But the chaplain approached nearer to the knight, and said, in a firm yet very mild tone, "Dear lord, hitherto it rested with you alone to relate, or not to relate it; but now that you have so strangely hinted at the share which I have had in your son's calamity, I must positively demand that you will repeat word for word how everything came to pass.My honour will have it so, and that will weigh with you as much as with me."In stern compliance Biorn bowed his haughty head, and began the following narration."This time seven years I was keeping the Christmas feast with my assembled followers.We have many venerable old customs which have descended to us by inheritance from our great forefathers; as, for instance, that of placing a gilded boar's head on the table, and making thereon knightly vows of daring and wondrous deeds.Our chaplain here, who used then frequently to visit me, was never a friend to keeping up such traditions of the ancient heathen world.Such men as he were not much in favour in those olden times.""My excellent predecessors," interrupted the chaplain, "belonged more to God than to the world, and with Him they were in favour.Thus they converted your ancestors; and if I can in like manner be of service to you, even your jeering will not vex me."With looks yet darker, and a somewhat angry shudder, the knight resumed: "Yes, yes; I know all your promises and threats of an invisible Power, and how they are meant persuade us to part more readily with whatever of this world's goods we may possess.Once, ah, truly, once I too had such! Strange!--Sometimes it seems to me as though ages had passed over since then, and as if I were alone the survivor, so fearfully has everything changed.But now I bethink me, that the greater part of this noble company knew me in my happiness, and have seen my wife, my lovely Verena."He pressed his hands on his eyes, and it seemed as though he wept.
The storm had ceased; the soft light of the moon shone through the windows, and her beams played on his wild features.Suddenly he started up, so that his heavy armour rattled with a fearful sound, and he cried out in a thundering voice, "Shall I turn monk, as she has become a nun? No, crafty priest; your webs are too thin to catch flies of my sort.""I have nothing to do with webs," said the chaplain."In all openness and sincerity have I put heaven and hell before you during the space of six years; and you gave full consent to the step which the holy Verena took.But what all that has to do with your son's sufferings I know not, and I wait for your narration.""You may wait long enough," said Biorn, with a sneer."Sooner shall--""Swear not!" said the chaplain in a loud commanding tone, and his eyes flashed almost fearfully.
"Hurra!" cried Biorn, in wild affright; "hurra! Death and his companion are loose!" and he dashed madly out of the chamber and down the steps.The rough and fearful notes of his horn were heard summoning his retainers; and presently afterwards the clatter of horses' feet on the frozen court-yard gave token of their departure.
The knights retired, silent and shuddering; while the chaplain remained alone at the huge stone table, praying.
