Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/74

70 Paumgartner, and the master of jewellers, united in a brilliant procession to go to the church of Saint Sebald. At the moment of setting out, the noise of horses and the sound of music was heard before master Martin's house: and he, running to the balcony, recognized lord Heinrich Spangenberg, having by his side a young and brilliant cavalier, wearing a sword and hat ornamented with floating plumes and precious stones. Near the young man rode a marvellously beautiful lady, and behind these three personages pranced a numerous retinue of servants in costumes of all colors.

The music having stopped, the old man Spangenberg cried out to master Martin, raising his head:—"Ho, ho, master Martin, it is neither for your cellar nor your ducats that I come here; I come on account of the marriage of your pretty daughter. Will you receive me, dear master?"

Master Martin, a little confused by the recollection of these words, went down as fast as his legs would allow him, to receive with all kinds of salutations, his old and noble customer. The beautiful lady and the cavalier also dismounted and entered the house. But hardly had the worthy cooper looked at the young cavalier than he started back in surprise.—"Good heaven!" exclaimed he, clasping his hands, "this is Conrad."

"Truly, yes," said the young man, smilingly; "I am your former journeyman. Pardon me, dear master, a certain wound which I have kept in remembrance. I could very well have killed you that day, for you had treated me very rudely! But all is for the best, let us think no more of it."

Master Martin assured him that he was very thankful that the cursed adz had only slightly cut him; he then begged his guests to enter the principal room, where the bride and bridegroom and the friends of the family had united to witness the ceremony. The appearance of the beautiful lady was saluted by a very flattering murmur; everybody remarked that her beauty resembled in a surprising degree the ravishing features of the young bride; they might have been taken for twin sisters.