me. But you may well believe me, for I speak
not this without a spirit of presage--your sorrow shall change, whether
to death or life I know not, but great and overpowering joy awaits you."
Edwald rose firmly and cheerfully from his seat, seized his companion's
arm with a strong grasp, and walked forth with him through the blooming
alleys of the garden into the balmy air.

At that very hour an aged woman, muffled in many a covering, was led
secretly to the apartment of the Lady Hildegardis. The appearance of the
dark-complexioned stranger was mysterious, and she had gathered round
her for some time, by many feats of jugglery, a part of the multitude
returning home from the tournament, but had dispersed them at last in
wild affright. Before this happened, the tire-woman of Hildegardis had
hastened to her mistress, to entertain her with an account of the
rare and pleasant feats of the bronze-coloured woman. The maidens in
attendance, seeing their lady deeply moved, and wishing to banish
her melancholy, bade the tire-woman bring the old stranger hither.
Hildegardis forbade it not, hoping that she should thus divert the
attention of her maidens, while she gave herself up more deeply and
earnestly to the varying imaginations which flitted through her mind.

The messenger found the place already deserted; and the strange old
woman alone in the midst, laughing immoderately. When questioned by her,
she did not deny that she had all at once taken the form of a monstrous
owl, announcing to the spectators in a screeching voice that she was the
Devil--and that every one upon this rushed screaming home.

The tire-woman trembled at the fearful jest, but durst not return to
ask again the pleasure of Hildegardis, whose discontented mood she had
already remarked. She gave strict charge to the old woman, with many a
threat and promise, to demean herself discreetly in the castle: after
which she brought her in by the most secret way, that none of those whom
she had terrified might see her enter.

The aged crone now stood before Hildegardis, and winked to her, in the
midst of her low and humble salutation, in a strangely familiar
manner, as though there were some secret between them. The lady felt an
involuntary shudder, and could not withdraw her gaze from the features
of that hideous countenance, hateful as it was to her. The curiosity
which had led the rest to desire a sight of the strange woman was by no
means gratified, for she pe