Upon the groaning board lay a vast ham, displaying its concentric circles
of pink and white. Then among the gaily-patterned plates and dishes came
the long-necked bottles containing the produce of the vineyards that
border the broad and flowing Rhine--long German pipes with little silver
chains, and long shining blades of steel.
The light of the lamp shed over the whole scene its amber-coloured hue
and left in the shade the old grey and time-stained walls, where hung in
ample numbers the brazen convolutions of the hunting-horns and bugles.
What an original picture! The vaulted roof was ringing with the joyous
shouts of laughter.
Sperver, as I have already told, was lifting high the full bumper and
singing the song of Black Hatto, the Burgrave,
"I am king on these mountains of mine,"
while the rosy dew of Affenthal hung trembling from his long moustaches.
As soon as he caught sight of me he stopped, and holding out his hand--
"Fritz," said he, "we only wanted you. It is a long time since I felt so
comfortable as I do to-night. You are welcome, old boy!"
As I gazed upon him with surprise--for since the death of Lieverle I had
never seen him smile--he added more seriously--
"We are celebrating the return of monseigneur to his health, and
Knapwurst is telling us stories.
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