I perceived this the thatched roof fell in, and I should probably have
perished had not Altrosen this time carried my own by no means light
figure out of the stable instead of the calf."

"And you?" asked Els eagerly.

"I submitted," replied the countess.

"No, no," urged Els. "Your heart throbbed faster with grateful joy,
for you saw the desire of your soul fulfilled. A hunter, and one of the
noblest of them all, risked his life in the pursuit of your love. O
Countess Cordula, I remember that knight well, and if the dark-blue
sleeve which he wore on his helm in the tournament was yours--"

"I believe it was," Cordula interrupted indifferently. "But, what was of
more importance, when I opened my eyes again the cow was standing
outside, licking her recovered calf."

"And the knight?" asked Els. "Whoever so heroically risks his life for
his lady's wish should be sure of her gratitude."

"Boemund can rely on that," said Cordula positively. "At least, what
he did this time for my sake weighs more heavily in the scale than the
lances he has broken, his love songs, or the mute language of his longing
eyes. Those are shafts which do not pierce my heart. How reproachfully
you look at me! Let him take lessons from his friend Heinz Schorlin, and
he may improve. Yes, the Swiss knight! He would be the man for me,
spite of your involuntary meeting with him and your devout sister, for
whom he forgot every one else, and me also, in the dancing hall. O
Jungfrau Els, I have the hunter's eyes, which are keen-sighted! For his