Happily the Freiherr of Adlerstein Wildschloss was at
hand. "Herr Burgomaster," he said, "let me commence the dance with
your fair lady niece. By your testimony," he added, smiling to the
youths, "she can tread a measure. And, after marking us, you may try
your success with the Rathsherrinn."
Christina would gladly have transferred her noble partner to the
Rathsherrinn, but she feared to mortify her good uncle and aunt
further, and consented to figure alone with Sir Kasimir in one of the
majestic, graceful dances performed by a single couple before a
gazing assembly. So she let him lead her to her place, and they
bowed and bent, swept past one another, and moved in interlacing
lines and curves, with a grand slow movement that displayed her quiet
grace and his stately port and courtly air.
"Is it not beautiful to see the motherling?" said Friedel to his
brother; "she sails like a white cloud in a soft wind. And he stands
grand as a stag at gaze."
"Like a malapert peacock, say I," returned Ebbo; "didst not see,
Friedel, how he kept his eyes on her in church? My uncle says the
Bohemians are mere deceivers.
Pages:
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288