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THE 
 
 ROBBER COUNT 
 
 A STORY OF THE HARTZ COUNTRY 
 
 BY 
 
 JULIUS WOLFF. 
 
 Translated from the Twenty-third German Edition 
 
 by 
 W. HENRY WINSLOW 
 
 AND 
 
 ELIZABETH R. WINSLOW. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO., 
 
 46 East Fourteenth Street. 
 
> 
 
 *1 
 
 Copyright, 
 
 1890. 
 
 By T. Y. Crowell & Co„ 
 
 Alfred Mudge & Son, Printers, 
 Boston, Mass. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT; 
 
 A STORY OF THE HARTZ COUNTRY. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Upon the heights overhanging the city of Quedlinburg, 
 in the Hartz country, stands an old imperial castle and 
 palace, a conspicuous object far and near. 
 
 This imposing pile was built by King Heinrich the 
 Fowler, and he and his consort, Mathilde, sleep together 
 side by side in the crypt of the chapel, or rather, church, 
 and near them reposes their grand- daughter, also named 
 Mathilde, the daughter of the great Otto. 
 
 Frankish and Saxon emperors often made this their 
 place of residence, and held their courts and councils here, 
 and from here the Empress Adelheid, the spirited Theo- 
 phano, and the above named — the younger Mathilde — 
 ruled over Germany. She was, moreover, the first abbess 
 of the convent founded here by Heinrich, to which he 
 and his successors granted peculiar privileges. Destined 
 for daughters of royal and noble families, it was not bound 
 by the rules of any order, and was only subject to the 
 Emperor himself. 
 
 The abbess, chosen by the sisterhood, ranked as princess, 
 and had a voice in the Imperial Diet among the prelates, 
 and was independent within her own domains. 
 
 During the four centuries which had elapsed since its 
 foundation, the convent Lad grown continually richer, and 
 
 <i Q 2 3 
 
 ^ %J *m *J «*- V/ 
 
2 c THE ROPPER COUNT. 
 
 its inmates more numerous, until, under the Emperor Lud- 
 wig of Bavaria, the fifteenth abbess, Jutta von Kranich- 
 feld, found herself the ruler of so considerable a territory 
 that a stronger arm than hers was needed for its defence. 
 Such was not wanting the counts of Regenstein having 
 become champions of the convent. Their family seat was 
 a mountain stronghold in the midst of the great Hartz 
 country, and they ruled over an important fief as well as 
 over their own inherited lands. 
 
 Between the Oker in the west and the Bode in the east, 
 between the mountains in the south and the lowlands in 
 the north, lay, besides the earldom of Regenstein and the 
 convent of Quedlinburg, the bishopric of Halberstadt, 
 founded by Charlemagne ; also the domain of the counts 
 of Blankenburg, scions of the house of Regenstein, and 
 that of the counts of Wernigerode. 
 
 At the time of which we speak, Count Regenstein, the 
 abbess of Quedlinburg, and the bishop of Halberstadt had 
 all recently assumed their powers and dignities. 
 
 Count Albrecht of Regenstein, the eldest of six brothers, 
 had succeeded his father about two years since. Soon 
 after, the Countess Jutta had accepted the office of abbess 
 provisionally, and about the same time, the bishop — 
 named, like the count, Albrecht, brother of the Duke of 
 Brunswick — was elected by the chapter after a long con- 
 test, and occupied his see, so far, without the sanction of 
 the pope, John XXII., then holding his court at Avignon. 
 The bishop, however, had determined to secure his con- 
 secration without it, the archbishop of Mainz agreeing to 
 perform the ceremony, and accordingly, at the castle of 
 Ileinrich, a letter of invitation to the bishop's installation 
 was received. The princess hesitated whether or not to ac- 
 cept it. Policy and politeness equally made it desirable that 
 she should be present, but she feared derogating from her 
 
THE ROBBER COU-NT. 3 
 
 dignity should she appear, as it were, in the train of her 
 haughty neighbor, to the increase of his consequence, he 
 who already strove everywhere for ascendancy. In earlier 
 days, when the same princely roof had sheltered them 
 both, she had been made acquain'.ed with his overbearing 
 temper, and this recollection made it more difficult for the 
 abbess to come to a decision. Those whom she was con- 
 sulting in her private apartment, at the date when this 
 narrative opens, were the superior, Kunigunde von Wol- 
 denberg, and her principal adviser, Willekin von Ilerrkes- 
 torf , chancellor of the chapter, who were both for accept- 
 ing. 
 
 " Consider, gracious lady," said the latter, a thick-set 
 personage, with expressive face and gray hair, — " consider 
 that the most reverent bishop will take it ill, if thou dost 
 not go. Lately he assisted when, for the first time, the 
 cross, with the relics of St. Servatius, was borne by thee 
 through the market-place before the assembled citizens." 
 
 The abbess regarded the chancellor with wonder, and 
 asked, — 
 
 " Belie vest thou in truth that the bishop hath bidden us 
 in simple friendliness?" 
 
 "What other purpose can he have, princess?" 
 
 11 The same which, not long since, led him to propose a 
 pastoral visitation to our convent. Thou rememberest 
 how I responded to his arrogance, and thereby cooled 
 our friendship? " 
 
 " Perchance the visitation was not seriously purposed," 
 answered Master Willekin. " The lordly bishop, mayhap, 
 only sought an opportunity to see thee again, and thus to 
 manifest his great admiration." 
 
 The abbess shook her head, but the superior smilingly 
 nodded assent to the chancellor, and said, — 
 
 "So think I; and, in any case, it behooves us all to 
 
4 ' '     THti ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 accept tlie hand which lie voluntarily offers in concilia- 
 tion." 
 
 "In conciliation, Countess Kunigunde? No, no; I 
 know Mm better ! *' exclaimed the abbess. u His disposi- 
 tion is quite opposed to friendliness. Under the long rule 
 of our predecessor, Bertradis, who now rests in the Lord, 
 no bishop of Halberstadt ever tried to interfere in the 
 affai:s of our chapter." 
 
 " Let that be forgotten, gracious lady," urged the chan- 
 cellor. " He will not repeat his attempt, and it is the 
 part of wisdom to maintain peace and good-will with our 
 ecclesiastical neighbor. Then, in case of any difficulty, 
 we may hope for his friendly offices." 
 
 "What difficulty meanest thou?" inquired the abbess. 
 " Is there ebb-tide once more in the iron chest of Sister 
 Thesauria? " 
 
 The chancellor only bowed his head. 
 
 " Certainly," exclaimed the superior, pointedly. " How 
 can the treasury replenish itself, when one thinketh not of 
 sparing? " 
 
 Abbess Jutta threw a severe glance at her, but remained 
 silent. 
 
 " That is not the only difficulty," said the chancellor; 
 u but I know a new source of revenue for our convent." 
 
 The abbess looked at him inquiringly. 
 
 " Our good city below," he continued. 
 
 "the city?" 
 
 "Truly. Thou knowest well, illustrious lady, which 
 way the wishes of the council tend." 
 
 " Thou wouldst say, toward the Lauenburg," said the 
 abbess, with a frown. 
 
 " The city will pay a round sum for its possession, — 
 more than the counts of Blankenburg have offered." 
 
 " Shall I sell the fortress of Ileinrich the Lion to the 
 highest bidder? " asked the abbess, hotly. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 5 
 
 "It is true that the Count of Blankenburg hopes to 
 acquire the fortress, but so long as Leutfried liveth, who 
 was so faithful to Bertradis, of blessed memory, no other 
 shall dwell there. Thou canst say so to thy wise friends 
 of the council ! " 
 
 " lie is full of years, and lieth, moreover, on a sick-bed, 
 whence he will hardly rise," observed Master Willekin. 
 "The fortifications are well-nigh defenceless, gracious 
 lady ! " 
 
 "Defenceless! If Count Albrecht von Regenstein 
 should hear thee, Master Willekin ! " 
 
 The abbess said this in her deep, full voice, in a tone of 
 earnest admonition. But the chancellor quickly replied, — 
 
 " Count Albrecht von Regenstein ! I had him in my 
 mind, in reference to the difficulties which we may have 
 to encounter ; it was because of such as he that I urged 
 our standing well with the bishop of Halberstadt. It may 
 well be that we need the aid of the latter against our too 
 powerful protector." 
 
 k ' Master von Herrkestorf ," exclaimed the abbess, " there 
 thou speakest like a true Quedlinburger ! I know well that 
 they grumble at the count in the city, because occasionally 
 his people carry off a flock of sheep, a few cows, or, per- 
 chance, a trifle of merchandise." 
 
 " And also burghers whom he attacks on the highway, 
 locks up in his prisons, and will not release," added the 
 chancellor, with warmth. 
 
 " Yea, but not without ground for it, as thou shouldst 
 know." 
 
 " He prevails with a powerful hand whenever he hath an 
 opportunity ; and, therefore, is it that he is called the rob- 
 ber count." 
 
 "Who calls him so? Thy fellow-townsmen, — no one 
 else ; and I wish never to hear that name again, Master 
 
6 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 von Herrkestorf ! " cried Jutta, excitedly, clasping with a 
 rapid movement a large gold crucifix, hanging from her 
 neck by a chain of the same metal. " He hath strong- 
 holds everywhere between Oker and Bode, as if the whole 
 Hartz country were his," the chancellor continued, hotly. 
 " We have certain tidings that he is now negotiating with 
 Prince Bernhard von Ballenstedt for the castle of Gers- 
 dorf." 
 
 " I rejoice to hear it," answered the abbess, shortly. 
 
 "Hear me further, honorable princess," said Master 
 Willekin. "Throughout the Empire the great lords are 
 leagued together, openly or in secrecy, to tyrannize over 
 the cities which are rapidly growing, to their detriment, as 
 they think. After they have subdued them, the turn will 
 come of the great religious houses and spiritual princes, 
 to whose fiefs they aspire, and hope soon to lay hands 
 upon." 
 
 "An unnecessary apprehension," remarked the abbess 
 in a contemptuous tone ; " the Emperor will never suffer 
 it" 
 
 " The Emperor? Gracious heaven ! As if he did not 
 have enough to do to hold his own ! " returned the chan- 
 cellor. " I beseech thee, my lady, do not offend the 
 bishop by a refusal. He is thy nearest and most natural 
 ally. Deny him not a small civility, which will cost thee 
 so little." 
 
 " Master Willekin is right," said the superior ; "let us 
 go to Halberstadt ! That is my counsel. That will not 
 derogate from thine own dignity, and thou canst show him 
 that thou art here what he is in his bishopric." 
 
 Jutta rose, stepped to the window, and gazed over the 
 landscape toward the mountains in the west. 
 
 "When cometh the archbishop to Halberstadt?" she 
 asked, finally, without turning round. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 7 
 
 " In ten days," replied the chancellor. 
 
 " Then there is time enough yet for decision. 
 
 14 Not much, gracious lady ! May I not, with thy per- 
 mission, privately inform the cathedral chapter that thou 
 wilt come?" 
 
 44 In God's name, yea, if it must be!" answered the 
 abbess. 
 
 " Only write, Master Willekin," said the superior, " that 
 our beautiful lady will for once appear in Halberstadt in 
 the full splendor of her princely station." 
 
 44 Bishop Albrecht likes well to look upon beautiful 
 women," observed the chancellor, in a low tone, and with 
 an admiring glance at the noble figure of* the abbess, who 
 stood with her back to him, lost in thought, and paying no 
 further heed to the conversation of the others. 
 
 It was now almost five years since Jutta had begun her 
 conventual life at Quedlinburg. Her father, a warlike 
 noble, who preferred adventurous expeditions to the secu- 
 rity of his home, after the death of his wife had carried 
 his only daughter, then scarcely seventeen, to the court of 
 the Landgrave of Thuringia. She remained three years as 
 maid of honor at the Wartburg, in such favor with the 
 landgravine, a daughter of the Emperor Ludwig, that she 
 wished to keep Jutta with her always ; but the hot-headed 
 Count von Kranichfeld quarrelled with the landgrave, and 
 demanded the return of his daughter. The proud land- 
 gravine sued in vain. She could only promise the reluc- 
 tantly departing Jutta her enduring affection, and her 
 assistance in any future troubles, but she could not hinder 
 her father from placing her in the convent of Quedlinburg. 
 Here, also, the lively and talented maiden won the love of 
 all the inmates of the castle, especially of the abbess Ber- 
 tradis, and before long was made canoness. But this was 
 not enough. Bertradis, knowing that her end was draw- 
 
8 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 ing near, expressed a desire that her favorite should suc- 
 ceed her in place of the superior Kunigunde or the dea- 
 coness Gertrude von Meinersen, the next in rank. 
 
 Thereupon, the Countess Jutta von Kranichfeld was 
 chosen abbess, though she was only twenty-three years of 
 age. When, according to the custom, she appeared upon 
 the market-place of Quedlinburg to receive the oath of 
 allegiance from the council and burghers, her manifold 
 charms and the splendor of her attire enchanted the be- 
 holders. She presented herself, surrounded by her house- 
 hold, in a costly robe glistening with gold, a sparkling 
 diadem upon her head, and a long, flowing purple mantle 
 upon her shoulders, conspicuously taller than her women, 
 and even than some of the men. The bishop, Albrecht 
 von Halberstadt, with his canons and priests ; the pro- 
 tector of the convent, Count Albrecht von Regenstein, with 
 his brothers ; and many other counts and nobles from the 
 neighboring country, with their trains of followers, assisted 
 in the brilliant ceremony. 
 
 The Countess Jutta and her ladies, together with the 
 town council, stood upon a raised platform, while the first 
 burgomaster, Nikolaus von Bekheim, read, in a loud voice, 
 the oath of allegiance, the assembled burghers repeating 
 after him, and all enthusiastically cheering the new lady 
 abbess. 
 
 Then a great feast was given at the castle, to which the 
 nobles, council, and chief citizens were invited, and at 
 which Jutta received queenly honors. All eyes dwelt with 
 admiration upon her splendid beauty, though the bishop of 
 Halberstadt, who was only a few years her senior, and had 
 been her constant companion at the Wartburg, rendered her 
 special homage. 
 
 She gracefully accepted this general devotion as if it 
 were her due, yet, from the very first, bore herself with 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 9 
 
 gentleness us well as dignity. Although she had some- 
 times dreamt of obtaining this high prize, she was sur- 
 prised when it actually fell to her lot, and strove to mollify 
 the mortified superior by seeking her advice in all matters 
 of importance. 
 
 One of her first acts was to have a beautiful portal con- 
 structed, lending to the burial-place of the abbesses in the 
 crypt of the basilica, as an expression of veneration for 
 their memory ; for which she was greatly commended, 
 though by some persons it was attributed simply to her 
 desire to perpetuate her own memory, and to show herself 
 capable of princely acts. 
 
 Those who knew her best, knew better, for Jutta was 
 naturally born for such things. Her father's hot blood 
 flowed in her veins, and her vehement, ardent disposition 
 made it as difficult for her to be subject to any one as it 
 was easy to rule. And now that she was clothed with 
 supreme authority in the convent, she expected every one 
 to yield her unquestioning submission. 
 
 The only person whom she did not always find trac- 
 table was Count Albrecht von Regenstein. In his robust 
 strength and far-seeing mind she recognized a certain ele- 
 ment of superiority, and was unable, with all the aid of 
 her princely position, to control him. At the same time, 
 his manly beauty and courtly manners made an impres- 
 sion upon her which she did not attempt to resist, and the 
 heart of the young abbess inclined strongly toward her 
 hero, who already occupied a large share of her thoughts. 
 Present or absent, he exercised no small influence, and she 
 would fain have known his opinion concerning the episcopal 
 invitation, which had been sent to him as well as herself. 
 
