tii*: Abbe were much iinj^ressed, wliile 
 Emich fairly trembled, like one that had niiwiuingly com- 
 mitted liimself into tlie hniuls of his enemies. 
 
 The head of the train swept round the little chapel, and 
 passed with measured steps before tlie pilgrims. The Prior 
 and the female's onlv prayed the more devoutly, but neither 
 the Count nor the 1 ;iirgomaster could prevent their truant 
 eyes from watching the movement. Dietrich, little schooled 
 
296 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 in his duties, fairly arose, and stood repeating reverences 
 to the whole fraternity, as it passed. When the close drew 
 near, Emich endeavored to catch a glance of the Abbot's 
 eyes, hoping to exchange one of those secret signs of cour- 
 tesy, with which the initiated, in every class of life, know 
 how to express their sympathies. To his confusion, and 
 slightly to his uneasiness, he saw the well-known counte- 
 nance of Bonifacius, at the side of the dignitary who pre- 
 sided over the brotherhood of Einsiedlen. The glances of 
 these ancient and seemingly irreconcilable rivals, were such 
 as might have been anticipated. That of Bonifacius was 
 replete with religious pride, and a resentment that was at 
 least momentarily gratified ; though it still retained glim- 
 merings of conscious defeat ; while that of Emich was 
 fierce, mortified, and alarmed, all in a moment. 
 
 But the train swept on, and it was not long ere the 
 music announced the presence of the procession in the 
 choir. Then Arnolph again arose, and, followed by all 
 the pilgrims, he drew near to listen to the vespers. After 
 the prayers, the usual hymn was sung. 
 
 *' Himmel ! Master brother Pilgrim," whispered the 
 smith to the Burgomaster, ''that should be a voice known 
 to all of Duerckheim ! " 
 
 " Umph ! " — ejaculated Heinrich, who sought the eye of 
 Emich. " These Benedictines sing much in the same 
 strain, Herr Emich, whether it be in Limburg, or here in 
 the church of our Lady of the Hermits." 
 
 "By my fathers! Master Frey, but thou sayest true! 
 To treat thee as a confidant, I little like this intimate cor- 
 respondence between the Abbots, and, least of all, to 
 see the reverend Bonifacius enthroned here, in this distant 
 land, much as he was wont to be in our valley. I fear 
 me. Burgomaster, that we have entered lightly on this 
 penance ! " 
 
 " If you can say this, well-born Emich, what should be 
 the reply of one that hath wife and child, in addition to 
 his own person, in the risk ? It would have been better to 
 covet less of Heaven, the least portion of which must natu- 
 rally be better than the best of that to which we are accus- 
 tomed on earth, and to be satisfied with the advantages 
 we have. Do you note, noble Count, the friendly man- 
 ner in which Bonifacius regards us from time to time ? " 
 
 " His favors do not escape me, Heinrich ; — but peace ! 
 we shall learn more, after the vespers are ended." 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 297 
 
 Then came the soothing power of that remarkable voice. 
 The singer had been presented to the convent of Ein- 
 sicdlen, by Bonifacius, to whom lie was now useless, as a 
 boon tiiat was certain to give him great personal favor : 
 and so it had proved ; for in those communities, that 
 passed their lives in the exercise of the offices of the 
 Church, the different shades of excellence in the execu- 
 tion, or tlie greater external riches and decorations of 
 their several slu'incs, often usurped the place of a nobler 
 strife in zeal and self-denial. The ceremony now ended, and 
 a brother, approaching, whispered Father Arnolph. The 
 latter proceeded to the sacristy, attended by the pilgrims, 
 for it was forbidden, even to the trembling Meta, to seek 
 refreshment or rest, until another important duty had been 
 performed. 
 
 The sacristy was empty, and they awaited still in silence, 
 while the music of the organ announced the retiring pro- 
 cession of the monks. After some delay, a door opened, 
 and the Abbot of Einsiedlen, accompanied by Bonifacius, 
 appeared. They were alone, with tlie exception of the 
 treasurer of the Abbey ; and as the place was closed, tlie 
 interview that now took place, was no longer subject to 
 the vulgar gaze, 
 
 " Thou art Emich, Count of Hartenburg-Leiningen," 
 said the prelate, distinguishing the noble spite of his mean 
 attire, by a single glance of an eye accustomed to scan its 
 equals; — "a penitent at our shrine, for wrongs done the 
 Church, and for dishonor to God ?" 
 
 " I am Emich of Leiningen, holy Abbot ! " 
 
 " Dost thou disclaim the obligation to be here ? " 
 
 "And a penitent ; — " the words "for being here" being 
 bitterly added, in a mental reservation. 
 
 The Abbot regarded him sternly, fcjr he disliked the re- 
 luctance of his tongue. Taking Bonifacius apart, they 
 consulted t(jgether for a few minutes ; then returning to 
 the group of pilgrims, he resumed — 
 
 '' Thou art now in a land that listeneth to no heresies, 
 Herr von Ilartenburg; and it would be well to remember 
 thy vow, and thy object. Hast thou aught to say?" 
 
 Emich slowly undid his scrip, and sought his offerings 
 among its scanty contents. 
 
 "This crucifix was obtained by a noble of my liousc, 
 when a crusader. It is of jasper, as thou sccst, nn-erend 
 Abbot, and it is not otherwise wanting in valuable additions." 
 
298 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 The Abbot bowed, in the manner of one indifferent to 
 tlie richness of tlie boon, signing to the treasurer to accept 
 tlic gift. There was then a brief pause. 
 
 " This censer was the gift of a noble far less possessed 
 than thee ! " said he who kept the treasures of the Abbey, 
 w^ith an emphasis that could not easily be mistaken. 
 
 " Thy zeal outstrippeth the limbs of a weary man, 
 Brotlier. — Here is a diamond, that hath been heirloom of 
 my house, a century. 'Tvvas an emperor's gift ! " 
 
 '■' It is well bestowed on our Lady of the Hermits ; 
 though she can boast of far richer offerings from names 
 less known than thine." 
 
 Emich now hesitated, but only for an instant, and then 
 laid down another gift. 
 
 " This vessel is suited to thy offices," he said, " being 
 formed for the altar's services." 
 
 " Lay the cup aside ;" sternly and severely interrupted 
 Bonifacius : '^ it cometh of Limburg ! " 
 
 Emich colored, more in anger than in shame, however, 
 for in that age plunder was one of the speediest and most 
 used means of acquiring wealth. He eyed the merciless 
 Abbot, fiercely, without speaking. 
 
 "I have no more," he said ; ''the wars — the charges of 
 my house — and gold given the routed brotherhood, have 
 left me poor ! " 
 
 The treasurer turned to Heinrich, with an eloquent ex- 
 pression of countenance. 
 
 *'Thou wilt remember, Master Treasurer, that there is 
 no longer any question of a powerful baron," said the 
 Burgomaster, " but that the little I have to give, cometh 
 of a poor and saddled town. First we offer our wishes and 
 our prayers, — secondly, we present, in all humility, and 
 with the wish they may prove acceptable, these spoons, 
 wliich may be of use in some of thy many ceremonies, — 
 thirdly, this candlestick, which though small is waranted to 
 be of pure gold, by jewellers of Frankfort : — and lastly, this 
 cord, with which seven of our chief men have grievously 
 and loyally scourged themselves, in reparation of the 
 wrong done thy brethren," 
 
 All these offerings were graciously received, and the 
 monk turned to the others. It is unnecessary to repeat 
 the different donations that were made by the inferiors, 
 who came from the castle and the town. That of Gottlob 
 was, or pretended to be, the offending horn, which had so 
 
THE HEIDEIVMAUER. 299 
 
 irreverently been sounded near tlie altar of Limburg, and 
 a piece of j^old. The latter was the identical coin he had 
 obtained from Bonifaciiis, in tlie interview which led to 
 his arrest ; and the other was a cracked instrument, that 
 the roguish cow-herd had often essayed among his native 
 hills, without the least success. In after-life, when the 
 spirit of religious party grew bolder, he often boasted of 
 the manner in which he had tricked the Benedictines by 
 bestowing an instrument so useless. 
 
 Ulrike made her offering, with sincere and meek peni- 
 tence. It consisted of a garment for the image of the 
 Virgin, which had been chiefly wrought by her own fair 
 hands, and on which the united tributes of her towns- 
 women had been expended, in the way of ornaments, and 
 in st(jnes of inferior price. The gift was graciously re- 
 ceived ; for the community had been well instructed in 
 the different characters of the various penitents. 
 
 " Hast thou aught in honor of Maria ?'" demanded the 
 treasurer of Lottchen. 
 
 The widowed and childless woman endeavored to speak, 
 but her power failed her. She laid upon the table, how- 
 ever, a neatly bound and illuminated missal ; a cap that 
 seemed to have no particular value, except its tassel of 
 gold and green, and a hunting horn; all of which, with 
 many others of the articles named, had made part of the 
 load borne on the furniture of the ass. 
 
 " These are unusual gifts at our shrine ! " muttered the 
 monk. 
 
 "Reverend Benedictine," interrupted Ulrike, nearly 
 breathless in the generous desire to avert pain from her 
 friend, "they are extorted from her who gives, like drops 
 of blood from the heart. This is Lottchen Hintermayer, 
 of vvh(jm thou hast doubtless heard?" 
 
 The name of Lottchen Hintermayer had never reached 
 the treasurer's ear ; but the sweet and persuasive manner 
 of Ulrike prevailed. The monk bowed, and he seemed 
 satisfied. The next that advanced was Meta. The Bene- 
 dictines all appeared struck by the pallid color of her 
 cheek, and the vacant, hopeless, expression of an eye that 
 had lately been so joyous. 
 
 " The journey hath been hard upon our daughter! " said 
 the ])rincely Abbot, with gentleness and concern. 
 
 "She is yoimg, reverend Father," answered Ulrike; 
 "but God will temper the wind to the shorn lamb." 
 
300 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 The Abbot looked surprised, for the tones of the mother 
 met his car with an appeal as touching as that of the worn 
 countenance of the girl. 
 
 '' Is she thy child, good pilgrim ?" 
 
 ** Father, slie is — Heaven make me grateful, for its 
 blessed gift ! " 
 
 Another gaze from the w^ondering priest, and he gave 
 place to the treasurer, who advanced to receive the offer- 
 ing. The frame of Meta trembled violently, and she 
 placed a hand to her bosom. Drawing forth a paper, she 
 laid it simply before the monk, who gazed at it in wonder. 
 
 " What is this ? " he asked. " It is the image of a youth, 
 rudely sketched !" 
 
 "It meaneth, Father," half whispered Ulrike, "that 
 the heart which loved him, now belongs to God !" 
 
 The Abbot bowled, hastily signing to the inferior to ac- 
 cept the offering ; and he walked aside to conceal a tear 
 that started to his eye. Meta at that moment fell upon 
 her mother's breast, and was borne silently from the 
 sacristy. 
 
 The men followed, and, with a single exception, the two 
 Abbots and the treasurer were now left alone. 
 
 " Hast thou an offering, good w^oman ? " demanded the 
 latter of the female who remained. 
 
 " Have I an offering, Father ! Dost think I would 
 come thus far with an empty hand ? I am Use, Frau 
 Frey's nurse, that Duerckheim hath sent on this pilgrim- 
 age, as an offering in herself ; and such it truly is for frail 
 bones, and threescore and past. We are but poor town's- 
 people of the Palatinate, but then we know w^hat is avail- 
 able at need ! There are many reasons why I should come, 
 as thou shalt hear. Firstly, I was in Limburg church 
 when the deed was " 
 
 " How ! did one of thy years go forth on such an ex- 
 pedition ? " 
 
 " Aye, and on many other expeditions. Firstly, I was 
 with the old Burgomaster, Frau Ulrike's father, when 
 there was succor sent to Manheim ; secondly, I beheld, 
 from our hills, the onset between the Elector's men, and 
 the followers of " 
 
 " Dost thou serve the mother of yonder weeping girl ?" 
 demanded the Abbot, cutting short the history of Use's 
 campaigns. 
 
 " A.nd the weeping girl herself, reverend, and holy and 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 301 
 
 princely Abbot, and, if thou wilt, the Burgomaster too, 
 for, at times, in sooth, I serve the whole family." 
 
 " Canst thou repeat the history of her sorrow ? " 
 
 " Naught easier, my lord and' Abbot. Firstly, is she 
 youthful, and that is an age when we grieve or are glad- 
 dened with little reason ; then she is an only child, which 
 is apt to w^eaken the spirit by indulgence ; next, she 
 Is fair, which often tempts the heart into various vanities, 
 and, doubtless, into sorrow, among the others ; then is she 
 foot-sore, a bitter grief of itself ; and, finally, she hath 
 much repentance for this nefarious sin, of which we arc 
 not yet purged, and which, unless pardoned, may descend 
 to her, among other bequests from her father." 
 
 *' It is well. Deposit thy gift, and kneel that I may bless 
 thee." 
 
 Use did as ordered, after which she withdrew, making 
 many reverences in the act. 
 
 As the door closed on the crone, Bonifacius and his 
 brother Abbot quitted the place in company, leaving the 
 monk charged with that duty, to care for the wealth that 
 had been so liberally added to the treasury of Einsiedlen. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 — " Israel, are these men 
 The miglity hearts you spoke of ?" — Byron. 
 
 There was little resemblance in the characters of the 
 two prelates, beyond that which was the certain conse- 
 quence of their common employment. If Bonifacius was 
 the most learned, of the strongest intellectual gifts, and, in 
 other particulars relating to the mind, of the higher endow- 
 ments, the princely Abbot of Einsiedlen had more of those 
 gentle and winning qualities which best adorn the Ciu-is- 
 tian life. Perhaps neither was profoundly and meekly 
 pious, for this was not easy to men surrounded by so many 
 inducements to Hatter their innate weaknesses : but b(jlli 
 habitually respected the outward observances of their 
 Cliurch ; and both, in degrees proportioned to the bold- 
 ness and sagacity of their respective intellects, yielded failh 
 to tlie virtue of its offices. 
 
 On quitting the sacristy, they proceeded through the 
 
^2 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 cloisters, to the abode of the chief of the community. Here, 
 closeted together, there was a consultation concerning 
 their further proceedings. 
 
 *' Thou wert of near neighborhood," said he of our Lady 
 of the Hermits, ''to this hardy baron, Brother Bonifacius ?" 
 
 " As thou mayest imagine by the late events. There lay 
 but a few arrow's flights between his castle and our un- 
 happy walls." 
 
 " Had ye good understanding of old, orcometh the pres- 
 ent difficulty from long-standing grievances ? " 
 
 " Thou art happy, pious Rudiger, to be locked, as you 
 are, among your frosts and mountains, beyond the reach 
 of noble's arm, and beyond the desires of noble's ambition. 
 Limburg and the craving Counts have scarce known peace 
 since our Abbey's foundation. Your unquiet baron fills 
 some such agency, in respect to our religious communities, 
 as that which the unquiet spirit of the Father of Sin occu- 
 pies in the moral world." 
 
 " And yet, I doubt that the severest blow we are to re- 
 ceive will come from one of ourselves ! If all that rumor 
 and missives from the Bishops reveal, be true, this schism 
 of Luther promises us a lasting injury ! " 
 
 Bonifacius, whose mind penetrated the future much far- 
 ther than most of his brethren possessed the means of do- 
 ing, heard this remark gloomily; and he sat brooding over 
 the pictures which a keen imagination presented, while his 
 companion watched the play of his massive features, with 
 intuitive interest. 
 
 " Thou art right, princely Abbot," the former at length 
 replied. " To us, both the future and the past are filled 
 with lessons of deep instruction, could w^e but turn them 
 to present advantage. All that we know of earth shows 
 that each physical thing returns to its elements, when the 
 object of its creation has been accomplished. The tree 
 helps to pile the earth which once nourished its roots ; the 
 rock crumbles to the sand of which it was formed ; and 
 even man turns to that dust which was animated that he 
 might live. Can we then expect that our Abbeys, or that 
 even the Church itself, in its present temporal organiza- 
 tion, will stand forever ? " 
 
 " Thou hast done well to qualify thy words by saying 
 temporal, good Bonifacius, for if the body decays, the soul 
 remains ; and the essence of our communion is in its spir- 
 itual character." 
 
THE JIEIDENMAUER. 303 
 
 ** Hearken, right reverend and noble Riidiger. Go ask 
 of Luther the niceties of liis creed on this point, and he 
 will tell thee, that he is a believer in tiie transmigration of 
 souls — that he keepeth this spiritual character, but in a 
 new dress ; and that, while he consigns the ancient body 
 to the tomb, he only lightens the imperishable part of a 
 burden that has grown too heavy to be borne." 
 
 " But this is rank rebellion to authority, and flat refusal 
 of doctrine ! " 
 
 '' Of the former, there can be no question ; and, as to 
 our German regions, most seem prepared to incur its risks. 
 In respect to doctrine, learned Rudiger, you now broach a 
 thesis which resembles the bells in your convent towers — 
 on which there may be rung endless changes, from the 
 simple chime to a triple-bob-major." 
 
 "•Nay, reverend Bonifacius, thou treatest a grave sub- 
 ject with irreverent levity. If we are to tolerate these in- 
 novations, there is an end of discipline ; and I marvel that 
 a dignified priest should so esteem them ! " 
 
 "Thou dost me injustice, Brother ; for what I urge is 
 said in befitting seriousness. The ingenuity of man is so 
 subtle, and his doubts, once engaged, so restless, that when 
 the barrier of discipline is raised, I know no conclusion for 
 which a clever head may not find a reason. Has it never 
 struck thee, reverend Rudiger, that a great error hath been 
 made from the commencement, in founding all our ordi- 
 nances to regulate society, whether they be of religious or 
 of mere temporal concerns ? " 
 
 " Thou asketh this of one who hath been accustomed to 
 think of his superiors with respect." 
 
 " I touch not on our superiors, nor on their personal 
 qualities. What I would say is, that oiu* theories are too 
 often faulty, inasmuch as they are made to suit former 
 practices ; whereas, in a well-ordered world, methinks the 
 theory should come first, and the usage follow as a conse- 
 quence of suitable conclusions." 
 
 "This might have done for him who possessed Eden, 
 but those who came after were com})elled to receive things 
 as they v/ere, and to turn them to profit as they might." 
 
 " Brother and princely Abbot, thon hast grappled with 
 the dilemma ! Could we be placed in the occupancy of this 
 goodly heritage, untrammelled Ijy ])reviously endeared in- 
 terests, seeing the truth, naught would be easier than to 
 make practice conform to theory ; but, being that we arc, 
 
304 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 priest and noble, saint and sinner, philosopher and world- 
 ling, why, look you, the theory is driven to conform to the 
 necessities of practice ; and hence doctrine, at the best, is 
 but a convertible authority. As a Benedictine, and a lover 
 of Rome, I would that Luther had been satisfied with mere 
 changes in habits, for these may be accommodated to 
 climates and prejudices ; but when the flood-gates of dis- 
 cussion are raised, no man can say to what extent, or in 
 what direction, the torrent will flow." 
 
 *'Thoa hast little faith, seemingly, in the quality of 
 reason ? " 
 
 Bonifacius regarded his companion a moment w^ith an 
 ill-concealed sneer. 
 
