Count Frederick of Ehrenburg was the last of his race, his father had died while he was yet young. Feeling his castle to be lonely without a companion, he looked far and near to find a fair lady whom he might love and bring home to be mistress of Ehrenburg.
Having found a suitable lady, he begged her hand from her father, saying that he would give her his castle, his name, and his sword as a dower; but the grim old warrior replied, that though his castle was strong and name great, yet his sword was too bright, too glittering, and new; and added, that his daughter’s husband must be able to show some marks of hard fighting on sword or on person. The old warrior further suggested that the young Count should burn Coblence, as he had a feud with that town.
Count Frederick retired and collected his friends, with whom he made many inroads on the burghers of Coblence, and at length he succeeded in burning a part of the town.
He immediately repaired to his loved lady’s castle, when, to his great annoyance, he found the fair one was flown. Having heard of her father’s wicked promise, that he would give her in marriage when Coblence was burnt, she had retired from the world, and in a nunnery was endeavouring to atone for the crime of her father.
The young Count raged and swore, and eventually took to his bosom a different lady, but no children were granted them, so he was the last of his race.
The records go on to relate how this last Count, having no son of his own, adopted one of the sons of a friend; this boy’s name was Walter, and he met with the adventure described in the tale called—
THE TIMELY WARNING.
It was Carnival in Coblence—all the world was there; the streets were thronged with masks, shows and processions were in all the public places; music, dancing, and merriment, reigned supreme.