CHAPTER VIII.
WEDDINGS.
The distracted condition of the empire compelled Rudolph to hasten. Accordingly preparations were speedily forwarded for the double imperial nuptials at Iglau. Thither repaired lords and ladies, aspiring knights and observant maidens, all attracted by those delightful anticipations that a wedding, and especially a double wedding, is calculated to inspire. Cavalier and sturdy beggar jostled each other in the streets of the little town. Traffickers and friars, semi-nomads from Hungary, yellow Jews from Morocco, mingled with rotund Germans all bent on business. It was known to be a business transaction, and every man felt justified in deriving from it all the personal benefit that he could.
The encampment of knights, all aspiring to honors in the tournament, resembled that of a formidable army; and the motley array of troops and followers represented every species of wild adventurer in Europe and western Asia. In only a few hearts was gladness, and at the head of these stood Albert of Austria. He arrived early, accompanied by a close band of followers. These men by incessant discussion gathered around
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