 ^'Surely, holy Rudiger," he gravely replied, "thou hast 
 not so long governed thy fellows to put this question to 
 me ! Hadst thou said passion, we might right quickly 
 come to an understanding. The corollaries of our animal 
 nature follow reasonably enough from the proposition ; 
 but when we quit the visible landmarks of the species, to 
 launch upon the ocean of speculation, we commit ourselves, 
 like the mariner who trusts his magnet, to an unknown 
 cause. He that is a-hungered will eat, and he that is pained 
 wull roar ; he that hath need of gold will rob, in some 
 shape or other ; and he that loveth his ease may prefer 
 quiet to trouble ; all this may be calculated, with other in- 
 ferences that follow ; but if thou wilt tell me what course 
 the Lammergeyer will take wiien he hath soared beyond 
 the Alps, I will tell thee the direction in which the mind 
 of man will steer, wiien fairly afloat on the sea of specula- 
 tion and argument." 
 
 ''The greater the necessity that it should be held in the 
 wholesome limits of discipline and doctrine." 
 
 " Were doctrine like our convent walls, all would be 
 well ; but being what it is, men become what they are." 
 
 " Hovy ! Dost thou account faith for naught ? I have 
 heard there were brothers of deep piety in Limburg. Fa- 
 ther Johan, who perished in defence of thy altars, may go 
 near to be canonized — to say nothing of the excellent 
 Prior, who is here among us on this pilgrimage." 
 
 " I count faith for much, excellent Brother ; and happy 
 is he who can satisfy uneasy scruples by so pleasant an 
 expedient. Brother Johan may be canonized, if our Father 
 of Rome shall see fit, hereafter, and the fallen Limburg 
 will have reason to exult in its member. Still I do not see 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER, 305 
 
 that the unhappy Johan proveth aught against the nature 
 of doctrine, for, had he been possessed of less pertinacity 
 in certain of liis opinions, he would have escaped the fate 
 which befell him." 
 
 *' Is martyrdom a lot to displease a Christian ? Bethink 
 thee of the Fathers, and of their ends ! " 
 
 *' Had Johan bethought him more of their fortunes, his 
 own might have been different. Reverend Abbot, Johan 
 hath long ceased to be a riddle to me ; — though I deny not 
 his utility with the peasant and the fervent. But him thou 
 hast last mentioned" — here Bonifacius leaned a cheek on 
 liis hand, and spoke like one that was seriously perplexed — 
 " him thou namcdst last — ihe sincere, and wise, and simple 
 Arnolph, have I never truly comprehended ! That man 
 appeareth equally contented in his cell or in his stall ; 
 honored equally in his office, and on this weary pilgrimage ; 
 whether in prosperity or in misfortune, he is ever at peace 
 with himself and with others. Here is truly a man that no 
 reasoning of mine hath been able to fathom. He is not 
 ambitious, for thrice hath he refused the mitre ! He is 
 sustained by no wild visions or deceitful fantasies, like the 
 iinhappv Johan ; nor yet is he indifferent to any of the 
 more severe practices of his profession, all of which are 
 observed quietly, and seemingly with satisfaction. He is 
 learned, without the desire of discussion ; meek, amid a 
 firmness that would despise the stake ; and forgiving to a 
 degree that might lead us to call him easy, but for a con- 
 sistency that never seemeth to yield to any influence of 
 season, events, or hopes. Truly, tliis is a man that bafffeth 
 all my knowledge ! " 
 
 Bonifacius, in despite of his acquirements, his masculine 
 intellect, and his acquaintance with men, did not perceive 
 how much he admitted against himself, by expressing his 
 own inability t(j fatliom the motives of the Prior. Nor did 
 tlie enigma appear to be perfectly intelligible to his com- 
 panion, wluWistened curiously to the other's description of 
 their brotlier ; mucli as we hearken to a history of inex- 
 pHcable or supernatural incidents. 
 
 " I have heard nuicli of Arnolpli," observed the latter, 
 " though nev(M- matter so strange as tliis ; — and yet most 
 seem to love liiin ! " 
 
 "Therein is his ])()wer ! — tliougli often most ojiposed to 
 me, I cannot say tliat I myself am indifferent to the man — 
 By our patron saint ! I sometimes fain believe I love 
 20 
 
3o6 THE IIEIDENMAUER. 
 
 him ! He was among the last to desert our altars, when 
 pressed by this rapacious noble, and his credulous and 
 silly burghers ; and yet was he foremost to forgive the in- 
 jury Avhcn committed. But for him, and his high influence 
 with the Bishops, there might have been blows for blows 
 spite of this schism that hath turned so many in Germany 
 from our support." 
 
 "And since thou speakest of the schism, in what man- 
 ner dost thou account for an innovation so hardy in a re- 
 gion that is usually esteemed reasonable ! There must 
 have been relaxation of authority ; for there is no expedient 
 so certain to prevent heresies, or errors of doctrine, as a 
 Church well established, and which is maintained by fitting 
 autliority." 
 
 Bonifacius smiled, for even in that early age, his pen- 
 etrating mind saw the fallacy to which the other was a 
 dupe. 
 
 " This is well when there is right ; but when there is 
 error. Brother, your established authority does but uphold 
 it. The provisions that are made in thy comfortable abode 
 to keep the cold air out, may be the means of keeping foul 
 air within." 
 
 '• In this manner of reasoning, truth can have no ex- 
 istence ! — Thou dreadest doctrine, and thou wilt naught of 
 discipline ! " 
 
 " Nay, holy Rudiger, in the latter thou greatly miscon- 
 ceiveth me. Of discipline I would have all that is possi- 
 ble ; I merely deny that it is any pledge of truth. We are 
 apt to say that a well-ordained and established Church is 
 the buttress of truth, when experience plainly showeth 
 that this discipline doeth more harm to trutli than it can 
 ever serve it, and that simply because there can be but one 
 truth, while tliere are many modes of discipline ; many es- 
 tablishments therefore uphold many errors, or truth hath 
 no identity with itself." 
 
 "Thou surprisest me! — Whatever may come of this 
 heresy, as yet, I know of but one assault on our supremacy ; 
 and tliat cometh of error, as we come of right." 
 
 " This is well for Christendom, but what sayeth it for 
 your Moslem — your ii re-worshipper — your Hindoo — your 
 Pagan, and all the rest ; any one of whom is just as ready 
 to keep out error by discipline, as we of Rome? Until 
 now, certainly among Christians this evil hath not often 
 happened, though even we are not without our differences : 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 7P1 
 
 but looking- to this advance of the printing art, and of the 
 variety of opinions that are its fruits, I foresee that we are 
 to have many opposing expedients, all of which will be 
 equally well pondered and concocted to keep in truth, and 
 to exclude error. This pretensicm of high authority, and 
 of close exactions to maintain purity of doctrine, and what 
 we deem truth, is well, as tlie jurists say, quoad hoc ; but 
 touching the general question, I do not see its virtue. 
 Now that men enlist with passion in these spiritual dis- 
 cussions, we may look to see various modifications of the 
 Cluu-ch, all of which will be more or less buttressed by 
 human expedients, as so many preservatives of truth ; but 
 when the time shall come that countries and communities 
 are divided among themselves on these subtleties, look 
 you, excellent Rudiger, we may expect to shut in as much 
 error by our laws and establishments, as we shall shut out. 
 I fear heaven is a goal that must be reached by a general 
 mediation, leaving each to give faith to the minor points 
 of doctrine, according to his habits and abilities." 
 
 "This savors more of the houseless Abbot than of him 
 who lately had an obedient and flourishing brotherhood!" 
 Rudiger somewhat piquantly rejoined, 
 
 Bonifacius was unmoved by the evident allusion, regard- 
 ing his companion coolly, and like a man who too well 
 knew his own superiority easily to take offence. His re- 
 ply, however, would probably have been a retort, notwith- 
 standing this seeming moderation, had not a door opened, 
 and Arnolph quietly entered the room. 
 
 The reception of the Prior, by his two mitred brethren, 
 proved the deep respect which had so universally been won 
 by his self-denying qualities. In the great struggle of the 
 contlicting egotism which composes, in a great degree, 
 the principle of most of the actions of this uneasy world, 
 no one is so likely to command universal esteem, as he 
 who ayjpears willing to bear the burden of life, with as 
 little as possible of its visible benefits, by withdrawing 
 himself from the arena of its contentions. In the great 
 mass, an occasional retreat from the struggle, on the part 
 of those who have few means of success, creates but little 
 feeling of any sort, perhaps ; but when he that liath un- 
 deniable pretensions exhibits this forbearance, he may be 
 certain of obtaining full credit for all that he possesses, 
 and more, even to the admission of qualifications that 
 would be vehenienliy denied had he taken a different atti- 
 
3o8 TlIK IIl'lIDKNMAUEl^. 
 
 tudc in respect to his rivals. Such was, in some measure, 
 the position of Fatlier Arnolph ; and Bonifacius Iiimself 
 never struggled to resist his natural impulses towards the 
 pious monk, having a secret persuasion that none of his 
 virtues, however publicly proclaimed, were likely to mili- 
 tate against his own interests. 
 
 "Thou art much wearied, holy Prior," said the Abbot 
 of Einsiedlen, offering a seat to his visitor, with assiduous 
 and flattering attention. 
 
 ** I count it not, princely Rudiger ; having lightened the 
 way with much good discourse, and many prayers ; my 
 pilgrims are faint, but, happily arrived, they are now fair- 
 ly committed to the convent's hospitality." 
 
 "Thou hast with thee, reverend Arnolph, a noble of 
 high esteem in thy German country ? " 
 
 " Of ancient blood, and of great worldly credit," re- 
 turned the Prior, with reserve. 
 
 "What thinkest thou, Brother Bonifacius? — It may not 
 be prudent to make any very public manifestations of a 
 difference of treatment, between those \\\\o seek our 
 shrine ; but do not hospitality and such courtesy as mark- 
 etli our own breeding, demand some private greetings. Is 
 my opinion suitable, worthy Arnolph?" 
 
 "God is no respecter of persons. Abbot of Einsiedlen." 
 
 *' Can any know this better than ourselves ? But we 
 pretend not to perfection, nor can our judgments be setup 
 as decisive of men's merits, farther than belongs to our 
 office. Ours is an hospitable order, and we are privileged 
 to earn esteem, and therefore doth it appear to me not 
 only becoming but politic to show a noble of this repute, 
 and at a moment when heresy runs mad, that we do not 
 overlook the nature of his sacrifices. Thou art silent, 
 Brother Abbot ! " 
 
 Tlie Abbot of Limburg listened with secret satisfaction, 
 for he had views of his own that the proposal favored. 
 He was therefore about to give a ready assent, when Ar- 
 nolph interrupted him. 
 
 " I have nobles among my followers, right reverend Ab- 
 bot," said the latter, earnestly; ''and I have those that 
 deserve to be more than noble, if deep Christian humility 
 can claim to be so esteemed. I did not come to speak of 
 Emich of Hartenburg, but of spirits sorely bruised, and 
 to beg of thee, in their behalf, a boon of churchly offices." 
 
 " Name it, Father, and make certain of its fair reception. 
 
THE TFETDENMAUER. 309 
 
 But it is now late, and no rites of the morrow need defeat 
 our intentions of honest hospitality." 
 
 "They in whose behalf I would speak," said Arnolph, 
 with apparent mortification, *' are already without ; if ad- 
 mitted, they may best explain their own desires." 
 
 The Abbot signified a ready assent to receive these vis- 
 itors, and the Prior hastened to admit them, anticipating 
 a wholesome effect on tlie minds of his superiors from the 
 interview. When he reappeared, he was followed by Ul- 
 rike, Lottchen, and Meta, who came after him in the or- 
 der named. Both the Abbots seemed surprised, for it ex- 
 ceeded their confidence in themselves to admit visitors of 
 that sex, at an hour so equivocal, in the more retired 
 parts of the buildings, and they counted little on the bold- 
 ness of innocence. 
 
 " This exceedeth usage !" exclaimed the superior of Ein- 
 siedlen. " It is true, we have our privileges, pious Ar- 
 nolph, but they are resorted to with great discretion." 
 
 " Fear not, holy Abbot," Arnolph calmly answered, 
 **this visit may at least claim to be as harmless as that of 
 those thou hast just named. Speak, virtuous Ulrike, that 
 thy wishes may be known." 
 
 Ulrike crossed herself, first casting a tearful eye on the 
 pallid and depressed countenances of her daughter and of 
 her friend. 
 
 "We are come to your favored shrine, princely and 
 pious Abbot," she slowly commenced, like one who feared 
 the effects of her own words, "penitents, pilgrims, and ac- 
 knowledging our sins, in order to expiate a great wrong, 
 and to implore Heaven's pardon. The accomplishment of 
 our wishes hath been promised by the Church, and by one 
 greater than the Church, should we bring with us contrite 
 hearts. In this behalf, then, we have now little to offer, 
 since our pious guide, the Ijeloved and instructed Arnt)lph, 
 hath taught us to omit no observance, nor hath he, iu 
 any particular, left us ignorant of the slate of mind that 
 best befitteth our present undertaking. But, right rever- 
 end Al)b(jt " 
 
 "Proceed, daugliter; tliou wilt find all here ready to 
 listen," said Rudiger, kindly, obseiving that her words 
 became choked, and that she continued to cast uneasy 
 looks at Lottchen and Meta. The voice of the speaker 
 sank, but her tones were still more earnest, as she con- 
 tinued. 
 
3IO THE HEIDT'INATAUF.R. 
 
 '* Holy Benedictine, aided by Heaven's kindness, I will. 
 In all that toucheth our pilgrimage and its duties, we con- 
 fide entirely to the pious counsel of the learned and godly 
 Arnolph, and he will tell you that naught material hath by 
 us been neglected. We have prayed, and confessed, and 
 fasted, and done the needed expiations, in a meek mood, 
 and with contrite hearts. We come then to ask a service 
 of this favored community, which, we trust, may not be 
 refused to the Christian." 
 
 The Abbot looked surprised, but he awaited her own 
 time to continue. 
 
 "It hath pleased Heaven to call away one dear to us, at 
 a short summons," proceeded Ulrike, not without casting 
 another fearful glance at her companions ; "and we would 
 ask the powerful prayers of the community of Our Lady of 
 the Hermits, in behalf of his soul." 
 
 " Of what age was the deceased ? " 
 
 *' God summoned him, reverend Abbot, in early youth." 
 
 " By what means did he come to his end ? " 
 
 '* By a sudden display of Heaven's power." 
 
 "Died he at peace with God and the Church?" 
 
 "Father, his end was sudden and calamitous. None can 
 know the temper of the mind at that awful moment." 
 
 ^* But did he live in the practices of our faith? Thou 
 comest of a region in whicli there is much heresy, and this 
 is an hour in whicli the shepherd cannot desert the fold." 
 
 Ulrike paused, for the breathing of her friend was thick 
 and audible. 
 
 "Princely Abbot, he was a Christian. I held him myself 
 at the font. This humble penitent and pilgrim gave him 
 birth, and to this holy Prior hath he often confessed." 
 
 The Abbot greatly disliked the manner of the answers. 
 His brow drew over the eyes, and he turned jealous glances 
 from Arnolph to the females, 
 
 " Canst thou vouch for thy penitent ? " he demanded 
 abruptly of the Prior. 
 
 " His soul hath need of masses." 
 
 "Was he tainted with the heresy of the times ? " 
 
 Arnolph paused. His mind luiderwent a severe strug- 
 gle, for, while he distrusted the opinions of Berchthold, he 
 knew nothing that a scrupidous and conscientious judge 
 could fairly construe into unequivocal evidence of his dere- 
 liction from the Church, 
 
 " Thou dost not answer, Prior ! " 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 311 
 
 ** God hath not gifted mc with knowledge to judge the 
 secret heart." 
 
 " Ha ! this grows plainer. Reverend Bonifacius, canst 
 thou say aught of this ? " 
 
 The dethroned Abbot of Limburg had, at first, listened 
 to the dialogue with indifference. There had even been 
 an ironical smile on his lips while Ulrike was speaking, 
 but when Arnolph was questioned, it disappeared in an 
 active and a curious desire to know in what manner a man 
 so conscientious would extricate himself from the dilemma. 
 Thus directly questioned, however, he found himself 
 obliged to become a party in the discourse. 
 
 '* I well know, princely and pious Rudiger, that heresy 
 is rife in our misguided Palatinate," he answered; "else 
 would not the Abbot of Limburg be a houseless guest in 
 Einsiedlen." 
 
 '"Thou hearest, daughter! The youth is suspected of 
 having died an enemy of the Church." 
 
 " The greater the errors, if this be true, the greater the 
 need that prayers be offered for his soul." 
 
 " This would be truly aiding Lucifer in his designs to 
 overturn our tabernacles, and a weakness not to be in- 
 dulged. I am grieved to be compelled to show this disci- 
 pline to one of thy seeming zeal, but our altars cannot be 
 defiled by sacrifices in behalf of those who despise them. 
 Was the youth connected with the fall of Limburg? " 
 
 " Father, he died in the crush of its roofs," said Ulrike, 
 in nearly inaudible syllables ; "and we deem the manner 
 of his end another reason why extraordinary masses should 
 be said in his behalf" 
 
 " Thou askest an impossibility. Were we to yield to our 
 pity, in these cases of desperate heresies, it would dis- 
 courage the faithful, and embolden th(jse who are already 
 too independent." 
 
 " Father ! " said a tremulous and low, but eager voice. 
 
 " What wouldest thou, daughter ? " asked the Abbot, 
 turning to Lottchen. 
 
 " Listen to a mother's prayer. The boy was born and 
 educated in the bosom of the Church. For reasons at 
 which I do not repine, Heaven early showed its displcas- 
 in-e on his father and on me. We were rich, and we be- 
 came poor ; we were esteemed of men, and we learned 
 how much better is tiie support of God. We submitted ; 
 and when we saw those who had once looked up to us in 
 
3T2 
 
 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 respect, looking down upon us in scorn, we kissed the 
 child, were grateful, and did not repine. Even this trial 
 was not sufficient — the father was taken from his pains 
 and mortifications, and my son put on the livery of a baron. 
 I will not say — I cannot say — my strength would have been 
 equal to all this of itself. An angel, in the form of this 
 constant and excellent woman, was sent to sustain me. 
 Until the late wrong to Limburg, we had our hopes and 
 our hours of happiness — but that crime defeated all. My 
 boy hath perished by a just anger, and I remain to im- 
 plore Heaven in his behalf. Wilt thou refuse the Churcli's 
 succor to a childless mother, who, this favor obtained, will 
 be ready to bless God and die ?" 
 
 " Thou troublest me, daughter ; but I beg thee to re- 
 member I am but the guardian of a high and sacred trust." 
 
 " Father ! " said a second and still more thrilling appeal. 
 
 " Thou too, child ! What wouldest thou of one but too 
 ready to yield, were it not for duty ?" 
 
 Meta had kneeled, and throwing back the hood of her 
 pilgrim's mantle, the change left her bloodless face ex- 
 posed to the Abbot's viev/. The girl seemed severely 
 struggling w^th herself ; then, finding encouragement in 
 her mother's eye, she was able to continue. 
 
 '* I know^, most holy and very reverend Abbot," she com- 
 menced, with an evidently regulated phraseology, like one 
 who had been instructed how to make the appeal, " that 
 the Church hath need of much discipline ; without which 
 there would be neither duration nor order in its existence. 
 This hath my mother taught me ; and we both admit it, 
 and prize the truth. For this reason have we submitted 
 ourselves to all its ordinances, never failing to confess and 
 worship, or to observe fasts and saints' days. Even the 
 mitred Bonifacius, there, will not deny this, as respects 
 either of us " 
 
 Meta delayed, as if inviting the Abbot to gainsay her 
 words if he could ; but Bonifacius was silent. 
 
