This eBook was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net>
[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of thefile for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making anentire meal of them. D.W.]
By Georg Ebers
A few minutes later the sisters left the Town Hall. Their white Rieseswere wound so closely about their faces that their features werecompletely hidden, but the thin material permitted them to see HerrVorchtel, leaning upon the arm of the young burgomaster, Hans Nutzel,leave the Council chamber, where the other Honourables were stilldeliberating. Pointing to the old man, the city clerk told Els with asignificant smile that Ursula Vorchtel was engaged to the talented,attractive young merchant now walking with her father, and that he hadpromised Herr Vorchtel to aid him and his younger son in the managementof his extensive business. This was a great pleasure to the noble oldmerchant, and when he, the city clerk, met Ursula that morning, spite ofher deep mourning, she again looked out upon the world like the happyyoung creature she was. Her new joy had greatly increased her beauty,and her lover was the very person to maintain it. Herr Schedel thoughtit would be pleasant news to Els, too. The young girl pressed his handwarmly; for these good tidings put the finishing touch to the gladtidings she had just heard. The reproach which, unjust as it might be,had spoiled many an hour for Wolff and entailed such fatal consequences,was now removed, and to her also "Ursel's" altered manner had oftenseemed like a silent accusation. She felt grateful, as if it were apersonal joy, for the knowledge that the girl who had believed herselfdeserted by Wolff, her own lover, was now a happy betrothed bride.
Ursula's engagement removed a burden from Eva's soul, too, only she didnot understand how a girl whose heart had once opened to a great lovecould ever belong to anyone else. Els understood her; nay, in Ursula'splace she would have done the same, if it were only to weave a freshflower in her afflicted father's fading garland of joy.
The city clerk accompanied them to the great entrance door of the Town
Hall.
Several jailers and soldiers in the employ of the city were standingthere, and whilst their old friend was promising to do his utmost tosecure Ernst Ortlieb's liberation and recommending the girls to theprotection of one of the watchmen, Eva's cheeks flushed; for a messengerof the Council had just approached the others, and she heard him utterthe name of Sir Heinz Schorlin and his follower Walther Biberli. Elslistened, too, but whilst her sister in embarrassment pressed her handupon her heart, she frankly asked the city clerk what had befallen theknight and his squire, who was betrothed to her maid. She heard that atthe last meeting of the Council an order had been issued for Biberli'sarrest.
His name must have been brought up during the discussions of the slanderswhich had so infamously pursued the Ortlieb sisters, but she could notenquire how or in what connection, for the sun was already low in thewestern sky, and if the girls wished to see their father there was notime to lose.
Yet, though Katterle had just said that Countess von Montfort was waitingoutside in her great sedan-chair for the young ladies, they were stilldetained, for they would not leave the Town Hall without thanking thecity clerk and saying farewell to him. He was still near