For the time
the neighbourhood of Mansfeld was undisturbed by the peasants or
combatants on either side, and the count had acted with such vigour
against any parties of brigands and marauders who might approach
the vicinity of Mansfeld, or the country under his control, that
a greater security of life and property existed than in most other
parts of Germany. The ravages made by war were speedily effaced,
and although the peasants carried on their operations in the fields
without any surety as to who would gather the crops, they worked
free from the harassing tyranny of the petty bands of robbers.
As soon as he was strong enough Malcolm rode with the count on his
visits to the different parts of his estates, joined in several
parties got up to hunt the boar in the hills, or to make war on a small
scale against the wolves which, since the outbreak of the troubles,
had vastly increased in number, committing great depredations upon
the flocks and herds, and rendering it dangerous for the peasants
to move between their villages except in strong parties.
The evenings were passed pleasantly and quietly. The countess would
read aloud or would play on the zither, with which instrument she
would accompany herself while she sang. Thekla would sit at her
embroidery and would chat merrily to Malcolm, and ask many questions
about Scotland and the life which the ladies led in that, as she
asserted, "cold and desolate country.
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