 '' As for him that hath died," resumed Meta, whose voice 
 sounded like plaintive music, " this is the truth. He was 
 born a Christian, and he never said aught in my presence 
 against the Church. Thou canst not think, father, that 
 he who sought my esteem, would strive to gain it by means 
 that no Christian girl could respect ? Tliat he was often 
 at the Abbey confessionals I know; and that he was in fa- 
 vor with this holy Prior, thou hast but to ask, to learn. 
 
THR IFEIDEMMAUER. 313 
 
 In going against Limburg, lie did but obey his lord, as 
 others have often done before ; and surely all that fall in 
 battle are not to be hopelessly condemned. If there is 
 heresy in Germany, is it not enough of itself to endure so 
 great a danger in life, that the dead must be abandoned 
 to their past acts, without succor from the Church, or 
 thought from their friends ? Oh ! thou wilt think better, 
 holy but cruel Rudiger, of thy hasty decision. Give us 
 then masses for poor Berchtliold ! I know not what Boni- 
 facius may have said to thee in secret, concerning the 
 youth, but this much would I say in his favor, in presence 
 of the assembled earth — more pious son, more faithful fol- 
 lower, a braver at need, a more gentle in intercourse, a truer 
 or kinder heart than his, does not now beat in the Palati- 
 nate ! I know not but I exceed the limits of a maiden's 
 speech, in what I say," continued the girl ardently, a bright 
 spot shining on each cheek amid her tears, " but the dead 
 are mute, and if those they loved are cold to their wants, 
 in what manner is Heaven to know their cruel need ?" 
 
 "Good daughter," interrupted the Abbot, who began to 
 feel distressed, **we \\\\\ think of this. Go thou to thy 
 rest, — and may G(3d bless thee ! " 
 
 " Nay, I cannot sleep wdiile the soul of Berchtliold en- 
 dures this jeopardy ! Perhaps the Church will demand 
 penance in his behalf. My mother Lottchen is no longer 
 young and strong, as formerly ; but thou seest, father, what 
 I am ! Name what thou w^ilt — pilgrimages, fasts, stripes, 
 prayers, or vigils, are alike to me. Nay, think not that I 
 regard them ! Thou canst not bestow more happiness than 
 to give this task for poor Berchthold's sake. Oh ! hadst 
 thou known him, holy monk, so kind with the weak, so 
 gentle with us maidens, and so true, thou wouldst not, nay, 
 thou couldst not need another prayer to grant the masses !" 
 
 *' Bonifacius, is tliere no means of justifying the conces- 
 sion ? " 
 
 "I would speak t(j thee. Brother," answered he of Lim- 
 burg, who, with a thoughtful countenance, awaited his 
 companion a little apart from the others. 
 
 The conference of the t\v(j jjix'lates was short, but it 
 was decisive. 
 
 "Take away the child," said the Abbot Rudiger, to Ul- 
 rike ; " the weight of Heaven's displeasure must be borne." 
 
 The Prior sighed heavily ; but he signed for the females 
 to obey, like one who saw the uselessness of further en- 
 
314 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 treaties. Leading the way, he left the Abbot's abode, his 
 companions following ; nor did a murmur escape either 
 while giving this proof of patient submission. It was only 
 when Ulrike and Lottchen had reached the open air that 
 they found the helpless girl they supported was without 
 sensibility. As fits of fainting had been common of late, 
 her mother felt no great alarm, nor was it long before all 
 the female pilgrims sought the pillows they so much 
 needed. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 ** Fy, uncle Beaufort ! I have heard you preach, 
 
 That malice was a great and grievous sin;" — King Henry PV. 
 
 The social character of a Benedictine community has 
 been mentioned in one of the earlier chapters. That of 
 Einsiedlen, tliougli charged with the worship of altars es- 
 pecially favored, formed no exception to the general rule. 
 If anything, the number of distinguished j^ilgrims that 
 frequented its shrine, rendered it liable to more than usual 
 demands on its hospitality ; demands that were met by a 
 suitable attention to the rules of the brotherhood. Even 
 Loretto has its palace for the entertainment of such 
 princes as can descend from their thrones to kneel in the 
 " santacasa ; " for policy, not to speak of a more generous 
 motive, requires that the path should be smoothed to those 
 devotees who are unaccustomed to encounter difficulties. 
 In conformity with a rule of their order, then, though 
 dwelling in the secluded and wild region already described, 
 the fraternity of our Lady of the Hermits, had their Ab- 
 bot's abode, their lodgings for the stranger, and their 
 stores of cheer, as well as their cells and their religious 
 rites. 
 
 It Avas about three hours after the interview related 
 in the last chapter — a time that brings us near the turn 
 of the night— that we shall return to the narrative. 
 The scene is a banqueting-hall, or, to speak in more meas- 
 ured phrase, a private refectory, in which the princely 
 Abbot was wont to entertain those in whose behalf he saw 
 sufficient reasons to exercise more than ordinary attention 
 and favor. There was no great show of luxury in the 
 ordinajy decorations of the place, for a useless display of 
 
THE HEinENMAUER. 315 
 
 its mcnns formed no part of the system of a community 
 that cliiclly existed by the liberaUty of the pious. Still 
 the hall was as well arranged as comported with the rude 
 habits Oi the age, in tiiat secluded region — habits that con- 
 suited the substantial portion of human enjoynients far 
 more than those elaborate and effeminate inventions, which 
 use has since rendered nearly indispensable to later gener- 
 ations. The floor was of tile, not very nicely polished ; 
 the walls were wainscoted in dark oak ; and the ceiling 
 had a rude attempt to represent the supper given at the 
 marriage of Cana, and the miracle of the wine. Notwith- 
 standing it was midsummer, a ciieerful fire blazed in a 
 chimney of huge dimensions ; the size of the apartment 
 and the keen air of the mountains rendering such an aux- 
 iliary ncjt only agreeable, but necessary. The board was 
 spacious and well covered, offering a generous display of 
 those healthful and warm liquors, which have so long given 
 the Rhine additional estimation with every traveller of 
 taste. 
 
 Around the table were placed the Abbot, and his un- 
 housed peer, Bonifacius ; a favorite or two of the commu- 
 nity of Einsiedlen ; with Emich, the Knight of Rhodes, 
 the Abbe, Heinrich Frey, and the smith. The former 
 were in their usual conventual robes ; while the latter 
 were confounded, so far as externals were concerned, in 
 their dresses of pilgrims. Deitrich owed his present ad- 
 vantage altogether to the fortuitous circumstance of being 
 found in so good company, divested of the usual distin- 
 guishing marks of his rank. If Bonifacius was at all 
 aware of his character, indifference or policy prevented its 
 exposure. 
 
 Had (jue been suddenly introduced to this midnight 
 scene, lie woidd scarce have recognized the weary pen- 
 itent and the reproving churchman, in the jovial clieer 
 and bo(m companionshij) of tlie hour. The appetite was 
 already more than satisfied, and many a glass had been 
 quaffed in honor of btjth h(jsts and guests, ere the precise 
 moment to which we transfer the action of the tale. 
 
 The jirincely prelate occupied the seat of honor, as be- 
 came his high rank, while Bcjnifacius was seated at one 
 elbow, and the ('<nint of Ilartenburg at the other. The 
 great C(jnsideration due to the first, as well as his personal 
 character and mild [nanners, had served to preserve all 
 outward appearances uf amity and courteous intercourse 
 
3i6 THE HEIDRNMAUER, 
 
 between his neighbors, neither of whom had as yet suf- 
 fered the slightest intimation of their former knowledge of 
 each other to escape him. This polite duplicity, which 
 we have reason to think is of very ancient origin, and in 
 which Albrecht of Viederbach and Monsieur Latouche 
 assisted with rare felicity, aided in curbing the feelings of 
 their inferiors, who, being less trained in the seemliness of 
 deception, might otherwise have given vent to some of 
 their bodily pains by allusions of an irritating and ques- 
 tionable nature. 
 
 " Thou findest our liquors palatable ? " courteously ob- 
 served the Abbot, as we sliall, par excellence, now distin- 
 guish him of Einsiedlen. "This of the silver cup, cometh 
 from the liberality of thy late Elector, who had occasion 
 to send votive offerings, in behalf of the illness of one of 
 his family, to our Lady of the Hermits, and who had the 
 grace to accompany the memorial to the convent treasury 
 by this sign of private regard ; and that thou seemest most 
 to relish, is a neighborly boon from our Brother of Saint 
 Gall, than whom more generous churchman does not wear 
 a cowl. Thou knowest, son, that the matter of good wine 
 hath long been the subject of especial care with that 
 thriving brotherhood." 
 
 *' Thou overratest my knowledge of history, princely 
 Abbot," returned Emich, setting down the glass, however, 
 in a manner to show that his familiarity with good liquors 
 might safely be assumed. "We of the lower countries 
 waste but little time on these studies, trusting chiefly to 
 those who dwell at the universities for the truth of what 
 we hear. If he of Saint Gall dispenseth much of this goodly 
 liquor, certes it were well that our spiritual guardians sent 
 us, on occasions, to make our pilgrimages in that region, 
 which cannot be far from this, imless my geography is 
 greatly in fault." 
 
 " Thou couldcst not have better divined, hadst thou been 
 a doctor of Wittenberg, or of Rome itself ! Considering 
 our mountain paths, and the insufficiency of the bridges 
 and other conveniences, it may require two suns to urge a 
 beast from our convent gate to that of our brother of Saint 
 Gall, though, on emergencies, we have succeeded, by 
 means of faithful footmen, in getting tidings to their ears 
 within the day and night. Saint Gall is a wealthy and 
 well-bestowed Abbcv, of very ancient existence, and of 
 much repute as the fiavcn of letters, during the darkest 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 317 
 
 period, learned Bonifacius, of our more modern times ; 
 though the late increase of its town, and the growing tur- 
 bulence of tlie times, have not permitted it to escape, with 
 impunity, from the dangers that now beset all of Rome." 
 
 This was the first allusion which had been made to the 
 events that had so singularly brought the present company 
 together ; and, but for the address and self-command of 
 Bonifacius, it might have brought on a discussion that 
 would not have proved agreeable. 
 
 " Saint Gall and its merits are unknown to none who 
 wear the frock of Saint Benedict," he said, with admirable 
 composure. ''Thou hast well said that its walls were, for 
 many ages, the sole protectors of learning in our Europe ; 
 for without the diligence and fidelity of its Abbots and 
 brotherhood, much that is now preserved and prized would 
 have been irretrievably lost to posterity and to ourselves." 
 
 " I doubt not, reverend Benedictine," observed Emich, 
 speaking courteously across the Abbot to Bonifacius, much 
 as a well-bred guest at boaixl addresses a convive to whom 
 he is otherwise a stranger, '' that this rare taste in liquors, 
 of which there lias just been question, is the fruit of the 
 excellent knowledge which you extol?" 
 
 *' That is a p(^int I shall not hastily decide,-" returned 
 Bonifacius, smiling. " It may be so, for we have accounts 
 of sore discord between Saint Gall and (jthers even of the 
 Church, touching the uses and qualities of their wines." 
 
 " That have we, and right faithfully recorded ! " rejoined 
 the Abbot. " There was the war between the Prince 
 Bishop of Basle and our brethren of Saint Gall, that led to 
 sore contentions and heavy losses." 
 
 "How! did the desire to partake urge our Rhenish 
 prelate to push adventure so far as to come this distance in 
 quest of liqucjr ? " 
 
 "Thou art in error, son pilgrim, concerning the nature 
 (jf Saint Gall's stcjres. We have vineyards, it is true, 
 among these mountains, as witness those on the shores of 
 the neighboring lake of Zurich, as well as others that 
 might be named ; but onr country wines will wai'm the 
 blood of peasant (Hily. lie that hath tasted better, seldom 
 fills his cup with liquor that comes from anv region this 
 side the farther border of Swabia — yourvinesof the Rliein- 
 gnu in specialty ; whereas the territories of Saint Gall lie 
 still farther from those favored countries than we our- 
 selves." 
 
3i8 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 "You have need to explain, princely Abbot ; for that the 
 Baslois should come in our direction, in quest of good 
 liquor, is clear enough, whereas the war you have named 
 would have sent him farther from his object." 
 
 " Thou hast not come hither, son, without marking the 
 course of the Rhine, on whose banks thou hast so long 
 journeyed. This great stream, though so turbulent and 
 dangerous among the mountains, is of much use in procur- 
 ing our supplies. By means of the lake of Constance, and 
 the lower river, heavy burthens arrive at the very territory 
 of our sister Abbey ; and the dispute to which there has 
 been allusion, came of the fact that the right I'evcrend 
 prelate of Basle would fain have demanded toll on the 
 purchases of the Abbey. Thou mayest remember, brother," 
 looking toward BcMiifacius, "that when both were tired of 
 blows, the good Bishop sent to demand ' Yvliat the Virgin 
 had done, that the churchmen above should slay her 
 people?' and that he received for a merry answer the 
 question of, ' What has Saint Gall done, that thou shouldest 
 stop his wines ? ' " 
 
 The listeners laughed, in low simpers, like men amused 
 with this characteristic narrative ; for such incidents were 
 yet too recent to excite much other reflection, even among 
 churchmen, than what was connected with the vulgar tem- 
 poral interests of the incident. 
 
 " By the Magi ! holy and princely Abbot, thy tale giveth 
 additional flavor ! " said Emich, who greatly enjoyed the 
 quarrel; " it moreover serveth to shut (JUt thoughts that 
 come from aching bones and weary feet." 
 
 " Thy pilgrimage, son, will bring its rewards as well as 
 its pains. Should it be a means of removing thee, for a 
 time, from the heresies of Germany, and of placing tliee 
 and thine in more friendly communion with the Church, 
 the toil will not be lost." 
 
 " As such do I esteem the duty," returned Emich, tossing 
 off his glass, after steadily regarding the liquor a moment 
 by the fire-light. " Saint Gall had the right of the matter ; 
 and he who would not take up arms for this, did not 
 deserve to wear them. How, now, Herr Frey ! Thou art 
 silent ? " 
 
 " Not more so, I trust, nobly-born Emich, than be- 
 cometh one on a pilgrimage ; and one who hath need to 
 bethink him of his duties, lest his town should have cause 
 to reproach him with negligence." 
 
THE JlEIDEArMAUEK. 319 
 
 " God's truth, Master Burgomaster! If any here liavc 
 reason to bethink them of Duerckheim, it is the city's 
 sovereign and lord. So cheer up, and let us lighten the 
 load we carry, always imder the favor and good graces of 
 this hospitable and well-endowed brotherhood." 
 
 ''Thou art a servitor of the Cross ?" demanded the Ab- 
 bot of Albrecht of Viederbach, beckoning the Knight to 
 come nearer. 
 
 "An indifferent one, princely and pious Rudiger, and, I 
 might say, one tiiat hath yielded to the seductions of com- 
 pany and good fellowship, not to speak of the force of 
 blood ; else would he have been spared this expiation." 
 
 "Nay, I name not thy pursuit with the intent to re- 
 proach," interrupted the courteous prelate. "Such lib- 
 erty does not become hospitality. We mnke a difference 
 within these walls between the confessional and the 
 board." 
 
 "The distinction is just, and promises perpetuity and 
 lasting respect to our faith, spite of all heresies. The 
 rock on which this Brother Luther and his followers will 
 split, holy Abbot — at least, it so seemeth to an uninstruct- 
 ed capacity — is the desire to refine beyond men's means of 
 endurance. Religion, like chivalry, is good in its way ; 
 but neither the priest nor the knight can bear his armor 
 at all times and seasons. Your schismatic hath the desire 
 to convert the layman into a monk, whereas the beauty of 
 creation is its order ; and he that is charged with the cure 
 of souls, is sufficient for his object, without laying this 
 constant burthen on the shoulders of him that hath already 
 more (jf temporal cares than he can bear." 
 
 "Were others more of thy mind, son, we should have 
 less trouble, and better discipline. Our altars are not use- 
 less, and if they who frequent them, could be content to 
 think that we are sufficient for their safety, the world 
 would be saved much disputation and haply some shed- 
 ding of blood. But with these safe and creditable opinions. 
 Sir Knight and Pilgrim," continued the Abbot, dro]ii")ing 
 his voice to a more confidential key, " it may be permitted 
 me to express surprise, that I see thee one of a penitence 
 commanded for violence done a c(jnvent !" 
 
 Albrecht of Viederbach shrugged his shoulders, and 
 glanced meaningly toward his cousin. 
 
 " What will you, right noble and reverend Prelate ! — We 
 are but the creatures of accident. There is respect due 
 
320 THE IIEIDENMAUER. 
 
 to fellowship and hospitality, to say naught of the claims 
 of blood and kindred. The evil turn of the Rhodian 
 warfare, some longings to look again at our German 
 fields, for the father-land keeps its hold of us more par- 
 ticularly in adversity, with the habits of an unsettled ex- 
 istence, served to lead me to the castle of Hartenburg ; 
 and fairly entered, it will excite no wonder that the guest 
 was ready to lend his sword, in a short foray, to the host. 
 These sallies, as thou well knowest, princely Rudiger, are 
 not so rare as to be deemed miracles." 
 
 ''What thou sayest is true," returned the Abbot, always 
 speaking as it were aside to the Knight, and manifesting 
 no great surprise at this avowal of principles, that were 
 common enough in that age, and which have descended in 
 a different form to our own, since we daily see men, in the 
 gravest affairs of a nation, putting their morality at the 
 disposal of party, rather than incur the odium of being 
 wanting in this species of social faith. " What thou say- 
 est is very true, and may well furnish thy plea with the 
 Grand Master. Thou mayest on many accounts, too, find 
 this pilgrimage wholesome." 
 
 " Doubt it not, reverend Abbot. We had little time 
 during the siege, to pay due attention to the rites ; and 
 the general looseness of our lives, since driven from the 
 island, has left long arrears to settle ; a fact that I endeavor 
 t(3 remember now." 
 
 " And thy associate — he of ge-ntle mien ; hath he not 
 also connection with the Church?" 
 
 Albrecht turned to whisper the reply. 
 
 " 'Tis but one that circulates under the frock, holy Bene- 
 dictine — a youth that hath been the dupe of Lord Emich ; 
 for to speak thee fair, my cousin wanteth not of the policy 
 necessary to his condition and to the habits of a sage gov- 
 ernment." 
 
 The Abbot smiled in a way to show a good intelligence 
 between him and his companion. After this, they talked 
 apart earnestly for a while, beckoning Monsieur Latouche 
 to make one of their party, after sundry glances in his 
 direction. In the meantime, the general discourse pro- 
 ceeded among the other guests. 
 
 "I was sorrowed to hear, reverend Benedictine," pro- 
 ceeded the Count, purposely avoiding the eye of Bonifacius, 
 by addressing himself to one of the brotherhood of Einsied- 
 len, "that thy community hath refused us masses, for the 
 
THE IIEIDEN'MAUER. 321 
 
 soul of one that fell in that unliappy dispute which is the 
 cause of our present pleasure, in being in so goodly com- 
 pany. I loved the youth, and would fain deal liberally by 
 those that remember his present necessities." 
 
 " Hath the matter been fairly put to those having the 
 right to decide ? " demanded the monk, showing by the di- 
 rection of his eye, that he meant his superior. 
 
 ''They tell me it hath, and put touchingly ; but without 
 success. I trust there has been no hostile interference in 
 this affair, which concerneth no less than a soul, and ought 
 to be dealt by tenderly." 
 
