"And what are you graving so earnestly upon the plate? I must see it, and woe betide you if it should be the name of a fortunate rival." She bent down more closely to read what he had written. "_Memento mori!_ For God's sake, how is it that you are seized on a sudden with these death-thoughts at a pleasure-banquet?" "It is a way of mine to think on death in the midst of enjoyment. I deem it pardonable at least, as in return one can blend with death the thought of the eternal joy that waits us in the world beyond." "My worthy Herr von Tausdorf," interrupted Christopher with a disagreeable laugh, "I do not doubt your oratorical powers, or your piety, and am convinced that you could, if you pleased, make an excellent funeral sermon extempore; but that would be too dull an entertainment with the full goblet: therefore take up the glass before you, and pledge me as fairly as I pledge you to the health of your noble bride." Tausdorf seized the goblet, but again lost himself in a sea of thought, and forgot to pledge. "Well, dreamer," said the intended bride with good-humoured reproach, "do you hesitate to drink the health of your Althea?" He raised the cup mechanically, drank, and set it down again. Schindel, who sat near him, was surprised. "What is the matter with you, Tausdorf? I never saw you thus before?" "I do not comprehend myself. An anxiety has possessed me, as if I were to commit a murder. It must have been so that the poor king, Saul, felt when the evil spirit was upon him. I am ashamed of this childish feeling, and yet I can so little master it, that I shudder every time the door opens, thinking that some great misfortune must enter under a dreadful form." "All this comes only of thick blood," replied Schindel; "you must be bled." As he spoke the word, the door was flung open, and Francis Friend burst into the room with his usual impetuosity. "Ah, woe!" cried Althea. Schindel clasped his hands in terror, while Christopher asked piteously, "Why, whence do you come, brother? I thought you were long ago at Freiburg, and enjoying yourself?" "He is a fool," replied Francis, "who hunts after pleasure miles off, when he knows where to find it at once. I heard yesterday of your present feasting, upon which I thought directly of surprising you, and put off mine." "Well, all that's true," said Christopher; "you have surprised us all, and most agreeably: so let us draw together. Set yourself here at my right hand, and enjoy with us the meat and drink that God has sent us."