“Else the egg takes not after the bird. Why is her father called the magician? I tell you they bewitched this very Peter here; they cast unholy spells on him, and cured him of the colic: now, Peter, look and tell me who is that? and you be silent, women, for a moment, if you can; who is it, Peter?”
“Well, to be sure!” said Peter, in reply; and his eye seemed fascinated by the picture.
“Who is it?” repeated Ghysbrecht impetuously.
Peter Buyskens smiled. “Why, you know as well as I do; but what have they put a crown on her for? I never saw her in a crown, for my part.”
“Man alive! Can't you open your great jaws, and just speak a wench's name plain out to oblige three people?”
“I'd do a great deal more to oblige one of you than that, burgomaster. If it isn't as natural as life!”
“Curse the man! he won't, he won't—curse him!”
“Why, what have I done now?”
“Oh, sir!” said little Kate, “for pity's sake tell us; are these the features of a living woman, of—of—Margaret Brandt?”
“A mirror is not truer, my little maid.”