 It was for this reason that she now gazed longingly 
 toward the west, where Regenstein, with its high, precipi- 
 tous walls, was sharply defined upon the blue horizon. 
 
10 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 As the superior and the chancellor talked earnestly 
 together, the abbess meanwhile seeming to be lost in 
 revery, a waiting-woman approached, with an obeisance, 
 and spoke a few words to her. 
 
 A look of pleasure and surprise passed over her face, 
 and she exclaimed, joyfully, after the maid had with- 
 drawn, — 
 
 " What think ye ? Count Albrecht hath just dismounted 
 from his horse in the court-yard. I am curious to know 
 if he will go to Halberstadt, to be present at the bishop's 
 installation? " 
 
 " 1 have just come from Halberstadt, gracious lady!" 
 was the quick rejoinder ; and lo ! there, upon the thresh- 
 old, appeared the tall figure of the count himself, clad in 
 chain mail, over which he wore a short, sleeveless, murrey- 
 colored surcoat. 
 
 " Hast thou accepted or refused the invitation of the 
 lord bishop ? " cried the abbess, eagerly. 
 
 " Our conversation was about quite another matter," 
 the count replied. 
 
 " Hast thou had an altercation with him?" 
 
 M One might, perhaps, call it so," laughed he, as he 
 seated himself at the table, opposite the abbess. " Think 
 only, my lady, what artifice this anointed of the Lord hath 
 practised upon me. Months ago, he offered to barter the 
 fortress of Schwanebeck for my castle of Emersleben, 
 inasmuch as this is hard by Halberstadt, and the former 
 is nigh our house of Crottorf. I was satisfied, and we 
 exchanged deeds of conveyance. When he sent me mine, 
 
THE BOBBER COUNT. 11 
 
 I looked at his signature, and threw the document unread 
 into a chest. Lo ! now he hath summoned me as his vas- 
 sal to attend his installation. His vassal ! I rubbed my 
 eyes, and asked myself what it meant. Then it came to 
 me in a flash. I pulled out the Schwanebeck papers, and, 
 by my soul ! it was no deed of sale he had given me, but 
 only one of feudal tenure. I sprang into the saddle, 
 galloped to Halberstadt, and called the bishop to account. 
 He had the effrontery to say that church property could 
 not be sold ; he was only able to transfer it to me in fief. 
 I never looked for such knavery. I wished to cancel the 
 bargain, and demanded back the six hundred marks which 
 I had given him to boot. But this honorable churchman 
 scoffed at me ; he held me to my deed of sale, and in- 
 formed me that Emersleben was in good hands. What 
 thinkest thou of this, my lady ? " 
 
 " I call it a base trick," replied the abbess. 
 
 "Yea, is it not? I shall not soon forget it," said the 
 count, vindictively. 
 
 "Moreover, thou hast Schwanebeck, in fief, to refresh 
 thy memory, Sir Count," added Kunigunde. 
 
 "I thank thee for thy consolation, most feeling of 
 superiors ! " replied the count. 
 
 The abbess then turned to the chancellor, saying, — 
 
 " And what is thy opinion ? " 
 
 "The most reverend bishop is well versed in worldly 
 matters," he answered. " I think, Sir Count, thou must 
 have misunderstood him concerning this transaction. He 
 is wont to speak out plainly in all things." 
 
 " I warn thee to beware of his plainness, Master Wille- 
 kin ! " exclaimed the count. " Ye Quedlinburgers appear 
 to stand upon an extremely good footing with the bishop." 
 
 "Wherefore should we not? He hath never wronged 
 us in any way." 
 
12 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " Yet he turneth those who should be your friends into 
 foes." 
 
 "For example: the noble Albrecht von Regenstein. 
 Thou hast allowed us to see that, Sir Count?" 
 
 " Thou wilt see something else ! " muttered the count, 
 striking the floor with his sword. 
 
 "Ho! ho! What is this contention about? " inquired 
 the abbess, with a laugh. 
 
 " I have yet another charge against the bishop," con- 
 tinued Count Albrecht. "He hath encroached upon my 
 jurisdiction, and hath set up an ecclesiastical court here in 
 the city ; and, moreover, the council appe:ireth to aid and 
 abet him. Two churls were summoned before my judg- 
 ment-seat, but, instead of presenting themselves, they 
 were tried here by the rector of St. Agidien. I thereupon 
 seized and imprisoned a couple of burghers as hostages." 
 
 " Who were altogether innocent," interposed the chan- 
 cellor. 
 
 " Then let them deliver up to me the guilty ones, that I 
 may deal with them according to justice. So long as an 
 episcopal court is suffered to remain within your walls, so 
 long shall I be a foe to your city." 
 
 " Hast thou upbraided the bishop with his encroachment 
 upon thy rights?" asked the abbess. 
 
 " In good round terms, my lady ! Wouldst thou know 
 what his answer was? * Spiritual rights supersede secular 
 rights ; my crook reacheth farther than your sword ! * " 
 
 "And thou?" 
 
 " I struck the table with my fist, and cried, ' Thou shalt 
 see how crookedness and straightforwardness will agree 
 together ! ' Then I mounted my horse, galloped off, and 
 here I am ! " 
 
 i ' And thou meanest to let the matter rest here ? " 
 
 " I am not such a fool ! " laughed Albrecht. " Before he 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 13 
 
 sitteth upon his episcopal throne, I mean to sit again in 
 my castle of Emersleben, and throw every one of his priest- 
 ridden train into the moat. After that will come the 
 Quedlinburgers' turn. I will show them who is lord here, 
 — I or the bishop." 
 
 " Countess Kunigunde," exclaimed the abbess, rising 
 suddenly, " we will not go to Halberstadt ! " 
 
 " My lady!" 
 
 " We do not go to Halberstadt ! " she repeated, im- 
 periously. 
 
 44 Thou canst not be in earnest," groaned Kunigunde ; 
 " it is impossible to find a sufficient plea for our absence." 
 
 u Thou needest not find the plea ; I will do that," an- 
 swered Jutta. 
 
 The superior sighed, and looked up to heaven despair- 
 ingly, while the chancellor began, in a vexed tone, — 
 
 " But under what pretext, gracious lady?" 
 
 ' * Pretext ! " interrupted Count Albrecht, who had also 
 risen from his seat ; ' ' needeth the princess of Quedlinburg 
 an excuse for absenting herself from Halberstadt, if it is 
 her pleasure to do so? But if it troubleth thee, Master 
 Willekin, I will give thee an excuse : the pope hath not 
 sanctioned the bishop's ordination, and never will." 
 
 " How dost thou know that, Sir Count?" inquired the 
 superior, defiantly. 
 
 44 Write to that effect, Master Willekin! " commanded 
 the abbess. " Write to the bishop that, next to the Em- 
 peror, the Holy Father is our liege lord, and that we can- 
 not assist at a consecration which, in our eyes, without the 
 papal blessing, is no consecration at all." 
 
 44 Good ! good ! " said the count, with emphasis. 
 
 The chancellor shook his gray head, and said, — 
 
 " At least, permit me, gracious princess, to ride to Hal- 
 berstadt and soften thy refusal, so far as possible." 
 
14 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 "Do so, Master Chancellor," answered the abbess; 
 " thou knowest my wishes." 
 
 "That is not the way it should be done," said the 
 count. 
 
 " Master Willekin will ride to Halberstadt," continued 
 the abbess, loftily ; "the matter is settled, Sir Count." 
 
 Count Albrecht laughed aloud. " As far as I am con- 
 cerned, most mighty princess, he may crawl on his hands 
 and knees to the bishop ! " 
 
 The blood mounted to Jutta's cheeks, and she turned 
 away indignantly, while the chancellor seemed as if about 
 to make a hasty reply, but to be restrained by the threat- 
 ening look with which the count regarded him. The 
 abbess gave him a gracious nod of dismissal, whereupon 
 he left the room and betook himself to the city, to seek a 
 private interview with the burgomaster and some of the 
 councillors . 
 
 Countess Kunigunde had rejoiced over the check which 
 Count Albrecht had received, as well as at his rejoinder to 
 the abbess, and vexed that her advice should be rejected 
 on account of the overbearing Albrecht von Regenstein 
 She also withdrew, and left the abbess alone with her 
 arrogant protector. 
 
 Albrecht made a low bow behind the departing countess, 
 and observed, when the door closed, — 
 
 " I see I am no longer in our amiable superior's good 
 graces, and must bear her displeasure as best I may." 
 
 The abbess made no reply. She stood at the window, 
 quite out of tune. The count's scornful laugh had touched 
 her to the quick, and she waited now for a word of ex- 
 planation. Had he not seen what had decided her in her 
 hesitation regarding the bishop's invitation? To be sure, 
 his state of irritation was some excuse, and Jutta had 
 vexed him still further. That she now regretted. He 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 15 
 
 must have something on his mind, or why should he still 
 linger. She would come to his aid. 
 
 Turning toward him, she said, somewhat shyly, — 
 
 44 What thinkest thou the bishop will do, if we are 
 neither of us present at his consecration?" 
 
 The count shrugged his shoulders. '• In the first place, 
 he will be heartily angry, and I care not a whit." 
 
 ' w Will he credit my reason for refusing ? " the abbess 
 asked again. 
 
 " Hardly," returned the count. 
 
 '• Then he will seek for the real cause ; perchance he 
 will fancy it to be — on thy account — " 
 
 u That thou stayest away for me?" said Count Albert. 
 "Well, let him think so ; he hath no power over thee." 
 
 Jutta was silent. Finally, she said, — 
 
 " What if I should go to the bishop, and heal the breach 
 between you?" 
 
 " I thank thee heartily for thy friendly offer, but I could 
 not accept such a sacrifice." 
 
 " I would make the sacrifice with pleasure, Count 
 Albrecht. Thou hast made more than one for me." 
 
 " That is only my bounden duty." 
 
 " Suffer me, for once, to be thy protector ! " begged the 
 abbess. 
 
 " Nay, nay, thou must not go to Halberstadt ; at least, 
 on my account. The bishop wisheth not to make peace 
 with me; and if thou wert to go to him, and plead my 
 cause, he would think — " 
 
 The count broke off suddenly, without finishing his sen- 
 tence. 
 
 "What? What would he think? Speak out, Count 
 Albrecht." And Jutta looked into his face with eager eyes. 
 
 w Thou wouldst laugh at the fancy." 
 
 M That I shall not !" she said, blushing a little. 
 
16 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 "He would think — that I was afraid of him!" said 
 the count, abruptly. 
 
 The abbess had expected an altogether different reply. 
 She stepped back. 
 
 "Thou art right — quite right; what else could he 
 think?" 
 
 Suddenly she threw her head back, and said, — 
 
 " After all, I could hardly defend thee, Sir Count. So 
 many complaints are made of thee." 
 
 "I prefer, my lady, to defend myself," answered the 
 count, resolutely. 
 
 " Little it concerneth me what thou doest in thine own 
 earldom ; but here thou shouldst keep the peace," she 
 said, in a tone of reproach. 
 
 "Is thy peace disturbed, gracious lady?" 
 
 41 Thou lurkest about our good city of Quedlinburg, and 
 layest hands on her burghers. That is breaking the peace, 
 Sir Count. But that is not all : the monks of St. Wiperti 
 are very disorderly. Their riotous living, under our very 
 eyes, is a sore vexation to the council and townsfolk," the 
 abbess continued, becoming more vehement. 
 
 "And is that my fault?" 
 
 " Thou protectest them ; thou hast fortified their mon- 
 astery. Why shouldst thou do it? Is not Guntecken- 
 burg enough for thee, here close to the gates of the 
 city?" 
 
 " Aha ! " laughed' the count ; " I know how the town- 
 folk grumble at their inconveniently vigilant neighbor. 
 Thou shouldst be well pleased to know that I keep a sharp 
 eye upon thy city of Quedlinburg. It is not for myself so 
 much as for thee. Down below there they have bristled 
 up stiffly since they joined the Hanse League. Now they 
 oppose me ; next they will threaten thee, if we do not hold 
 the reins tightly." 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 17 
 
 She looked at him kindly, and said, — 
 
 "I understood not that thy care was for me, Count 
 Albrecht." 
 
 "One thing I wish to speak to thee about, my lady. 
 Dost thou know how matters stand at Lauenburg?" 
 
 Lauenburg! Was this why he remained? A thought 
 darted through Jutta's mind, and she answered slowly, — 
 
 " I know Leutfiied lieth very low ; we shall soon have 
 to appoint a new castellan." 
 
 " It is an important post. Lauenburg needeth a trusty 
 man," observed the count. 
 
 "Whom I hope in good time to find," she replied, 
 smilingly ; and, anticipating his answer, added, with a 
 speaking glance, "Have patience, like me; I shall not 
 give the fortress into other hands behind thy back." 
 
 " I rely upon thy promise, my lady ! Farewell !" 
 
 " Till we meet again, Count Albrecht ! " 
 
 The abbess extended her hand to him, and he left the 
 room, while she shook her finger, smilingly, in the direc- 
 tion of the closed door. 
 
 The count rode down the steep pathway from the castle 
 in a very contented frame of mind. He had attained his 
 object : the abbess did not mean to attend the consecra- 
 tion any more than he and his brothers. He laughed in his 
 sleeve as he thought of the bishop's feelings when he dis- 
 covered that the magnates of the territory were missing at 
 his installation. The counts von Blankenburg, who always 
 opposed the Regensteins in everything, would now strut 
 about untrammelled, and wheedle the bishop to their hearts' 
 content. It was doubtful whether the other nobles of the 
 Hartz region would make their appearance ; probably not, 
 if Albrecht should send them a well-considered message. 
 He was quite content that the bishop, as well as Willekin 
 von Herrkestorf , should understand that the abbess, with 
 
18 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 her noble chapter, remained away, owing to his influence. 
 Then my lord would remember Schwanebeck, and his long 
 crook, with which he had dared to threaten Albrecht von 
 Regenstein. 
 
 And, regarding Lauenburg,. whose domain touched the 
 forests of Quedlinburg on one side, and on the other those 
 of the Blankenburgs, he had now the abbess's promise not 
 to choose a new castellan without consulting him. What an 
 eyry it would be for his beloved Siegfried, the youngest 
 and the favorite of his brothers. And Jutta? What wish 
 of his would she not grant? He had seen to-day very 
 clearly what sway he had over her. He was now sure that 
 this brilliant woman would gladly resign her princely posi- 
 tion, if — 
 
 ' ' Brun ! Brun ! what is it ? " cried out the count to his 
 bay, as he stroked his sturdy neck , and tried to soothe the 
 frightened animal. The horse had plunged violently, 
 having been struck by a stone, but the boy who hurled it, 
 the son of one of the captive burghers, remained hidden. 
 
 " This cometh from indulging in idle thoughts, instead 
 of keeping a firm hand on the bridle," said the count to 
 himself, as he rode on. 
 
