"Now," said he to the two men-at-arms, who had been with him from the beginning of the episode, "you can search the house for yourselves. Touch nothing of that which belongs to the ladies who were here; nor load yourselves with that which is heavy to carry and of no certain worth. Say to the Lady Ottilie of Thüringen that I crave her presence here in a quarter of an hour. The other two of you remain on guard without."
The order obeyed, he poured out his booty into a heap, picked out the gold pieces and the chain, that had been so cherished an adornment of the silk weaver, and put them in a purse of leather, which he fastened securely and disposed with equal care about him; then the silver pieces, which were far more numerous and bulky, he divided into four parts, two for Sergeant Blick, and one each for the musketeers, in case their ransacking of the house under the conditions laid down should provide them with but a meagre reward. These three weighty and bulky parcels, tied in separate purses, he fastened beneath his cloak to his sword-belt, and he had scarcely done so before the haughty Ottilie made her entry. Her bearing was serene and high.
He rose from the chair and bade her be seated. She accepted the offer without thanks but without any show of disdain. She seemed to have allowed herself to enter upon a softer mood.
"I have asked for an audience, your Highness——"
"Why Highness?" she asked. "In German lands that is for princesses."
"It accords with your bearing! The grades of rank in these countries are bewildering. What would you be called?"
"In Thüringen I am styled plainly, madame!"
"Madame, be it then! Are you the daughter of the Landgrave of Thüringen?"
"In what way does that concern one of Tilly's captains of musketeers? I go where I choose, and own no man for my master."
Nigel smiled at her petulance.