 " I know of but one, and that is the Father of Evil him- 
 self, that hath an enmity to souls ! " answered the monk, 
 with very honest surprise — "As for us, it is our pleasure 
 to be of use on all such occasions ; and that especially 
 when the request is preferred by friends of the deceased, 
 that are worthy of so much higher favor." 
 
 " Dost thou call those who overturn altars," said Boni- 
 facius, sternly, and with great firmness of voice, — "who 
 visit the temple with the armed hand, and who defy the 
 Church, worthv of her favors ! " 
 
 " Reverend Abbot ! " 
 
 "Nay, let him give his humor vent," said Emich, proud- 
 ly — " the cold air and a roofless head are apt to move the 
 temper. I would fain have met thee, Bonifacius, in 
 amity, as should have been the case, after our solemn 
 treaty, and all the reparations that are made ; but the de- 
 sire to rule, it would seem, does not abandon thee, even in 
 banishment ! " 
 
 "Thou art deceived in imagining that I shall forget my- 
 self, or my ofhce, rude Emich ; — the question put was to 
 the Benedictine, and not to thee." 
 
 "Then let the Benedictine answer. I ask thee, Father, 
 is it becoming or just, that the soul of a youth of good re- 
 pute, of nKjral life, and of reasonable earthly hopes, should 
 be refused aid, on the mere grudge of ancient hostility, or 
 haply that there were some passages at his dcatii, tliat 
 might have been better avoided ?" 
 
 "The Churcii must judge for itself, noble Pilgrim, and 
 decide on those rules which regulate its course ! " 
 
 " By the sainted eleven thousand ! — thou forgettest, that 
 
 all usages have been respected, and that the masses are 
 
 not asked as the beggar imploreth alms, but that fairly 
 
 counted gold is proffered in behalf of the youth. If enougli 
 
 21 
 
322 THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 has not been done in this way, I swear to thee, Bonifacius, 
 since it would seem thy influence here is so strong, that on 
 my return there shall be further offerings on his account. 
 Berchtliold was very dear to me, and I would not have it 
 said that all memory of the boy is lost beneath the ashes 
 of Limburg." 
 
 Though both in their several ways were irascible, violent, 
 and unaccustomed to control, neither Emich nor Bonifacius 
 was wanting in that species of self-command, which is so 
 necessary to men intrusted with the care of important in- 
 terests. They had early learned to bring feeling more or 
 less in subjection to their policy ; and though not quite 
 equal to a cold and managed display of indifference on 
 such subjects as too closely crossed their views, it required 
 a certain combination of excitement to induce either, un- 
 necessarily, to betray his true emotions. Their personal 
 intercourse had, in consequence of this affected modera- 
 tion, been less violent and wrangling than would other- 
 wise have proved, for it did not often happen that both 
 found themselves wrought up to the point of explosion, 
 precisely at the same instant ; and he that happened to re- 
 main the coolest, stood as a check on the passions of him 
 who had momentarily forgotten appearances. But for this 
 fact, the ill-timed and ill-worded question of the Count 
 might have produced an immediate rupture, to the injury 
 of the pilgrims' interests, and to the great scandal of the 
 brotherhood of Einsiedlen : as it was, however, Bonifacius 
 listened with outward courtesy, and answered more like 
 one that remembered his priestly office than his particular 
 injuries. 
 
 " Had it been my good fortune, Herr Pilgrim," he said 
 calmly, ''to have remained in charge of pJtars so esteemed, 
 as to be sought on such a behalf, thy application in favor 
 of the vouth would have received meet attention ; but thou 
 now addresscth a prelate, that, like thee, is indebted to the 
 hospitality of these excellent brothers, for a roof to cover 
 his head." 
 
 " Nay, I know not," added the Count, a little confused 
 by this sudden humility, **but rather than desert so young 
 a soul in this strait, and soul of a servitor whom I so much 
 loved, that I would not even now endow some chapel — of 
 a size and decorations suited to his station while living." 
 
 " On Limburg hill, Herr Emich ?" 
 
 ** Nay, excellent Bonifacius, thou forgettest our loving 
 
THIL HEIDENMAUER. 323 
 
 treaty, this pilgrimage, and other conditions honorably ful- 
 filled. Altars can never rise again on Limburg hill, for 
 that were to lose sight of our oaths and promises, which 
 would be a crying sin in both ; but altars and chapels may 
 exist elsewhere. Give us then this grace, and look to our 
 gratitude and justice for the reward." 
 
 Bonifacius smiled, for he felt his power, and he enjoyed 
 it like a man conscious of having so lately been in the 
 hands of the very baron, who now so earnestly beseeched 
 his favor. It may not be easy for one educated in these 
 later days, to understand the singular contradiction, which 
 led Emich of Hartenburg, the destroyer of Limburg, thus 
 to entreat a monk ; but he who would properly understand 
 his ciiaracter, must remember the durability of impressions 
 made in youth, the dread mystery that is attached to the 
 unknown future, and, most of all, the flagrant inconsisten- 
 cies, that are always the fruits of a struggle between prin- 
 ciples and interests, — between the force of reason and the 
 desires of selfishness. 
 
 " Thou accusest me unwarrantably, when thou sayest 
 that our oaths, or our loving treaty is forgotten, pious 
 Pilgrim," returned the Benedictine ; "both are respected 
 and well remembered, as thou wilt see, in the end. But 
 there is a feature in this request of thine, that hath appar- 
 ently escaped unwittingly one of thy known justice and 
 impartiality. Thy forester is well known for having 
 greatly affected the heresy that is ripe in Germany " 
 
 " Nay, Bonifacius, here must be an error," — interrupted 
 the Count : "thou hast his very mother in our pilgrimage ; 
 and dost think a proselyte of Luther would undertake so 
 grievous pain to satisfy Rome ? " 
 
 *' We speak of the child, and not of the parent, Ilerr 
 Pilgrim. Had all that were trained in better principles 
 observed the opinions <jf their fathers, our age Avould liave 
 been spared this heresy. Of tlie boy's irreverence there 
 can be little doubt, since mine own ears have been my 
 witnesses." 
 
 " How, hast thou ever shrived tlie youth, reverend Ab- 
 bot?" demanded h2mici] in surprise. "I did not think 
 thee of so great condescension to one of liis hopes, nor — 
 by the mass ! did I think the youth so weak as to t(juch 
 on dis]:)uted points at the confessi(jnal ! " 
 
 " There arc other acknowledgments made, Herr Pilgrim, 
 than those which are heard in the Church, or luider tlic 
 
324 THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 cloak of her mysteries. There was formerly a question be« 
 tween us, noble Count, amicably settled, and in a merry 
 manner that need not now be named." 
 
 " Touching certain vineyards ! " rejoined Emich, laugh- 
 ing. " The fact is not so distant as to be forgotten, though 
 neither my cousin nor this good Abbe proved as stanch in 
 that matter as had been expected ! " 
 
 " Thy forester did better service. Thou mayest also re- 
 member there were certain discussions then had, and that 
 the bold boy ventured on a comparison of the tree trimmed 
 of its useless branches, and the tree suffered to stand in 
 its deformity." 
 
 " Wilt thou abandon a soul to jeopardy for speech light 
 as this, Hcrr Bonifacius ? God's justice ! This promiseth 
 but little in mine own behalf, at some future day. Bercht- 
 hold, heated and warm in the interest of his lord, threw 
 out hints that might otherwise have been spared ; more- 
 over, the greater the sinner, Father, the greater need of 
 masses and prayers." 
 
 "This will not I gainsay — my objection goeth no farther 
 than to urge that those who are willing to live by the 
 counsels of Luther, should be also willing to seek salvation 
 by his means." 
 
 " Friends and pilgrims," said the Abbot of Einsiedlen, 
 approaching the table, from which he had retired a little, 
 to converse more freely with the Abbot and the Knight 
 of Rhodes — " the hour is at hand which has been set to 
 celebrate an early mass in behalf of this pilgrimage. The 
 bell is giving the first summons, and it is meet that we 
 retire to prepare ourselves for the duty." 
 
 At this interruption Bonifacius, who saw a storm gather- 
 ing, gladly arose, and instantly withdrew, the rest dropped 
 off, according to their several conditions ; Emich and his 
 cousin retiring with the leisure of men more accustomed to 
 make others wait, than of hastening their movements to 
 the injury of their own convenience. 
 
 After perusing this scene, we admonish the reader to 
 spare his remarks until the subject has been well pondered 
 in his mind. In portraying what passed in the private re- 
 fectory of the convent of our Lady of the Hermits, we 
 wish to convey no censure on any particular persuasion, or 
 sect, or order of Christians, but simply to exhibit the hab- 
 its and opinions of the age in which the individuals of 
 this legend existed. Let those who are disposed to be 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 325 
 
 hypercritical, or censorious in their remarks, coolly look 
 around them, and, first makinc^ the necessary allowances 
 for the new aspects of society, put the question, whether 
 contradictions as apparent, inconsistencies nearly as ir- 
 reconcilable withtrutli, and selfishness almost as gross and 
 as unjust, are not now manifest equally among the adher- 
 ents of Rome, and the proselytes of Luther, as any that 
 have been here represented. We may claim to have im- 
 proved on the opinions and practices of our predecessors, 
 but we are still far from being the consistent and equi- 
 table creatures that, it is to be hoped, we are yet destined 
 to become. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 ** Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all." — King Henry VI, 
 
 Among the expiations prescribed to the pilgrims of 
 Duerckheim and Hartenburg, there had been included an 
 especial and early morning service, the one to which they 
 were now summoned. Time had been allowed the weaker 
 portion of the party to rest, w^hile the stronger had been 
 employed in the manner described in the preceding chap- 
 ter. Certain self-inllicted stripes it was taken for granted 
 had been duly bestowed, at different periods, during the 
 long journey from the Palatinate. 
 
 It was an hour after tlie separation of the Abbey guests 
 that the procession of Benedictines swept out of tlie 
 cloisters into the body of the church. Though far from 
 being a community remarkable for the austerity of its 
 practices, it was not unusual for monks of all orders, to 
 quit their pallets on extraordinary occasions, and to break 
 the stillness of night with the music and service of tlie altar. 
 When the spirit comes thus fresh from repose, and in a dis- 
 position suited to the object, into the immediate pres- 
 ence of the Deity, incense and praise so free from the 
 dross of humanity, must come nearer to that high purity 
 which adorns the worship of angels than any other that 
 can ascend from man, since it is at such a moment that all 
 least feel tlie burtiien of their cor]:)oreal adjunct. 
 
 Even in the daily i^arcjchial duty, the good Catholics 
 still observe a uniformity and rigidity of practice that arc 
 unknown even in this land of Puritan origin. The church* 
 
326 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 bell is heard in every village, with the first dawn of light ; 
 at indicated hours, all within hearing- of its sound are ad- 
 monished to recall their thoughts from earth, by address- 
 ing a prayer to God ; and witli the close of day, the tlock 
 is once again summoned to the fold, at the service of ves- 
 pers. These are beautiful and touching memorials of our 
 duty, and when practised in sincerity, cannot fail to keep 
 the mind in better subjection to the great authority that 
 directs all our destinies. In countries where the husband- 
 men dwell together in villages, the practice is easy, and we 
 hold its loss to be one of the greatest disadvantages of our 
 own diffuse distribution of rural population ; a distribution 
 which is also the reason why we must forever be wanting 
 in several other features of social intercourse, that give to 
 life more or less of its poetical charm. Happily there are, 
 on the other hand, accompanying advantages that per- 
 haps more than serve as offsets to this, as to most other 
 similar anomalies in our usages. 
 
 The arrangements of a Benedictine chapel, and the dec- 
 orations of its altars, together with the manner in which 
 the brotherhood occupy their stalls in the choir, have 
 been too often mentioned in these pages, to require repe- 
 tition. Long accustomed to these exercises, the monks 
 were early in their places, though they for whom the mass 
 was to be said were not all as punctual. 
 
 Ulrike and Lottchen, with the rest of the females, en- 
 tered the church in a body, while the men, as is usual in 
 matters that touch the liner feelings, were the last. Emich 
 and the Burgomaster, h(3\vever, finally made their appear- 
 ance, followed by their companions, the whole betraying 
 by their drowsy air, that they had been endeavoring 
 to sleep off the late repast, and to recover from their 
 fatigue. 
 
 During the mass, the companions of Lottchen and Ul- 
 rike exhibited exemplary devotion, and a close attention 
 to the service ; but the gaping of the Count and his circle, 
 the wandering eyes, and finally the profound repose of 
 several, sufficiently showed that the ethereal part of their 
 natures was altogether unequal to the mastery of that 
 which was material. 
 
 There was a procession from the choir to the shrine, 
 and pravers were said, as on the previous day, with the 
 eyes of all riveted on the unearthly countenance of Maria. 
 As each was left to judge for himself of the manner in 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 327 
 
 which he dischnrged his particular duties, there was a very 
 sensible difference in the time occupied by the several 
 devotees, in the performance of the common vows. The fe- 
 males appeared to be embodied with the stone, and there 
 were entire minutes during which their motionless forms 
 would have seemed to be as inanimate as the image on 
 which they gazed but for the heaving of a breast, or an 
 occasional tremor, — outward and visible signs of the work- 
 ings of the spirit within. Meta kneeled between her 
 mother and Lottchen, her whole soul apparently engrossed 
 in devotion. As she studied tlie bright eye that gleamed 
 upon her from the depths of that mysterious chapel, illu- 
 minated as it was by gorgeous and bright lamps, her fancy 
 transformed the image into a being sainted and blessed by 
 the choice of God ; and her own gentle spirit clung to the 
 delusion, as one replete with a hope to cheer her own des- 
 olation. She thought of the future, and of the grave ; of 
 the rewards of the just, and of Heaven ; of that endless 
 eternity and its fruition in which she confided, — and the 
 ties of earth began sensibly to lessen. There was a holy 
 desire to be at rest. But, notwithstanding the spiritual 
 nature of her employment, the form of Berchthold, gav in 
 the green garb of a forester, with laughing eye, light 
 step, and cheerful voice, mingled in all the pictures of her 
 imagmation. Now he appeared a saint, robed and 
 bearded, as she had been w^ont to see those holy men rep- 
 resented in works of art, and yet, by a contradiction 
 wrought by her own heart, always bright and youthful, 
 and now she thought him gifted with wings, and united 
 to the beings of that heavenly chcjir, which had so many 
 representatives around her suspended between the roof 
 and the pavement of the edifice. Singular as it mav seem 
 to some of our readers, so busy and so alluring was the 
 W(jrking of her imagination at this thrilling moment, that 
 themourningand affecti(jnate girl had rarelv spent an hour 
 of more holy enjoyment than this which she passed before 
 the shrine of our Lady of the Hermits. 
 
 Very different were the sensations of Lottchen. Her 
 griefs were those in which the fancy had no share. She 
 wept for the child to which she had given birth ; for the 
 stay of her age, and for the pride of her life. No fancy 
 could betray the imagination oi a mother, nor could any 
 W(jrkings of the mind convert the sad reality into aught 
 but the bitter truth. Still Lottchen found consolation in 
 
328 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 licr piayers. Religious faith was active, though imagina- 
 tion shimbercd ; for nothing can be more different than 
 the dchisions of the one, and the deep sustained convic- 
 tions of the other ; and she was able to find a solace for 
 her sorrow, by hooking with calm, Christian hope beyond 
 the interests of life. 
 
 The sentiments and feelings of Ulrike differed from 
 those of her friend, only in the degree, and in the peculi- 
 arity of those circumstances which directed her maternal 
 solicitude to a still living object. But Ulrike, kind, true, 
 and warm of heart, had tenderly regarded the lost Bercht- 
 hold. Had there been no other motive than the fact of 
 his being the offspring of Lottchcn, she could not have 
 been indifferent to him ; but, accustomed, as she had been 
 for years, to look fcn-ward to liis union with Meta, she felt 
 his loss little less than she would have mourned over that 
 of a child of her own. 
 
 Not so with Heinrich. The bold and spirited support 
 he received from Berchthold during the assault, had sensi- 
 bly won upon his esteem, for the affinities between the 
 brave are amongst the strongest ; but the Burgomaster had 
 not passed a life in the indulgence of a passion so engross- 
 ing, and so incurable, as the love of gain, readily to cast 
 aside all his intentions and objects, at the impulse of a pure- 
 ly generous feeUng. He would freely have given of his be- 
 loved stores to the youth ; but to bestow^ Meta was, in his 
 eyes, to bestow all, and, under his habits, it seemed to be 
 giving gold without an equivalent, to give his daughter's 
 hand to a penniless husband. There are some who ac- 
 cumulate for the advantages that are incidental to w^ealth ; 
 others hoard under the goadings of an abstract and nearly 
 inexplicable passion ; while another set heap together 
 their means, as boys roll up snow, with a delight in wit- 
 nessing how large a mass may be collected by their agency. 
 Heinrich was of the latter class, subject, however, to a rel- 
 ish for the general results of wealth, and like all men who 
 deem money as an end and not as a means, he was in the 
 practice of considering the last measure of his policy, 
 which was intended to double the stock by the marriage of 
 his daughter, as the happiest and the greatest stroke of a 
 fortunate and prosperous life. And yet Heinrich Frey had 
 his moments of strong natural feeling, and the manner in 
 which Meta mourned for the death of Berchthold touched 
 him, to a degree that might have disposed him to say he 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 329 
 
 regretted the fate of his young lieutenant as much on her 
 account as on his own. It is more than probable, however, 
 could Bcrciithold have been suddenly restored to life, that 
 the Burgomaster would have returned to his former mode 
 of thinking, and would have thought the resuscitation of 
 tlie young forester sufficient, of itself, to assuage the grief 
 of a whole family. 
 
 Heinrich and the Count were among the first to quit 
 their suppliant attitudes before the shrine. They had each 
 said tlie required number of prayers, and brushing their 
 knees, the two pilgrims strolled away, deeper into the body 
 of the church, like men well satisfied with themselves. 
 But, while so ready to give relief to his owm bones, the 
 Burgomaster kept a vigilant eye on Dietrich, who, being a 
 hired penitent, was expected to give Duerckheim the full 
 worth of its money, in the way of mortifications and arcs. 
 
 Most of the lights in the choir had been extinguished, 
 and the aisles of the edifice were dimly visible, by means 
 of a few scattered candles, that burned almost without 
 ceasing, before the altars of different subordinate chapels. 
 As they walked down the great aisle, Emich shnvly laid a 
 hand on the shoulder of his companion, seeming to invite 
 his close attention, by the grave and meaning manner of 
 the action. 
 
 " I could wish that our poor Berchthold, after air, had 
 the virtue of masses from these servitors of our Lady 
 of the Hermits ! " said the Count. " If there be especial 
 savor in any of this description of prayers, methinks it 
 must be among men who watch a shrine of which they tcU 
 all these miracles ! " 
 
 "Your wish, nobly-born-brother-pilgrim-and-frieno, is 
 but the expression of mine. own. To own the truth, I 
 have thought of little else, while going through the avcs^ 
 but to devise the means of persuading the holy Abbot, at 
 a reasonable rate, to change his mind, and honestly to let 
 the youth's soul benefit by his intercessions." 
 
