"What is to be seen here?" inquired the count.
"Over the wall there may be seen the dancing in the knights' saloon," replied Drost Peter.
Count Gerhard became attentive: he observed a tall, majestic female figure flit past the middle window, and he stopped his horse.
"The queen!--see, the queen!" he heard the curious spectators whisper to one another.
"It is the duke she is dancing with," said one.
"Nay, that it is not: it is the handsome young Drost Hessel. Look, how proud he dances! Lofty thoughts he has, you may trow," exclaimed another.
"Come, noble count," said Drost Peter, hastily, "let us not get into the crowd, with our unruly horses. We are now close to my dwelling."
They rode on a little way, and stopped at a dark-looking house, where, on the high stone steps, stood a squire, bearing a torch.
"You are arrived at last, sir," cried Claus Skirmen, springing towards him with the torch. "Has any mischance befallen you? I ventured not to disobey your commands by leaving the house myself; but I have sent all the servants out in search of you."
"We have had a little encounter with a pair of hasty young knights on our way," said Drost Peter, "and my noble guest has been somewhat severely wounded. Assist him carefully from his horse. Is all in order?"
"As you have commanded, sir. But are you not also wounded? Shall I bring a surgeon?"
"That is unnecessary, so long as you and I are here. We would have no talk about the matter. Attend only to the count."
Not without wincing and sundry oaths did the wounded Count Gerhard dismount from his horse, and ascend the high stone steps, where his two knights and the lanky jester received him with sympathising attentions.
"A truce with condolences," said the count. "I am both bound and salved. Let me only get to table, and have something to live on."
Claus Skirmen went hastily forwards, and conducted the count, through an ante-room, into a spacious vaulted apartment, where stood a covered table, with tall wax-lights, and well garnished with provisions and bright silver wine-flagons.
Count Gerhard regarded these preparations with satisfaction, and immediately threw himself into a chair; and, the better to seat himself, he released his sword from its belt. As he held it in his hand, he recollected the intimation he had received at the city-gate.