"Now works the witchcraft!" said Wilhelm; "the magical power of
the ale! Now begins the bacchand! Give your hand to the prettiest
girl, and she will immediately give you her heart!"

"Pity," answered Otto, "that the Maenades of the north possess only
that which is brutal in common with those of the south!"

"See, there goes the smith's pretty daughter, to whom I threw the
best rose!" cried Wilhelm. "She has got two lovers, one under
either arm!"

"Yes, there she goes!" simpered a female voice close to them. It
was Sidsel, who sat upon the steps of a stile almost concealed in
the darkness, which the trees and the hedge increased still more.

"Has Sidsel no lover?" asked Wilhelm.

"Hi, hi, hi," simpered she; "the Herr Baron and the other gentleman
seek, doubtless, for a little bride. Am I beautiful enough? At
night all cats are gray!"

"Come!" whispered Otto, and drew Wilhelm away from her. "She sits
like some bird of ill omen there in the hedge."

"What a difference!" exclaimed Wilhelm, as he followed; "yes, what
a difference between this monster, nay, between the other girls and
Eva! She was, doubtless, born in the same poverty, in similar
circumstances, and yet they are like day and night. What a soul has
been given to Eva! what inborn nobility! It must be, really, more