"You don't stand on much ceremony with your kinsfolk," muttered Francis, going to the table and filling up a bumper, while Christopher went up to the widow. "I hope you will not make me suffer for my brother's rashness, but will give me a favourable answer." "I have already told you the reason why I must decline the invitation." "And you really, then, will put off my father with this poor excuse?" "Agree to go," whispered the uncle: "It is a family festival, and all the Schindels of the neighbourhood are invited. It is better not to be singular and offend any one." "I will come," said Althea, after a moment's hesitation. "I have to thank you, Schindel, for this _yes_," returned Christopher, mortified: "The former _no_ was intended for me alone; which cannot but grieve me, however handsome the lips that pronounced it." He went; and Francis, filling the goblet for the third time, cried out after him, "The wine is good; I shall stop a little longer." There was now a clattering on the stairs, as if a whole troop were coming up, and in rushed Althea's brother-in-law, Anselm of Netz, with his Pylades, Frederick of Reichenbach, surnamed Bieler. "God be with you, fair sister-in-law," exclaimed the wild Netz, shaking Althea's white hand with no very gentle cordiality. "What brings you so soon again to the city?" returned Althea displeasedly, and drew back her hand. "Rasselwitz treats us to-day with a dozen flasks of old Hungary, at Barthel Wallach's," replied Netz: "You know that when once I get into the old den I can't set off again without having seen you. God forgive you, lady, but you must have bewitched me; and I shall yet denounce you to the council of Schweidnitz." "How willingly would I undo the spell of which you complain! Truly, it gives me no pleasure." "Tush! you are not in earnest. We all know that women like to be courted, that their value may be the greater." Here he began to whistle and clatter up and down the room, when his eyes suddenly fell upon Francis, who had not yet been able to separate himself from the goblet. "The devil! you too, Friend! What wind has blown you hither?" "If any one should ask you," said Francis roughly, "tell him you don't know." "And how is it with your lucky horse-swop?" asked Netz, in a mocking tone: "Have you settled with Rasselwitz?" "Long ago," replied Francis, dryly, and poured out the drainings of the flask. "It must be allowed," exclaimed Netz, with a loud laugh--"you know how to manage things admirably. He has got the bay, then?" "If I were an ass! I was drunk at the time I made the bargain, and therefore am bound to nothing." "Rasselwitz will show you that, my fine fellow! You have had his horse, and must keep your word." "He may fetch his mare, then, from the hangman. The beast fell down with me at the Bresslauer gate. I should deserve to be breeched if I suffered myself to be cheated in this manner."