, at the same time, that were he to be
curried and tugged worse than ever was bullock's hide, they should make nothing
out of him, to the betraying of the young folks. Two stout horses had been
provided by the activity of Mother Mabel, who really desired the Countess and
her attendant no harm, so that she could make her own house and family clear of
the dangers which might attend upon harbouring them. She beheld them mount and
go off with great satisfaction, after telling them that they would find their
way to the east gate by keeping their eye on Peter, who was to walk in that
direction as their guide, but without holding any visible communication with
them. The instant her guests had departed, Mother Mabel took the opportunity to
read a long practical lecture to Trudchen upon the folly of reading romances,
whereby the flaunting ladies of the Court were grown so bold and venturous,
that, instead of applying to learn some honest housewifery, they must ride,
for-sooth, a damsel-erranting through the country, with no better attendant than
some idle squire, debauched page, or rake-helly archer from foreign parts, to
the great danger of their health, the impoverishing of their substance, and the
irreparable prejudice of their reputation.
    All this Gertrude heard in silence, and without reply; but, considering her
character, it might be doubted whether she derived from it the practical
inference which it was her mother's purpose to enforce.
    Meantime, the travellers had gained the eastern gate of the city, traversing
crowds of people, who were fortunately too much busied in the political events
and rumours of the hour, to give any attention to a couple who had so little to
render their appearance remarkable. They passed the guards in virtue of a
permission obtained for them by Pavillon, but in the name of his colleague
Rouslaer, and they took leave of Peter Geislaer with a friendly though brief
exchange of good wishes on either side. Immediately afterwards, they were joined
by a stout young man, riding a good grey horse, who presently made himself known
as Hans Glover, the bachelor of Trudchen Pavillon. He was a young fellow with a
good Flemish countenance - not, indeed, of the most intellectual cast, but
arguing more hilarity and good-humour than wit, and, as the Countess could not
help thinking, scarce worthy to be bachelor to the generous Trudchen. He seemed,
however, fully desirous to second the views which she had formed in their
favour; for, saluting them respectfully, he asked of the Countess in Flemish on
which