iately, and they
brought the wounded man into the room, and laid him on the bed. His
dress was that of a person of distinction. "My father," added she,
"applied some herbs to his wounds, he also prepared a cordial for him,
for he understands the art of medicine both for man and beast. The
young man was for two days very restless and violent, which caused us
all great anxiety. But after my father had given him a third dose of
medicine he became easy and quiet, and then he said that, on the eighth
morning, the invalid would be himself again, and his prediction has
actually come to pass."

Albert listened to the story of the young girl with much interest; he
was obliged occasionally to interrupt her in her narration, when he did
not exactly understand the expressions she made use of in her Swabian
dialect, or when she described more minutely the herbs with which the
fifer of Hardt had prepared his medicines.

"And where is your father?" he asked.

"How can we know where he is?" she answered, as if she wished to avoid
the question; but, recollecting herself, she added, "I think I may tell
you, because you must be a good friend of his; he is gone to
Lichtenstein."

"To Lichtenstein?" cried Albert, and blushed deeply; "and when will he
come back again?"

"He ought to have been here two days ago, as he told us, if nothing
happened to detain him. Folks say the cavalry of the League are on the
look-out for him."

The mere mention of Lichtenstein seemed to invigorate his weak frame
with renewed strength. He fancied himself strong enough to mount his
horse immediately, and, by the rapidity of his movements, make up for
the time he had lost on the bed of sickness.

His next and most important question, therefore, was to inquire after
his horse; and when he heard it was quite well in the cow-house, he
thought he would be able to set out without further loss of time. He
thanked his kind little nurse for the care she had taken of him, and
asked for his jacket and cloak. She had long since cleaned his clothes,
and carefully washed out all spots of blood; and taking them out of the
carved painted chest, where they had been placed among her Sunday's
attire, spread them out one by one before him, and appeared pleased
with the grateful acknowledgements which he expressed for her
attention. She then hurried out of the room to acquaint her mother with
the joyful news of the young knight's restoration to health and vigour.

We know