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
"Poor Wolf!" old Ursel had exclaimed. But whoever had met the youngknight the following morning, as he went up the stairs to the Blombergs'rooms, would have deemed him, like Baron Malfalconnet, the happiest ofmortals.
He had obeyed Dr. Hiltner's summons, and remained a long time with him.Then he went home at a rapid pace, for he longed to tell Barbara how faira prospect for their future was opening before him.
She had showed her liking for him plainly enough yesterday when theyparted. What should prevent her from becoming his now that he couldpromise an ample income?
There was some one stirring in the private chapel as he passed, but hepaid no heed; in former days many people from the neighbourhood prayedhere frequently.
He found no one in the Blombergs' home except the father.
Barbara would certainly return immediately, the old man said. She hadgone down to the chapel a short time before. She was not in the habit ofdoing so at this hour, but the great favour shown her by the Emperor hadprobably gone to her head, and who could wonder?
Wolf also thought it natural that so great a success should excite herpowerfully: but he, too, had a similar one to relate, and, with joyfulemotion, he now told the old gentleman what the syndic had offered.
The Council, which, by the establishment of the "Convivium," had alreadyprovided for the fostering of the noble art of music, wished to do stillmore. The project had been dear to the recently deceased Martin Luther,and the Ratisbon syndic, who had enjoyed his friendship, thought he wascarrying out his wishes——
Here Wolf was interrupted, for the table groaned under the blow of theold warrior's still powerful fist, coupled with the exclamation: "Sothere is still to be no rest from the accursed disturber of the peace,although he is dead! No offence, my lad; but there can be nothingedifying to a good Christian where that Wittenberg fellow is concerned."
"Only have patience," Wolf interposed here, secure of victory, and now,slightly vexed with himself for his imprudence in mentioning MartinLuther's name to the old hater of Turks and heretics, he explained thatDr. Hiltner, in the name of the Council, had offered him the position ofDamian Feys, Barbara's teacher. The Netherlander was going home, and themagistrate was glad to have found in him, Wolf, a native of Ratisbon whowould be no less skilled in fostering music in this good city. To bindhim securely, and avoid the danger of a speedy invitation elsewhere,the position offered was provided with an annual salary hithertounprecedented in this country, and which far exceeded that of many animperial councillor. This had been rendered possible through a bequest,whose interest was to be devoted to the development of music, and—if heshould accept the place—to him and his future wife.
When he heard this, he would fain have instantly bestowed the mostbeautiful candles upon the Holy Virgin, but the scruple concerningreligion had prevented his rejoicing fully; and when he told the syndicthat under no circumstances could he abandon the old faith, it was donewith the fear that the glittering bird would fly away from him. But the