in the nunnery a short distance away.

Lucifer, ever watchful lest the Prince should escape from his evil
influence, was here too. Disguised as a monk, he mingled with the
brethren at the convent and stirred up strife among them, so that the
Abbot grew very wrathful and inflicted severe penances on all the
offenders.

After vespers had been sung, the monks retired, but one lingered, for he
was blind and walked slowly, led by a little chorister. As he drew near,
Prince Henry started back in amazement.

"Do my eyes deceive me in this dim light," he exclaimed, "or can this be
Count Hugo of the Rhine, my most deadly foe?"

The old monk, who had come so close that he could hear Prince Henry's
words, replied sadly: "Count Hugo of the Rhine was once my name, but now
you behold the wreck of my former self. My pride and headstrong will
have brought me to this plight. Deserted by my friends, defeated by my
enemies, alone and blind, I heard a voice call me by name and say:
'Kneel down and pray.' So now you behold me a member of the holy
brotherhood, ever striving by prayer and repentance to blot out the
remembrance of my evil deeds. You, who by your voice I know to be Prince
Henry of Hoheneck, are one of those who have most cause to hate me.
Curse and revile me if you will; I will bear it patiently."

"We both have erred," sadly answered the Prince, "but the hand of God
has chastened us both. Let us therefore pray for forgiveness together."

Hand in hand the two former enemies humbly knelt in prayer, and Lucifer,
himself the spirit of arrogance and pride, slunk away, powerless to do
evil to those who truly repent of their sins.

Meanwhile, Elsie sat with the Abbess Irmingard in the moonlight, while
the latter told the sad story of her life to her young companion.

"Years ago, when I was a maiden freshly returned from the convent
school, wandering Minnesinger used to come to my father's castle where
they were always made welcome. The noblest and most gallant of all these
bards was Walter of the Vogelweid; his voice was the sweetest and his
songs the most beautiful. We looked on each other and loved, but a
foreign prince sought my hand and my stern father bade me wed him and
forget the wandering minstrel. I refused to be the bride of any other
than Walter. 'Either you obey me,' said my father, 'or you shall become
a nun and die unwed.' That very night I secretly left the castle and
stole away with my lover. We went swiftly o