 " Thou hast not well bethought thee altogether, friend 
 Heinrich, of thine own errand here ! " 
 
 " Sapperment ! What would you, Herr Emich, from a 
 man of my years and education ? One gets to be so ready 
 with the words by oft repeating, that going through the 
 beads is much like tapping with a finger while the eye 
 looks over an account. But to speak of tiie Ixjy — were we 
 to bid higher for these masses, it might raise the present 
 
33© THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 price, and we be uselessly losers ; for, as I understand the 
 question, the amount given in no manner changes the true 
 value of the intercession to the defunct." 
 
 ''Heinrich," returned the Count, musingly, "they say 
 that Brother Luther denounces these post-mortem prayers, 
 as vain and of none avail ! " 
 
 " That would alter the case greatly, Lord Count-and- 
 brother-pilgrim. One could wish to be sure in an affair of 
 this delicacy, for if the Monk of Wittenberg hath reason 
 of his side, we lose our gold ; and if he hath wrong, 
 the soul of Berchthold may be none the better for our 
 doubts ! " 
 
 "We laymen are sorely pressed between the two opin- 
 ions, worthy Burgomaster, and I could fain wish that 
 these reformers would bring the question speedily to a 
 conclusion. By the mass ! there are moments when I am 
 ready to throw away the rosary, and to take Duke Fried- 
 rich of Saxony's side of the question, as being the most 
 reasonable and manly. But, then again, should he prove 
 wrong, tiiou know'st, Heinrich, we lose the benefit of 
 chapels built, of avcs said, of gold often paid, and the 
 high protection of Rome ! Thou seest the strait of poor 
 Berchthold, and this only for some little freedom of dis- 
 course ! " 
 
 Pleinrich sighed, for he felt the force of the dilemma, 
 and he appeared to ponder well before he answered. Edg- 
 ing nearer to the Count, like a man who felt he was about 
 to utter dangerous sentiments in a delicate situation, he 
 whispered the reply. 
 
 " Here, Emich," he said, " we are but dust, and that of 
 no very excellent quality. The potter's ware hath its util- 
 ity, if well baked and otherwise prepared ; but of what 
 use is man when the breath hath departed ? They say the 
 soul remains, and that it must be cared for, neither of 
 which will I dispute ; but is it reasonable to buy out a 
 patent of salvation, for an intangible thing, with current 
 coin ? Look to that knave, the smith ! — Your pardon, 
 nobly-born Count — but here hath our town engaged the 
 rogue to do penance in its behalf, and my eyes are no 
 sooner off him than his lips become as stationary as the 
 wings of a mill in a calm. Duty to Duerckheim demands 
 that I should give him a jog, after which, with your gra- 
 cious leave, we will look further into the philosophy of 
 that in which we were dealing." 
 
THE HEIDENMA UER. 
 
 331 
 
 So saying, the zealous Heinrich hurried down the aisle 
 towards his religious mercenary, with a laudable and sen- 
 sitive watchfulness ov^er the interests of his constituents. 
 He found the smith perfectly immovable, and it was only 
 by repeated and vigorous shakes, that he succeeded in 
 arousing his auxiliary from a profound slumber. 
 
 In the meanwhile, Emich walked on, still occupied by 
 his reflections. On reaching the gate of the choir, he was 
 about to retrace his steps, when he was privately beckoned, 
 by one whose dusky form appeared at a side door of the 
 church, to draw nearer. On approaching, Emich found 
 that his old rival, Bonifacius, awaited his coming. 
 
 The salutations of these ancient enemies were courteous, 
 but distant. After a short parley, however, they withdrew 
 in company ; and it was past the turn of the day, ere the 
 Count of Ilartenburg reappeared among the pilgrims. 
 The details of what passed in this secret conference were 
 never known to the public, though subsequent events gave 
 reason to believe that they had reference to the final set- 
 tlement of the long-contested existence of Limburg in the 
 Jaegerthal. It was known generally in the Abbey, that 
 the Abbot Rudiger made one of the council, and that its 
 termination was friendly. Those who were disposed to be 
 critical, intimated in after days, that in this dispute, as in 
 most others in which the weak and humble lend them- 
 selves to the views of the great and the strong, they for 
 whom the battle had been fought, and whose apparently 
 implacable enmities had sown discord among their follow- 
 ers, suddenly found means to appease their resentments, 
 and to still the tempest they had raised, in such a manner 
 as to suffer most of its consequences to fall on the heads 
 of their allies. This result, which appears to be universal 
 with those who have the imprudence to connect themselves 
 indissolubly with friends who can irretrievably dispose o^ 
 their destinies, was perhaps to be looked for, since the man 
 or the community that is so weak as to confide too implic- 
 itly in the faith of the powerful, whether considered indi 
 vidually or as nations, may at once consider itself a tool to 
 favor view^s that have little connection witli its own inter- 
 ests. In cases of tliis nature, men are wont to share the 
 fate of the orange-skin, which is thrown away after being 
 sucked ; and communities themselves are a|H to luidergo 
 some such changes as those which mark the existence of 
 the courser, which is first pampered and caressed, then 
 
332 
 
 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 driven upon the pole, and which commonly ends its career 
 at the plow. 
 
 During the time Bonifacius and Emich were arranging 
 their secret treaty, in the best manner that the former 
 could hope for, in the actual state of Germany, and to the 
 entire satisfaction of tlie latter, the ceremonies of the expi- 
 ation proceeded. Aroused from his sleep, Dietrich en- 
 deavored to compensate for lost time by renewed diligence, 
 and the Burgomaster himself, apprehensive that the negli- 
 gence of the hireling might bring a calamity on the town, 
 joined himself to the party, with as much zeal as if he had 
 as yet done nothing towards effecting the object of their 
 journey. 
 
 The sun had fallen far towards the west, when the pil- 
 grims finally took their departure for the Palatinate. 
 Father Arnolph was again at their head, and, blessed by 
 the Abbot and in favor with the Church, the whole went 
 their way, if not with lightened hearts, at least with bodies 
 much refreshed, with hopes rekindled and with packs ma- 
 terially diminished in size. 
 
 Ulrike and Lottclien paused wnen they reached the 
 boundary of the plain, where they could command a part- 
 ing view of the Abbey. Here they, and Meta, and indeed 
 most of the party, prayed long and fervently ; or at least 
 so seemed to pray. When they arose from their knees, the 
 Prior, whose whole time while at the convent had been 
 deeply occupied by religious exercises, and whose spirit 
 had been refreshed, in a degree proportioned to his sin- 
 cerity and faith, came to the side of the principal group of 
 the females, his eye beaming with holy hope, and his face 
 displaying innate peace of mind. 
 
 " Ye are now, daughters, about to take leave, forever, of 
 the shrine of our I.ady of the Hermits," he said, " If ye 
 have seen aught to lessen the high expectation with which 
 the pious are apt to draw near this sacred altar, ascribe it 
 to that frailty which is inherent in the nature of man ; and 
 if ye have reaped consolation and encouragement from 
 your offerings and prayers, ye may, with all security, im- 
 pute it to the goodness of God. And thou, my child," he 
 added with paternal tenderness, addressing Meta — "thou 
 hast been sorely tried in thy young life — but God is with 
 thee, as He is in yon blue sky — in that sun of molten gold 
 — in yonder icy pile that props the lieavens, and in all His 
 works, that are so glorious in our eyes ! Turn with me to 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 333 
 
 yonder mountain, that from its form is called the Mitre 
 Regard it well — Dost see aught in particular ? " 
 
 •' 'Tis an abrupt and dreary pile of rock, Father," an- 
 swered Meta. 
 
 " Seest thou naught else — on its highest summit." 
 
 Meta looked intently, for in sooth there did appear on 
 the uppermost pinnacle of the mass, an object so small, 
 and so like a line, that, at first, she passed a hand across 
 her eye to remove a Hoating hair from before her sight. 
 
 "Father!" exclaimed the girl, clasping her hands fer- 
 vently, " I behold a cross ! " 
 
 "That rock is the type of God's durable justice ; — That 
 cross is the pledge of His grace and love. Go thy way, 
 daughter, and have hope." 
 
 The pilgrims tinmed and descended the mountain in 
 musing silence. That evening they crossed the lake, and 
 slept within the ancient walls of the romantic town of Rap- 
 perschwyl. On the following day, the pilgrimage being 
 now happily accomplished, they proceeded toward their 
 own distant habitations, descending the Rhine in boats. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 *' But thou art clay — and canst but comprehend 
 
 That which was clay, and sucli thou shalt Ijehold." — Cain. 
 
 The return of the pilgrims was a happy moment to all 
 who dwelt in Ducrckheim. Many prayers had been offered 
 in their behalf, during the long absence, and divers vague 
 reports of their progress and success had been eagerly 
 swallowed by their friends and townsmen. When, lu)w- 
 ever, the Burgomaster and his companions were actually 
 seen entering their gates, the good citizens ran to and fro, 
 in troubled delight, and the greetings, especially among 
 the gentler sex, were mingled with many tears. Emich 
 and his f<jllowers did not appear, having taken a private 
 path to the castle of Hartenburg. 
 
 The simple and still Catholic (though wav(M-ing) burgh- 
 ers had felt many doubts concerning tlie fruits of tiieir bold 
 policy, while the expiatory penance was pending. Their 
 town was in the midst (jf a regi(m that is perhaj:)S more 
 pregnant with wild legends, even at this hour, than any 
 
334 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 Other of equal extent in Europe ; and it can be easily con- 
 ceived that, under such circumstances, the imaginations of 
 a people who had been, as it were, nurtured in superstition, 
 would not be likely to slumber. In effect, numberless 
 startling rumors were rife, in the town, the valley, and on 
 the plain. Some spoke of fiery crosses gleaming at night 
 above the walls of the fallen Abbey ; others whispered of 
 midnight chants, and spectre-like processions, that had 
 been heard or seen among the ruined towers ; while one 
 peasant, in particular, asseverated that he had held dis- 
 course with the spirit of Father Johan. These tales found 
 credulous auditors or not, according to the capacity of the 
 listener ; and to these may be added another, that was ac- 
 companied by such circumstances of confirmation, as are 
 apt momentarily to affect the minds of those, even, who 
 are little wont to lend attention to any incidents of miracu- 
 lous nature. 
 
 A peasant, in crossing the chase by a retired path, was 
 said to have encountered Berchtliold, clad in his dress of 
 green, wearing the hunting-horn and cap, and girded 
 with the usual coiiteau-de-chasse^ or, in fine, much as he 
 was first presented to the reader in our early pages. The 
 youth was described to have been hot on the chase of a 
 roebuck, and flushed with exercise. From time to time, 
 he was said to wind his horn. The hounds were near, 
 obedient as usualto his call, and indeed the vision was de- 
 scribed as partaking of most of the usual accompaniments 
 of the daily exercise of the forester. 
 
 Had the tale ended here, it might have passed off among 
 the thousand other similar wonderful sights that w^ere then 
 related in that wonder-loving country, and been forgotten. 
 But it was accompanied with positive circumstances, that 
 addressed themselves, in a manner not to be disputed, to 
 the senses. The two favorite hounds of the forester had 
 been missing for some weeks, and, from time to time, cries 
 resembling theirs were unequivocally heard, ringing among 
 the arches of the forest, and filling the echoes of the moun- 
 tains. 
 
 This extraordinary confirmation of the tale of the boor, 
 occurred the week preceding the return of the pilgrims. 
 The latter found their townsmen under a strong excite- 
 ment from this cause, for that very day, nearly half the 
 population of Ducrckhcim had been into the pass of the 
 Haart which was described in the opening chapter of this 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER, 335 
 
 work, and witli their own cars had heard the deep baying 
 of the hounds. It was only after the first feUcitations of 
 the return were over, and during the night which followed, 
 that the pilgrims learned this unusual circumstance. It 
 reached Emich himself, however, ere his foot crossed the 
 threshold of his castle. 
 
 On the following day, Duerckheim presented a picture 
 of pleased but troubled excitement. Its population was 
 happy in the return of their chosen and best, but troubled 
 with the marvellous incident of the dogs, and by the wild 
 rumors that accompanied it ; rumors which thickened 
 every hour by corroborating details from different sources. 
 Early that very morning a new occurrence helped to in- 
 crease the excitement. 
 
 From the moment that the Abbey was destroyed, not an 
 individual had dared to enter its tottering walls. Two peas- 
 ants of the Jaegerthal, incited by cupidity, had indeed 
 secretly made the attempt, but they returned with the re- 
 port of strange sights, and of fearful groans existing with- 
 in the consecrated pile. The rumor of this failure, together 
 with a lingering respect for altars that had been so long 
 reverenced, effectually secured the spot against all similar 
 expeditions. The alarm spread to the lieidenmauer, for, 
 by a confusion of incidents, that is far from unusual in 
 popular rumors, an account of Use, concerning the passage 
 of the armed band through the cedars, on the night of the 
 assault, coupled with the general distrust that was attached 
 to the place, had been so perverted and embellished as 
 effectually to leave the ancient camp to its solitude. Sonie 
 said that even the spirits of the Pagans had been aroused 
 by the sacrilege, from the sleep of centuries, and others 
 argued tiiat, as the hermit was known to have perished in 
 the conllagration, it was a spot accursed. The secret of the 
 true name, and of the history of the Anchorite, was now 
 generally knoum, and men so blended the late events with 
 former offences, as to create a theory to satisfy their own 
 longings for the marvellous ; though, as is usual in most of 
 these cases of supernatural agency, it might not have stood 
 the test of a severe logical and philoso})hical investigation. 
 
 During the nigiit wliich succeeded the return of the pil- 
 grims, there had been a grave consultation among the 
 civic authorities, on the subject of all these extraordinary 
 tales and spectach;s. The alarm had reaf:hed an incon- 
 venient point, and the best manner of quieting it was now 
 
336 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 gravely debated. There was not a burgher present at the 
 discussion, who felt himself free from the general uneasi- 
 ness ; but men, and especially men in authority, ordina- 
 rily choose to affect a confidence they are frequently far 
 from feeling. In this spirit, then, was the matter discussed 
 and decided. We shall refer to the succeeding events for 
 the explanation. 
 
 Just as the sun began to shed his warmth into the valley, 
 the people of Duerckheim, with few exceptions, collected 
 without that gate which the Count of Hartenburg had so 
 unceremoniously forced. Here they were marshalled by 
 citizens appointed to that duty, in the usual order of a re- 
 ligious procession. In front went the pilgrims, to whom 
 an especial virtue was attached, in consequence of their 
 recent journey ; then came the parochial clergy, with the 
 ordinary emblems of Catholic worship ; the burghers suc- 
 ceeded, and last of all followed the women and children, 
 without much attention to order. When all were duly 
 arranged, the crowd proceeded, accompanied by a chant of 
 the choristers, and taking the direction of Limburg. 
 
 " Tills is a short pilgrimage, brother Dietrich," said the 
 Burgomaster, who in his quality of a Christian of peculiar * 
 savor was still associated with the smith, "and little likely 
 to weary the limbs ; still had the town been as active and 
 true as we w4io have visited the mountains, this little af- 
 fair of a few barking hounds, and some midnight moans 
 in the Abbey ruins, wcnild have been ready settled to our 
 hands. But a town without its head, is like a man without 
 his reason." 
 
 " You count on an easy deliverance then, honorable 
 Heinrich, from this outcry of devils and unbidden guests ! 
 For mine own particular exercises, I w^ill declare that, 
 tliougli sufficiently foot-sore with what hath already been 
 done, I could wish the journey were longer, and the enemy 
 more human." 
 
 *' Go to, smith ; thou art not to believe above half of 
 what thou hast iieard. The readiness to give faith to idle 
 rumors forms a chief distinction between the vagrant and 
 the householder — the man of weakness, and the man of 
 ■wisdom. Were it decent, between a magistrate and an 
 artisan, I would hold thee some hazard of coin, now, that 
 this affair turns out very different from what thou expect- 
 cst ; and I do not account thee, Dietrich, an evcry-day 
 swallowcr of lies." 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER, 337 
 
 " If your worship would but hint what a fair dealing man 
 ougiit in truth to believe ?" 
 
 " Why, look you, smith, here is all that I expect from 
 the inquiry, though we hunt and exercise for a month. It 
 will be found that tliere is no pack of hounds at all, loose 
 or in leash, but at most a dog or two, that may be beset 
 or not, as the case shall prove ; next, thou wilt see that this 
 tale of Father Johan chasing young Berchthold, while the 
 boy hunts a roebuck, is altogether an invention, since the 
 monk was the last man to give loose to such a scampering, 
 noisy device ; as for the Forester, my life on it, his appear- 
 ance too will end in footmarks, or perhaps some other 
 modest sign that he desires the masses refused by the Ben- 
 edictines ; for I know not the youtli that would be less likely 
 needlessly to disturb a neigliborhood, with his own particular 
 concerns, than Berchthold Mintcrmaycr, living or dead." 
 
 A general start, and a common murmur among his com- 
 panions, caused lieinrich to terminate his explanations. 
 The head of tlie procession had reached the gorge, and, as 
 it was about to turn into the valley, the trampling of many 
 lioufs became audible. Feelings so highly wrought were 
 easily excited to a painful degree, and the connuon expec- 
 tation, for the moment, seemed to be some supernatural 
 exhibition. A whirlwind of dust swept round the point of 
 the hill, and Count Emich, with a train of well-mounted 
 followers, a'ppeared from its cloud. It was so common to 
 meet religious processions of this nature, that the Count 
 wcjuld not have manifested surprise, had he been ignorant 
 of the motive whicli induced the population of Duerck- 
 heim to quit its walls ; but, already apprised of their in- 
 tentions, he hastily dismounted and approached the Burgo- 
 master, cap in hand. 
 
 "Thou goest to exercise, worshipful Emich," he said, 
 ''and love for my town hath quickened our steps, that no 
 honor or attenti(m shoidd be wanting to those I love, — 
 hast a phice among thy pilgrims for a poor baron and his 
 friends?" 
 
 The offer was gladly accepted, courage being quickened 
 by every ap[)earance uf succor. Emich, though e([uipped 
 as a cavalier, was tiiereforc willingly received anujug his 
 fellow-travellers. The delay caused by this interruption 
 ended, the prc^cession, or ralher the throng, for eagerness 
 and anxiety and curiosity had nearly broken all order, pro- 
 ceeded towards the ascent of the mountain. 
 22 
 
33S THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 The ruins of Limburg, then recent and still blackened 
 with smoke, were found in the deep silence of utter de- 
 sertion. To judge from appearances, not a footstep had 
 trodden them, since the moment when the band of the as- 
 sailants had last poured through the gates, after a tumult- 
 uous triumph which had been so chilled by the awful 
 catastrophe of the falling roofs. If that party had drawn 
 near the Abbey in expectation of a sudden and furious 
 assault, this slowly advanced with a troubled apprehension 
 of witnessing some fearful manifestation of superhuman 
 power. Both were disappointed. The unresisted success 
 of the assailants is known, and the procession now pro- 
 ceeded with the same impunity ; though many a voice fal- 
 tered in the chant as they entered the spoiled and desolate 
 church. Nothing, however, occurred to justify their alarm. 
 
 Encouraged by this pacific tranquillity, and desirous of 
 giving proofs of their personal superiority to vulgar ter- 
 rors, the Count and Heinrich commanded the throng to 
 remain in the great aisle of the church, while they pro- 
 ceeded together into the choir. They found the usual 
 evidences of a fierce conflagration at every step, but 
 nothing to create surprise, until they arrived at the mould- 
 ering altar. 
 
 " Himmel !" exclaimed the Burgomaster, hastily pulling 
 back his noble friend by the cloak, — "Your foot was 
 about to do disreverence to the bones of a Christian, my 
 Lord Count ! — For Christian Father Johan was, beyond 
 all question, though one more given to damnation than to 
 charity." 
 
