these
inhospitable regions. What, therefore, was his surprise to find him, on
the contrary, cheerful and unconcerned, joking about his situation,
just as if he had been merely overtaken by a storm in hunting, and had
sought shelter from its violence in the grotto! It was a storm, indeed,
more terrible than the fury of the elements which had driven him from
the castle of his ancestors, for he was the prey that had taken shelter
here from the shots of his murderous huntsmen.

"You look at me and my abode with astonishment, my worthy guest," said
the knight: "you, perhaps, expected to hear me bewailing my hard
fate--but of what use would that be? As no one can retrieve my
misfortune in this moment, I think it the wisest plan to put a bold
face upon what I cannot alter. But tell me, am not I as well lodged
here as many princes in their palaces? Have you noticed the halls and
saloons of this my palace? do not the walls shine like silver, and the
vaulted ceilings sparkle as if they were set in pearls and diamonds?
and the pillars, do they not glitter with emeralds, rubies, and all
sorts of precious stones? But here comes Hans, my purveyor, with the
wine. Say, my trusty subject, does that cup contain the whole of our
cellar?"

"Your habitation can boast of water, as clear as crystal," answered the
fifer, who well understood the cheerful mood of his companion; "the
remainder of the wine in the cellar will fill more than three cups,
and--as we have another guest to-day--we may indulge a little. Luckily,
I brought a jug full of good old Uhlbacker from the castle to-night."

"You have done well," said the exiled knight, whilst a ray of joy
flashed from his brilliant eye; "you must not think, Albert von
Sturmfeder, that I am a wine-bibber; but good wine is a noble thing,
and I love to see the full glass circulate in friendly society. Put the
jug down here, worthy master of the cellar, we'll enjoy ourselves, as
in the best days of our prosperity. Here's to you, and the former
splendour of the house of Sturmfeder!"

Albert thanked the knight, and drank. "I wish I could return the
honour, in drinking to your name," he said; "but, as you have already
hesitated to give it me, I will not ask it now, sir knight. But here's
to you, and may you return victorious to the castles of your fathers,
and may your family live and nourish there for ever--huzza!" He
pronounced the last word with a loud voice, and just as he set his cup
down, he