merchant had an only child whom he idolized, and for whom alone he
seemed to live since his wife and other children had died.

"Bettina was one of those delicate, lovely-featured children of
grace and beauty that would have been chosen in "Merrie England" to
preside over a tournament, as queen of beauty, in Ivanhoe's time.
Born to bloom in a peculiar period of history, her character partook
in some measure of the characteristics of the times. To our age,
Florinda, and our appreciation, this lovely woman would have seemed
rather Amazonian. She rode her fine and dashing horse with a free
rein, and in the vigor of her robust health she could walk for
miles, if need be. Yet still Bettina lacked not for tenderness and
gentleness of spirit. She loved her father, was fond of music, and
sung most sweetly to her own accompaniment upon the guitar.

"Egbert Hosfeldt was the descendant of a proud line of ancestors,
and was himself now left alone of all his family. His castle was on
the opposite side of the Rhine, and ere Karl Etzwell's daughter had
been a twelvemonth at her father's new home among the now
half-restored towers of Botztetz Castle, Egbert Hosfeldt and Bettina
were the most tender friends. His boat was ever on the left shore at
nightfall, though his castle was on the right. No carpet knight was
he, Florinda; he pulled his own oar. He was as stout of limb as of
heart, and yet was as gentle when by Bettina's side as the tame
doves she fondled. His was indeed a knightly figure to look upon. He
had often distinguished himself upon the tented field, and in the
forest sports. He lived in an age when personal prowess was highly
esteemed, and when those high in birth failed not to mature the
strong muscles and stout limbs which Providence had vouchsafed to
them.