"
"Nor am I," said Christina. "It is I who am utterly averse to this
offer. My sons and I are one in that; and, uncle, if I pray of you
to consent to let us return to our castle, it is that I would not see
the visit that has made us so happy stained with strife and
dissension! Sure, sure, you cannot be angered with my son for his
love for me."
"For the self-seeking of his love," said Master Gottfried. "It is to
gratify his own pride that he first would prevent thee from being
enriched and ennobled, and now would bear thee away to the scant--
Nay, Freiherr, I will not seem to insult you, but resentment would
make you cruel to your mother."
"Not cruel!" said Friedel, hastily. "My mother is willing. And
verily, good uncle, methinks that we all were best at home. We have
benefited much and greatly by our stay; we have learnt to love and
reverence you; but we are wild mountaineers at the best; and, while
our hearts are fretted by the fear of losing our sweet mother, we can
scarce be as patient or submissive as if we had been bred up by a
stern father.
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