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The bridegroom, who was just returned from Paris when Fru Kirsten, in her husband's phraseology, took him by the horn, was perfectly well inclined to the match, for which no thanks were due to him, as Fröken Mette was young, beautiful, an only child, and heiress to Ansbjerg, the deer, wild-boars, and pheasants of which were as good as those of Palstrup, while with respect to heath-fowl and ducks it was vastly superior.
The lord of Ansbjerg and his lady washed their hands clean of their daughter, and, notwithstanding the humble and penitent letters of her and her husband, were not to be reconciled. Near the west end of Ansbjerg wood there is an open space, consisting of an extensive green, entirely surrounded by old venerable beeches.
"So it should look," answered Mads; "but before we go in, we will just see around us, not on account of the Ansbjerg folks, who cannot yet have passed by the fire, but there might possibly be others in the neighbourhood."
The Junker, with his own and another servant, took an eastern direction, probably that he might be the nearer to Ansbjerg and his beloved; but all his endeavours proved fruitless. It was to no purpose that he hurried to and fro, and exhausted himself, his attendants, and his horses.
The two horsemen having reached Ansbjerg, entered the yard containing the outhouses, turned the keeper leading the way towards the stable, unsaddled their horses, and went thence through an alley of limes, which led to the court of the mansion. This consisted of three parts.
Day was drawing to a close, and a night's lodging was to be provided. The Lord of Ansbjerg himself landed on Rydhauge, whence, after two days' successful sport in shooting heath-fowl, he returned to his home.
Such was the state of things when the expedition against Black Mads was undertaken, which formed an epoch in the history of Ansbjerg, and was used for many years after as an era in the dating of events, as, "that happened in the year we went in search of Black Mads; that was two or three years after," &c. &c.
Many ages of man lie between then and now. There has been ringing and singing over several generations since the persons therein commemorated passed to eternal rest. Both the old and the young lords of Ansbjerg have long been forgotten in the neighbourhood, and no one now knows aught to tell of Black Mads. The manor-house has often changed its proprietors, the lands have been sold and divided.
Thereupon he put his horse into a trot, and the traveller, who was also going to Ansbjerg, kept them company. They proceeded a considerable way without uttering a word, except that the keeper, from time to time, broke silence with an abusive term, or an oath.
The larger game was eaten fresh, salted, or smoked; the smaller he sold under the rose, together with the deer and fox-skins, and with the money thus gained bought bread and other eatables. Milk the wife and children begged from the neighbouring peasants. Just as the day was beginning to peep forth, the Lord of Ansbjerg approached the moor at the head of his troop.
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