But,
fortunately, manners were too rare at Adlerstein for any such
omission to be remarkable, and the whole establishment was in a state
of noisy triumph and merriment over the excellence of the French wine
they had captured, so that she slipped into her seat unobserved.
Every available drinking-horn and cup was full. Ermentrude was
eagerly presented with draughts by both father and brother, and
presently Sir Eberhard exclaimed, turning towards the shrinking
Christina with a rough laugh, "Maiden, I trow thou wilt not taste?"
Christina shook her head, and framed a negative with her lips.
"What's this?" asked her father, close to whom she sat. "Is't a
fast-day?"
There was a pause. Many were present who regarded a fast-day much
more than the lives or goods of their neighbours. Christina again
shook her head.
"No matter," said good-natured Sir Eberhard, evidently wishing to
avert any ill consequence from her. "'Tis only her loss."
The mirth went on rough and loud, and Christina felt this the worst
of all the miserable meals she had partaken of in fear and trembling
at this place of her captivity.
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