the gates and shutting them after him with a yell.

Gabrielle shuddered, terrified at the wild noise. Sintram approached
her softly, and said, offering his arm to her: "Suffer me to lead you
back to the castle. The night in these northern regions is often
wild and fearful."




CHAPTER 8



They found the two knights drinking wine within. Folko was relating
stories in his usual mild and cheerful manner, and Biorn was
listening with a moody air, but yet as if, against his will, the dark
cloud might pass away before that bright and gentle courtesy.
Gabrielle saluted the baron with a smile, and signed to him to
continue his discourse, as she took her place near the knight Biorn,
full of watchful kindness. Sintram stood by the hearth, abstracted
and melancholy; and the embers, as he stirred them, cast a strange
glow over his pallid features.

"And of all the German trading-towns," continued Montfaucon, "the
largest and richest is Hamburgh. In Normandy we willingly see their
merchants land on our coasts, and those excellent people never fail
to prove themselves our friends when we seek their advice and
assistance. When I first visited Hamburgh, every honour and respect
was paid to me. I found its inhabitants engaged in a war with a