rd."

Though frankness beamed in her countenance, and not a spark of guile
reigned in her heart, her refusal to satisfy Albert's wish irritated
him, and he was on the point of taxing her with duplicity, when the
door burst open, and an immense dog sprang into the room. Albert gave
an involuntary start, having never seen so powerful a beast. The dog
took up a position opposite to him, eyed him with a fierce look, and
began to growl. His voice bore an ominous sound, whilst a row of white
teeth, which he every now and then showed, might have startled the
courage of the bravest man; one word from Bertha was sufficient to
quiet and make it lay down at her feet. She stroked his beautiful head,
from which his sharp eye first glanced inquisitively at her and then at
the stranger. "It does everything but speak," she said, smiling; "it
comes to warn me not to betray my friend."

"I have never seen so beautiful an animal! How proudly it carries his
head, as if he belonged to an emperor or a king."

"It belongs to him, the banished," replied Bertha; "it came to stop my
mouth."

"But why does not the knight keep him with him? Truly, such an arm as
his, supported by a dog of this kind, might defy a host of enemies."

"It is a watchful beast," she answered, "and savage; if he kept it in
the cavern, he would, indeed, be a certain protection. The cavern is so
extensive that a man may remain concealed in its interior without fear
of molestation. But if by chance any one entered it, a dog might easily
betray him, for as soon as it heard a footstep no one could control it;
he would begin to growl and bark, and attract the notice of his
master's enemies; he therefore ordered it to remain here. The dog
understands his duty, and I take care of him. It pines for his master,
and you should see his joy when night comes; he knows then that his
lord will soon visit the castle; and, when the drawbridge falls, and
footsteps are heard in the court, it is impossible to hold him any
longer, he would break a dozen chains to get to his side."

"A beautiful specimen of fidelity!" said her lover; "but exemplified by
the man to whom this dog belongs in a still higher degree. Faithful to
his lord, he prefers banishment and misery rather than betray his
cause. It is a folly in me," Albert added; "I am aware that curiosity
is not seemly in a man, but I long to know who he is."

"Have patience till the night," said the maiden; "when he comes I will
ask