It was the strong, noble face of a hero.

"He sleeps," she said. "How weak and weary he seems. Perhaps he has been
wounded or is faint from hunger."

Siegmund roused and asked for water.

The woman ran quickly, and, bringing a cup of cold water, held it to his
parched lips.

Siegmund drank. Then, gazing into the woman's kind face, he gasped:
"Where am I?"

But, with a startled look, she stood in silence, listening to the heavy
tread outside the door.


HUNDING

The next moment the chieftain entered and glared fiercely at Siegmund.

The woman hastened to say: "I found this stranger lying on our hearth.
He was faint and needed help."

"And did you give it?" growled the chieftain.

"I gave him water. I could not drive him out into the stormy night."

The chieftain grew dark with anger as he said: "Because it is the sacred
law of my country that none shall be turned from the door who seek