rompted him to speak as follows:--

"Much-honoured lady, may I be allowed one question?"

"She bent her head.

"I suppose you are the daughter of the house?"

"Again she bowed.

"`And who are your parents?'

"She turned to the wall of the apartment, on which hung many portraits
of knights and ladies; and pointing to the two last, she said, in a
voice so soft, so melodious, that it seemed like the sighing of an
Aeolian harp--

"`I am the last of my race.'

"`Here,' thought Sir Kurd, `this may turn out as good an adventure as
ever knight met with in an out-of-the-way part of the world. To be
sure, they sometimes won a princess, sometimes a wicked fairy; but this
maiden pleases me, and it is a splendid castle. Ah, poor thing! no
doubt it is grief at the loss of her parents which has paled her cheek.
Perhaps I may find means of comforting her.'

"He advanced, took her hand, and said--

"`Believe me, lady, I grieve to hear that death has so early robbed you
of your parents; but ladies require the protection of knights. Have
you--pardon the liberty I take--have you chosen one to make you happy?'

"She shook her head. He continued, modestly--

"`In that case, may Kurd von Stein--whose name may have been heard even
here as that of a trusty Knight of the Empire, and as having
distinguished himself in many wars--may Kurd von Stein offer you his
heart and hand?'

"A gleam of pleasure lighted up the pale face of the girl; such a one as
you may have seen pass over a meadow when the moon shone suddenly from
behind a cloud. She rose, and from a cupboard brought two gold-rings,
set in black, and a wreath of sweet rosemary, [See Note 1.] which she
twisted amongst the pearls in her hair. She signed to the knight to
follow, and went towards the door. As he passed down the hall, he
wondered that neither male nor female attendants were to be seen; but at
that moment the door was thrown open by two old men in full holiday
suit. Their robes were white, and richly embroidered with gold; their
black barettes had large silver ornaments. They placed themselves on
either side of the knight and lady, and with them descended the long
flight of stairs, on which Sir Kurd's step alone was heard; the others
seemed rather to glide than walk.

"Sir Kurd began to feel very uncomfortable; he did not like the style of
thing at all, and half repented of having pledged himself; but it was
now too late to retract, and an irresistible