upon the old woman's knees.

She drew back the coverings and there lay a poor, weak, little
baby, that once again raised its faint reedy pipe.

"It is your son," said Ursela, "that the dear Baroness left
behind her when the holy angels took her to Paradise. She
blessed him and called him Otto before she left us."


IV.

The White Cross on the Hill.

Here the glassy waters of the River Rhine, holding upon its
bosom a mimic picture of the blue sky and white clouds floating
above, runs smoothly around a jutting point of land, St.
Michaelsburg, rising from the reedy banks of the stream, sweeps
up with a smooth swell until it cuts sharp and clear against the
sky. Stubby vineyards covered its earthy breast, and field and
garden and orchard crowned its brow, where lay the Monastery of
St. Michaelsburg - "The White Cross on the Hill." There within
the white walls, where the warm yellow sunlight slept, all was
peaceful quietness, broken only now and then by the crowing of
the cock or the clamorous cackle of a hen, the lowing of kine or
the bleating of goats, a solitary voice in prayer, the faint
accord of distant singing, or the resonant toll of the monastery
bell from the high-peaked belfry that overlooked the hill and
valley and the smooth, far-winding stream. No other sounds broke
the stillness, for in this peaceful haven was never heard the