The Wandering Harlot (The Marie Series) by Iny Lorentz Read Free Book Online Page B

Guntram Adler suddenly appeared behind him, seized him by the collar, and, cursing angrily, dragged him back into the city.
    Amidst the jeers of some in the crowd, Marie got back onto her feet and stumbled on. Knowing that at least one person believed in her innocence gave her new strength. The evening before, she had mistaken Michel’s words for the angry prattle of a jealous young man, but now she realized she had done him an injustice. Michel loved her and had wanted to save her from this fate. She would probably never have the chance to thank him for that.
    The only people who could help her now were her father and uncle. She hoped they would follow her and hide her from the world, allowing the wounds of her body and soul to heal. As she clung to these thoughts, her feet shuffled along behind the bailiff’s horses mechanically.
    As the last of the onlookers headed back, Marie could see Mombert speaking earnestly and softly to his brother-in-law as if trying to console him. Her father, however, vehemently waved him off, turned around, and tottered back toward town without even a last glance at Marie. Mombert spread his arms out wide in despair and kept looking back and forth between Marie and his brother-in-law. When he saw Matthis stumble, he hurried after him to steady him.
    Marie stared at them in disbelief. Her own father was abandoning her! That was the last thing she had expected. Without the help of her relatives, without a coin in her pocket or a place to seek refuge, she wouldn’t survive more than a few days. She was mired in shock and misery, sharp stones cut into the soles of her feet, her heart cramped at every beat, and the world around her turned so gray she could barely see where she was walking. Were these the signs of the imminent death that would finally bring her relie f ? she wondered.
    She stared at the bailiffs and wondered if they would simply abandon her alongside the road. Marie didn’t know that the bailiffs had an interest in sparing her and that for this reason they held their horses to a slow pace. If she died, they couldn’t just leave her by the side of the road; it was their duty to bury the person in their care, digging a hole for the body with their bare hands. They wanted to avoid such an onerous task, and in any case no one was urging them on, so they chatted as if they were on a pleasant country outing, before finally stopping at the tavern in Wollmatingen.
    Tying Marie next to the horses, the men gave her water from the trough, then went into the tavern for a hearty meal and some wine. Marie was young and strong, and the rest did her good. Her heart beat more calmly, and the veil before her eyes was lifting, so she could again see where she was. She didn’t know whether to be happy or disappointed that she was still alive.
    The bailiffs spent the night in Allensbach at an inn on comfortable straw mattresses while Marie slept inside a shed on the cold ground. Again, she was given only water. Not until the next morning did one of the bailiffs bring her bread crusts and a cup of the cheapest wine, pressing them both into her fettered hands. “Eat and drink,” he ordered her. “This afternoon we will leave you, and you can go where you wish as long as it isn’t in the direction of Constance.”
    Marie gripped the cup with both hands and drank so fast that she spilled some. The liquid burned as it slid down her throat, but she drank it all. She wanted to ask the man for a second cup, but he turned away as if regretting his compassionate gesture.
    “Now get up. We don’t want to waste the whole day hanging around here.” He tied her again to his stirrup, and she struggled to her feet, stumbling along behind her guards. After a few hours, the bailiffs stopped again. One of the men jumped down, untied Marie’s hands, and pushed her down the road.
    “That is where you must go. Don’t even think of showing your face again, as the venerable judge will not deal with you so