 But the abbess, gazing after the rider, had seen the 
 stone thrown. She stood at the window, following him 
 with her eye, and watching the gleam of the sunlight upon 
 his polished helmet while he slowly descended the hill. As 
 she observed the little adventure, she exclaimed, indig- 
 nantly, — 
 
 " Oh, this worthless brood ! He is right ; these burghers 
 must be held with a tight rein ! " 
 
 She soon saw Count Albrecht halt before the entrance 
 to Gunteckenburg, which lay between Miinzenburg and 
 the Wiperti monastery. He summoned the governor, and 
 talked to him for a long time without dismounting. Then 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 19 
 
 he trotted on to the monastery, and entering the court- 
 yard, disappeared from her view. 
 
 M Now he goeth again to those sinful 4 children of our 
 love,' as the sainted Bertradis was wont to call the monks, 
 with whom she was in continual conflict ; but will he inform 
 the wicked prior of our growing displeasure? Go, my 
 knight ! I would follow thee willingly to the ends of the 
 earth ! " 
 
 In the court-yard of the monastery the count dismounted. 
 A lay brother approached, saying, — 
 
 14 Shall I unsaddle Brim, master?" 
 
 44 Nay," answered Count Albrecht. "I have halted for 
 a short rest only. Where is the worthy Bavo?" 
 
 "In the — in the — " 
 
 44 In the refectory, naturally ! " laughed the count. 4 'At 
 the v:et vespers, perhaps?" 
 
 4 4 Master, to-morrow is the feast of the holy Eustathius 
 the Steadfast," replied the brother. 
 
 44 And ye must celebrate it ! " said the count. 44 Good ; 
 we will assist at the vigils of the holy Eustathius the 
 Steadfast." 
 
 And he entered the monastery. 
 
20 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 The superior, Kunigunde, put the whole chapter into 
 commotion on account of the abbess's decision. The older 
 ladies were annoyed not to have their convent represented 
 at the bishop's investiture with due pomp and solemnity, 
 and the younger ones lamented that they must absent 
 themselves from the imposing ceremonial. The abbess 
 saw only unfriendly faces about her, with one exception, 
 — this being the canoness, the beautiful and joj'ous Coun- 
 tess Adelheid von Hallermund, who possessed the entire 
 confidence of the abbess. She was very well disposed 
 toward their, chivalrous protector, and agreed perfectly 
 with the former, that, for his sake, they ought to decline 
 the bishop's invitation. Jutta was fully determined to do 
 so, and on the following evening informed the chancellor 
 that he must delay no longer carrying her refusal to Hal- 
 berstadt. 
 
 There was nothing to do but obey ; and on the next day, 
 as soon as the sun was well up in the heavens, Master 
 Willekin von Herrkestorf re'uctantly set forth. With him 
 rode the convent scrivener, Florencius, who had begged as 
 a favor to be allowed to accompany him in the place of a 
 mounted servant. 
 
 This Florencius, a livety, shrewd-looking fellow, be- 
 longing to a noble but decayed family, was destined for 
 the church ; but not obtaining his ordination, owing to some 
 youthful prank, he had run away from the monastery 
 school of St. Gallen, and became a travelling scholar. As 
 such, some years since, he had come to Quedlinburg, and 
 
THE ROB BE It COUNT. 21 
 
 appealed to the chancellor for assistance. Master Wille- 
 kin, to whom he confided the story of his parentage and 
 circumstances, was soon convinced of his knowledge and 
 ability, and gladly gave him a home and a position in the 
 castle under the abbess Bertradis. 
 
 Florencius was called " scrivener," because he must 
 have a title ; but although he was most skilful in the art 
 of penmanship, there was not enough writing in the con- 
 vent to keep him emplo3*ed. He therefore filled up his 
 spare time making headings and beginnings of documents 
 by the score. For example : the introductory words, " We, 
 Jutta, by the grace of God, Abbess of Quedlinburg," etc., 
 displayed themselves on innumerable pages of parchment, 
 with large, gayly illuminated initial letters, entwined with 
 flowers and flourishes of every description. He was also 
 the confidential letter-writer of the inmates, who all liked 
 him on account of his good manners, modesty, and oblig- 
 ing disposition, notwithstanding his occasional inclination 
 to play the wag. 
 
 The chancellor had betrayed the fact of his noble birth, 
 which he tried to keep secret by taking an assumed name, 
 and so the ladies of the convent treated him more as an 
 equal than as a servant. He made himself useful in every 
 way that he could, — as reader, singer, and lute-player. 
 In short, he had become the indispensable familiar spirit 
 of the castle. 
 
 As they crossed the plain, which stretched from the city 
 to the Weinberg, the chancellor observed, — 
 
 " Look, Florencius, how the snow on the Brocken 
 glisteneth in the sun ! " 
 
 " And here the seeds are sprouting, and the hedges and 
 bushes begin to leave out," answered the scrivener ; l ' but 
 we shall soon have rain." 
 
 " How knowest thou that?" asked Master Willekin. 
 
22 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " Hast thou never heard, master, that our deaconess, 
 Mistress Gertrude, understandeth the weather like an old 
 shepherd? She hath a tree-frog, for which she catcheth 
 flies all over the castle, and upon which she relieth for her 
 predictions." 
 
 1 ' And are they always fulfilled ? " 
 
 " Nay, not always," laughed Florencius ; "and then 
 the tree-frog is punished by having less flies that day." 
 
 "Gracious heaven!" exclaimed Master Willekin; 
 "whence hath she the frog?" 
 
 "I was ordered to catch it for her when the preceding 
 one had eaten his last fly. The schoolmistress saith it is 
 venomous." 
 
 "The schoolmistress ! She is the merriest in the whole 
 chapter, is she not?" asked Master Willekin. 
 
 "That is hard to say," Florencius answered; adding, 
 after a short pause, "I believe the custodian and the 
 singing-mistress surpass her. When they put their blond 
 heads together, some droll trick is sure to be played, over 
 which one laughs for days. One of their jokes was to 
 hang a bell upon the superior." 
 
 " Florencius ! " said the chancellor, reprovingly. 
 
 "Pardon me, master," laughed the scrivener, "but I 
 am forced often enough to assist them ; the} T give me no 
 peace, and if it were not for the Countess Luitgard von 
 Stolberg, who always trieth to excuse the pranks of the 
 younger ones, they would oft fare badly." 
 
 "And the abbess?" 
 
 "The abbess? Well, master, thou knowest she doth 
 not fret at the superior's ill-humor, and Countess Adelheid 
 loveth better to laugh than to weep. However, lately the 
 young mistresses went too far for once, and they were 
 obliged to make expiation." 
 
 Upon a look from the chancellor, Florencius went on : — 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 23 
 
 " As thou knowest, the deaconess is very skilful in em- 
 broidering tapestry with figures from the lives of the saints, 
 and she obliges the younger gentlewomen to spend tedious 
 hours at her favorite occupation. Recently, she was at 
 work upon such a tapestry, which represented the holy 
 Appolonia, whom thou knowest is continually invoked by 
 sufferers from toothache. Then those crafty damsels de- 
 vised their roguish plot, and successfully carried it out. 
 Countess Agnes von Schrapelau and the schoolmistress 
 kept the deaconess busy with her fly-trap as long as pos- 
 sible in a remote part of the castle ; meanwhile, the cus- 
 todian and singing-mistress crept into her chamber, and 
 with coarse, hasty stitches furnished the holy Appolonia 
 with puffs of hair on the temples, long nose, and pointed 
 chin, so that her resemblance to the deaconess was quite 
 remarkable. Mistress Gertrude raised a great clamor over 
 the misdeed, and even the indulgent Thesauria placed 
 herself on the side of the injured deaconess, and, in de- 
 spite of Countess Adelheid's intercession, the guilty ones 
 were made to suffer. They were sentenced to pass four- 
 and-twenty hours in the little, dark penitential chamber in 
 the crypt. But, in the afternoon, the hereditary marshal 
 of the castle, Master Gerhard von Ditfurt, came to the 
 convent to visit the ladies, missed the two blondes, and 
 was made acquainted with the story. At first he laughed 
 heartily, to the great vexation both of the old cat — " 
 
 " Florencius ! " 
 
 — "Of both the honorable ladies, Kunigunde and Ger- 
 trude ; but then he besought pardon for the two captives. 
 It was not necessary to plead long ; the princess was onl}' 
 too glad to have an excuse for lenity. Countess Adelheid 
 led the supposed penitents from their prison cell, and 
 after an exhortation from our gracious lady, before the 
 whole chapter, the affair was considered ended. Much I 
 wonder what their next sally will be." 
 
24 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 Master "Willekin could not refrain from laughter, in 
 which his companion joined. 
 
 Whiling away the time with such sportive conversation, 
 the two rode over the green plain. On both sides of them 
 stretched the lofty, dark-blue mountain ridge, rising higher 
 and higher from the fortress of Ballenstedt to the snow- 
 covered summit of the Brocken. Halting upon the top of 
 a hill, they turned their horses' heads, to look at the 
 charming view. 
 
 Before them lay fruitful fields and smiling hamlets, 
 watered by the Bode and other mountain streams flowing 
 down from the craggy heights, upon which stood lonely 
 watch-towers, like sentinels. The yet unfinished spires of 
 the cathedral of Halberstadt rose in the distance, while 
 the city of Quedlinburg was hidden from view. Only the 
 castle, of whose inner life Florencius had just given his 
 amusing account, was before them. Behind, through the 
 broad opening of the Bode Valley, they saw the jagged 
 peaks of the Teufelsmauer, which extended, huge and 
 black, through the Hartz country for miles, only ending 
 at Regenstein. Directly opposite, Lauenburg glittered in 
 the sunlight, while in the west, Count Albrecht's strong- 
 hold frowned at them ; on one side of it was Ileimberg, 
 where his brother Bernhard dwelt, and on the other, the 
 seat of the counts of Blankenburg. 
 
 From this point the riders could overlook a great part 
 of the noble Hartz region, which lay spread out before 
 them like a spendid panorama, in all the glory of spring. 
 A fresh breeze blew from the hills, making the leaves and 
 grasses rustle and bend, while overhead the larks carolled- 
 After the two companions had ridden on again for some 
 distance, Florencius said, — 
 
 '• Master Chancellor, if I do not deceive myself, we are 
 g ing to meet l The Wicked Seven.' Is not that the 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 25 
 
 Knight Bock who cometh trotting toward us on his great 
 dapple gray?" 
 
 " Thou appearest to be right, Florencius," answered the 
 chancellor; "but let him come; Knight Bock is friendly 
 enough to those who are civil to him." 
 
 From the edge of the forest, which lay on their left, 
 three riders issued, two of whom immediately turned aside 
 with the obvious intention of cutting off all chance of 
 escape backward or forward, while the third came trotting 
 toward them. 
 
 The latter presented a most fantastic appearance. Upon 
 a bony steed sat a long, lank figure in knightly accoutre- 
 ments. The man was clad from head to foot in chain 
 armor, and wore, besides, a short, faded, yellow surcoat. 
 Two fluttering cock's feathers were stuck in his helmet, 
 and a woven iron cape enveloped his neck and shoulders, 
 like a capuchin's hood. From the knees projected sharp 
 iron spikes. Polished steel gloves and excessively long 
 spurs completed his equipment. Besides sword and dag- 
 ger attached to his shoulder-belt, he carried a lance and 
 small triangular shield. His thin, weather-beaten face, 
 with piercing eyes, hooked nose, and long mustache led 
 one to suppose that he was about forty years of age. 
 
 Such was the Knight Bock von Schlanstedt, a vassal of 
 Count Albrecht von Regenstein ; a bird of prey, who, with 
 six chosen associates, roamed over the land, and swooped 
 down wherever they were least expected. As this wild 
 band did but little good, Bock and his comrades had been 
 christened " The Wicked Seven." 
 
 As the knight recognized the two Qucdlinburgers, he 
 checked his horse's pace, brandished his lance, and cried 
 out, — 
 
 "Hail, Master Willekin von Herrkestorf ! also to thee, 
 brave Florencius ! " 
 
26 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 44 Thanks for thy greeting ! " answered the chancellor. 
 "It grieveth me, Sir Knight, that thou shouldst have 
 spurred th} f good steed on our account ; we were not worth 
 thy pains." 
 
 44 God give me better luck another time ! " laughed the 
 knight, turning his horse's head, and beckoning to his two 
 followers, whereupon the other four emerged from the 
 forest and joined the procession. 
 
 " I greatly suspect that ye are going to Halberstadt on 
 some weighty errand," Bock continued, as they rode along. 
 
 44 1 have ever marvelled at thy sagacity, Sir Knight," 
 returned the chancellor, roguishly. 
 
 44 Truly, I never knew whither this road led, save to 
 Halberstadt," put in Florencius. 
 
 Bock pointed straight in front of them, and observed, — 
 
 44 There lieth an excellent farm belonging to our gracious 
 lady. Art thou aware of the fact, Master Chancellor, that 
 they brew rare beer there? A most delectable drink on a 
 dusty spring clay ! " 
 
 44 How thou talkest ! " laughed Master Willekin. 
 
 44 We must go thither," remarked Bock; 44 we must 
 fodder our beasts there." 
 
 44 So ! Is that where thou keepest thine oats? " 
 
 44 Convent oats are the best, far and wide," replied 
 Bock, with quite an innocent and serious expression. 
 
 44 And the cheapest," added Florencius. 
 
 Whereupon the scrivener received a glance from the 
 knight which convinced him that he had best hold his 
 peace. 
 
 Soon arose a lively interchange of opinions as to the 
 strife between the city of Quedlinburg and the Count von 
 Regenstein over his judicial rights and the encroachment 
 of the bishop, of whom the knight spoke but ill. 
 
 Bock von Schlanstedt resolutely defended the injured 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 27 
 
 count, for wnom he was ready to go through fire and water. 
 This strange, inconsistent man had attached himself to 
 the house of Regenstein with the most utter devotion. He 
 not only had seen all the seven brothers grow up under his 
 eyes, but he had carried them in his arms, and before him, 
 in the saddle ; he had been their faithful attendant and 
 patient playmate, and, later, their instructor in riding, 
 fencing, and tilting. 
 
 As a lad, he had run away from his father, a farmer in 
 the village of Schlanstedt, because he had no desire to fol- 
 low the plough. Hard by Schlanstedt the Regensteins 
 owned a fortress, with the garrison of which the boy be- 
 came a favorite, carrying secretly to the troopers many a 
 dainty morsel from his father's kitchen. In return, they 
 taught him the art of war, which gave him such distaste 
 for the plough that one fine day he disappeared from his 
 home. He presented himself to Count Ulrich von Regen- 
 stein, who, at Bock's earnest entreaty, took him into his 
 service. In course of time the youth became a stalwart 
 squire, winning his master's confidence by his loyalty and 
 reckless courage. In a feud between Count Ulrich and the 
 noble lords of Barby, occasioned by their continual raids 
 into the Hartz country, Bock so distinguished himself that, 
 when the struggle ended successfully for the Regensteins, 
 the count bestowed knighthood upon him. This honor 
 elated Bock greatly in his own esteem, and he endeavored 
 to assume a chivalrous demeanor, though he treated the 
 common soldiers like brothers, sharing with them toil and 
 danger as heretofore. 
 
 He possessed nothing. He considered that his horse, 
 armor, sword, and shield belonged to the count from whom 
 he received them, as also the last drop of blood in his 
 body. To be a vassal of the Count von Regenstein was 
 his pride and pleasure, and with the same fidelity that he 
 
28 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 had shown to the father he now served the sons, of whom 
 Albrecht was his paragon and Siegfried his darling. 
 
