Page:Zawis and Kunigunde (1895).djvu/306

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302
QUIET AT FURSTENBERG. WEDDINGS

your kindly hearts will feel emotion when I say that I am the eldest son of the Lord Boppo of Osterna.

“My brother also comes and his wife; but our children have not arrived, as we have not yet reached our proposed home. We were all present on the fatal Marchfield; and we repeatedly saw the Lord Zawis there after he became a prisoner. We went all into bondage together; and at last have returned, as we hope, to live and die among my father’s friends.”

“The honored name of the Lord Boppo ensures you cordial greeting and welcome,” replied the Lady Judith. “We are happy indeed that this unexpected pleasure multiplies our guests, especially of those who bear so noble a lineage. You are of our own indeed.”

A sedately happy company thus found themselves assembled. Lord Drda, and Prokop, and Nicolas Jaroslav related each his portion of the eventful history, now introducing changed conditions through the Moravian border. The visitors heard with profound emotion the facts respecting Lord Boppo’s fall, imperfectly narrated to them at Gran.

They also listened with subdued hearts to the story of the death of Solomon, whom they well remembered and had inquired for.

“Now,” said Salza of Osterna, “it is my duty to narrate to this company the story of our experiences after we were forcibly separated from Lord Boppo at Gran. While the old man, who had secured a special release through his friend Solomon ben Gerson, was temporarily absent, engaged in supplying the most honorable sepulture to our mother that our unhappy