But to business, my son. You will endure that
title from me now? My time is short."
"What would you have me do? Shall I send the little one a betrothal
ring, and ride to Ulm to wed and fetch her home in spring?"
"That may hardly serve. These kinsmen would have seized on her and
the castle long ere that time. The only safety is the making wedlock
as fast as it can be made with a child of such tender years. Mine is
the only power that can make the abbess give her up, and therefore
will I ride this moonlight night to Ulm, bring the little one back
with me by the time the reconciliation be concluded, and then shall
ye be wed by the Abbot of St. Ruprecht's, with the Kaisar for a
witness, and thus will the knot be too strong for the Trautbachs to
untie."
Ebbo looked disconcerted, and gasped, as if this were over-quick
work.--"To-morrow!" he said. "Knows my mother?"
"I go to speak with her at once. The Kaisar's consent I have, as he
says, 'If we have one vassal who has common sense and honesty, let us
make the most of him.
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