 The knight regarded the town and convent of Quedlin- 
 burg very differently. Toward the first he was unfriendly, 
 because it tried to curtail his master's rights ; but he con- 
 sidered, as a dependant of her protector, that the abbess 
 had the same claim upon the strength of his right hand 
 that he and his horse had, according to his notions, upon 
 her beer and her fodder. 
 
 When the riders arrived at the farm, called Mfinchen- 
 hofe, Bock alighted from his horse, and called out to one 
 of his followers, — 
 
 " We bide here, Nothnngel ! " 
 
 Willekin and Florencius accepted a stirrup-cup of the 
 rare beer from the farm bailiff, which they praised highly, 
 and once more started on their way. 
 
 " I trust the worthy bishop will receive thee graciously, 
 Master Chancellor," the knight called out after him ; 
 " but I fear thou wilt have trouble with thy message." 
 
 u I doubt not that he will listen to it with both ears," 
 nnswered Master Willekin, turning round in the saddle. 
 
 " And invite thee to be his guest, out of gratitude? " 
 
 " Only wait, Sir Bock, and see who will have to pay the 
 reckoning." 
 
 " Oh, ice are in his debt already," cried Bock, laughing. 
 
 " Deep enough, I warrant me ! " returned the chancellor, 
 in the same tone. 
 
 "We can pay — with this!" and Bock grasped his 
 sword. 
 
 But the two riders were now quite beyond hearing. 
 
 " Methinks thou art bound upon some crooked errand, 
 Master Willekin ! " muttered the lean hero, with a distrust- 
 ful look after the departing chancellor. "Fill it up, 
 Ilasenbart ! " said he to another of his companions, as he 
 
THE BOBBER COUNT. 29 
 
 bunded him the empty jug ; " but to-day we must not in- 
 dulge in more than three draughts, or the Quedlinburgers 
 will be out of sight. We must let them think that we stay 
 here, and this was why I bade thee unsaddle the horses. 
 We will follow them at a brisk pace beyond Wegleben, and 
 halt near Emersleben. Our men will pass by Derenburg, 
 and we can light upon them in the neighborhood of 
 Schwanebeck ; the counts Crottorf and Schlanstedt will 
 be of the number." 
 
 " We shall have our hands full ! " grumbled Nothnagel. 
 
 " Hands full!" repeated Bock; "Count Albrecht will 
 be hard by, and we are seven " ; and thereupon they set 
 to work saddling their horses. 
 
 An hour before noon Willekin and Florencius arrived at 
 Petershofe, the stately episcopal palace in Halberstadt, 
 situated on an eminence opposite the cathedral, and 
 strongly fortified. 
 
 The chancellor dismounted, saying to Florencius, — 
 
 " Go to my worthy friend, the canon, Herbord Moor, 
 and put up the horses, telling him that he may expect us 
 at the noonday meal. Greet him from me, and say that I 
 will not keep him waiting long." 
 
 The scrivener nodded, and, leading the chancellor's 
 horse, rode to the canon's. 
 
 Master Willekin entered the gloomy gateway, passed 
 through the court-yard, and into the palace. 
 
SO THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 A young priest led the chancellor up several steps, 
 through an anteroom into a vaulted corridor, dimly 
 lighted by a hanging lamp, at the end of which was the 
 bishop's private apartment. There, in a spacious, luxu- 
 riously furnished room, he left the visitor, and Master 
 Willekin, as he sat there among these unfamiliar surround- 
 ings, felt no little trepidation at the prospect of the coming 
 interview. 
 
 The bishop did not keep him long in suspense. Tie 
 soon appeared, clothed in a long purple robe, a slender, 
 youthful figure, with a pale, aristocratic face, to which a 
 pair of dark eyes lent a somewhat imperious expression. 
 
 The chancellor bowed low, and Bishop Albrecht wel- 
 comed him, saying, — 
 
 " And how goeth it with our gracious lady of Quedlin- 
 burg?" 
 
 " She sendeth thee her friendly greeting, most reverend 
 sir," answered the chancellor, with another obeisance. 
 
 " And announceth to me her intention of assisting at 
 my installation," added the bishop, a smile of satisfaction 
 passing over his pale face. 
 
 The chancellor was silent, and looked down in great 
 embarrassment. 
 
 "How? Thou art silent? Thou dost not surely tell me 
 that she is not coming ? " 
 
 '■ I would that I could tell thee otherwise, reverend sir," 
 answered the chancellor, in a low tone. 
 
 "She cometh not!" exclaimed the bishop, in dis- 
 pleasure. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 31 
 
 Willekin slowly shook his heal, while Bishop Albrecht 
 strode through the room, struggling to conceal his vexa- 
 tion. Then, stopping short, and folding his arms, he 
 inquired, haughtily, — 
 
 " And, pray, what excuse doth she send for absenting 
 herself?" 
 
 His visitor hesitated before he replied, and then said, — 
 
 "Reverend sir, there are scruples and considerations 
 which influence our gracious lady ; the Holy Father is her 
 spiritual ruler, and — " 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! So that is the reason ! " laughed the bishop. 
 " Because Pope John, in his Babylonian captivity at Avig- 
 non, denieth me his blessing ! I never suspected our beau- 
 tiful sister, Jutta, of having so tender a conscience. Never- 
 theless, I trust we shall be able to overcome her scruples." 
 
 "I doubt it, my lord!" 
 
 " How? Because I will not cringe and bow before the 
 declining power of the pope, but choose to preserve my 
 independence, the abbess of a free convent, herself an im- 
 perial princess, refuseth me this friendly courtesy ? " the 
 bishop continued, in indignant astonishment. u Master 
 Chancellor, the true reason is not what you tell me ! " 
 
 M I scarcely know, reverend sir, how I — " 
 
 " Bethink thyself ! Thou knowest another reason," in- 
 terrupted Bishop Albrecht, sharply ; adding, as no an- 
 swer came, " Look me in the face, Master Willekin von 
 Herrkestorf ! Have these scruples originated with the 
 abbess ? " 
 
 " Nay, indeed, worshipful sir ! " replied the other, driven 
 at last into a corner. 
 
 ' ' Aha ! I will tell thee whence these scruples came. The 
 wind blew from Regenstein that wafted them to her. The 
 count was at the convent ? " 
 
 The chancellor nodded. 
 
32 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 With his hands clasped behind his back, the bishop 
 again strode impatiently np and down. 
 
 " Tell me all about it ! " he exclaimed, angrily. 
 
 " I had just received an order from our gracious lady, 
 in the presence of the Countess Kunigunde, to inform thee 
 that she and her chapter would be present at the conse- 
 cration. The Count Albrecht came, told of his quarrel 
 with thee, my lord, and — " 
 
 " And persuaded the fickle princess to decline," con- 
 tinued the bishop, bitterly. "Oh! I can hear him, and he 
 shall pny for it ! " 
 
 "Thou hast guessed all, reverend sir," said the chan- 
 cellor. " I have — " 
 
 " Thou hast told me nothing. Nay ! nay ! As ye will, 
 as ye will, sir count, and my lady abbess ! Hearken, now, 
 to my answer, Master Chancellor : Announce to thy 
 gracious lady my deep regret at her decision, and my hope 
 that the Holy Father may reward her for it when he heareth 
 of her loyalty." 
 
 These words were uttered with an unpleasant laugh, and 
 the speaker's face looked paler than usual. Then he 
 stepped to the table and rang a small bell. 
 
 The young priest entered, and received an order, which 
 was inaudible to the visitor. 
 
 As the door closed, Bishop Albrecht sat down, and 
 invited the chancellor to take a seat also, saying, — 
 
 " Now, let us hear some good tidings of the trade and 
 traffic of the fair city of Quedlinburg." 
 
 The chancellor seated himself opposite, and remarked,— 
 
 "I have been charged with 3*et another commission, 
 reverend sir." 
 
 Bishop Albrecht listened in silence. 
 
 " By the burgomaster, Nikolaus von Bekheim," con- 
 tinued Master Willekin. 
 
THE BOBBER COUNT. 33 
 
 " By the burgomaster? To me ? " 
 
 Master Willekin, who felt sore at the haughty manner 
 in which he had been treated, and now indignant at this 
 pretended surprise, answered, with some irritation, — 
 
 " Thou mayst trust me, my lord ; I am fully initiated. 
 The council accepteth the alliance with thee." 
 
 A gleam of satisfaction passed quickly over the bishop's 
 face, but he repressed it instantly, as he said, — 
 
 "Pardon me, Master Herrkestorf; but this is a secret 
 affair, of which I presumed that thou wert ignorant." 
 
 Master Willekin understood, and spoke with added 
 vexation, — 
 
 " Pray do not forget, my lord, that I am not only chan- 
 cellor of the chipter, but also a respectable burgher of my 
 native town. I take it for granted that nothing injurious 
 to my gracious lady will be included in your covenant, 
 otherwise I should certainly not have been the bearer of 
 this secret intelligence." 
 
 " Doth the council accept my conditions unreservedly? " 
 asked the bishop, coolly. 
 
 " It agreeth in the main to thy propositions, but desire th 
 a definite statement of the succor to be expected from thee 
 in certain contingencies, and an exchange of legal docu- 
 ments." 
 
 " Oh, these tedious negotiations ! But send me your 
 authorized agents." 
 
 "Here, — to Halberstadt? That could not be done 
 without the knowledge of those against whom the offensive 
 and defensive alliance is directed. The Regensteins have 
 their spies everywhere. Only to-day, on my way hither, 
 I was beset by them." 
 
 " Thou art right. But what woiildst thou advise? " 
 
 " Send thy bond to us by a trusty messenger, and we 
 will send ours in return by the same hand." 
 
34 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " Be it so, then," replied the bishop, after a short 
 pause, rising from his seat. " The compact between 
 myself and the city of Quedlinburg is now, I consider, 
 concluded." 
 
 "As good as concluded, reverend sir!" answered the 
 chancellor, and shook the bishop's proffered hand. 
 
 " Deliver my friendly greeting to the worthy councillors, 
 Master Willekin von Herrkestorf , and forget not what I 
 bade thee say to the noble abbess." 
 
 Then he waved a gracious farewell to his visitor who had 
 brought him at once so distasteful and so welcome a mes- 
 sage. 
 
 As the latter left the palace behind him, with its heavy 
 walls and dark arches, and passed out into the sunshine 
 which gleamed upon the cathedral spires soaring aloft into 
 the blue sky, he breathed more freely. Thoughtful, but, 
 on the whole, not dissatisfied with the result of the inter- 
 view, he went his way. He had inflamed the bishop's 
 enmity against his own foe, Count Albrecht ; he was about 
 to take back to the lady abbess a well-deserved rebuke for 
 her fickleness ; he had opposed the independence of the 
 burgher to the bishop's imperiousness, and had brought 
 the desired understanding nearer a conclusion. The more 
 he thought over the result of the conversation the better 
 he was satisfied, and the more briskly he walked toward 
 the dwelling of the jovial canon. 
 
 He had no sooner gone than the young priest again 
 entered, bringing with him an older man, whose wrinkled 
 countenance spoke of reserve and thoughtfulness. It was 
 the cathedral provost, Jordan von Donfus, a dovoted ad- 
 herent of the bishop, whose zeal had been rewarded by the 
 first place in the cathedral chapter. 
 
 The bishop advanced to meet him, exclaiming, — 
 
 " Jordanus, she is not coming ! " 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 35 
 
 " Did not I say so, reverend sir, a sennight since?" 
 
 " But thou knowest not the cause." 
 
 The provost looked down thoughtfully for a moment, 
 and then said, — 
 
 " I know of many possible excuses, but only one true 
 reason, and that is — Count Albrecht." 
 
 14 How can I be revenged, Jordanus? " 
 
 4 'On the abbess, by forgetting her existence; and ou 
 the count — " 
 
 44 By a struggle to the death ! " interrupted the bishop, 
 impetuously. 
 
 44 Nay, he is too powerful," answered the other with 
 composure ; "we must lay snares for him, cross his path- 
 way, hinder his designs, and force him back, step by step, 
 till we have thoroughly enfeebled him." 
 
 The bishop shook his head. 
 
 44 That doth not suit me, provost ! I would strike vigor- 
 ously, blow upon blow. The purchase of Wegeleben and 
 Schneitlingen will be concluded to-morrow, and on that 
 account I sent for thee. With the possession of the latter 
 I plant my foot in Swabia, and Wegeleben inserteth itself 
 like a wedge in the midst of the Regenstein province." 
 
 The provost nodded quietly, and then said, — 
 
 44 In sooth, if thou dost not take it, Count Albrecht will, 
 as he hath taken the castle of Gersdorf ." 
 
 " Hath he done so already ! " 
 
 44 Probably ; in no case will he allow it to escape him." 
 
 44 We must gain more territory, to increase our power,** 
 said the bishop, becoming more and more stirred. 44 1 
 will not rest till I see the Count von Begenstein at my 
 feet. He alone hindereth the abbess from coming to my 
 consecration, and he shall answer for it." 
 
 44 It is an untimely circumstance, on account of the 
 archbishop." 
 
36 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " Verily ! What will he think, if the abbess and oount 
 both fail us?" 
 
 " And the others, — the counts of Mansfeld, Hohnstein, 
 Stolberg — " 
 
 "Have they declined likewise?" the bishop asked, 
 gloomily. 
 
 " Not yet ; but belie vest thou that they will come, if the 
 Regensteins remain away ? " 
 
 The bishop stamped his foot. 
 
 " And all this is owing to one man ! But I will crush 
 him, Jordanus ! I will crush him ! " 
 
 14 Then thou must make up thy mind to a bitter conflict, 
 most reverend sir ! " 
 
 " I have done so, and it will be for the mastery of this 
 Hartz region. Only one of us can be ruler, and / will be 
 he!" 
 
 " If thou wert more sure of the towns," observed the 
 provost. 
 
 " Osterwiek is true to me, Quedlinburg is coming over 
 to us, and only our dear Halberstadt is not to be trusted," 
 answered the bishop thoughtfully ; adding, " Send a mes- 
 senger early to-morrow morning with a letter to the Prince 
 of Anhalt, saying I accept his conditions, and consider 
 myself from this time possessor of Wegeleben and Schneit- 
 lingen." 
 
 u It is at least a beginning," remarked the provost. 
 
 u Yea, the first step in the struggle with the count ; the 
 struggle for supremacy in this province." 
 
 As the bishop parted from the cautious provost, with 
 these words on his lips, he knew not that the first step had 
 already been taken, though not by him, indeed. Yet he 
 was to hear of it before the day was over. 
 
 Toward evening, as he was musing alone, a serving-man 
 entered, with troubled looks, exclaiming, — 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 37 
 
 u My lord, Glefing is without, the governor of Emersle- 
 ben, and wisheth to speak with thee ; he is wounded." 
 
 The bishop sprang up, as if he had received a blow. 
 
 u What sayest thou? Glefing wounded? Bring him 
 here ! » 
 
 He was filled with dismay, and could scarcely wait till 
 the man had made his appearance. 
 
 The soldier carried his right arm in a sling, and was 
 pale and weak from loss of blood. 
 
 "Glefing! What hath happened ?" cried the bishop, 
 before the wounded man could utter a word. " Were the 
 Regensteins at Emersleben ? " 
 
 '• Alack, most reverend sir, they are there still." 
 
