Eliza rose up indignant, and silently motioned to Clara to follow her. The latter obeyed, and the two friends were left alone.
'A pair of pretty maidens!' said Hanslein, looking admiringly after them; 'and you are indeed a lucky dog, to be a favorite with both.'
'I am the promised bridegroom of the eldest,' answered Alf, 'and know my duty.'
'An anabaptist, and so affectedly coy?' laughed the hair-brained fellow. 'You court them both at the same time, I'll be sworn; and should any one attack you on that account, you need only refer to the example of our chief prophet.'
'It cannot be possible!' exclaimed Alf with abhorrence.
At this moment Clara stepped into the room, placed before Alf a pitcher of wine and two goblets, and then again retired.
Hanslein observed her attentively, and said as she went out, 'deny no longer, you rogue, that both the maidens are yours. I found you in the arms of one of them, and the long, tender glance which the other just now threw upon you, confesses enough.'
'I tell you that you are mistaken!' cried Alf impatiently, filling the cups to the brim; 'leave your joking, and join me in drinking success to our good cause.'
'With all my heart!' said Hanslein, striking his glass against Alf's, and then pouring down the wine; 'although I am not yet quite clear as to exactly where the good cause is to be found, here, or in the camp of our old master. To return once more to my former theme, you render life needlessly unpleasant both to yourself and to the poor damsels. You would do much better to marry them both.'
'You are out of your senses!' exclaimed Alf, angrily. 'How can I sin against the commandments of God?'