Part 7 (1/2)
”Well, by Jove; what is this interesting question?”
”It is to find out under what circ.u.mstances Ludwig of Nideck discovered my ancestor, Otto the Dwarf, in the forests of Thuringia. You should know, Sperver, that my ancestor Otto was only an arm's length high; that is, about two feet and a half. He delighted the world with his wisdom, and figured honorably in the coronation of the Emperor Rodolph.
Count Ludwig had him enclosed in a cold roast peac.o.c.k, served up with all its plumage. During the feast, Otto spread out the peac.o.c.k's tail, and all the n.o.bles, courtiers, and great ladies were astonished at this ingenious piece of mechanism. At last Otto emerged, sword in hand, and cried in a thundering voice, 'Long live the Emperor, Rodolph of Hapsburg!' which was repeated on all sides with shouts and rejoicings.
Bernard Hertzog mentions this circ.u.mstance, but fails to inform us as to the family origin of the dwarf, whether he was of n.o.ble descent, or of base extraction; the latter hypothesis being highly improbable, as the common herd are rarely possessed of so much wit.”
I was amazed at the conceit of this little creature, my curiosity, however, leading me to dissemble my feelings; for he alone could furnish me with the facts concerning the two portraits that hung on the right of Hugh the Wolf.
”Monsieur Knapwurst,” I said, in a tone of profound respect, ”would you have the kindness to enlighten me upon a certain subject?”
Flattered by these words, the little fellow replied:
”Speak, monsieur; if it is a question of family history, I shall be glad to inform you. In other subjects I take but little interest.”
”It is precisely that. I should like to learn something about the n.o.ble ladies whose pictures hang on the wall yonder.”
”Aha!” cried Knapwurst, his face lighting up; ”you mean Elfreda and Huldine, the two wives of Hugh, the founder of Nideck.”
Laying down his volume, he descended the ladder to talk more at his ease. His eyes glistened, and an air of gratification at this opportunity of displaying his learning shone out all over him.
Having reached my side, he saluted me with a grave bow. Sperver stood behind us, seemingly well satisfied to see me admiring the dwarf of Nideck. In spite of the ill luck which he averred attached to the presence of the pigmy, he admired and boasted of his great learning.
[Ill.u.s.tration: ”IN THE PORTRAIT GALLERY.”]
”Monsieur,” said Knapwurst, pointing with his long, yellow hand towards the portraits, ”Hugh of Nideck, the founder of his race, married in 832 Elfreda of Lutzelbourg, who brought to him as dowry the counties of Giromani and Haut Barr, the Castles of Geroldsdeck and Teufelshorn, and others. Hugh had no children by his first wife, who died young in the year of our Lord 837. Thereupon, Hugh, now lord and master of the dowry, refused to yield possession of it, and there followed terrible battles between himself and his brothers-in-law. His second wife, Huldine, whom you see in the steel breastplate, aided him by her wise counsels. She was a woman of indomitable courage, but her origin remains a mystery.
One thing is certain, however: she rescued her husband, who had been taken prisoner by Frantz of Lutzelbourg. He was to have been hanged that very day, and the iron bar had already been stretched across the battlements in preparation for the execution, when Huldine, at the head of a band of the Count's va.s.sals whom she had inspired by her brave example, burst into the courtyard by a rear entrance, rescued Hugh, and had Frantz hung in his place. Hugh the Wolf married his second wife in 842, and by her he had three children.”
”So,” I resumed meditatively, ”the first of these wives was called Elfreda, and the descendants of Nideck are not related to her?”
”No.”
”Are you sure of this?”
”I can show you our genealogical tree. Elfreda had no children; Huldine, the second wife, had three.”
”That is very surprising!”
”Why so?”
”I thought I noticed a resemblance.”
”Ha, ha! resemblances!” exclaimed the dwarf with a harsh laugh; ”wait a moment. Just look at this wooden snuff-box that lies beside the plaster greyhound! It represents my ancestor, Hanswurst. He has a nose like an extinguisher, and a sharp chin, while I have a flat nose and an agreeable mouth; and yet this does not prevent my being his great-great-grandson.”
”No, certainly not.”
”Well, it is the same with the Nidecks. They may have certain characteristics in common with Elfreda, but Huldine is the head of the line. Look at this genealogical tree, monsieur. Have I not informed you correctly?”
Then we separated,--Knapwurst and I,--the best of friends.