 " Thou dost not mean to tell me that they have seized 
 the castle ? " 
 
 " Yea, my lord, I do. The five counts came all at once, 
 Count Albrecht at their head, with twenty horsemen and 
 their foot-soldiers from Regenstein, Derenburg, Schwane- 
 beck, and Crottorf, and Bock von Schlanstedt, with his 
 men. The gate was secured, and the bridge drawn up, 
 but before we could raise our cross-bows they were on the 
 walls, and assaulted us with all manner of missiles. At 
 first they gained no advantage, and many of them were 
 shot down, but we were greatly outnumbered, and too hard 
 pressed. When they were once inside the gate, Count 
 Albrecht called to me to surrender, else would he slaughter 
 us all. I refused, and we had a hot scuffle, till I was 
 slashed in the arm, and then all was over. Three of us 
 lay dead, and four wounded. They threw us out, and 
 have strongly garrisoned the castle. Emersleben is again 
 in the hands of the Regensteins." 
 
 The bishop meanwhile sat by the table, his head upon 
 his hand, listening in silence to the governor's report. 
 
 "That is not all, my lord," added Glefing. 
 
38 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 "Hast thou anymore croaking to do, thou bird of ill 
 omen?" 
 
 " Only a message from Count Albrecht. He bade me 
 say, my lord, that the sword greeteth the crosier, and that 
 when one cannot get an honest deed of sale, one must get 
 one's rights as one can." 
 
 "Go to the — leech, and get thy wound dressed," 
 snarled the bishop. 
 
 The man departed, with neither thanks nor farewell, 
 while his master strode to and fro, muttering imprecations 
 against Count von Regenstein. 
 
 At length, somewhat more composed, he said to him- 
 self, — 
 
 "Ah! well! What we have lost in Emersleben we 
 must try to regain in Wegeleben." 
 
 It was late when lie betook himself to rest, and even 
 then he tossed about on his couch a long time before slum- 
 ber came to refresh the wearied brain of the ambitious 
 prelate. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 39 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Indulging in empty threats, and then letting the matter 
 drop, was not Count Albrecht's way. He had said to the 
 abbess that he would first regain Emersleben, and then 
 come to a reckoning with the town of Quedlinburg. He had 
 carried out the first part of his design, and bow he was 
 ready to fulfil the second. He chose for the purpose the 
 day on which the Prince Bernhard, of Anhalt, invested him 
 with the castle and jurisdiction of Gersdorf. 
 
 After the ceremony of feudal investiture had taken place 
 on the spot, according to the customary usages, and 
 Albrecht had installed his brother, Giinther, as castellan 
 of Gersdorf, he rode witli the youngest, Siegfried, and a 
 small body of troopers, directly to Quedlinburg. Near the 
 city stood the municipal strongholds of Tackenburg and 
 Stumsburg, and also the high tree, not far from the stone 
 bridge gate. This was a mighty linden, under which was 
 an old seat of justice, where nobles were tried, and where, 
 in the thirteenth century, division was formally made of 
 the territory of Brunswick between the dukes Albrecht and 
 Johann, the ancestors of the two lines of Brunswick-Liine- 
 burg and Bruns wick- Wolf eubiittel. 
 
 As the riders approached the place, Albrecht's horse be- 
 came unruly, and at first refused to proceed. After some 
 difficulty he forced the beast to go on, saying, at the same 
 time, to Siegfried, — 
 
 "It is passing strange; but Bran seemeth to scent 
 blood, as if he knew how many a brave man had been con- 
 demned to death here. God forbid that a Kegenstein 
 should ever stand accused under this tree ! " 
 
4*0 TEE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " Amen ! " answered Siegfried. " Albrecht, what should 
 put such thoughts into thy head ? " 
 
 "I know not," his brother replied ; "but animals will 
 perceive things of which men divine nought, and I always 
 heed the little dumb signs of horse and dog, trusty com- 
 rades, who seldom deceive us." 
 
 They rode through the massive gateway, the burghers 
 wondering much nt the unexpected visit, and casting sul- 
 len glances at Count Albrecht, albeit they did not fail to 
 salute him as he passed ; but the matrons and maidens 
 admired the two knightly figures, Siegfried especially. 
 The latter went on to Gunteckenburg, where he was to 
 wait for his elder brother. 
 
 Count Albrecht dismounted in the market-place, in front 
 of the council-house, gave his horse to an attendant, and 
 strode up the broad steps, and through the door, over 
 which a great imperial eagle was carved and painted. 
 
 He had ascertained that there was to be a session of the 
 council this afternoon, and it was for that reason that he 
 had come to-day. He pushed the man aside who was 
 about to inform the assembled councillors of his arrival, 
 and entered the hall unannounced, where his sudden 
 appearance caused much surprise. 
 
 " Pardon me, respected sirs, for breaking in upon your 
 weighty deliberations so abruptly, but I wish to speak a 
 few serious words to you in peace and friendship," he 
 began. 
 
 Refusing the chair which the town notary offered him, 
 he continued, in a resolute tone, — 
 
 "Ye know, I ween, burgomasters and council, my 
 opinion regarding the spiritual court set up here in the 
 city by the reverend bishop of Halberstadt ; and in case 
 any of you should be ignorant of it, I say to you, there- 
 fore, that I will not suffer this encroachment upon my pre- 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 41 
 
 rogative any longer. Hath any burgher of your city had 
 injustice done by me? Hath he been denied his rights, or 
 sentenced too severely?" 
 
 " Most noble Count," answered the first burgomaster, 
 " we have not established the spiritual court ; but, as thou 
 hast said thyself, the reverend bishop of Halberstadt." 
 
 "But thou hast tolerated it!" exclaimed the count 
 vehemently, striking the bar in front of the council table 
 with his mailed hand. 
 
 " The bishop hath put a judge here to take cognizance of 
 spiritual matters only, Sir Count," urged the burgomaster. 
 
 " Spiritual or secular," cried the count, " whoever 
 appealeth to the law, priest or layman, must be tried by a 
 legitimate court. Any poor sinner in trouble can sneak to 
 his father confessor, and the bishop may settle all church 
 matters, but I only have the right to administer justice in 
 the Emperor's name ; I or my appointed substitute. Do 
 ye agree to that? Dare ye deny it?" 
 
 "We must admit it," said the burgomaster, after a 
 rapid glance at the assembly, who assented, with a low 
 murmur. 
 
 "Now, then, ye know what ye have to expect," the 
 count went on. U I will fine you three hundred silver 
 marks for every sentence pronounced by any other than 
 my appointed representative. Every burgher of your town 
 will be held responsible ! And now, worthy burgomaster, 
 I request thee to accompany me, with two councillors, to 
 the Franciscan monastery, that w r e may, on the spot, pro- 
 hibit any more intermeddling by the reverend bishop of 
 Halberstadt." % 
 
 What were they to do? The count did not look as if he 
 would wait long, and they well knew how heavy his hand 
 was when it descended in anger upon the town. They 
 dared not exasperate him now. The session was ended , 
 
42 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 and the burgomaster obliged, with two councillors, to fol- 
 low Count Albrecht to the Franciscan monastery. Then 
 two monks were immediately sent to require the presence 
 of the rector of St. Agidien. The Count von Regenstein 
 ordered him, in a few blunt words, to renounce his office 
 of judge, and swear, in God's name, from this time forth, 
 to undertake no case whatever. Upon the priest's refusal, 
 Albrecht threatened to drive him out of the city, and im- 
 prison him in the tower at Regenstein. Then the rector 
 yielded, and took the oath in the presence of the council- 
 lors, the prior, and several of the monks. 
 
 Thereupon the count and his followers rode away, and 
 it was not until he had passed out of the gate that the 
 council and burghers breathed freely once more. It was 
 as if a water-spout had been hanging over the town, por- 
 tending death and destruction, which had now disappeared. 
 Certainly, Count Albrecht did not take with him an in- 
 crease of affection on the part of the Quedlinburgers, but 
 the bishop's spiritual court was at an end, and the count 
 hoped to live awhile in peace. But quiet at Regenstein 
 was not to last long. Bock von Schlanstedt took care of 
 that. 
 
 This worthy, who never took off his armor, and was 
 happy only in the stirrup, burning to look at the newly 
 acquired fortress of Gersdorf , set off thither one day, with 
 his six comrades, and, in the absence of Count Giinther, 
 spent a night there. 
 
 The next morning, wishing to return to Regenstein, the 
 seven took the road which led by Quedlinburg. Bock 
 rode slowly in front, and the othe/s followed at a short 
 distance. Two of the latter had been present the day 
 before at the installation of the bishop, at the count's com- 
 mand, in order that he might learn which of the neighbor- 
 ing nobles had assisted at the ceremonv. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 43 
 
 They now described to their companions the magnifi- 
 cence of the procession through the gayly decorated town, 
 the solemn consecration in the cathedral, and the revels 
 afterward in the episcopal palace and council house. 
 
 44 Holy Virgin ! " cried Nothnagel, " I tell thee there was 
 a display of clothes and armor, jewels and banners ! " 
 
 14 And priests enough, I warrant thee," said Hasenbart. 
 44 1 believe every blessed one came from ten miles around." 
 
 4i And the neighborhood is as full of church lands as a 
 wine- vat of grapes," observed another. 
 
 44 Think ye that many of the nobles who were bidden, 
 stayed away?" 
 
 44 None of our counts were there," replied Nothnagel ; 
 44 neither were the Mansfelds, the Hohnsteins, or the Stol- 
 bergs." 
 
 44 Nor our gracious lady of Quedlinburg," interposed 
 Hasenbart. t4 1 strained my eyes to see her, but she was 
 not there. God knoweth the reason." 
 
 44 Because she doth not approve of the bishop." 
 
 44 lie had much difficulty over his election till he got 
 into the chapter," said Nothnagel. 44 They say, in Hal- 
 berstadt, that the pope is against him." 
 
 44 He is not in the Emperor's good books, either," added 
 another. 
 
 4 k We did not trouble ourselves about him" laughed 
 Hasenbart ; "we caroused to our heart's content." 
 
 44 And drank your fill? " 
 
 44 Yea, brother, that we did. The count put money in 
 our purses, because we wore the Regenstein colors. We 
 made ourselves at home with the council guard, and other 
 good fellows. The bishop's followers were wroth because 
 we would have nothing to say to them." 
 
 So the pair went on telling their adventures. But as 
 they neared Quedlinburg, Bock rode to the top of a hill, 
 
44 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 lying east of the town, and halted there. From this point 
 they could overlook the surrounding country. At their 
 feet lay the many-towered city, behind which rose the 
 castle of the abbess. They also could see the Wiperti 
 monastery and the Gunteckenburg, and in the distance the 
 high mountain ridge, which enclosed the picture like a frame. 
 
 The spot, a u Hun's grave," encircled by a rampart, on 
 the summit of the hill, was called " the Bockshorn." 
 
 The knight reined in his horse, in order to see how near 
 the city he could safely venture without running the risk of 
 capture by the council's men-at-arms ; also to discover any 
 stray cattle or incautious burghers, whose capture might, 
 perhaps, please his master. To judge from their appear- 
 ance, the "Wicked Seven" had not received their title 
 for nothing. Their bold, battered faces, with shaggy hair 
 and bristly beards, their patched-up armor and their ill- 
 conditioned horses gave them a look of losels such as no 
 honest Christian would willingly encounter. Their weap- 
 ons, moreover, did not promise child's play. Stout lances 
 and clumsy swords were most conspicuous, but, in addi- 
 tion, each carried a light cross-bow, with a stout mace 
 slung at the saddle-bow, while their helmets bore marks of 
 many a hard blow. 
 
 Nothing was to be seen which promised booty, so the 
 riders dismounted, and threw themselves upon the ground. 
 After an hour of fruitless waiting, Fenerlein, one of their 
 number, who had been placed as sentry, called out sud- 
 denly,— 
 
 " Sir Knight, there come wayfarers ! " and he pointed, 
 as he spoke, toward Ballenstedt. 
 
 The others were on their feet in a moment, and gazed 
 earnestly in the direction indicated, where they could 
 descry a little group of travellers on horseback. 
 
 " I can count six horses," said Fenerlein. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 45 
 
 " I see only four riders," Hasenbart declared. 
 
 " Thou art right. Two of the horses are pack-horses." 
 
 " Are not the two foremost, women? " asked Bock. 
 
 " Yea, surely," returned Springwolf. 
 
 " But behind ride two men," said Northnagel. 
 
 " The foremost are likewise men," rejoined Hasenbart. 
 
 4 ' Nay, nay, they arc women ! Those behind are men. 
 They have steel helmets, and the women wear mantles." 
 
 So they talked all together, while hastily examining 
 buckles and straps, to see that all was in order for a rapid 
 descent. 
 
 "Two gentlewomen with two pack-horses, and accom- 
 panied by two soldiers. We must find out what this 
 meaneth," said Fenerlein. 
 
 " Now one of them pointeth hither." 
 
 "They see us." 
 
 "Quick!" ordered Bock. "We must catch them. 
 Hasenbart and Gutdiinkel to the right, Fenerlein and 
 Springwolf to the 'left ! Nothnagel with me ! Rupfer, 
 bide here and watch, lest any escort cometh from the city 
 to meet them. Forward ! " 
 
 Instantly they were in the saddle, and dashed off to the 
 right and left, while Bock and Nothnagel galloped directly 
 toward the travellers. 
 
 The latter soon saw that they were surrounded, and the 
 women became frightened. Flight was out of the ques- 
 tion, and when Bock observed that it was not to be 
 attempted, he raised his hand, and his four comrades 
 made their appearance, on either side of the wayfarers, at 
 a little distance, but not offering as yet to lay hands upon 
 them. Bock now slowly approached. 
 
 " Eilika, what shall we do? " asked one of the damsels, 
 in distress. " Shall I give my name, and say that I am 
 on my way to the abbess at the castle, or shall I not?" 
 
46 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " Do not tell thy name, gracious lady!" urged one of 
 the soldiers. 
 
 "My lady! I have a thought," said the maiden ad- 
 dressed as Eilika. ** In our travelling mantles we cannot 
 be distinguished. Let us exchange parts ; I will play the 
 lady, and thou canst be the maid. Perchance this may 
 save us." 
 
 " As thou wilt, Eilika ! " answered the other, with trem- 
 bling voice. " God protect us ! " 
 
 " Veil thyself," whispered the maid. 
 
 Half a bow-shot from the strangers Bock halted, Noth- 
 nagel behind him. The others levelled their cross-bows, 
 and all six eyed the travellers as a wild beast eyes his prey. 
 
 "Courage ! " whispered the maid, half to herself, half to 
 her mistress ; u only boldness will save us. I will use my 
 tongue freely." 
 
 " Halt! " cried Bock, as the party slowly advanced, in 
 apparent unconcern. 
 
 The women reined in their horses, their faces closely 
 veiled. 
 
 u I regret, gentle ladies," said Bock, sarcastically, 
 " that I must incommode ye by taking ye another road. 
 We will ride the same way, if ye will kindly submit to our 
 company ! " 
 
 "Truly, Sir Knight," replied Eilika, in a lofty tone, 
 which sounded quite natural, " peraclventure the roads 
 are not safe from freebooters." 
 
 " Fear not, gracious lady. I will take thee under my 
 protection. Only come with me ! Here, to the right, is 
 the way." 
 
 " What meanest thou, Sir Knight? I think we are close 
 to our journey's end." 
 