 Emich recoiled, for he saw in truth, that with heedless 
 step, he had been near crushing these revolting remnants 
 of mortality. 
 
 " Here died a wild enthusiast ! " he said, moving the 
 skeleton with the point of his sheathed sword. 
 
 " And here he is still, nobly-born Graf ! — This settles 
 the question of the monk chasing young Berchthold 
 through the forest, and among the cedars of the Heiden- 
 mauer, and it would be well to show these remains to the 
 people." 
 
 The hint was improved, and the throng was sum- 
 moned to bear witness, that the bones of Johan still lay 
 on the precise spot, in which he had died. While the 
 curious and the timid were whispering their opinions of 
 this discovery, the two leaders descended to the crypt. 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 339 
 
 This portion of the edifice had suffered least by the fire. 
 Protected by the superior pavement, and constructed alto- 
 gether of stone, it liad received no very material injury, 
 but that which had been inllicted by the sledges of the in- 
 vaders. Fragments of the tombs lay scattered on every 
 side, and here and there a wreath of smoke had left its 
 mark upon the wall ; but Emich saw with regret, that he 
 owed the demolition of the altar, and of the other memo- 
 rials of his race, entirely to his own precipitation. 
 
 " I will cause the bones of my fathers to be interred else- 
 where," he said, musingly : — "this is no sepulchre for an 
 honored stock ! " 
 
 '' Umph ! — They have long and creditably decayed 
 where they lie, Herr Emich, and it would have been well 
 had they been left beneath the cover of their ancient mar- 
 bles ; but our artisans showed unusual agility in this part 
 of tlieir toil, in iionor, no doubt, of an illustrious house." 
 
 '' None of my race shall sleep within walls accursed by 
 Benedictines! Hark I — what movement is that above, 
 good Heinrich ? " 
 
 " The townsmen have doubtless fallen upon the bones 
 of the hermit, and of young Berchthold. Shall we go up, 
 Lord Count, and see that fitting reverence be paid their 
 remains ? The Forester has claims upon us all, and as for 
 Odo Von Ritterstein, his crime would be deemed all the 
 lighter in these days, moreover he was betrothed to Ulrike 
 in their youth." 
 
 " Heinrich, thy wife w%as very fair ; — she had manv suit- 
 ors ! " 
 
 " I cry your mercy, noble Count ; I never heard but of 
 poor Odo, and myself. The former was put out of the 
 fjuestion by his own madness, and as for the latter, he is 
 such as Fleaven was pleased to make him ; an indifferent 
 lover and husband if you will, but a man of some credit 
 and substance among his equals." 
 
 The Count did not care to dispute the possession of these 
 qualities with his friend, and they left the crypt, with a 
 C(jmmon desire to pay proper respect to the remains of 
 poor Berchthold. Tcj their mutual surprise the churcii 
 was found deserted. By the clamor (;f voices without, 
 hcnvever, it was easy to perceive that some extraordinary 
 incident liad drawn away the members of the procession, 
 in a bodv. Curious to iiave so violent an interruption of 
 the proceedings explained, the two chiefs, fur Heinrich 
 
340 THE IIEIDENMAUER. 
 
 was still entitled to be so styled, hastened down the great 
 aisle, picking their way among fallen fragments, towards 
 the great door. Near the latter, they were again shocked 
 by the spectacle of the charred skeleton of Johan, wiiich 
 seemingly had been dropped under the impulse of some 
 sudden and great confusion. 
 
 " Himmel ! " muttered the Burgomaster, while he hur- 
 ried after his leader, " they have deserted the bones of the 
 Benedictine ! — can it be. Lord Emich, that some fiery mir- 
 acle, after all our unbelief, hath wrought this fear ? " 
 
 Emich made no reply, but issued into the court with the 
 air of an offended master. The first glimpse, however, 
 that he caught of the group, which now thronged the 
 ruined walls of the minor buildings, whence there was a 
 view of the surrounding country, and particularly of parts 
 of the adjacent hill of the Heidenmauer, convinced him 
 that the present was no moment to exhibit displeasure. 
 Climbing up a piece of fallen stone-work, he found him- 
 self on a fragment of wall, surrounded by fifty silent, won- 
 dering countenances, among whom he recognized several 
 of his own most trusty followers. 
 
 " What meaneth this disrespect of the service, and so 
 sudden an abandonment of the remains of the monk ? " 
 demanded the baron, — vainly looking about him, in the 
 hope of finding some quicker explanation by means of his 
 own eyes. 
 
 " Hath not my Lord the Count seen and heard ? " mut- 
 tered the nearest vassal. 
 
 "What — knave? I have seen naught, but pallid and 
 frightened fools, nor heard more than beating hearts ! Wilt 
 thou explain this, varlet — for, though something of a rogue, 
 thou, at least, art no coward ? " 
 
 Emich addressed himself to Gottlob. 
 
 ** It may not be so easy of explanation as is thought, 
 Lord Count," returned the cow-herd gravely ; " the people 
 have come hither with this speed, inasmuch as the cries of 
 the supernatural dogs have been heard, and some say the 
 person of poor Berchthold hath been again seen ! " 
 
 The Count smiled contemptuously, though he knew the 
 speaker sufficiently well to be surprised at the concern 
 which was very unequivocally painted in his face. 
 
 " Thou wert attached to my Forester ? " 
 
 " Lord Emich, we were friends, if one of so humble 
 fetation may use the word, when speaking of a youth that 
 
THE HEIDEMMAUER. 
 
 341 
 
 served so near the person of our master. Like his, my 
 own family once knew better days, and we often met in the 
 chase, which I was wont to cross, coininGf or o-oinof to the 
 pastures. I loved poor Berchthold, nobly-born Count, and 
 still love his memory." 
 
 *' I believe thou hast better stuff in thee than some idle 
 and silly deeds would give reason to believe. I have 
 remembered thy good will on various occasions, and espe- 
 cially thy cleverness in making the signals on the night 
 these walls were overturned, and thou wilt find thyself 
 named to the employment left vacant by my late Forester's 
 unhappy end." 
 
 Gottlob endeavored to thank his master, but he was too 
 much troubled by real grief for the loss of his friend, to 
 find consolation in his own preferment. 
 
 " My services are my Lord Count's," he answered, "but, 
 though ready to do as commanded, I could well wish that 
 Berchthold were here to do that for mc, which " 
 
 " Listen ! — Hark ! " — cried a hundred voices. 
 
 Emich started, and bent forward in fixed attention. The 
 day was clear and cloudless, and the air of the hills pure 
 as a genial breeze and a bright sun could bestow. Favored 
 by such circumstances, and amid a silence that was breath- 
 ing and eloquent, there were borne across the valley the 
 well-known cries of hounds on the scent. In that region 
 and age none dared hunt, and indeed none possessed the 
 means of hunting, but the feudal lord. Since the late 
 events, his chases had been unentered with this view, and 
 tlie death of Berchthold, who had especial privileges in 
 this respect, had left them without another who miglit dare 
 to imitate his habits. 
 
 " This is at least bold ! " said Emich, when the cries had 
 passed away ; " hath any other near dogs of that noble 
 breed ? " 
 
 " We never heard of other ! " 
 
 ''None would dare use tliem," were the answers. 
 
 " I know those throats — they are, of a certainty, tlie 
 favorite hounds of my poor Forester ! Have not the di-)gs 
 escaped the leash, to play their gambols at will among the 
 deer ? " 
 
 " In that case, Lord Count, would tried hounds remain 
 abroad for weeks ? " answered Gottlob. "It is now a sen- 
 night since these cries have been first heard, and yet no 
 one has seen the dogs, from that hour to this, unless as 
 
342 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 some one of our hinds says they have in sooth been seen 
 running madly on the scent." 
 
 " 'Tis said, mein Herr Graf," put in another, " that 
 Berchthold, himself, hath been viewed in their company, 
 his garments floating in the wind, while he flew along, 
 keeping even pace with the dogs, an' he had been swift 
 of foot as they ! " 
 
 " With Father Johan at his heels, cowl undone and robe 
 streaming like a pennon, by way of religious amusement ! " 
 added the Count, laughing. " Dost not see, dotard, that 
 the crackling bones of thy monk are still in the ruin ?" 
 
 The hind was daunted by his master's manner, but noth- 
 ing convinced. There then succeeded a long and ex- 
 pecting silence, for this little by-play near the Count had 
 not in the least affected the solemn attention of the mass. 
 At length the throats of these mysterious dogs again 
 opened, and the cries indeed appeared like those of hounds 
 rushing from beneath the cover of woods into the open air. 
 In a few moments they were repeated and, beyond all 
 dispute, they were now upon the open heath that sur- 
 rounded the Teufelstein. The crisis grew alarming for the 
 local superstitions of such a place, in the commencement 
 of the sixteenth century. Even Emich wavered. Though 
 he had a vague perception of the inconsistency of living 
 dogs being hunted by a dead Forester, still there were so 
 mahy means of getting over this immaterial difficulty, 
 when the greater point of the supernatural chase was ad- 
 mitted, that he found little relief in the objection. De- 
 scending from the w^all, he was in the act of beckoning the 
 priests and Heinrich to his side, when a general shout 
 arose among the male spectators, while the women ruslied 
 in a body around Uirike, who was kneeling, witii I>ottchen 
 and Meta, before the great crucifix of the ancient court of 
 the convent. In the twinkling of an eye, Emich re- 
 occupied his place on the wall, which shook with the im- 
 petus of his heavy rush. 
 
 " What meaneth this disrespectful tumult ? " angrily 
 demanded the baron. 
 
 "The hounds! — mein Herr Graf! — the hounds!" an- 
 swered fifty breathless peasants. 
 
 " Explain this outcry, Gottlob." 
 
 "My Lord Count, we have seen the dogs leaping past 
 yonder margin of the hill — here — just in a line with the 
 spot where the Tuefelstein lies. I know the dear animals 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 343 
 
 well, Hcrr Emicli, and believe me, they arc truly the old 
 favorites of Berchthold ! " 
 
 " And Berchthold ! " continued one or two of the more 
 decided lovers of the marvellous — " we saw the late For- 
 ester, jrreat Emich, bounding after the dogs, an' he had 
 wings ! " 
 
 The matter grew serious, and the Count slowly de- 
 scended to the court, determined to bring the affair to 
 some speedy explanation. 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 *' By the Apostle Paul, shadows to-niglit 
 
 ilave struck more terror to the soul of Richard, 
 
 Than can tlie substance of ten thousand soldiers." — Richard III. 
 
 The consultation that now took place was between the 
 principal laymen. The connection which the Church had 
 so long maintained wnth supernatural agencies determined 
 Emich, who was jealous of its again obtaining its lost as- 
 cendency in that country, to excliide the ofliciating priests 
 altogether from the decision he was about to take. Were we 
 to say that the Coinit of Hartenburg gave full faith to the 
 rumors concerning the spirit of his late Forester, having 
 been seen engaged in the chase, as when in the llesh, we 
 sliould probably not do entire credit to his intelligence and 
 habits of thinking ; but were we to say that he was alto- 
 gether free from superstition and alarm on this diflicult 
 point, we should attribute to him a degree of philoso])hy 
 and a mental independence wliich in that age was the 
 property only of the learned and retlecting, and not always 
 even of them. Astrology, in particidar, had taken strong 
 hold of the imaginations of those who even pretended to 
 general science ; and when the mind once admits of the- 
 ories of a character so little in accordance with homely 
 reason, it opens the avenues to a multitude of collateral 
 weaknesses of the same natin-e, which seem to follow as 
 the necessarv corollaries of the main proposition. 
 
 '{'he necessitv of a ]:)rompt solution (jf the question was 
 admitted by all of those whom the Count consulted. 
 Many had begun to whisi)er that the extraordinary visita- 
 tion was a consetiuence of the sacrilege, and that it was 
 
344 "^^^ HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 hopeless to expect peace, or exemption from supernatural 
 plagues, until the Benedictines were restored to their Ab- 
 bey and their former rights. Though Emich felt con- 
 vinced that this idea came originally from the monks, 
 through some of their secret and paid agents, he saw no 
 manner of defeating it so effectually as that of demon- 
 strating the falsity of the rumor. In our time, and in this 
 land, a weapon that was forged by a miracle would be apt 
 to become useless of itself ; but in the other hemisphere 
 there still exist entire countries that are yet partially gov- 
 erned by agents of tliis description. At the period of the 
 tale, the public mind was so uninstructed and dependent 
 that the very men who were most interested in defeating the 
 popular delirium of the hour, had great difficulty in over- 
 coming their own doubts. It has been seen that Emich, 
 though much disposed to throw off the dominion of the 
 Church, so far clung to his ancient prejudices as secretly 
 to distrust the very power he was about to defy, and to en- 
 tertain grave scruples not only of the policy, but of the 
 lawfulness of the step his ambition had urged him to adopt. 
 In this manner does man become the instrument of the 
 various passions and motives that beset him, now yielding, 
 or now struggling to resist, as a stronger inducement is 
 presented to his mind ; ahvays professing to be governed 
 by reason and constrained by principles, while in truth he 
 rarely consents to consult the one, or to respect the other, 
 until both are offered through the direct medium of some 
 engrossing interest that requires an immediate and active 
 attention. Then indeed his faculties become suddenly en- 
 lightened, and he eagerly presses into his service every ar- 
 gument that offers, the plausible as well as the sound ; 
 and thus it happens that we frequently see whole commu- 
 nities making a moral pirouette in a breath, adopting this 
 year a set of principles that are quite in opposition to all 
 they had ever before professed. Fortunately, all that is 
 thus gained on sound principles is apt to continue, since 
 whatever may be the waywardness of those who profess 
 them, principles themselves are immutable, and when 
 once fairly admitted, are not easily dispossessed by the bas- 
 tard doctrines of expediency and error. These changes 
 are gradual as respect those avant-couriers of thought, 
 who prepare the way for the advance of nations, but who, 
 in general, so far precede their contemporaries, as to be ut- 
 terly out of view at the effectual moment of the reformat 
 
THE HErDEN-MAUER. 345 
 
 tion, or revolution, or bywliatevcr name these sudden sum- 
 mersets are styled ; but as respects the mass, they often 
 occur by a coup-de-main ; an entire people awakening, as 
 it were, by magic, to the virtues of a new set of maxims, 
 much as the eye turns from the view of one scenic repre- 
 sentation to that of its successor. 
 
 Our object in tliis tale is to represent society, under its or- 
 dinary faces, in the act of passing from the intluence of one 
 set of governing princi]:)lcs to that of another. Had our ef- 
 forts been con lined to the workings of a single and a master 
 mind, the picture, however true as regards the individual, 
 would have been false in reference to a community; since 
 such a studv would have been no more than foUowins: out 
 the deductions of philosophy and reason — something the 
 worse, perhaps, for its connccticjn with humanitv ; where- 
 as, he that would represent the world, or any material por- 
 tion of the world, must draw the passions and the more 
 vidgar interests in the boldest colors, and be content with 
 portraying the intellectual part in a very subdued back- 
 ground. We know not that any will be disposed to make 
 the rcllection tliat our labors are intended to suggest, and 
 without which they w'ill scarcely be useful ; but, while we 
 admit the imperfection of what has been here done, we feel 
 satisfied that he who does consider it coolly and in candor, 
 will be disposed to allow that our picture is sufficiently 
 true for its (object. 
 
 We have written in vain, should it now be necessary to 
 dwell on the nature of the misgivings that harassed the 
 minds of the Count and Ileinrich, as they descended the 
 hill of Limburg at the head of tlie new procession. 
 Policy, and the determination to secure advantages that 
 had been so dearly obtained, urged them on; while 
 doubt and all the progeny of ancient prejudices contrib- 
 uted to their distrust. 
 
 The people advanced much in tlie same order as that ii\ 
 which they had ascended tcj the ruins cjf the Abbey, The 
 pilgrims were in front, followed closely by the parochial 
 priests and their choirs; while the rest succeeded in an 
 eager, treml)ling, curious, and devout crowd. Religious 
 change existed, as yet, ratlier in doctrine, and among the 
 few, than in the practices of the many; and all the rites, 
 it will be remembered, were those usually observed by the 
 Church of Rome on an occasion of exorcism, or of an 
 especial supplication to be released from a niysteriuus dis' 
 
346 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 play of Heaven's displeasure. The Count and Heinrich, 
 as became their stations, walked boldly in advance ; for, 
 whatever might have been the extent and nature of their 
 distrust, it was wisely and successfully concealed from all 
 but themselves — even the worthy Burgomaster entertained 
 a respectful opinion of the noble's firmness, and the latter 
 much wondering at a man of Heinrich's education and 
 habits of life being able to show a resolution that he 
 thought more properly belonged to philosophy. They 
 passed up towards the plain of the Heidenmauer, by the 
 hollow way that has already been twice mentioned in these 
 pages — once in the Introduction, and again as the path by 
 which Ulrike descended on her way to the Abbey, on the 
 night of its destruction. Until near the summit, nothing 
 occurred to create new uneasiness ; and as the choristers 
 increased the depth of their chant, the leaders began to 
 feel a vague hope of escaping from farther interruption. 
 As the moments passed, the Count breathed freer, and he 
 already fancied that he had proved the Heidenmauer to be 
 a spot as 'harmless as any other in the Palatinate. 
 
 "You have often pricked courser over this wild com- 
 mon of the Devil, noble and fearless Count," said Hein- 
 rich, when they drew near the margin of the superior 
 plain. '* One so accustomed to its view is not easily troub- 
 led by the cries and vagaries of a leash of uneasy dogs, 
 though they might be kennelled beneath the shades of the 
 Teufelstein ! " 
 
 "Thou mayest well say often, good Heinrich. When 
 but an urchin, my excellent father was wont to train his 
 chargers on this height, and it was often my pleasure to be 
 of the party. Then our hunts frequently drove the deer 
 from the cover of the chases to this open ground " 
 
 The Count paused, for a swift, pattering rush, like that 
 of the feet of hounds beating the ground, was audible, 
 just above their heads, though the ^Ci^^ of the mountain 
 still kept the face of the level ground from being seen. 
 Spite of their resolution, the two leaders came to a dead 
 halt — a delay which those in the rear were compelled to 
 imitate. 
 
 "The common hath its tenants, Herr Frey," said Emich, 
 gravely, but in a tone of a man resolute to struggle for his 
 rights ; " it will soon be seen if they are disposed to admit 
 the sovereignty of their feudal lord." 
 
 Without waiting for an answer, the Count spite of him* 
 
THE HEIDENMAUER. 347 
 
 self muttered an avc, and mounted with sturdy limbs to 
 the summit. The first glance was rapid, uneasy and dis- 
 trustful ; but nothing rewarded the look. The naked rock 
 of the Teufelstein lay in the ancient bed — where it had 
 probably been left, by some revolution of the earth's crust, 
 tiiree thousand years before — gray, solitary, and weather- 
 worn as at this hour ; the grassy common had not a hoof 
 or foot over the whole of its surface ; and the cedars of 
 the deserted camp sighed in the breeze, as usual, dark, 
 melancholy, and suited to the traditions which had given 
 them interest. 
 
 " Here is nothing!" said the Count, drawing a heavy 
 breath, wdiich he would fain ascribe to the difficult}' of the 
 ascent. 
 
