ely
dwelling: for he was the lord of the manor he had left behind. In this
region neighbors lived more than a league apart; it was not until
succeeding generations that the scattered freeholds along the lake grew
into villages.

The little house in the forest--it might almost be called a
hut--nestled modestly at the foot of a low hill which sheltered it from
the northeast wind. The old roof was overgrown with dark green moss,
and the small stable forming part of the dwelling afforded room for
only a few head of cattle. Yet everything was neat and well-kept,
especially the little pasture in whose fenced inclosure stood several
fruit-trees, while the eye noted with surprise the presence in this
wilderness of several ornamental plants belonging to Rome or Southern
Gaul: the yew and--carefully tended--some fine roses. Across the top of
the ridge-pole was a four-pointed star, clumsily carved from pine-wood,
but unmistakable. Its beauty, however, had not been increased by its
having been smeared with the red lead used to color the house-mark cut
in it--evidently a recent act.

The youth's first glance as he came in sight of the little house was
unconsciously directed toward the star on the roof. When he saw the red
paint a smile curled the well-cut mouth, which was not yet wholly
concealed by the downy beard of early manhood. His second look sought
the top of the low hill, where an ancient oak, now steeped in the
golden sunshine, was waving its gnarled branches in the morning breeze;
long garlands of goat's beard, dangling from the boughs, swayed to and
fro. A circular wooden bench surrounded the trunk, and on the southern
side a few large stones had been arranged to form a sort of table.

CHAPTER IV.

An old woman, wrapped in a dark garment, sat almost motionless upon the
bench in the warm sunshine. Thin locks of beautiful white hair escaped
from beneath the edge of the brown cloak drawn over her head; her hands
alone stirred with a slight, regular motion. When the youth's footsteps
echoed on the sandy slope of the hillock, she paused in her work and
bent forward to listen; then nodding, murmured under her breath:
"That's why she slipped away."

"Hail to you, Waldrun!" said the youth, pausing before her. "Don't be
frightened--it is I--"

"Adalo, the young noble," interrupted the old woman. "Only the
evil-doers fear _you_."

"You recognize me?"

"When the gods blind the eyes, they