True, the sight of her in this plight was not unexpected, yet it pierced him to the heart, for Kuni had been a remarkable girl, and yet was now in far greater penury than many of much less worth whom he had watched stumbling along the downward path before her.

When he saw Lienhard Groland's glance rest upon her, he noticed also how strangely her emaciated face changed colour.

Though it had just been as white as the napkin under his arm, it now flushed as red as the balsam blossoms in the window, and then paled again.

She had formerly gazed around her boldly enough, but now she lowered her eyes to the floor as modestly as any demure maiden on her way to church.
And what did this mean?
The honourable member of the Nuremberg Council must be well acquainted with the girl, for his eyes had scarcely met hers ere a strange smile flitted over his grave, manly face.
Now--was it in jest or earnest ?--he even shook his finger at her.

He stopped in front of her a moment, too, and Dietel heard him exclaim: "So here you are! On the highway again, in spite of everything ?" The distance which separated them and the loud talking of the guests prevented the waiter's hearing her reply, "The captive bird can not endure the cage long, Herr Lienhard," far less the words, added in a lower tone: "Yet flight has been over since my fall at Augsburg.