The dying man pressed it
in acknowledgment, but soon lapsed into delirium--raved about his
bride, his engagements, his plighted word--ordered his horse,
that he might ride to the castle of Landshort, and expired in the
fancied act of vaulting into the saddle.
Starkenfaust bestowed a sigh and a soldier's tear on the untimely
fate of his comrade and then pondered on the awkward mission he
had undertaken. His heart was heavy and his head perplexed; for
he was to present himself an unbidden guest among hostile people,
and to damp their festivity with tidings fatal to their hopes.
Still, there were certain whisperings of curiosity in his bosom
to see this far-famed beauty of Katzenellenbogen, so cautiously
shut up from the world; for he was a passionate admirer of the
sex, and there was a dash of eccentricity and enterprise in his
character that made him fond of all singular adventure.
Previous to his departure he made all due arrangements with the
holy fraternity of the convent for the funeral solemnities of his
friend, who was to be buried in the cathedral of Wurtzburg near
some of his illustrious relatives, and the mourning retinue of
the count took charge of his remains.
It is now high time that we should return to the ancient family
of Katzenellenbogen, who were impatient for their guest, and
still more for their dinner, and to the worthy little baron, whom
we left airing himself on the watch-tower.
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