"It is perhaps Sir Otho," said Sebald, and continued his work.
"If it were he, he would come on horseback," replied Mina, whose cheeks, despite her, were covered with the blush of expectant happiness, and in a moment she had left her seat, opened a portion of the large window, and was leaning joyfully over the sculptured balcony.
But she soon returned, looking sad.
"No, father, it is not he; it is only Johann," said she, and she seemed to awake from a dream.
"Then let him come up quickly," replied the old man, well pleased with the news, but still working on.
A moment after he arose, as he heard the footfalls on the stair, and turned to greet the most beloved and studious of all his pupils.
Chapter II.
The new-comer was a young man of perhaps twenty-eight years, pale, delicate, and slightly stooped. His large blue eyes, candid and intelligent, gave a charm to his young though thoughtful face, whence light emotions seemed to be banished to give place to the workings of a vigorous mind. Johann, at first sight, did not seem handsome, but he became more and more interesting on acquaintance. The simplicity of this look and costume— a dark gray doublet, leathern belt, and cap without either clasp or plume— certainly neither attracted nor retained the gaze. Johann saluted the beautiful Mina, who returned his greeting with a look of playful anger, and then hastened to greet his master.
"Well, Johann, what news?" asked Sebald, advancing with outstretched hand.
"That I have not come alone, master. Your business is done; the prior of the monastery of Fremersberg is here. I have spoken in your name, and he binds you neither by designs nor advice. You will be at full liberty to execute according to your own will the sculpture of the chapel. You need only confer with him as to the time and conditions of the work. The prior wished much to visit your atelier and see your beautiful bas-relief, of which the fame has spread far and wide, but you know that he is old and infirm. The stair was too steep for him to mount, and I left him in the hall below, where he awaits you."