As for age, you are--?"
"Eighteen next Easter."
"Then there are scarce eleven years between you. You will find the
little one a blooming bride when your first deeds in arms have been
fought out."
"And, if my mother trains her up," said Ebbo, thoughtfully, "she will
be all the better daughter to her. But, Sir Cousin, you know I too
must be going. So soon as I can brook the saddle, I must seek out
and ransom my father."
"That is like to be a far shorter and safer journey than mine. The
Genoese and Venetians understand traffic with the infidels for their
captives, and only by your own fault could you get into danger. Even
at the worst, should mishap befall you, you could so order matters as
to leave your girl-widow in your mother's charge."
"Then," added Ebbo, "she would still have one left to love and
cherish her. Sir Kasimir, it is well; though, if you knew me without
my Friedel, you would repent of your bargain."
"Thanks from my heart," said Wildschloss, "but you need not be
concerned. You have never been over-friendly with me even with
Friedel at your side.
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