The cup was of solid gold, heavy and massive; carved upon it in bold relief was a group of figures representing a host of little elves at a banquet. So exquisitely were they engraved that they appeared actually to move, and it seemed as though one could almost hear their laughter and talk. A glittering, carved golden snake, curled around the brim of the cup, served as a handle; its eyes were two diamonds. After Peter Kurtz had feasted his eyes upon this treasure for a long time, he arose suddenly, and, without saying a word, wrapped up the cup in a napkin, drew his cowl more closely around his face, and, taking his staff, prepared to leave the house.
“Where are you going, father?” said Kate.
“I am going,” said Peter, “to take this cup to our master, the Baron von Dunderhead; that will be far more to our advantage than selling it to some petty goldsmith or other.”
“Take care what you do, father!” said Kate, quickly. “I foresee that danger will come of it, if you fulfill your intention.”
“Bah!” said Peter, and, without deigning another word, he marched out of the house; for Peter, like a great many men in those days, had a very poor opinion of the feminine intellect, and a very good opinion of his own. So off he marched boldly toward castle Dunderhead.
“he examined with astonishment and delight.”
When Peter presented the golden cup to the baron, with a low bow, that nobleman could not find sufficient words to express his admiration. He sighed with rapture, and examined the cup from every side with the utmost minuteness.
“Give this worthy man,” said he, “four bags of guilders; money is nothing to the acquisition of such a treasure of beauty.”
Here Peter secretly hugged himself, and chuckled at his daughter’s warning. Meanwhile, the baron examined the cup with huge satisfaction. Suddenly turning to Peter, “Where is the saucer?” said he.