, and its last
proprietor, whose soul was burthened with the commission of many
murders, had fallen by the hand of his own son. The shepherds only
dared during the day to let their herds graze in the rich pasture of
the meadow surrounding the mill. As soon as evening twilight
approached every living thing fled the awful precincts, within which,
according to popular tradition, only the spirits of the murdered held
their fearful haunts. Tugendreich was not quite free from the
superstition of the times, but strong love, which conquers every
obstacle, overcame her fear, and when the last glow of evening in the
west reddened the sky, she had contrived to get rid of her father and
the importunate suitor, and commenced her heroic journey with the
grumbling magister. As they came to the last heap of the ruins of the
desolated village he drew her attention to four tall figures in dark
clothes, who started up suddenly with a clattering noise, as if at the
word of command, from behind the wall of a cottage that was burnt down,
and accompanied them step by step, surrounding them on all sides.
Tugendreich recollecting the promised escort walked on fearlessly. But
as they entered the valley, the moon rising from behind the lofty firs,
and the church clock in a neighbouring village striking twelve, she
felt some alarm, and now fancied she heard but too distinctly the
wheels of the long deserted mill in full motion, which at this time,
and under these circumstances, could not be caused by any one but evil
spirits. Her companion silently shared her fears and thoughts, being
moreover already so terrified by the figures who accompanied them in
cloaks, that the drops stood on his face. At length he broke the awful
silence, saying:

"Child, I have complied with your wish, I have put my life in jeopardy
and come this accursed walk. Now tell me, daughter, what do you wish
to do in the most ill-famed corner of this country?"

"To bid farewell to Axel," said the Fraeulein, "he has appointed to meet
me here."

"To Axel. I wish I had known that," muttered the magister, adding in
an admonishing tone, "Have you perhaps been deceived by a hellish
phantom? There are instances in which the evil one, with divine
permission, avails himself of an excessive forbidden love in order
subtilely to destroy a soul. The place and time of your appointment
are not in accordance with my notions of propriety. Supposing your
singular admirer were dead