the will of Heaven!"

Folko, smiling, bent his head over the snow-white hand of his lady;
and then bade the youth conduct them to his father's castle.

Rolf took upon himself to see to the disembarking of the horses and
valuables of the strangers, filled with joy at the thought that an
angel in woman's form had appeared to soften his beloved young
master, and perhaps even to free him from that early curse.

Sintram sent messengers in all directions to seek for his father, and
to announce to him the arrival of his noble guests. They therefore
found the old knight in his castle, with everything prepared for
their reception. Gabrielle could not enter the vast dark-looking
building without a slight shudder, which was increased when she saw
the rolling fiery eyes of its lord; even the pale, dark-haired
Sintram seemed to her very fearful; and she sighed to herself, "Oh!
what an awful abode have you brought me to visit, my knight! Would
that we were once again in my sunny Gascony, or in your knightly
Normandy!"

But the grave yet courteous reception, the deep respect paid to her
grace and beauty, and to the high fame of Folko, helped to re-assure
her; and soon her bird-like pleasure in novelties was awakened
through the strange significant appearance of this new world. And
besides, it could only be for a passing moment that any womanly fears
found a place in her breast when her lord was near at hand, for well
did she know what effectual protection that brave Baron was ever
ready to afford to all those who were dear to him, or committed to
his charge.