 " I will inform thee, my lady, when we are at our jour- 
 ney's end," answered Bock. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. M 
 
 "So we are thy prisoners; defenceless women, Sir 
 Knight! " 
 
 11 1 will not conceal it from thee, gracious lady," Bock 
 replied, with a si iff bow. Then, beckoning his men to 
 him, and pointing to the two soldiers, he said, " Take 
 away their armor and weapons ! " 
 
 This was speedily done, and the cortege turned to the 
 right. Bock rode in front, near the women, who looked 
 mournfully toward the castle which they were leaving 
 farther and farther behind them. 
 
 "Sir Knight," began Eilika again, " I see that we are 
 in thy power, but I trust thou wilt not deny me a re- 
 quest." 
 
 " Surely not, lady, if thou wilt not ask me to leave 
 thee." 
 
 " I have an uncle in Quedlinburg who is anxiously 
 awaiting my coming," Eilika resumed. " He will suffer 
 great uneasiness. At least, permit my maid to return to 
 the city, and carry tidings of me to my dear uncle." 
 
 "An uncle in Quedlinburg ! " exclaimed Bock ; " and to 
 whom thou woulclst send thy waiting-maid? Nay, my 
 lady, I must refuse thy petition. Thou appearest to be a 
 dame who needeth an attendant, and at my lord's castle 
 waiting-maids are not so plenty that thou canst dispense 
 with thine." 
 
 A sigh escaped from the supposed attendant. 
 
 "It is not courteous of thee to refuse, Sir Knight," 
 continued Eilika. 
 
 Bock shrugged his shoulders in silence. 
 
 After they had crossed a shallow part of the Bode, he 
 led his captives in a wide circle around the great meadow 
 called " The Seven Hides of Land," and then over a bridge 
 by the Brunlaken Mill, which belonged to the abbess, and 
 where the knight was too well known for any one to 
 
48 THE RODDER COUNT. 
 
 attempt to free the prisoners. The miller stood in the 
 doorway of the noisy mill, and Bock cried out, — 
 
 " Goo 1 day, Master Krage ! Had I time, I would take 
 a sack of meal." 
 
 " Thy haste suiteth me excellently well, Sir Knight," 
 answered the miller, and Bock rode on, with a laugh. 
 
 As they passed beneath the gallows hill, he said to the 
 maiden, — 
 
 4 ' Look not up, lady ! Unsightly things are swinging 
 up there ! " 
 
 The young women shuddered, and turned away, and 
 after crossing other hills, they came to a level plain, where 
 Rup-fer joined them. The two maidens conversed together 
 in low tones. Finally, Eilika inquired, — 
 
 " What is thy name, Sir Knight? " 
 
 " Bock von Schlanstedt," he replied, with an important 
 air, unconsciously rising in his stirrups. '* Hast thou not 
 heard of me before ? " 
 
 11 God be praised ! Never before, Sir Bock von Schlan- 
 stedt!" rejoined Eilika, humorously. "And thy lord's 
 name?" 
 
 " Count Albrecht von Regenstein ! " exclaimed Bock, 
 still more proudly. 
 
 The pretended waiting-woman made a hasty movement, 
 which might express either gladness or dismay. Evidently, 
 this was a familiar name to her. She threw back her veil, 
 and looked the knight full in the face. 
 
 Bock, somewhat embarrassed, turned to the other. 
 
 " Gracious lady, thine attendant hath unveiled herself. 
 Wilt thou not also uncover thy face ? " 
 
 Eilika laughed, and followed her mistress's example. 
 
 "Likewise fair!" exclaimed Bock. "I should say, 
 still fairer. Most gracious damsels ! I beg to know thy 
 names." 
 
TBM ROBBER COUNT. 49 
 
 14 That we will tell thy lord," replied the supposed maid, 
 with a firmness which so astonished the knight that, for 
 some time, he preserved a thoughtful silence. 
 
 Suddenly, however, he drew up, and said to the captive 
 soldiers, — 
 
 44 Dismount, and be off with ye ! No one will pay a 
 ransom for you. Ye are of no service to us, but your 
 horses we want." 
 
 " We will bide with our mistress," replied one of the 
 men. 
 
 " Make no resistance, but be content that ye escape 
 with your skins. Quick ! Dismount ! " 
 
 The soldiers were obliged to obey, and Bock's followers 
 led the riderless beasts by the bridle, as well as the two 
 pack-horses. 
 
 44 Greet the dear uncle in Quedlinburg for me," Bock 
 called, in a jeering tone, after the crestfallen men, who 
 were obliged to trudge homeward on foot as best they 
 might. 
 
 The others journeyed onward. Not far from Regen- 
 stein they met a fellow, who stood stock still beside the 
 road, gazing at the procession. He evidently knew the 
 captive maidens, for he cried out, — 
 
 44 A lucky catch for thee, Sir Bock! What a ransom 
 thou wilt get ! " 
 
 44 The devil take thee, old bone-bag ! " answered Bock, 
 as he rode on, very well satisfied with himself. 
 
 In the afternoon, 4 'The Wicked Seven," with their 
 prisoners, passed over the drawbridge, and through the 
 gateway of castle Regenstein. 
 
50 THE BOBBER COUNT- 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 On the self -same day the six brothers were gathered 
 together in the castle of Regenstein. Ulrich, the third 
 canon of Hildesheim, was visiting Bernhard, the only mar- 
 ried brother. Poppo, who commanded the fortress of 
 Crottorf , had come to Regenstein with Giinther, while the 
 youngest, Siegfried, still dwelt with Albrecht in the castle 
 where he was born. 
 
 They had talked much of the events which had recently 
 transpired in the Hartz country, but it was not for that 
 they had come together. What had brought them here 
 was the anniversary of the death of their father, Count 
 Ulrich, who had been an example to them of all knightly 
 virtues, and they solemnly observed it, as they always 
 had observed that of their mother's early death. About 
 half-way between Regenstein and Heimburg stood the 
 retired monastery of Michaelstein, in a lovely wooded 
 glen. It was founded in the twelfth century by Beatrix 
 of Quedlinburg, and about sixty years before, a Count 
 Ulrich von Regenstein had been abbot of the monastery, 
 where the mortal remains of generations of this family 
 now repose. 
 
 There it was, in the little gray stone church, that the 
 worthy abbot said a solemn mass for the deceased count, 
 and there the six brothers, with Reginhild, Bernhard's wife, 
 knelt before their parents' tombs. Behind their masters 
 knelt also their trusty retainers, and in the background 
 were the gray-headed abbot and his monks, who stood with 
 folded hands silently regarding the devotions of the 
 family. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 51 
 
 The memorial stones of their parents were set upright 
 in the wall, with that of the youngest son Otto, the last 
 name in the long ancestral line. On each stone was 
 carved a life-size effigy, bordered by an inscription. Count 
 Ulrich was represented in full armor ; in the right hand a 
 helmet, with crest and mantling, and in the left the small 
 triangular shield, and, like his wife, he was represented 
 standing upon a hound. Countess Bia was clothed in 
 long, flowing robes, with a band wound around the head 
 and chin, and in the folded hands she held a wreath of 
 roses. 
 
 The peaceful garden and graveyard of the monks lay 
 half in shadow, half in morning sunshine, which lighted 
 up the pillars of the cloister, and cast sloping shadows 
 across its stone floor. From the garden came the fra- 
 grance of spring, and violets bloomed among the graves. 
 Deep silence reigned everywhere ; one only heard now and 
 then the low clink of sword or spur. 
 
 Finally, Count Albrecht made a movement. He offered 
 the kneeling Reginhild his hand, and they rose, the others 
 following their example. They passed slowly through the 
 cloister, accompanied by the monks, chanting as they 
 went, to the monastery gates, and there, mounting their 
 horses, the procession returned to Regenstein. 
 
 At the mid-day meal, as the brothers sat around the 
 hospitable board of the eldest, they talked of the departed 
 father, recalling his words and deeds, and swearing to fol- 
 low in his footsteps, to maintain the power he had left 
 them, and in sorrow and in joy to stand by one another till 
 death. 
 
 The little circle around the table in the paved hall, 
 whose walls were decorated with stags' antlers and other 
 spoils of the chase, and the armor and weapons of de- 
 ceased ancestors, presented an attractive picture. 
 
52 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 There sat six brave men, whose every movement be- 
 trayed conscious strength and self-reliance, with one 
 young and gracious woman in their midst. Bernhard, the 
 second brother, stood faithfully b}^ Albrecht in the govern- 
 ment of the earldom, and his wise counsel was of great 
 value in restraining the vehemence of the elder. The 
 third, Ulrich, who had not entered the church of his own 
 choice, but to gratify the wish of his mother, found it 
 difficult to hide his chivalrous bearing beneath the canon's 
 robe, and to renounce the knightly exercises to which he 
 had from childhood been accustomed. The other three, 
 Poppo, Giinther, Siegfried, were young giants, whose 
 faces already spoke of manly confidence. Siegfried, who 
 was but twenty, was handsome and impetuous, the favor- 
 ite of all who knew him, especially of all women. A 
 sunny atmosphere seemed to surround him, and one could 
 readily see, by looking at the lad, what a warm and daunt- 
 less heart beat within his youthful breast. 
 
 After the meal was finished, Poppo and Giinther took 
 the chess-board, while Siegfried seated himself in the deep 
 recess of the window, talking merrily with Reginhild, and 
 the three elder brothers remained at the table engaged in 
 earnest conversation. 
 
 Ulrich told them that a friendly canon of Halberstadt 
 had recently made him a visit, and repeated some threat- 
 ening expressions on the part of the bishop, which indi- 
 cated far-reaching designs for checking the power of the 
 Regensteins. 
 
 "I can well believe it," observed Albrecht; " the 
 Einersleben affair sitteth ill on his stomach.. Dost thou 
 learn of anything definite?" 
 
 " Nay ; I could learn nothing further from my friend. 
 It appeareth to me that something is on foot between my 
 lord bishop and the town of Quedlinburg." 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 53 
 
 " It would not surprise me if the two leagued together 
 against us," said Albrecht. "The bishop is striving in 
 every way to increase his power, in order to limit ours." 
 
 11 Couldst thou not discover something from the two 
 Quedlinburgers whom thou hast in the keep?" asked 
 Bernhard. 
 
 "I set them at liberty this morning, in honor of the 
 day. But they knew nothing, I am sure." 
 
 ** What shalt thou do, in face of the strong fortification 
 which the bishop is erecting in Wegeleben ? " Bernhard 
 inquired. 
 
 Albrecht was silent. 
 
 "Would it not be wise to strengthen Harlseben and 
 Ditf urt, so as to render Wegeleben harmless ? " asked the 
 canon. 
 
 " Nay," said Albrecht, " I know something better than 
 that." 
 
 The brothers looked at him expectantly, and he con- 
 tinued, — 
 
 "We must get possession of Lauenburg ! " 
 
 " Lauenburg ! " repeated Bernhard, amazed. " Albrecht, 
 we have hardly got our hands upon Gersdorf ! And they 
 begrudge us that, moreover ! " 
 
 " And — the abbess ? " asked Ulrich. 
 
 " She hath promised me not to dispose of Lauenburg 
 without my knowledge." 
 
 " And if she doth not keep her word? " suggested Bern- 
 hard. 
 
 " Jutta always keepeth her word," said Albrecht, posi- 
 tively. 
 
 " He cannot help knowing, Bernhard, how his beautiful 
 friend regardeth him," laughed the canon " I count upon 
 seeing her yet mistress of Regenstein." 
 
 " Urge me not, Ulrich ! I am not made for wooing and 
 
51 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 wedding," said Albrecht. "It is my place to uphold and 
 extend our power in the land ; Bernhard hath already 
 taken care that our house shall not become extinct, and 
 there are three more to hand down our name," he added, 
 glanctng at his younger brothers. 
 
 Ulrich and Bernhard smiled at each other, but said 
 nothing, and Albrecht went on to explain the importance 
 of Lauenburg, and the necessity of possessing it in fief. 
 
 Meanwhile, in the window, Reginhild, with a smiling 
 face, was listening to her young brother-in-law's enthusi- 
 astic account of a tournament in Ballenstedt, where he 
 had been dubbed knight by Prince Bernhard, and had 
 been crowned by a fair maiden. It was a green wreath 
 of oak and ivy leaves, wound with a gold-embroidered 
 band, and made by the same maidenly hand which placed 
 it on his blond head, as he knelt down for the purpose. 
 Now it hung, sear and brown, in Siegfried's bedchamber, 
 beside his couch, so that his first glance in the morning 
 might fall upon this modest token of victor}', and in his 
 heart a great longing had arisen to see again the lovely 
 giver. 
 
 " Dark brown hair and clear blue eyes ! Reginhild, thou 
 hast never seen any one so wonderfully beautiful," Sieg- 
 fried exclaimed, enthusiastically. 
 
 " And hast thou never seen the maiden since? " 
 
 " Nay," sighed the youth, looking sadly at his sister-in- 
 law. 
 
 " But why hast thou not long ago ridden to her father's 
 castle ? " 
 
 " Alas ! I know not her name, nor where shedwelleth." 
 
 " Hast thou asked no one? " 
 
 44 Nay, Reginhild ; but dost thou know what I would 
 wish to do ? " 
 
 "What is it, Siegfried?" 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 55 
 
 " Mount my horse and ride through the whole Hartz 
 country, from castle to castle, till I found her." 
 
 u And what wouldst thou do then? " 
 
 " Then? Why, I would kneel before her again, and 
 look into the clear eyes of my lily once more." 
 
 " Thy lily?" 
 
 11 1 call her so," said the youth, blushing, " because I 
 know not her real name, and because she looked like a 
 lily." 
 
 " How old is she? " asked Reginhild, in order that she 
 might learn some further particulars about the fair un- 
 known. 
 
 u A year or two younger than I," answered Siegfried. 
 11 1 can see her now, — but she hath long since forgotten 
 me ! " 
 
 i4 Who knoweth, Siegfried? Who knoweth?" laughed 
 his sister. " We must seek for her, till we have found 
 her." 
 
 Then she named the maidens of the noble families in 
 the surrounding country, but in vain. None of Regin- 
 hild's descriptions corresponded with the image which 
 Siegfried carried in his heart. The blue eyes and the 
 dark hair together gave them especial trouble, and Regin- 
 hild was even obliged to confess that she could not swear 
 to the color of the eyes of her best friend. 
 
 " Checkmate ! " Giinther suddenly called out so loudly 
 that the pair in the window started, and the elder brothers 
 turned around and gazed at the two hot-headed chess- 
 players. 
 
 " Checkmate ! checkmate ! " repeated the victor. " Now 
 thou must give me the sparrow-hawk ! I can use it at 
 Gersdorf." 
 
 u Thou shalt have it!" laughed Poppo, and while he 
 spoke, Bock von Schlanstedt entered the hall. 
 
56 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 "Ha! Bock, where hast thou been hiding?'* cried 
 Count Albrecht to his vassal. 
 
 " I have been lying over night at the fortress of Gers- 
 dorf, Sir Count,'' answered the knight, " and returned 
 by way of Quedlinburg, bringing with me two captives 
 and six horses." 
 
 " Captives ! " The count shook his head. u Let them 
 go ! I want no captives to-day." 
 
 " They are ladies." 
 
 " Indeed ! " laughed the count ; " thou must be out of 
 thy senses, Bock, to bring gentlewomen here, to be a bur- 
 den upon our hands." 
 
 " It is a high-born damsel, with her waiting- woman, Sir 
 Count," answered Bock ; " and Hinze Habernack told me 
 that there would be a large ransom paid for her at Qued- 
 linburg, and he ought to know." 
 