 *' Herr von Hartenburg, God is here, as he is among 
 the hills we have lately quitted — on that fair and wide 
 plain below— and in thy hold " 
 
 "Prithee, good Ulrike, we will of this another time. 
 We touch now on the destruction of a silly legend, and 
 of some recent alarms." 
 
 At a wave of his hand the procession proceeded, taking 
 the direction of the ancient gateway of the camp, the 
 choir renewing its chant, and the same leaders always in 
 advance. 
 
 It is not necessary to say that the Hcidenmauer was ap- 
 proached on this solemn occasion with beating hearts. No 
 man of reflection and proper feeling can ever visit a spot 
 like tills without fancying a picture tliat is fraught with 
 pleasing melancholy. The certainty that he has before 
 his eyes the remains of a work, raised by the hands of be- 
 ings who existed so many centuries before him in that 
 great chain of events which unites the past with the pres- 
 ent, and that his feet tread earth that has been trodden 
 equally by the Roman and the Hun, is sufficient of itself 
 to raise a train of thought allied to the wc^nderful and 
 grand. But to these certain and natural sensations was 
 now added a dread of omnipotence and tlie apprehension 
 of instantly witnessing some supernatural effect. 
 
 Not a word was uttered, until Emich and the Burgo- 
 master turned to pass the pile of stones which mark the 
 position of the ancient wall, by means of tlie gateway 
 already named, when the former, encouraged by the trau 
 quill ity, again spoke. 
 
 " The ear is often a treacherous companion, friend Bur- 
 
348 THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 gomaster," he said, ''and like the tongue, unless duly 
 watched, may lead to misunderstandings. No doubt we 
 both thought, at the moment, that we heard the feet of 
 hounds beating the earth, as on a hunt ; thou now seest, 
 by means of one sense, that the other hath served us false. 
 But we approach the end of our little pilgrimage, and w^e 
 will halt, while I speak the people in explanation of our 
 opinions and intentions." 
 
 Heinrich gave the signal, and the choir ceased its chant, 
 while the crowd drew near to listen. The Count both 
 saw and felt that he touched the real crisis, in the further- 
 ance of his own views, as opposed to those of the brother- 
 hood, and he determined, by a severe effort, not only to 
 overcome his enemies, but himself. In this mood, he spoke. 
 
 "Ye are here, my honest friends and vassals," he com* 
 menced, " both as the faithful who respect the usefulness 
 of the altar when rightly served, and as men who are dis- 
 posed to see and judge for themselves. This camp, as ye 
 witness by its remains, was once occupied by armed bands 
 of warriors who, in their day, fought and fortified, suffered 
 and were happy, bled and died, conquered or were van- 
 quished, nuich as we see those who carry arms in our own 
 time, perform these several acts, or submit to these several 
 misfortunes. The report that their spirits frequent this 
 spot, is as little likely to be true, as that the spirits of all 
 who have fallen with arms in their hands remain near the 
 earth that hath swallowed their blood ; a belief that would 
 leave no place in our fair Palatinate without its ghostly 
 tenant. As for this late alarm, concerning my forester, 
 poor Berchthold Hintermayer, it is the less probable from 
 the character of the youth, who well knew when living 
 the disrelish I have for all such tales, and my particular 
 desire to banish them altogether from the Jaegerthal, as 
 well as from his known modesty and dutiful obedience. 
 You see plainly that here are no dogs " 
 
 Emich met with a startling contradiction. Just as his 
 tongue, which was getting fluent with the impunity that 
 had so far attended his declarations, uttered the latter word, 
 the long drawn cries of hounds were heard. Fifty strong 
 German exclamations escaped the crowd, which waved 
 like a troubled sea. The sounds came from among the 
 trees in the very centre of the dreaded Heidenmauer, and 
 seemed only the more unearthly from rising beneath that 
 gloomy canopy of cedars. 
 
Tllii IIEIDENMAUER. 345 
 
 ** Let us go on ! " cried tlic Count, excited nearly to mad- 
 ness, and seizing the handle of his s\V(jrd with iron grasp. 
 '* 'Tis but a hound! Some miscreant hath loosened the dog 
 from his leash, and he scents the footsteps of his late 
 master, who had the habit of visiting the holy hermit that 
 dwelt here of late " 
 
 "Hush!" interrupted Lottchen, advancing hurriedly, 
 and with a wild eye, from the throng of females. " God is 
 about to reveal his power for some great end I I know — 
 I know — that footstep " 
 
 She was fearfully interrupted, for while speaking, the 
 hounds rushed out of the grove, in the swift, mad manner 
 common to the animal, and made a rapid circuit around 
 the form of the dazzled and giddy woman. In the next 
 moment, a tottering wall gave way to the powerful leap of 
 a human foot, and Lottchen lay senseless on the bosom of 
 her son ! 
 
 We draw a veil before the sudden fear, the general sur- 
 prise, the tears, the delight, and the more regulated joy of 
 the next hour. 
 
 At the end of that period, the scene had altogether 
 changed. The chant was ended, the order (;f the proces- 
 sion was forgotten, and a burning curiosity had taken 
 place of all sensations of superstitious dread. But the au- 
 thority of Emich had driven the crowd back upon the 
 common of the Teufelstein, where it was compelled to con- 
 tent itself, for the moment, with conjectures, and with tales 
 of similar sudden changes from the incarnate to the carnate, 
 that were reputed to have taken place in the eventful his- 
 tory of the borders of the Rhine. 
 
 The principal group of actors had retired a little within 
 the cover of the cedars, where, favoied bv the walls and 
 the trees, they remained unseen from without. Young 
 Berchthold was seated on a fragment oi fallen wall, suj)- 
 porting his still half-increduhnis mother in his arms, a 
 position which he had received the Count's j^eremptorv, 
 but kind orders to occupy. Mcta was kneeling before 
 Lottchen, whose liand she held in hei- own, though the 
 bright eye and glowing face of the girl follov.ed, wilii un- 
 disguised and ingenuous interest, every glance and move- 
 ment of tiie countenance of the youth. The emotions of 
 that hour were tc^o powerful for concealment, and had 
 there been any secret concerning her sentiments, surprise 
 and the sudden burst of feeling that was its consequence, 
 
3SO THE IIEIDENMAUER. 
 
 would have wrung it from her heart. Uh-ikc kneeled too, 
 supporting the head of her friend, but smiling and happy. 
 The Knight of Rhodes, the Abbe, Heinrich, and the smith, 
 paced back and forth, as sentinels, to keep the curious at 
 a distance, though occasionally stopping to catch sentences 
 of the discourse. Emich leaned on his sword, rejoicing 
 that his apprehensions were groundless, and we should do 
 injustice to his rude but not ungenerous feelings, did we 
 not say, glad to find that Berchthold was still in the 
 flesh. When we add that the dogs played their frisky 
 gambols around the crowd on the common, which could 
 hardly yet believe in their earthly character, our picture is 
 finislied. 
 
 The deserving of this world may be divided into two 
 great classes ; the actively and the passively good. Uhike 
 belonged to the former, for tliough she felt as strongly as 
 most others, an instinctive rectitude rarely failed to sug- 
 gest some affirmative duty for every crisis that arrived. It 
 was she, then (and we here beg to tell the reader plainly, 
 she is our heroine), that gave such a direction to the dis- 
 course as was most likely to explain what was unknov»m, 
 without harassing anew feelings that had been so long and 
 so sorely tried. 
 
 " And thou art now absolved from thy vow, Berchthold !" 
 she asked, after one of those short interrupticms, in which 
 the exquisite happiness of such a meeting was best ex- 
 pressed by silent sympathy. " The Benedictines have no 
 longer any claim to thy silence ? " 
 
 " They set the return of the pilgrims as their own period, 
 and, as I first learned the agreeable tidings by seeing you 
 all in the procession, I had called in the hounds, who were 
 scouring the chase, and was about to hurry down to pre- 
 sent myself, when 1 met you all at the gateway of the 
 camp. Our meeting would have taken place in the valley, 
 but that duty required me first to visit the Herr Odo Von 
 Ritterstein^ — " 
 
 ''The Herr Von Ritterstein !" exclaimed Ulrike, turn- 
 ing pale. 
 
 " What of my ancient comrade, the Herr Odo, boy ? " 
 demanded Emich. " This is the first we have heard of 
 him since the night the Abbey fell." 
 
 " I have told my tale badly," returned Berchthold, laugh- 
 ing and blushing, for he was neither too old nor too prac- 
 tised to blush, '' since I have forgotten to name the Herr Odo." 
 
THE IIEIDEXMAUEK. 351 
 
 ** Thou told us of a companion," rejoined his mother, 
 glancing a look at Ulrike, and raising herself from tiie sup- 
 port of her son, instinctively aliv^e to her friend's embar- 
 rassment, " but thou called him merely a religious." 
 
 " I should have said the holy Hermit, whom all now • 
 know to be the Baron Von Ritterstein. When obliged to 
 fly from the falling roof, I met the Herr Odo kneeUng be- 
 fore an altar, and recalling the form of one who had shown 
 me much favor, it was he that I dragged with me to 
 the crypt. — I surely spoke of our wounds and helpless- 
 ness !" 
 
 "True ; but without naming tliy companion." 
 
 "It was the Herr Odo, Heaven l)e praised ! When the 
 monks found us, on the following day, unable to resist, and 
 weakened with hunger and loss of blood, we were secretly 
 removed together, as ye have heard, and cared for in a 
 manner to restore us both, in go(Kl time, to our strength 
 and to the use of our limbs. Why tlie Benedictines chose 
 to keep us secret, I know not ; but this silly tale of the su- 
 pernatural huntsman, and of dogs loosened from their 
 leash, would seem to prove that they liad hopes of still 
 working on the superstition of the country." 
 
 " Wilhelm of Venloo had nought to do wMth this ! " ex- 
 claimed Emich, who had been musing deeply. " The un- 
 derlings have continued the game after it was abandoned 
 by their betters." 
 
 " This may be so, my good Lord ; for I thought Father 
 Bonifacius more than disposed to let us depart. But we 
 were kept until the matters of the compensation and of the 
 pilgrimage were settled. They found us easy abettors in 
 their plot, if plot to work upon the fears of Duerckheim 
 was in their policy ; for when they pledged their faith that 
 my two mothers and dearest Meta had been let into the 
 secret of ouv safety, I felt no extraordinary haste to quit 
 leeches so skilful, and so likely to make a speedy cure of 
 our hurts." 
 
 "And did Bonifacius afllrm this lie ? " 
 
 " I say not the Ablx^t, my Lord Count, but most cer- 
 tainly the Brothers Cuno and Siegfried said all this and 
 more — the malediction of a wronged son, and of a most 
 foully treated mother " 
 
 His mouth was stopped by the hand of Meta. 
 
 " We will forgive past sorrow for the present joy," mur- 
 mured the weeping girl. 
 
352 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 The angry and flushed brow of Berchthold grew more 
 cahii, and the discourse continued in a gentler strain. 
 
 Emich now walked away to join the Burgomaster, and 
 together they endeavored to penetrate the motives which 
 had led the monks to practise their deception. In the 
 possession of so effectual a key, the solution of the prob- 
 lem was not difficult. The meeting of Bonifacius and 
 the Count of Einsiedlen had been maturely planned, and 
 the uncertain state of the public mind in the valley and 
 town was encouraged as so much make-weight in the final 
 settlement of the Convent's claims ; for in that age, the 
 men of the cloisters knew well how to turn every weak- 
 ness of humanity to good purpose, so far as their own in- 
 terests were concerned. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 'Tis over, and her lovely cheek is now 
 On her hard pillow." — Rogers. 
 
 On the following morning the Count of Hartenburg 
 took horse at an early hour. His train, however, showed 
 that the journey was to be short. But Monsieur Latouche, 
 who mounted in company, wore the attire and furniture 
 of a traveller. It was in truth the moment when Emich, 
 having used this quasi churchman for his own ends, w^as 
 about to dismiss him, with as much courtesy and grace as 
 the circumstances seemed to require. Perhaps no picture 
 of the different faces presented by a Church that had so 
 long enjoyed an undisputed monopoly in Christendom, and 
 which, as a consequence, betrayed so strong a tendency to 
 abuses, would have been complete without some notice of 
 such characters as the Knight of the Cross and the Abbe ; 
 and it was, moreover, our duty, as faithful chroniclers, to 
 speak of things as they existed, although the accessories 
 might not have a very capital connection with the interest 
 of the principal subject. But here our slight relations 
 with the Abbe are to cease altogether, his host having 
 treated him, as many politic rulers treat others of his pro- 
 fession, purely as the instrument of his own views. Al- 
 brecht of Viederbach was. prepared to accompany his boon 
 associate far as Manheim, but with the intention to return, 
 
THE HEIDEiYMAUER. 353 
 
 the unsettled state of liis order, and liis consanjiTuinity with 
 the Count, renderini^ such a course both expedient and 
 agreeable. Young Berchthold, too, was in the saddle, his 
 lord having, by especial favor, commanded the Forester to 
 keep at his crupper. 
 
 The cavalcade ambled slowly down the Jaegerthal, the 
 Count courteously endeavoring to show tlie departing 
 Abbe, by a species of misty logic that appears to be the 
 poetical atmosphere of diplomacy, that he was fully justi- 
 fied by circumstances for effecting all that had been 
 done, and the latter acquiescing as readily in his conclu- 
 sions as if he did not feel that he had been an egregious 
 dupe. 
 
 " Thou wilt see this matter rightly represented among 
 thy friends, Master Latouche," concluded the Baron — 
 *• should there be question of it, at the court of thy Fran- 
 cis : — whom may Heaven quickly restore to his longing 
 people — the right valiant and loyal Prince and gentle- 
 man !" 
 
 " I will take upon myself, high-bo«rn and ingenuous 
 Emich, to see thee fully justified, whenever there shall be 
 discussion of thy great warfare and exquisite policy at the 
 court of France. Nay — by the mass ! should our jurists, 
 or our statesmen take upon themselves to prove to the 
 world that thy house hath been wrong in this immortal 
 enterprise, I pledge thee my faith to answer their reasons, 
 both logically and politically, to their eternal shame and 
 confusion." 
 
 As Monsieur Latouche uttered this promise with an un- 
 equivocal sneer, he thought himself fully avenged for tiie 
 silly part he had been made to act in the Count's intrigues. 
 At a later day he often told the tale, always concluding 
 with a recital of this bold and ironical allusion to the petty 
 history of the Jaegerthal, which not only he, but a certain 
 portion of his listeners, seemed to think gave him alto- 
 gether the best of the affair. Satisfied with his success, 
 the Abbe pricked on, to repeat it to the knight, who 
 laughed in his sleeve at his friend wliile he most extt^llcd 
 his wit, the two riding ahead in a matuicr to leave Emich 
 an occasion to speak in confidence with liis Forester. 
 
 "Hast treated of this affair with llciniicli, as 1 bid thee, 
 boy ?" demanded the Count, in a manner between author- 
 ity and affection, that he was much accustomed to use with 
 Berchthold. 
 
 23 
 
354 * ^^^^ IIEIDENMAUER. 
 
 '* I have, my Lord Count, and right pressingly, as my 
 heart urged, but with little hope of benefit." 
 
 "How? — Doth the silly burgher still count upon his 
 marks, after what hath passed ! Didst tell him of the in- 
 terest I take in the marriage, and of my intent to name 
 thee to higher duties, in my villages ? " 
 
 " None of these favors were forgotten, or aught else 
 that a keen desire could suggest, or a willing memory re- 
 call." 
 
 " What answer had the burgher ? " 
 
 Berchthold colored, hesitating to reply. It was only 
 when Emich sternly repeated the question, that the truth 
 was extorted from him : for naus^ht but truth would one 
 SO loyal consent to use. 
 
 "He said, Herr Count, that if it was your pleasure to 
 name a husband for his child, it should also be your pleas- 
 ure to see that he was not a beggar. I do but give the 
 words of the Herr Frey ; for which liberty, I beg my lord 
 to hold me free of all disrespect." 
 
 " The niggardly, miser ! These hounds of Duerckheim 
 shall be made to know their master — But be of cheer, 
 boy ; our tears and pilgrimages shall not be wasted, and 
 thou shalt soon wive with a fairer and better, as becometh 
 him I love." 
 
 " Nay, Herr Emich, I do beseech and implore " 
 
 " Ha ! Yon is the drivelling Heinrich seated on a rock 
 of this ravine, like a vidette watching the marauders ! Prick 
 forward, Berchthold, and desire my noble friends to tarry 
 at the Town-Hall making their compliments ; — as for thee, 
 thou mayest humor thy folly, and greet the smiling 'face of 
 the pretty Meta the while." 
 
 The Forester dashed ahead like an arrow : while the 
 Count reined his own courser aside, turning into that ra- 
 vine by which the path led to the Heidenmauer, when the 
 ascent was made from the side of the valley. Emich was 
 soon at the Burgomaster's side, having thrown his bridle to 
 a servitor that followed. 
 
 " How is this, brother Heinrich ! " he cried, displeasure 
 disappearing in habitual policy and well practised manage- 
 ment — "art still bent on exorcism, or hast neglected some 
 offices, in yester's pilgrimage ?" 
 
 " Praised be St. Benedict, or Brother Luther ! — for I 
 know not fairly to which the merit is most due — our 
 Duerckheim is in a thrice happy disposition, as touching 
 
THE IIEIDEN-MAUER. 355 
 
 all witchcraft, and devilry, or even churchly miracles. 
 Tliis mystery of the hounds being so happily settled, the 
 public mind seemcth to have taken a sudden change, and 
 from sweating in broad daylight at the nestling oi a mouse, 
 or the hop of a cricket, our crones are ready to set demon- 
 ology and Lucifer himself at defiance." 
 
 "The lucky clearing up of that difficulty will, in sooth, 
 do much to favor the late Saxon opinions and may go 
 near to set the monk of Wittenberg firmly upon his feet, 
 in our country. Thou seest, Heinrich, that a dilemma so 
 unriddled is worth a library of musty Latin maxims." 
 
 '^ That is it, Ilcrr Emich, and the more especially as we 
 are a reasoning town. Our minds once fairly enlightened, 
 it is no easy matter to throw them into the shade again. 
 It was seen how sorely the best of us were troubled with a 
 couple of vagrant dogs so lately as yesterday, and now I 
 much question if the whole of the gallant pack would so 
 much as raise a doubt ! We have had a lucky escape, Lord 
 Count, for another day of uncertainty would have gone 
 nigh to set up Limburg church again, and that without 
 the masonry of the devil. There is naught so potent in an 
 argument, as a little apprehension of losses or of plagues 
 throw^n into the scale. Wisdom weighs light against profit 
 or fear." 
 
 '* It is well as it is, though Limburg roof will never again 
 cover Limburg wall, friend Heinrich, while an Emich rules 
 in Ilartenburg and Duerckhcim." — The Count saw the 
 cloud on the Burgomaster's brow as he uttered the latter 
 word, and slapping him familiarly on a shoulder, he added 
 so quickly as to prevent reflection : — " But how now, Ilerr 
 Frey ; why art at watch in this solitary ravine ?" 
 
 Heinrich was flattered by the noble's condescension, and 
 not displeased to have a listener io his tale. First looking 
 about him to see that no one could overhear their discourse, 
 he answered on a lower kev, in the manner in which com- 
 munications that need confidence are usuailv made. 
 
