three were empty, and one of these, which had a strong door, and a
long loophole window looking out over the open country, Christina
hoped that she might appropriate. The turret was immediately over
the perpendicular cliff that descended into the plain. A stone
thrown from the window would have gone straight down, she knew not
where. Close to her ears rushed the descending waterfall in its leap
over the rock side, and her eyes could rest themselves on the green
meadow land below, and the smooth water of the Debateable Ford; nay--
far, far away beyond retreating ridges of wood and field--she thought
she could track a silver line and, guided by it, a something that
might be a city. Her heart leapt towards it, but she was recalled by
Ermentrude's fretfully imperious voice.

"I was only looking forth from the window, lady," she said,
returning.

"Ah! thou saw'st no travellers at the Ford?" cried Ermentrude,
starting up with lively interest.

"No, lady; I was gazing at the far distance. Know you if it be
indeed Ulm that we see from these windows?"

"Ulm? That is where thou comest from?" said Ermentrude languidly.

"My happy home, with my dear uncle and aunt! O, if I can but see it
hence, it will be joy!"

"I do not know. Let me see," said Ermentrude, rising; but at the
window her pale blue eyes gazed vacantly as if she did not know what
she was looking at or for.