 " What is the maiden's name?" 
 
 " She said she would only tell thee that." 
 
 " It is hardly worth my while to hear it," returned the 
 count. " Bring her to me ! " 
 
 The knight opened the door and beckoned, and the 
 maiden entered. Without deigning to cast a look upon 
 Bock, she swept proudly by, while he stood aside with a 
 long face. 
 
 She courtesied gracefully, blushing a little at the pres- 
 ence of so many men, and gazed at the only other woman 
 present, as though invoking her aid. 
 
 Siegfried seized Reginhild's hand, and held it so tightly 
 that the pressure was painful to her. He seemed rooted 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 57 
 
 to the spot, and stared at the charming figure of the new- 
 comer with open eyes. She had the complexion of a lily, 
 and her hair was dark, though her eyes were blue. 
 
 Count Albrecht arose, and said, politely, — 
 
 " Mistress, thou hast been captured without my knowl- 
 edge or aut hority. Be not uneasy ; thou shalt be treated 
 with all respect. How shall we address thee ? " 
 
 14 Countess Oda von Falkenstein, sister of the Count 
 Hoyer," answered the maiden, with dignity. 
 
 Gestures and ejaculations of astonishment followed 
 this announcement, and Bock appeared visibly alarmed. 
 
 Count Albrecht glanced at the knight sternly, and cried, 
 
 " The Countess of Falkenstein my prisoner ! It cannot 
 be ! " 
 
 But at this moment Siegfried sprang forward with a 
 glowing face, exclaiming, — 
 
 " Albrecht, I know the gracious countess ; it was she 
 who placed the crown upon my head at Ballenstedt." 
 
 Oda bowed to him slightly. 
 
 " Verily? I will make thee, then, her knight and pro- 
 tector ! " answered Albrecht. " Thou must be answerable 
 for her well-being." 
 
 A look of gratitude beamed from the eyes of the young- 
 est brother. 
 
 " Be seated, noble Countess," continued Albrecht, " and 
 pardon the mistake of my vassal. Those whom thou 
 seest here are my brothers, and this is Countess Regin- 
 hild, my brother Bernhard's wife. To-morrow, Siegfried 
 shall safely conduct thee whithersoever thou wilt." 
 
 Reginhild approached Oda, and taking her hand, spoke 
 kindly to her, and offered her refreshment. "We spoke 
 of thee but now," Reginhild said. " How singular ! " 
 
 14 Of me!" repeated Oda. 
 
 " Yea," interrupted Siegfried. " I was recounting my 
 
58 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 adventures at the tournament to the Countess Reginhild, 
 but as I did not know thy name, I only called thee ' the 
 lily.'" 
 
 "The lily!" repeated the brothers, thinking how well 
 the epithet suited Oda's appearance. 
 
 " Art thou journeying, mistress?'' inquired Albrecht. 
 
 "I was on the way to the abbess of Quedlinburg," 
 said Oda, gradually recovering confidence, " when I met 
 the knight, and — " 
 
 " To the abbess ? " interrupted the count. " Then thou 
 art doubly under my protection, for I am her champion, as 
 thou perchance knowest." 
 
 " Who doth not know it, Count? " asked Oda, demurely. 
 
 " Is the abbess awaiting thee?" 
 
 " Yea, — I go to remain with her." 
 
 ' ' To remain ! Wouldst thou take the veil ? " 
 
 " My brother bade me choose between the convent of 
 Walbeck and that of Quedlinburg." 
 
 " Thy brother hath given thee only this choice," replied 
 Albrecht, astonished. "Count Hoyer is childless, and 
 thou art the heiress of the earldom of Falkenstein." 
 
 '•I am the heiress," said Oda, "but — thou mayst 
 as well know it, Count, for it cannot be kept secret much 
 longer. My brother is about to make over the earldom to 
 the bishop of Halberstadt." 
 
 " What sayest thou? To the bishop? Bernhard ! dost 
 thou hear that?" cried the count, beside himself with 
 amazement and indignation. He had risen from his seat, 
 and was striding backward and forward. 
 
 " Hast thou relinquished it of thine own free will? " he 
 asked. 
 
 Oda shook her head, and sighed. 
 
 " Countess Oda," resumed Albrecht, after a short pause, 
 " I will not release thee, after all ! But I, Albrecht von 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 59 
 
 Regensteio, and all my brothers who stand here, will hold 
 thee to thy rights. The bishop have the earldom of Falk- 
 enstein ! Never, so long as I can wield a sword ! " 
 
 All the brothers echoed his sentiments, loudly and res- 
 olutely. 
 
 " Now I thank thee for thy capture, Bock," the count 
 went on. " Say to Ursula that she must prepare the 
 chamber of our blessed mother for the Countess Oda." 
 
 " Hold ! That is my affair ! " cried Siegfried, joyfully, 
 and hastened away to give his brother's orders. 
 
 So Countess Oda remained at Regenstein. Reginhild 
 wished to take the young countess with her to Heimburg, 
 instead of leaving her under the same roof with her un- 
 married brothers-in-law. But Albrecht declared that this 
 unexpected turn of affairs might be of great consequence 
 to him in his struggle with the bishop. The latter would 
 doubtless use every means to get Oda into his power, in 
 order to force her to give up her inheritance. She would 
 be much safer within impregnable Regenstein than in the 
 less strongly fortified Heimburg, and with her in his keep- 
 ing he had some reason for disputing the earldom with the 
 covetous bishop. And that would he do, come what 
 might. The conflict with the prelate was unavoidable, 
 and the sooner it came, the better. 
 
 Reginhild and her husband altogether agreed with him 
 in this view of the matter, and the former, on Siegfried's 
 account, also desisted from further remonstrance. 
 
 Count Albrecht allowed some days to elapse, until he 
 thought his captive had become quite at her ease, before 
 he sought a conversation with her, during which he learnt 
 the following facts; that is, such of them as were not 
 already known to him. 
 
 Oda's eldest brother had died childless, and thereupon 
 the second Count Hoyer, who was then a canon in Hal- 
 
60 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 berstadt, took the earldom, and married, but had no chil- 
 dren. The superstitious devotee and still more his wife, 
 Margaret, an austere, melancholy woman, considered their 
 failure of is^ue as a chastisement from Heaven, to which 
 they must bow ; and Oda seemed almost to think that 
 some secret crime weighed upon her brother's conscience, 
 urging him to the cession of his estates to the church. 
 
 He had therefore resolved, for his soul's salvation, to re- 
 linquish his earldom to the church. He had thereupon 
 offered it to the bishop, in consideration of an annuity 
 and preferment in Halberstadt, and the latter had pressed 
 him to make an immediate conveyance of it. This Count 
 Hoyer refused, agreeing that the transfer should be made, 
 however, upon.. his wife's death. 
 
 Nevertheless, Oda was not disposed to reproach her 
 brother. He had always treated her kindly, and was 
 unable to conceal his disinclination to disinherit her. But 
 with his wife it was different. Margaret's cold nature 
 continually repelled the young girl, who felt herself sim- 
 ply in the way of the loveless woman. 
 
 For this reason, Oda had not shed many tears at her 
 departure from her father's castle, the lordly fortress of 
 Falkenstein, which overlooked the green woods and mead- 
 ows of the Selke valley, although she knew what she was 
 leaving, and that she was leaving it forever. As a per- 
 manent abode she had chosen the free convent of Qued- 
 linburg rather than that of Walbeck, so that she should 
 not be forced to renounce the world absolutely. 
 
 It was in Count Albrecht's room, in the upper part of 
 the castle, that this interview with Oda took place. The 
 windows were glazed and it had a huge chimney, but was 
 meagrely furnished. Albrecht sat in a large oaken arm- 
 chair with a straight back, and opposite to him sat the 
 Countess Oda. He had placed a shaggy bear-skin under 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 61 
 
 her feet, the only covering of the stone floor. The 
 lime-washed walls were bare and unadorned ; a rudely 
 painted crucifix, with a withered branch stuck behind it, 
 hung over the great oaken table, upon which stood an 
 earthen-ware inkstand and a water- jug and drinking-cup. 
 Besides these, a reed pen, some parchment, a pair of spurs, 
 and a hunting-horn lay on the table, also a Saxon law 
 book, which Count von Regenstein, as administrator of 
 the law, must possess. An old shrine, a' carved chest, 
 and two wooden benches, upon which lay all sorts of 
 hunting gear and weapons, completed the furniture. In 
 the corner stood a long sword. 
 
 From the windows the count could look far and wide 
 over the country, and could see the abbess's castle, toward 
 which he often glanced, as if he felt bound, as Jutta's 
 champion, to guard her with a watchful eye. Then her 
 image would come before him in its seductive beauty, and 
 drive away the recollection of her wilful caprices, which 
 had so often vexed him. 
 
 It now occurred to him, as he talked with Oda, how 
 strange it was that this young creature should be sitting 
 opposite to him in his lonely castle, confiding to him her 
 simple story, which aroused all his indignation anew. He 
 promised the young countess to visit her brother immedi- 
 ately, and endeavor, if possible, to make him alter his 
 purpose, though Oda shook her head hopelessly at the 
 suggestion. 
 
 She had resigned herself to seek a new home at the 
 castle of Quedlinburg, with its youthful abbess, and to 
 forget her lost inheritance, and now suddenly all was 
 changed. She had been carried to Regenstein as a cap- 
 tive of the all-powerful count, who nevertheless treated 
 her with the tenderest consideration, and was even about 
 to take steps for the recovery of her patrimony. It had 
 
62 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 all seemed like a dream, and she had not been able to rid 
 herself of a vague fear. But now, when she looked into 
 Albrecht's honest eyes, and listened to his earnest voice, 
 she felt a growing confidence in the man whom she had 
 been wont to regard only with timorous admiration. 
 
 For she had met him two years before, at a great hunt 
 at Falkenstein, when his noble figure and stately bearing 
 made an indelible impression upon her. She had not seen 
 him again until the occasion of the tournament at Ballen- 
 stedt, but she heard of him constantly, for his name was 
 in every mouth. Some spoke of him with envy, some 
 with fear, but all united in praise of his courage. He had 
 been the hero of the tournament, the cynosure of a thou- 
 sand eyes. Among this multitude, he, naturally, had not 
 noticed Oda any more than at the hunt at Falkenstein, 
 and for that reason he had not recognized the young 
 countess when she was brought to him as his prisoner. 
 And why should he? He, the great Count von Regen- 
 stein, and she, a maiden who had grown up in modest 
 retirement, for whom no knight had ever broken lance ! 
 
 And now she was his captive, perhaps for many a day, 
 and she could not in her heart wish it otherwise. This 
 was not an accident, nor was she the sport of destiny ; it 
 was the decree of fate, in which she silently acquiesced, 
 tranquilly awaiting what the future held in store for her. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 63 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 The appearance of Count Albrecht's room was very 
 different indeed from that of his young guest. And this 
 was owing to his brother Siegfried. Everything that the 
 latter could find of furniture or decoration, in the unused 
 rooms of the rambling castle, he had carried to Oda's 
 chamber, with old Ursula's assistance, and in some cases 
 in spite of her protestations. Thus the chamber grad- 
 ually assumed a habitable appearance, though fitted up 
 somewhat heterogeneous^. 
 
 Carpets lay upon the floor, and faded tapestries were 
 suspended from the walls. On a press, between two 
 earthen vessels, stood a stuffed wood grouse and a carved 
 image of the Virgin. Siegfried had procured some chairs 
 covered with stamped leather, and embroidered foot- 
 stools ; he had hung upon the chimney a beautifully made 
 suit of woman's armor, and stuck peacock's feathers all 
 about the polished metal mirror which had been his moth- 
 er's. Upon the table he placed a lute and an old yellow 
 copy of M Reinhart Fuchs," by Heinrich dem Gliche- 
 siire. 
 
 Oda smiled and Eilika laughed, when they saw these 
 preparations for alleviating their imprisonment. They 
 knew also whom they had to thank, for had they not seen 
 Siegfried going hither and thither, his arms full of a 
 strange medley of things, some of which, fortunately, 
 there was no place for? But Oda was touched by his 
 friendly zeal, and determined to thank the young knight. 
 
 One day Albrecht was obliged to ride over to his fort- 
 ress of Botfeld, at Elbingerode, and Oda remained with 
 
64 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 Siegfried. He asked her if she would not like to see the 
 castle, as he would gladly show it to her. She accepted 
 his proposal, and they proceeded to ascend the highest 
 ledge of rocks, whence the whole fortress was seen to 
 advantage. 
 
 The broad ridge of the hill, which was an enormous 
 mass of rocks partly covered with trees, and falling off 
 precipitously to the north and west, was like a gigantic 
 stairway, every step of which had its own fortification, 
 which, with the buildings attached to it, were partly con- 
 structed and partly hollowed out of the native stone. The 
 most important part of the castle was hewn from the solid 
 rock, and contained large halls and chambers, with walls 
 of great thickness, and arched doors and windows. 
 
 The whole mass of buildings, with its ponderous con- 
 struction, its towers, houses, gardens, and court-yards, 
 appearing to Oda helplessly intricate, and therefore even 
 greater and more fantastic than in reality it was, was sur- 
 rounded by impregnable walls, to make the circuit of 
 which required no little time. 
 
 Properly speaking, Regenstein was not so much a fort- 
 ress as a collection of fortresses, which, in its size and 
 strength, and the beauty and security of its position, was 
 well-nigh unequalled. 
 
 Siegfried led Oda to the highest point of the dizzy 
 precipice, holding her fast by the hand. " See, Countess 
 Oda ; the cliff is eight hundred feet high on this side," said 
 he, ''* and if a man passeth by below, he looketh no larger 
 than a rook. Within these walls we are safe from all 
 assaults ; nothing comes here that cannot fly." 
 
 Oda grasped Siegfried's hand more tightly, and looked 
 down the sheer descent from the outermost wall. 
 
 " Now turn thy head," he continued. " Only there, 
 toward Blankenburg, is it possible to scale the hill ; but on 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 65 
 
 that side also the crags defend us, as well as solid walls, 
 and the only passage hath double gates, beyond which is 
 the drawbridge crossing the moat. That is the way thou 
 earnest hither. Hast thou ever seen a stronghold like this 
 one?" 
 
 "Never!" exclaimed Oda, marvelling greatly at what 
 she beheld. 
 
 " Dost thou not feel here secure and well guarded? " 
 
 " Truly," laughed she, " there is no chance to run 
 away." 
 
 " Now, there," continued Siegfried, " against the 
 rock, is what we call the upper castle, where we dwell 
 with our guests ; and those two windows, where the cur- 
 tains are fluttering, are thine. There are the great hall, 
 the armory, and stables. On the right, lower down, near 
 the orchard, the soldiers and serving-men dwell, and hard 
 by are the barns and storehouses. Yonder, on that naked 
 crag, are small dwellings formed almost entirely of the 
 solid rock. One of them is occupied by our trustiest 
 follower, the Knight Bock von Schlanstedt, to whom we 
 owe infinite thanks, Countess Oda. He hath chosen the 
 cavern him-elf, and furnished it to suit his fancy. Rusty 
 weapons, strange articles of plunder, and tender love- 
 tokens are there preserved, as priceless treasures, and he 
 hath some wonderful story to tell about each." 
 
 11 Can one see them?" asked Oda. 
 
 " Thou wouldst make him proud, if thou shouldst visit 
 him in his hermitage. But come now, Countess Oda, I 
 will show thee the best of all." 
 
