the green pasture, and with the deep blue waters of the Maine,
while they themselves reposed under the shade of a
neighbouring thicket of alders. And deep in the cool, dark
shade, there shone, as it were, a mild but clear sparkling
light, and checked the speech of Froda, who at that moment was
beginning to tell his friend the tale of his knightly service
to his sovereign lady, which had been delayed hitherto, first
by Edwald's sadness, and then by the haste of their journey.
Ah, well did Froda know that lovely golden light! "Let us
follow it, Edchen," said he in a low tone, "and leave the
horses a while to their pasture." Edwald in silence followed
his companion's advice. A secret voice, half sweet, half
fearful, seemed to tell him that here was the path, the only
right path to Hildegardis. Once only he said in astonishment,
"Never before have I seen the evening glow shine on the leaves
so brightly." Froda shook his head with a smile, and they
pursued in silence their unknown track.

When they came forth on the other side of the alder-thicket
upon the bank of the Maine, which almost wound round it,
Edwald saw well that another glow than that of evening was
shining on them, for dark clouds of night already covered the
heavens, and the guiding light stood fixed on the shore of the
river. It lit up the waves, so that they could see a high
woody island in the midst of the stream, and a boat on the
hither side of the shore fast bound to a stake. But on
approaching, the knights saw much more; a troop of horsemen of
strange and foreign appearance were all asleep, and in the
midst of them, slumbering on cushions, a female form in white
garments.