Then, again, came the dreaded
subject; his daughter must go with him.
"What would you with Christina, brother?" gravely asked Master
Gottfried, seating himself on the opposite side of the stove, while
out of sight the frightened girl herself knelt on the floor, her head
on her aunt's knees, trying to derive comfort from Dame Johanna's
clasping hands, and vehement murmurs that they would not let their
child be taken from them. Alas! these assurances were little in
accordance with Hugh's rough reply, "And what is it to you what I do
with mine own?"
"Only this, that, having bred her up as my child and intended
heiress, I might have some voice."
"Oh! in choosing her mate! Some mincing artificer, I trow, fiddling
away with wood and wire to make gauds for the fair-day! Hast got him
here? If I like him, and she likes him, I'll bring her back when her
work is done."
"There is no such person as yet in the case," said Gottfried.
"Christina is not yet seventeen, and I would take my time to find an
honest, pious burgher, who will value this precious jewel of mine.
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