But all that she and her Aunt Christine had attempted in behalf of the imperilled man had been futile.  To apply to the Emperor again every one, including the magistrate, had declared useless, since even the Burgrave had been refused.

The members of the Council and the judges in the court had already, at Aunt Christine’s solicitation, deferred the proceedings four days, but the law now forbade longer delay.  Though individuals would gladly have spared the accused the torture, its application could scarcely be avoided, for how many accusers and witnesses appeared against him, and if there were weighty depositions and by no means truthful replies on the part of the prisoner, the torture could not be escaped.  It legally belonged to the progress of the investigation, and how many who had by no means recovered from the last exposure to the rack were constantly obliged to enter the torture chamber?  Besides, the judges would be charged with partiality by the tailor and his followers, and to show such visible tokens of favour threatened to prejudice the dignity of the court.

She had found good will everywhere, but all had withheld any positive promise.  It was so easy to retreat behind the high-sounding words “justice and law,” and then:  who for the sake of a squire—­who, moreover, was in the service of a foreign knight—­would awaken the righteous indignation of the artisans, who made the tailor’s cause their own.

Whatever the aunt and niece tried had failed either wholly or partially.  Besides, Eva had been obliged to keep in the background in order not to expose herself to the suspicion of pleading her own cause.  Many probably thought that Frau Christine herself was talking ostensibly in behalf of the servant and really for her brother’s slandered daughter.

When Eva met Katterle in front of the hospital, she had passed without noticing her, so completely had sorrow, anxiety, and the effort to think of some expedient engrossed her attention.

It had been very difficult to meet Biberli with an untroubled manner, yet she had even succeeded in showing a bright face to the carrier’s widow, as well as to Father Benedictus, whose hours seemed to be numbered, and who only yesterday had wounded her deeply.

When she returned from the Minorite’s room to Biberli’s the lovers were no longer alone.  The fresh, pleasant face of a vigorous woman, who had already visited the sufferer several times, greeted her beside his couch.

When, in the exchange of salutations, her eyes met Eva’s the latter suddenly found the plan of action she had vainly sought.  Gertrude of Berne could help her take the chance which, in the last extremity, she meant to risk, for she was the wife of the Swiss warder in the Burgrave’s castle.  It certainly would not be difficult for her to procure her an interview with the Burgravine Elizabeth.  If the noble lady could not aid herself, she could—­her cheeks paled at the thought, yet she resolutely clung to it—­present her to her brother, the Emperor.