 "You know, llerr Emich, this weakness of Ulrike, con- 
 cerning hermitages and monks, altarsand saints' days, witli 
 all those other practices of which we mav now reasonably 
 expect to be quit, sinc(! late rumors sp<'ak niarv(^ls of Lu- 
 ther's success. Well, the good woman would have a wish 
 to come upon the Heidenmauc^r this morning, and as there 
 liad been some warm argument between us, and the poor 
 wife had wept much concerning marrying our child with 
 
3S6 THE IIEIDENMAUER. 
 
 young Berchthold, a measure out of all prudence and 
 reason, as you must see, nobly-born Count, I was fain wil- 
 ling to escort her thus far, that she might give vent to her 
 sorrow in godly discourse with the hermit." 
 
 " And Ulrike is above, in the cedars, with the anchorite ? " 
 
 *' As sure as I am here waiting her return. Lord Count." 
 
 ** Thou art a gallant husband, Master Frey ! — Wert wont 
 of old to resort much with the Herr Odo Von Ritterstein 
 — he who playeth this masquerade of penitence and seclu- 
 sion ? " 
 
 " Sapperment ! — I never could endure the arrogant ! 
 Bat Ulrike fancieth he hath qualities that are not so evil, 
 and a woman's taste, like a child's humors, is easiest altered 
 by giving it scope." 
 
 Emich laid both hands on the shoulders of his companion, 
 looking him full and earnestly in the face. The glances 
 that were exchanged in this attitude, were pregnant with 
 meaning. That of the Count expressed the distrust, tlie 
 contempt, and the wonder of a man of loose life, while that 
 of the Burgomaster, by appearing to reflect tlie character 
 of the woman who had so long been his wife, expressed 
 volumes in her favor. No language could have said more 
 for Ulrike's principles and purity, than the simple, hearty, 
 and unalterable confidence of the man who necessarily had 
 so many opportunities of knowing her. Neither spoke, 
 until the Count, releasing his grasp, walked slowly up the 
 mountain, saying in a voice which proved how strongly he 
 felt— 
 
 " I would thy consort had been noble, Heinrich ! " 
 
 " Nay, my good lord," answered the Burgomaster, " the 
 wish were scarcely kind to a friend ! In that case, I could 
 not have wived the Frau." 
 
 "Tell me, good Heinrich — for I never heard the history 
 of thy love — wert thou and thy proposal well received, 
 when first offered to the viro^in heart of Herr Hailtzineer's 
 daughter?" 
 
 The Burgomaster was not displeased with an opportu- 
 nity of alluding to a success that had made him the envy of 
 his equals. 
 
 "The end must speak for the means, Herr Count," he 
 answered chuckling. " Ulrike is none of your free and 
 froward spirits to jump out of a window, or to meet a 
 youth more than half-way, but such encouragement as be- 
 cometh maiden diffidence was not wanting, or mine own 
 
THE HEIDENMA UER. 
 
 357 
 
 ill opinion of myself might have kept me a bachelor to 
 this hour." 
 
 Eniich chafed to hear such language coming from one he 
 so little respected, and applied to one he had really loved. 
 The effort to swallow his spleen produced a short silence, of 
 which we shall avail ourselves to transfer this scene to the 
 hut of the lieriuit, where there was an interview that 
 proved decisive of the future fortunes of several of the 
 characters of our tale. 
 
 The day which sticceeded the restoration of Berchthold 
 had been one of general joy and felicitation in Duerck- 
 heim. There was an end to the doubts of the timid and 
 superstitious, concerning an especial and an angry visita- 
 tion from Heaven, as a merited punishment for overturn- 
 ing the altars of the Abbey, and few were so destitute of 
 good feeling, not to sympathize in the happiness of those 
 who had so bitterly mourned the fancied death of the For- 
 ester. As is usual in cases of violent transitions, the reac- 
 tion helped to lessen the influence of the monks, and even 
 those most inclined to doubt \vere now encouraged to 
 hope that the religious change, which was so fast gaining 
 ground, might not produce all the horrors that had been 
 dreaded. 
 
 Heinrich has revealed the nature of the discussion that 
 took place between himself and his wife. The latter liad 
 endeavored in vain to seize the favorable moment to work 
 upon the feelings of the Burgomaster, in the interests uf 
 the lovers ; but though sincerely glad that a youth who 
 had shown such mettle in danger was not the victim of his 
 courage, Heinrich was not of a temperament to let any 
 admiration of generous deeds affect the settled policy of a 
 •whole life. It was at the close of this useless and painful 
 conference, that the mother suddenly demanded jicrmis- 
 sion of her husband to visit the hermit, who had been left, 
 as before the recent events, in undisturbed possession of 
 the dreaded Heidenmauer. 
 
 Any other than a man constituted like Heinrich migli(. at 
 such a moment, have heard this request witli distrust. Hut 
 strong in his opinifm of himself, and acrustomed to c-oiilidc 
 in his wife, the obstinate Burgomaster haiK-d the applica- 
 tion as a means of relieving him from a discussion, in 
 which, while he scarce knew how ]:)lausil)ly to defend his 
 opinion, he was resolutely determined not to yield. The 
 manner in which he volunteered tw accompany his wife, 
 
358 THE HEIDEiYMAUER. 
 
 and in which he remained patiently awaiting her return, 
 and the commencement of his dialogue with Emich are 
 known. With this short explanation, we shall shift the 
 scene to the hut of the anchorite. 
 
 Odo of Ritterstein was pale with loss of blood from the 
 w^ounds received from a fragment of the falling roof, 
 but paler still by the force of that inward fire which con- 
 sumed him. The features of his fair and gentle compan- 
 ion were not bright, as usual, though naught could rob 
 Ulrike of that winning beauty which owed so much of its 
 charm to expression. Both appeared agitated with what 
 had already passed between them, and perhaps still rriore 
 by those feelings, which each had struggled to conceal. 
 
 '' Thou hast indeed had many moving passages in thy 
 life, Odo," said the gentle Ulrike, who was seemingly listen- 
 ing to some recital from the other's lips ; "and this last mi- 
 raculous escape from death is among the most wonderful." 
 
 " That I should have perished beneath the roof of Lim- 
 burg, on the anniversary of my crime, and with the fall of 
 those altars I violated, would have been so just a manifes- 
 tation of Heaven's displeasure, Ulrike, that even now I can 
 scarce believe I am permitted to live ! Thou then thought 
 in common with others, that I had been released from this 
 life of woe ? " 
 
 " Thou lookest with an unthankful eye at what thou hast 
 of hope and favor, or thou wouldst not use a term so un- 
 grateful in speaking of thy sorrows. Remember, Odo, 
 that our joys, in this being, are tainted with mortality, and 
 that thy unhappiness does not surpass that of thousands 
 who still struggle with their duties." 
 
 " This is the difference between the unquiet ocean and 
 tranquil waters — between the oak and the reed ! The cur- 
 rent of thy calm existence may be ruffled by the casual in- 
 terruption of some trifling obstacle, but the gentle surface 
 soon subsides, leaving the element limpid and without 
 stain ! Thy course is that of the flowing and pure spring, 
 while m|ne is the torrent's mad and turbulent leaps. Thou 
 Jiast indeed well said, Ulrike, God did not form us for each 
 other!'' 
 
 " Whatever nature rnay have done towards suiting our 
 dispositions and desires, Odo, Providence and the world's 
 usages ha,ve interpose^ to defeat." 
 
 The hermit gazed at the piild speaker with eyes so fixed 
 and dazzling, that she bowed her gvvn look to the earth. 
 
THE IIEIDEN'MAUER. 359 
 
 "No," he murmured rapidly, " Heaven and earth have 
 different destinies — the lion and the lamb different in- 
 stincts ! " 
 
 " Nay, I will none of this disreputable depreciation of 
 thyself, poor Odo. That thou hast been erring, we shall 
 not deny — for wlio is without reproach ? — but that thou 
 meritest these harsh epithets, none but thyself would vent- 
 ure to affirm." 
 
 " I have met with many enigmas, Ulrikc, in an eventful 
 and busy life — I have seen those who worked both good 
 and evil — encountered those who have defeated their 
 own ends by their own wayward means — but never have I 
 known one so devoted to the right, that seemed so dis- 
 posed to extenuate the sinner's faults ! " 
 
 " Then hast thou never met the true lover of God or 
 known a Christian. It matters not, Odo, whether we ad- 
 mit of this or that form of faith — the fruit of the right tree 
 is charity and self-abasement, and these teach us to think 
 humbly of ourselves and kindly of others." 
 
 *'Thou began early to practise these golden rules, or 
 surely thou never wouldst have forgotten thine own excel- 
 lence, or have been ready to sacrifice it to the heedless im- 
 pulses of one so reckless as him to whom thou wast be- 
 trothed!" 
 
 The eye of Ulrike grew brighter, but it was merely be- 
 cause a tinge of color diffused itself on her features. 
 
 *' I know not for what good purpose, Herr Von Ritter- 
 stein," she said, "that these allusions are now made. Vou 
 know that I have come to make a last effort to secure the 
 peace of Meta. Berchthold spoke to me of your intcntit)n 
 to reward the service he did your life, and I have now to 
 say, that if in aught you can do the youth favor, the mo- 
 ment when it will be most acceptable, hath come — for T.ott- 
 chen has been too sorely stricken to bear up long against 
 further grief." 
 
 The hermit was reproved. He turned slowly to one of 
 his receptacles of worldly stores, and drew forth a ]')ack{-t. 
 The rattling told his companion tliat it was of parchment, 
 and she waited the resuh with ciu'ious interest. 
 
 " I will scarce say, Ulrike," he replied, " that this deed 
 is the price of a life that is scarce worth the gift. Karly 
 in my acquaintance witli young Herciithold and Meta, I 
 wrung their secret from tliem ; and from tiiat moment it 
 hath been my greatest pleasure to devise means to secure 
 
360 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 the happiness of one so dear to thee. I found in the child, 
 the simple, ingenuous faith which was so admirable in the 
 mother, and shall I say that reverence for the latter quick- 
 ened the desire to serve her offspring?" 
 
 "I certainly owe thee thanks, Herr Von Ritterstein, for 
 the constancy of this good opinion," returned Ulrike, 
 showing sensibility. 
 
 ** Thank me not, but rather deem the desire to serve thy 
 child a tribute that repentant error gladly pays to virtue. 
 Thou knowest that I am the last of my race, and there re- 
 mained naught but to endow some religious house, to let 
 my estate and gold pass to the feudal prince, or to do this." 
 
 " I could not have thought it easy to effect this change, 
 in opposition to the Elector's interests ! " 
 
 " Those have been looked to ; a present fine has smoothed 
 the way, and these parchments contain all that is neces- 
 sary to install young Berchthold as my substitute and 
 heir." 
 
 "Friend! — dear, generous friend!" exclaimed the 
 mother, moved to tears, for, at that moment, Ulrike saw 
 nothing but the future happiness of her child assured, and 
 Berchthold restored to more than his former hopes — 
 "generous and noble Odo ! " 
 
 The hermit arose, and placed the parchment in her hand, 
 in the manner of one long prepared to perform the act. 
 
 "And now, Ulrike," he said with a forced calm, "this 
 solemn and imperative duty done, there remaineth but the 
 last leave-taking." 
 
 " Leave-taking! — Thou wilt live with Meta and Bercht- 
 hold, — the castle of Ritterstein will be thy resting-place, 
 after so much sorrow and suffering ! " 
 
 " This may not be — my vow — my duties — Ulrike, I fear, 
 my prudence forbids." 
 
 "Thy prudence ! — Thou art no longer young, dear Odo, 
 privations thou hast hitherto despised will overload thy in- 
 creasing years, and we shall not be happy with the knowl- 
 edge that thou art suffering for the very conveniences 
 which thine own liberality hath conferred on others. " 
 
 " Habit hath taken nature's place, and the hermitage and 
 the camp are no longer strangers to me. If thou wouldst 
 secure not only my peace, but my salvation, Ulrike, let me 
 depart. I have already lingered too long near a scene 
 which is filled with recollections that prove dread enemies 
 to the penitent." 
 
THE HEJDEI^MAURR. 361 
 
 Ulrike recoiled, and her cheek blanched to paleness. 
 Every limb trembled, for that quick sympathy, wiiich 
 neither time nor duty had entirely extinguished, silently 
 admonished her of his meaning. There was a fervor in 
 his voice, too, that thrilled on her ear like tones which, 
 spite of all her care, the truant imagination would some- 
 times recall ; for, in no subsequent condition of life, can 
 a woman entirely forget the long cherished sounds with 
 which true love first greets the maiden ear. 
 
 "Odo," said a voice so gentle that it caused the heart of 
 the anchorite to beat, ''when dost thou think to depart ?" 
 
 "This day — this hour — this minute.* 
 
 "I believe — yes — thou art right to go !" 
 
 " Ulrike, God will keep thee in mind. Pray often for 
 me." 
 
 " Farewell, dear Odo." 
 
 " God bless thee — may He have mercy on me ! " 
 
 There was then a short pause. The hermit approached 
 and lifted his hands in the attitude of benediction ; twice 
 he seemed about to clasp the unresisting Ulrike to his 
 bosom, but her meek, tearful countenance repressed the 
 act, and, muttering a prayer, he rushed from the hut. 
 Left to herself, Ulrike sank on a stool, and remained like 
 an image of woe, tears flowing in streams down her 
 cheeks. 
 
 Some minutes elapsed before the wife of Heinrich Frcy 
 was aroused from her forgetfulness. Then the approacii 
 of footsteps told her that she was no longer alone. For 
 the first time in her life, Ulrike endeavored to conceal her 
 emotion with a sentiment of shame ; but ere this could be 
 effected, the Count and Heinrich entered. 
 
 " Wiiat hast done with p(Jor Odo \ox\ Ritterstein, g(Kjd 
 Frau ; that man of sin and sorrow ?" dcnuuKlcd the lalier, 
 in his hearty, unsuspecting manner. 
 
 "He has left us, IJeinrich." 
 
 " For his castle ! — well, the man hatli had his share of 
 sorrow, and ease mav not yet come tcjo late. The life of 
 Odo, Lord Count, hath not been, like our own liistories, 
 of a nature to make him ( t)ntciit. Had that affair of ihc 
 Host, though at the Ix.'st but an irreverent nnd unwanant- 
 able act, happened in these days, less might have been 
 thought of it ; and then, (tapping his wife's check) to lose 
 Ulrike's favor was no slight calauiily of itself. — But what 
 have we here ? " 
 
362 THE HEIDENMAUER. 
 
 " 'Tis a deed, by which the Herr Von Ritterstein invests 
 Berchthold with his worldly effects." 
 
 The Burgomaster hastily unfolded the ample parch- 
 ment. At a glance, though unable to comprehend the 
 Latin of the instrument, his accustomed eye saw that all 
 the usual appliances were there. Turning suddenly to 
 Emich, for he was not slow to comprehend the cause of 
 the gift, he exclaimed — 
 
 '•'' Here is manna in the wilderness ! Our differences are 
 all happily settled, nobly-born Count, and next to accord- 
 ing the hand of Meta to the owner of the lands of Ritter- 
 stein, I hold it a pleasure to oblige an illustrious friend 
 and patron. Henceforth, Herr Emich, let there be nought 
 but fair words between us." 
 
 Since entering the hut, the Count had not spoken. His 
 look had studied the tearful eyes, and colorless cheeks of 
 Ulrike, and he put his own constructions on the scene. 
 Still he did the fair wife of the burgher justice, for, though 
 less credulous than Heinrich on the subject of his con- 
 sort's affections, he too well knew the spotless character 
 of her mind, to change the opinion her virtue had extorted 
 from him, in early youth. He accepted the conditions of 
 his friend, with as much apparent frankness as they were 
 offered, and, after a few short explanations, the whole 
 party left the Heidenmauer together. 
 
 Our task is ended. On the following day Berchthold 
 and Meta were united. The Castle and the Town vied 
 with each other in doing honor to the nuptials, and Ulrike 
 and Lottchen endeavored to forget their own permanent 
 causes of sorrow in the happiness of their children. 
 
 In due time Berchthold took possession of his lands, re- 
 moving with his bride and mother to the Castle of Ritter- 
 stein, which he always affected to hold merely as the 
 trustee of its absent owner. Gottlob was promoted in his 
 service, and having succeeded in persuading Gisela to for- 
 get the gay cavalier who had frequented Hartenburg, 
 these two wayward spirits settled down into a half-loving, 
 half-wrangling couple, for the rest of their lives. 
 
 Duerckheim, as is commonly the case with the second- 
 ary actors in most great changes, shared the fate of the 
 frogs in tlie fable ; it got rid of the Benedictines for a 
 new master, and though the Burgomaster and Dietrich, in 
 after-life, had many wise discourses concerning the nature 
 of the revolution of Limburg, as the first affected to call 
 
THE IIKIDENMAUER. 363 
 
 the destruction of the Abbey, he never could very clearly 
 explain to the understanding of the latter, the great prin- 
 cij'ilcs of its merits. Still the smith was not the less an ad- 
 mirer of the Count, and to this day his descendants show 
 the figure of a marble cherub, as a trophy brouglit away 
 by their ancestor on that occasion, 
 
 Bonifacius and his monks found shelter in other con- 
 vents, each endeavoring to lessen the blow, by such ex- 
 pedients as best suited his tastes and character. The pious 
 Arnolph persevered to the end, and, believing charity to be 
 the fairest attribute of the Christian, he never ceased to 
 pray for the enemies of the Church, or to toil that they 
 might have the benefit of his intercession. 
 
 As for Odo Von Ritterstein, the country was long moved 
 by different talcs of his fate. One rumor — and it had much 
 currency — said he was serving in compan}- with Albrecht of 
 Viederbach, who rejoined his brother knights, and that he 
 died on the sands of Africa. But there is another tradition 
 extant in the Jaegethal, touching his end. It is said, that, 
 thirty years later, after Heinrich, and Emich of Leiningen, 
 and most of the other actors of this legend, had been called 
 to their great accounts, an aged wanderer came to the gate 
 of Ritterstein, demanding shelter for the night. He is re- 
 ported to have been well received by Meta, her husband 
 and son being then absent in the wars, and to have greatly 
 interested his hostess by the histories he gave of customs 
 and events in distant regions. Pleased with her guest, the 
 Madame Von Ritterstein (for Berchthold had purchased 
 this appellation by his courage) urged him to rest himself 
 another day within her walls. From comnnuiicating, the 
 stranger began to inquire ; and he so knew how to put his 
 questions, that he soon obtained the history of the family, 
 Ulrike was the last he named ; and the younger female in- 
 mates of the castle fancied that his manner changed as he 
 listened to the account of the close of her life, and of hcr 
 peaceful and pious end. The stranger departed that very 
 day, nor would his visit probably have been rememberetl, 
 had not his body been shortly after found in the hut of tlic 
 Ileidenmaut'r, stiffened bv death. Those who love to throw 
 a coloring of romance over the; affect ions, are fond of be- 
 lieving this was the hermit, who had found a secret satis- 
 faction, even at the close of S{j long a life, in breathini^ his 
 last on the sjxjt where he had finally separated from the 
 woman he had so long and fruitlessly loved. 
 
364 THE HEIDENMAUER, 
 
 To this tradition — true or false — we attach no impor- 
 tance. Our object has been to show, by a rapidly-traced 
 picture of life, the reluctant manner in which the mind o\ 
 man abandons old, to receive new impressions — the incon- 
 sistencies between profession and practice — the error in 
 confounding the good with the bad, in any sect or per- 
 suasion — the common and governing principles that control 
 the selfish, under every shade and degree of existence — • 
 and the high and immutable qualities of the good, the virt- 
 uous and of the really noble. 
 
 THE END. 
 
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