island. "To the wood, fair maiden," he whispered, as soon as
he had landed Hildegardis on the shore; "there conceal
yourself, whilst I endeavour to prevent the landing of the
robbers." But Hildegardis, clinging to his arm, whispered
again, "Do I not see that you are pale and bleeding? and would
you have me expire with terror in the dark and lonely clefts
of this rock? Ah! and if your northern gold-haired spectre
were to appear again and seat herself beside me! Think you
that I do not see her there now, shining through the thicket!"

"She shines!" echoed Froda, and new strength and hope ran
through every vein. He climbed the hill, following the
gracious gleam; and Hildegardis, though trembling at the
sight, went readily with her companion, saying only from time
to time, in a low voice "Ah, Sir Knight!--my noble wondrous
knight--leave me not here alone; that would be my death." The
knight, soothing her courteously, stepped ever onwards through
the darkness of dell and forest, for already he heard the
sound of the Bohemians landing on the shore of the island.
Suddenly he stood before a cave thick-covered with underwood,
and the gleam disappeared. "Here, then," he whispered,
endeavouring to hold the branches asunder. For a moment she
paused, and said, "If you should but let the branches close
again behind me, and I were to remain alone with spectres in
this cave! But, Froda, you will surely follow me--a
trembling, hunted child as I am? Will you not?" Without more
misgivings she passed through the branches; and the knight,
who would willingly have remained without as a guard, followed
her. Earnestly he listened through the stillness of the
night, whilst Hildegardis hardly dared to draw her breath.