Isen. True enough. She complained to Conrad of her scruples, and
he told her, that by the law was the knowledge of sin.

Wal. But what said Lewis?

Isen. As much bewitched as she, sir. He has told her, and more
than her, that were it not for the laughter and ill-will of his
barons, he would join her in the same abstinence. But all this is
child's play to the friar's last outbreak.

Wal. Ah! the sermon which you all forgot, when the Marchioness of
Misnia came suddenly? I heard that war had been proclaimed on that
score; but what terms of peace were concluded?

Isen. Terms of peace! Do you call it peace to be delivered over to
his nuns' tender mercies, myself and Guta, as well as our lady,--as
if we had been bond-slaves and blackamoors?

Wal. You need not have submitted.

Isen. What! could I bear to see my poor child wandering up and
down, wringing her hands like a mad woman--I who have lived for no
one else this sixteen years? Guta talked sentiment--called it a
glorious cross, and so forth.--I took it as it came.

Wal. And got no quarter, I'll warrant.

Isen. Don't talk of it--my poor back tingles at the thought.

Wal. The sweet Saints think every woman of the world no better than