Page:Popular stories of The spectre bridegroom and The mason of Granada.pdf (NLS104186075).pdf/10

 in solemn pledge. The dying man pressed it in aeknowkedgmentacknowledgment [sic], but soon lapsed into delirium -raved about his bride-his engagements-his plighted word; ordered his horse, that he might ride to the eastlecastle [sic] of Landshort; and expired in the faneiedfancied [sic] aet [sic] of vaulting into the saddle.

Starkenfaust bestowed a sigh and a soldier's tear on the untimely fate of his eomradecomrade [sic]; and then pondered on the awkward mission he had undertaken. His heart was heavy, and his head perplexed; for he was to present himself an unbidden guest among hostile people, and to damp their festivity with tidings fatal to their hopes. Still there were eertaincertain [sic] whisperings of curiosity in his bosom to see this far-famed beauty of Katzenellenbogen, so eautiouslycautiously [sic] shut up from the world; for he was a passionate admirer of the sex, and there was a dash of eeeentrieityeccentricity [sic] and enterprise in his eharaetercharacter [sic] that made him fond of all simple adventure.

Previous to his departure he made all due arrangements with the holy fraternity of the eonventconvent [sic] for the funeral solemnities of his friend, who was to be buried in the eathedralcathedral [sic] of Wurtzburg, near some of his illustrionsillustrious [sic] relatives; and the mourning retinue of the eountcount [sic] took ehargecharge [sic] of his remains.

It is now high time that we should return to the ancient family of Katzenellenbogen, who were impatient for their guest, and still more for their dinner; and to the wortlıy little baron, whom we left airing himself on the wateh-towerwatch-tower [sic].

Night elosedclosed [sic] in, but still no guest arrived. The baron deseendeddescended [sic] from the tower in despair. The banquet, which had been delayed from hour to hour, eouldcould [sic] no longer be postponed. The meats were already overdone; the eookcook [sic] in an agony; and the whole household had the look of a garrison that had been redueedreduced [sic] by famine. The baron was obliged reluetantlyreluctantly [sic] to give orders for thcthe [sic] feast without the preseneepresence [sic] of the