"Very good; I go, my brave boy and thanks to thee. Hast been in the city, Johann?"
"Yes, master, I was carried away by the crowd and could not avoid the tournament."
"Very well, then, amuse Mina with the story of all the fine things that thou hast seen. An old father and his statues are not very joyous company for a girl of seventeen."
With these words Koerner left the room, and Mina, who until now had remained silent and pouting, came forward with animated looks and flashing eyes:
"Then you saw the tournament, Johann?" she began.
"Yes, Demoiselle Mina."
"Who were the victors?"
"There were three, as there were three encounters. The Gaugrave Siegfried of Ehrenfels; the old Count of Arenheim; and our acquaintance, our fellow of the studio, Otho of Arneck, who triumphed on foot and on horse, and received the finest of all the crowns."
"Ah!" exclaimed Mina, with a joyous sigh, while a sudden blush overspread her countenance.