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CHAPTER VI

Word Count: 2695    |    Released on: 17/11/2017

freely. The burdens of war were lightened, and they had time to rejoice in the honors they had won and the privileges that had been conferred on them. It is true, there were some who h

gs, and betrothals, long postponed while the enemy was so oppressiv

bore fruit in new rancor and new vengeance. There was one who had lately augmented the number of his enemies, until he had drawn well-nigh the hate of the whole community upon his head. This man was Corfitz Ulfeldt. He could not be r

f, had - 76 - from the first been opposed to Ulrik Frederik's alliance with a gentlewoman so closely related to Eleonore Christine, and since the recent a

k, and pointed out how easily his present friendly footing at court might be disturbed by a woman who was so unacceptable to the King and Queen, and justly so, as her sympathies were entirely with the foes of the royal house. Moreover, he said, Ulrik Frederik was standing in his own light, since none could expect important posts to be entrusted to one who was constantly under the influence of the enemies of the

nothing should part them. His courtship of Mistress Sofie was the first serious step he had ever taken in his life, and it was a point of honor with him to take it fully. There had always been so many hands ready to lead and direct him, but he h

ress Sofie only by stealth. At first this merely fed the flame, but soon his visits to his betrothed grew less frequent. He became more clear-sighted where she wa

he had but to follow it upward to happiness and honor. He had dropped this thread to find his own way, but he still saw it glimmering. What if he were to grasp it again? He could neither stiffen his back to defy the King nor give up Sofie. He had to visit her in secret, and this was perhaps the hardest of all for his pride to stomach. Accustomed to move in pomp and display, to - 78 - take every step in princely style, he wince

way Ulrik Frederik had to take when he visited his mistress, and he would usually have Hop-o'-my-Thumb mo

d the rose-bushes at his side; their red blossoms looked almost white in the moonlight. He went up to the house, which stood shining white, the windows in a yellow glitter. How quiet everything was-radiant and calm! Suddenly the glassy whirr of a cricket shivered the stillness. The sharp, blue-black shadows of the hollyhocks seemed painted on the wall behind them. A faint mist rose from the bleach-linen. There!-he - 79 - lifted the latch, and the next moment he was in the darkness within. Softly he groped his way up the rickety staircase until he

en shutters, but on a brass-trimmed chest beneath it stood a small hand-lantern. Sofie opened its tiny horn-pane to get a brighter light. Her loosened hair hung down over the fur-edged broadcloth robe she had thrown over her homespun dress. Her face was pale and grief-worn,

ndred things you wanted to whisper to me? Oh, then you have not longed as I have!" She - 80 - trimmed the candle with her finger

ird night I'm watching. Yester eve and the night before I waited in vain, till my eyes were dim." She lifted her hand threateningly. "To your knees,

l on his knees there in Christoffer Urne's attic. Yet he knelt down, put hi

ik's pale, tormented face and uneasy eyes. Her hand played carelessly

hus for a

Frederik

They're all against us-every one. Not a tongue will speak a word of cheer, but all turn from me. When they see me, 'tis as though a cold shadow fell over them, where before I brought a light. I stand so utterly alone, Sofie, 'tis

and unflinching like a statue,

d," she said qu

e but pulled his chain to show him how securely he was bound. Oh, she was clever as they said! His blood boiled, he could have fallen upon her, clutched her white throat to drag the truth out of her and force her to open e

his eyes! No, it was no jest. He had asked as seriously as she had answered. Ah, that answer! She began to see what she had lost by it. If she had only said yes, he would never have

and dishonor! Whenever I lifted my head again," he went on, "I must fear lest the eye that had seen my ignominy should meet mine and forc

d laid her head on h

would not hold you one hour after you longed to b

to myself that the pastor should join our hands; it cannot be too soon. Let it be in two or three days-but secretly, for it is of no use to set the world a

d veiled itself, and a few heavy raindrops fell from the inky sky. The earl

secret was not so well guarded, however, but that the Queen could mention it to the King a few days later. The result was that i

d when in his cups would weep and plaintively describe to two or three boon companions, who were his only constant associates, the sweet, peaceful, happy life he might have led. He always ende

rring to Fyen, and thence he returned in November with the news of the victory at Nyborg. He resumed h

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