seemed as if Hildegardis stood by his side in a church, and
they were about to receive the marriage-blessing. He knew
well that this was not right, and the "yes," which he was to
utter, he pressed back with resolute effort into his heart,
and forthwith his eyes were moistened with burning tears.
>From yet stranger and more bewildering visions the voice of
Edwald at last awoke him. He raised himself up, and heard his
young companion saying courteously, as he looked towards a
neighbouring thicket, "Only return, noble maiden; I will
surely help you if I can; and I had no wish to scare you away,
but that the slumbers of my brother in arms might not be
disturbed by you." A golden gleam shone through the branches
as it vanished.

"For heaven's sake", my faithful comrade," cried Froda, "to
whom are you speaking, and who has been here by me?"

"I cannot myself rightly understand," said Edwald. "Hardly
had you dropped asleep when a figure came forth from the
forest, closely wrapped in a dark mantle. At first I took her
for a peasant. She seated herself at your head; and though I
could see nothing of her countenance, I could well observe
that she was sorely troubled, and even shedding tears. I made
signs to her to depart, lest she should disturb your sleep;
and would have offered her a piece of gold, supposing that
poverty must be the cause of her deep distress. But my hand
seemed powerless, and a shudder passed through me, as if I had
entertained such a purpose towards a queen. Immediately
glittering locks of gold waved here and there between the
folds of her close-wrapped mantle, and the thicket began