Page:The German Novelists (Volume 3).djvu/67

 strength, and apparently in the vigour of life. “What is the matter, young man?” he inquired, in a voice of thunder; “what makes you look so pale and feeble, as if you were just going to give up the ghost?”

Frank, too late aware that it was impossible to retreat, though convinced that he was likely to pay dearly for his fare, mustered up his courage, and tried to look impudent, to conceal his fears.

“Sir Knight,” he boldly answered, “I am as completely drenched with rain, as if I had just swum through the Weser. I should like to change my clothes, and swallow a good warm posset, to check these shivering fits, which are as bad as the beginning of an ague; but a warm draught, I trust, will soon cure me.”

“Well then,” said the Knight; “make yourself at home, and ask for any thing you wish.”

So Frank made the lacqueys run about, as if he had been Grand Turk; for having laid his account that he should have some hard knocks, he rather wished to deserve them. With this view, he contrived to torment the servants in the most unconscionable manner; commanding and countermanding in great style, in spite of their murmurs and curses behind his back.

“How!” he exclaimed, “this doublet was made for a grand swag-bellied Abbot; how dare you bring