"Your grace will find the whole is some absurd mistake," said the young margrave, in a light and careless tone, as he sprang off his horse, and adjusted his rich attire. "At all events, it is assuredly nothing more than a mistaken sense of honour in the junker, or rather in his commandant here, and the brave Marsk Oluffsen; that excellent man hath an altogether peculiar talent of offending every one, without dreaming of doing so himself. That you must yourself have observed. Such persons one can but employ to plague both friend and foe. I am fond of being mediator between kinsmen and kind friends," he continued, gaily--"there is nothing like drinking to a reconciliation after every quarrel, and then all goes on merrily.--I know the junker's wine cellar at the castle here; it is almost better than any prior's; if he willed not to open it to your sharp spoken Marsk, he hath perhaps but wished to reserve it for dearer guests."
"The Lord grant we may have come hither to a friendly feast, Sir Margrave!" answered the king, solemnly, and in a low tone, while his gaze dwelt on the beautiful winter landscape which lay outstretched before him. The sun beamed brightly on ford and town. The castle rose proudly, with its round towers and high battlements, behind the shining copper roof of the Franciscan monastery. Esbern Snaré's five Gothic church spires pointed boldly towards the heavens from the ancient church of St. Mary, while furthermost, and near the ford, the sea tower proudly reared its head. "If my brother can justify himself," continued the king, "he will surely now not shun my sight, but come to greet me according to duty and fealty."
"But he surely expects you not--he is perhaps out hunting, or roving from one domain to another," said the margrave. "The noble junker's blood is thick.--I have counselled him to be ever on the move, in order to drive away melancholy fancies. I have often deplored that his magnanimous hankering after action and distinction hath as yet no decided object, and so often disturbs the balance of his princely mind, giving occasion to even his nearest friends and kindred to misjudge him."
"If I see aright, noble king!" said Count Henrik, shading his eyes with his hand from the sunshine, "yonder comes a crowd of people towards us from the town. It must be the burghers, who would show you their loyalty and devotion."
"Hum! they were also leagued against the Marsk," said the king. "The people are loyal to me personally--this I know, that were I to pass through the country as a leprous beggar, no burgher or peasant would shut his door upon me. In the eyes of many, no doubt, I seem a leper, since the bishop's ban," he added; "yet I am every where met with affection. It is only my brother who turns his back upon me, and refuses me obedience in this time of need."
"The noble junker is surely not here," resumed the margrave, "or he would certainly never delay to crave your pardon for his commandant's rashness, and to lead us to his well-appointed table--he hath put the fortifications of the castle in excellent repair, I perceive--were I in your grace's place I would thank him for that," he continued. "Kallundborg is an important spot in time of war, and a good harbour for your fleet."
"For that very reason no vassal should presume to shut the castle on the lawful ruler of the land, or his generalissimo," answered the king. "I cannot but commend your endeavours to excuse my erring brother, Sir Margrave," he added, abruptly; "and be assured, if he can be acquitted,--if he can only give me his princely word that he hath had no share in this contumacy,---he needs not that a stranger should plead for him, where a brother is his liege and judge."
The margrave bowed courteously, and was silent, while he passed his hand over his brow, and appeared desirous to hide a look of annoyance.
"Will your grace speak to the burghers now?" asked Count Henrik; "they seem timidly waiting for permission to approach you."
"They have it of course, count; let them come hither."