 " Let us linger here for a little," she pleaded, " and 
 enjoy this scene." 
 
 The view from this point was certainly wonderful. 
 They could see towns and villages, castles and citadels, 
 the peaks of the nearer hills, and the distant mountain 
 
66 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 chain, and she could not feast her eves enough upon the 
 magnificent picture. 
 
 " And how grand Regenstein itself looketh from all the 
 points which we now see," Siegfried said, with pride. 
 " From Ballenstedt, Quedlinburg Castle, Lauenburg, and 
 from the Hartz hills yonder, its rocky mass standeth out 
 alone, seeming to guard and govern the surrounding 
 country." 
 
 Oda listened with interest, and it evidently gave the 
 young knight much pleasure to point out and explain 
 everything to her. 
 
 4 ' What dost thou call this nearest hill, between us and 
 Halberstadt ? " asked she. 
 
 " That is the Hoppelberg," answered Siegfried. " Dost 
 thou see the towers over there ? " 
 
 Oda nodded. 
 
 " That is the bishop's fortress of Langenstein ; no 
 friendly neighbor of ours. The peak to the right is called 
 the Helmet Rock. A good name for it, is it not? " 
 
 Oda nodded again, lost in admiration of the scene. 
 
 "And that is Heimburg, where tlry brother Bernhard 
 dwelleth?" she asked, presently. " Thou couldst almost 
 beckon to him from here.' , 
 
 " In sooth we often do," answered Siegfried. " We 
 greet each other with banners and pennons, and make 
 preconcerted signals, which we readily understand." 
 
 " And directly behind is the Brocken. How imposing 
 its great dome is! Oh! Count Siegfried, I had never 
 imagined that the outlook from Regenstein was so beauti- 
 ful ! " 
 
 Siegfried's face beamed, and as they stood side by side 
 for a while in silent enjoyment, a fresh breeze blew from 
 the hill- tops, and played with his thick blond locks. 
 White clouds sailed overhead, and threw their swiftly 
 
THE BOBBER COUNT. 67 
 
 moving shadows upon the fields far below, and the tender 
 green of the oaks and birches. From the forest came the 
 note of the jay, and in the quiet valley beneath sounded 
 the bells of the Michaelstein monastery. Within the 
 walls they could look down upon the serving-men and 
 maids engaged in all sorts of work. It was a scene of 
 busy activity, and gave an air of domesticity to the inte- 
 rior of this vast establishment, where nothing was intended 
 to gratify the sense of beauty, but all was built for strength 
 and durability. 
 
 " What is that sound of hammering that seemeth to 
 come from within the rock?" asked Oda, listening. 
 
 " Follow me, Countess Oda, and I will show thee," 
 said Siegfried. 
 
 They went up and down steps, and finally came to sev- 
 eral rows of curious rock chambers, resembling a gigantic 
 dove cote. They all had large openings for light and air, 
 a low parapet in front, and seats hewn out of the stone, 
 and sleeping-places and horses' cribs, many being con- 
 nected by narrow passages. Perhaps these caverns dated 
 back to the first settlement on the Regenstein, — "the 
 rock of the Regino," that is, of the ruler or chief, — and 
 had been inhabited by a wild race that far surpassed their 
 descendants in strength and daring. Now, they served 
 partly as prisons, partly as storehouses, and in time of 
 war as places of shelter from foes encamped below. Out 
 of one of these proceeded the sound of hammering, for it 
 was used as a smithy, and the smiths were hard at work, 
 while a fire burned on the hearth, under a chimney cut in 
 the rock. 
 
 Oda was astonished at these concealed chambers, form- 
 ing in themselves a fortress much more enduring than that 
 which had been built artificially. The latter might some 
 day disappear as it had appeared, through the agency of 
 
68 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 human hands, but the other must endure as long as the 
 world itself. 
 
 Siegfried and Oda seated themselves upon a window- 
 ledge in one of these cool grottos commanding a view of 
 the forest beneath, in which here and there could be seen 
 open glades and glimpses of winding roads. 
 
 " Is it not a strange decree of fate, Countess Oda," 
 began Siegfried, " that has brought thee here as the cap- 
 tive of one who once knelt at thy feet?" 
 
 " Thou art right," she answered. " I little foresaw it, 
 when I placed the green wreath upon thy head." 
 
 11 And I never knew thy name, but thine image was im- 
 printed upon my memory. I should have known thee 
 amongst a thousand, and often I would have ridden 
 through the land seeking thee, had I followed my own 
 heart." 
 
 "It made me happy, also," replied she. 
 
 11 Truly? " he exclaimed, with a radiant face. 
 
 "Yea," she said, simply ; " we maidens who sat to- 
 gether envied the princess who bestowed upon thy noble 
 brother Albrecht the first prize. Then the herald came, 
 and allowed us to cast lots to decide who should give the 
 wreath to the victorious esquire, ' likewise a Regenstein,' 
 said he. The lot fell upon me, and I was very proud of 
 it." 
 
 " I have it still, Countess Oda." 
 
 "One should always preserve a tournament prize," she 
 answered. " How many thy brother Albrecht must 
 have!" 
 
 " Albrecht ! truly he hath ! But where canst thou find 
 one who is able to ride or tilt like my brother ! He is fit 
 to sit at King Arthur's round-table ! " 
 
 " I believe it, I believe it," said Oda, quickly. " Tell 
 me about him, Count Siegfried ; I know so little of all 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 69 
 
 he hath done, but what I do know is to his honor and 
 glory." 
 
 " Ob ! how rejoiced I am that thou lovest my brother ! 
 And, by all the saints, he deserveth it, Countess Oda ! " 
 
 The girl was startled by his words, and her face became 
 suffused with blushes. She looked down in silence. 
 
 " He is our shield and head," continued Siegfried, en- 
 thusiastically. " What were this stronghold without him? 
 A desert rock ! The horse that he rideth, the sword in his 
 hand, seem to gain something of his spirit, and become a 
 part of him ! " 
 
 Oda looked at the speaker with glowing eyes. 
 
 M I think of all thy brothers thou bearest most resem- 
 blance to him." 
 
 " Dost thou indeed think so?" laughed he ; and now it 
 was his turn to redden. •• Perchance in the face, but I 
 shall never be such a man as he," he added, modestly. 
 
 "There I differ from thee, Count Siegfried," she replied, 
 in a friendly tone. " Thou wilt win many another prize 
 yet." 
 
 u If I could only receive them from thy hand ! " 
 
 " When thou deservest one, and I have one to give, 
 be sure that I will give it to thee ! " she answered, smiling. 
 
 A red butterfly now flew in through the window open- 
 ing, and fluttered about Oda's head. 
 
 M See ! " said she, u a winged herald of the spring hath 
 scaled your castle ; against such ye are defenceless." 
 
 " It hath discovered the most beautiful flower that the 
 spring hnth brought us," he answered. 
 
 "Thou art a flatterer, Count Siegfried," laughed she, 
 rising. "Such words ill suit these gray walls, and still 
 less the ear of a poor captive." 
 
 "Which of us is the captive?" he asked, without 
 moving. But she had walked on a few steps, and made 
 no answer. 
 
70 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " Stay ! " he cried, and sprang up. " Let me go be- 
 fore thee ; the descent is steep and difficult." 
 
 She allowed him to precede her, and followed him down 
 the steps, with her hand resting on his shoulder. With 
 delight he felt the soft pressure. At the foot they came 
 to the dark opening of a shaft, which seemed to lead into 
 the heart of the rock. As Oda noticed the subterranean 
 passage, Siegfried observed, — 
 
 "It is almost filled up, and we never use it. It is 
 called the Knights-templars' dungeon, and — I cannot tell 
 thee why." 
 
 He knew well, but he did not wish to tell her, and she 
 asked no questions. 
 
 " Now I will show thee my birds," said he ; " and thou 
 shalt see the side of Regenstein which is least invincible, 
 that thou mayst know how safe thou art here in case they 
 should, perchance, try to take thee away from us by 
 force." 
 
 "I promise thee not to go if I can help it," she an- 
 swered, with a playful glance. 
 
 He led her over green turf and through shrubbery, and 
 her astonishment increased as she saw the vast extent of 
 the fortress, and beheld the moss and ivy covered rocks, 
 walls, and towers which made the approach, even on the 
 weakest side, so difficult. 
 
 " This is my falconry," said he, when they finally came 
 to the bird-house, with a space in front of it enclosed by 
 a wire netting, where the birds were ; " would it give thee 
 pleasure to go out hawking with me ? " 
 
 11 Great pleasure, Count Siegfried ! " 
 
 " Good ! we will go immediately ! " 
 
 A cheerful blast of the warder's horn now sounded. 
 
 " Albrecht hath returned!" cried Siegfried. "Shall 
 we go to meet him ? " 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 71 
 
 Oda nodded assent, and they hastened to the gate, 
 where they arrived just as Count Albrecht, on horseback, 
 emerged from the dark archway. He dismounted, patted 
 his horse, and said, " Go, Brauner ; thou knowest thy 
 way ! " and the beast went quietly to the stables. 
 
 Albrecht looked at the two blooming young faces before 
 him with evident pleasure. 
 
 41 What are ye doing here? " he asked. 
 
 " I have been showing our captive her prison," replied 
 Siegfried, reddening. 
 
 41 Art thou contented with thy jailer, Countess Oda?" 
 laughed Albrecht. 
 
 "Thou couldst not have given me a kinder one, Sir 
 Count," she answered, with a friendly glance at Siegfried, 
 which he returned. 
 
 Albrecht saw it, and smiled to himself, as they followed 
 him to the upper castle. 
 
 A happy thought flashed across his mind : Siegfried and 
 Oda ! Both united for life, and the earldom of Falkenstein 
 added to the Regenstein territory ! And before he went 
 to sleep that night, the thought had ripened into a settled 
 purpose. 
 
72 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 At Regenstein there was now a constant going and com- 
 ing of mounted messengers. Count Albrecht wrote to the 
 bishop in the most forcible terms, stating that under no 
 circumstances would. he suffer the annexation of Falken- 
 stein to the Episcopal See, and if necessary he would have 
 recourse to arms, to secure to the rightful heiress, now 
 under his protection, her inheritance. He wrote also to 
 the counts of Mansfeld, Hohnstein, and Stolberg, request- 
 ing them to withstand the grasping encroachments of the 
 bishop. As to the counts of Blankenburg and Wernige- 
 rode, he feared, on account of their jealousy toward the 
 Regensteins that their help could not be counted upon. 
 But the friendly nobles of the Hartz country declared 
 themselves altogether of Albrecht's mind, assured him of 
 their assistance in case of war, and promised to advance, 
 with all their men-at-arms, so soon as they should receive 
 a summons. 
 
 Albrecht's brother, Bcrnhard, himself rode to Falken- 
 stein, to remonstrate with Count Hoyer. 
 
 Oda's capture was quickly known everywhere, and 
 Albrecht's foes, especially the townsfolk, raised a great 
 hue and cry. Exaggerated versions of the affair were 
 spread throughout the town. How she had been decoyed, 
 of course, by " The Wicked Seven," and overpowered, with 
 her armed followers, just outside the walls of Quedlinburg, 
 which now must suffer for the misdoing committed within 
 her borders, for the Falkensteins would doubtless declare 
 war against their feudal protector — a fine protector, this 
 robber count ! 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 73 
 
 Count Hoyer, to whom the two so$iers had related the 
 news of Oda's capture, had regarded it merely ns the blun- 
 der of a retainer, which Count Albrecht would immediately 
 rectify and suitably apologize for. He took it for granted 
 thnt Bernhard had come for that purpose. But when he 
 discovered his error and that his sister was still in durance, 
 it seemed as though he would throw his visitor into prison 
 in return. Bernhard thereupon related how Oda, whom 
 only a fortunate accident had thrown into their hands, was 
 entertained at Regenstein, and that she was allowed the 
 greatest possible freedom, being detained simply to protect 
 her from the bishop ; thereupon he become calmer, and de- 
 clared that he was in no haste to relinquish the earldom, and 
 had no intention of yielding to the bishop's importunities. 
 
 It was impossible to obtain any further information from 
 him, least of all to persuade him to make a binding prom- 
 ise that he would give up his design. He urged against it 
 his plighted word to the bishop, and his-own and his wife's 
 earnest desire to give the land to the churchy adding that 
 he would not permit himself to be influenced by any con- 
 sideration for his sister. At the same time he demanded 
 her immediate release. This Count Bernhard promptly 
 refused, and resolutely asserted that the Rcgensteins would 
 never suffer the cession of Falkenstein to the bishop. So 
 they parted, mutually exasperated, and Bernhard returned 
 home, having accomplished nothing. 
 
 The answer of the bishop was all the more eagerly 
 expected ; but when it came, it contained not one word of 
 reference to the earldom. Instead, the bishop accused the 
 count of forcible abduction, and threatened him with 
 excommunication if he did not at once set free Countess 
 Oda von Falkenstein. 
 
 Albrecht laughed aloud. This was an unlooked-for 
 move on the part of the bishop. 
 
74 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 "Tis a pity, Master Rudolf," said he to the bishop's 
 emissary, " that I cannot show thee the maiden in her dun- 
 geon, but she hath ridden out hawking with my brother 
 Siegfried." 
 
 "The reverend bishop, my gracious master, requireth 
 thy knightly word, Sir Count, that thou wilt release the 
 Countess Oda, without delay." 
 
 " Requireth ! Who hath a right to require anything of 
 me?" retorted the count. " Am I the bishop's vassal, as 
 thou art? Mayhap I ought to deliver the maiden over to 
 thee, that thou mayst convey her to the bishop, to be shut 
 up in some Ursuline convent. That would suit him best 
 of all." 
 
 " She would surely be safer so," answered Dorstadt. 
 "Tell me, Sir Count, for what object thou detainest the 
 maiden ? " 
 
 u That question no priest's hireling has a right to ask," 
 cried Albrecht, angrily. 
 
 " Sir Count, I am the bishop's envoy," retorted Dorstadt, 
 nearly bursting with rage. 
 
 " And if thou wert the devil's envoy — ! But why do 
 I bandy words with thee?" said the count, scornfully. 
 " Ah ! there they come ! " 
 
 The count stood in the upper court-yard with the 
 bishop's messenger as Siegfried and Oda came riding up, 
 followed by the falconer, bearing a hooded falcon on his 
 wrist, while a dead bird hung from the saddle. As she 
 dismounted and came toward him, the count said, — 
 
 "I beg thee, Countess Oda, to say to Master Rudolf 
 von Dorstadt whether thou art detained here as my pris-, 
 oner, or remainest willingly as my guest." 
 
 Oda looked wonderingly first at the count and then at 
 the knight, and finally said, '■ I am greatly indebted to 
 Count Albrecht for his friendly hospitality." 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 75 
 
 " Note that down, Sir Knight, if thou canst write," 
 remarked the count, scoffingly. 
 
 But Dorstadt spoke in a resolute tone to Oda, " The 
 worthy bishop of Halberstadt commandeth thy departure 
 from Regenstein, or Count Albrecht receiveth the ban of 
 the church." 
 
 "The ban!" cried Oda, in dismay, " on my account. 
 Then I must go ; let me go, Sir Count ! To-morrow morn- 
 ing early ; nay, to-day ; I might go to-day." 
 
 u Nay, nay ! " exclaimed Siegfried. 
 
 Albert beckoned to him to be silent. "Now, I insist 
 upon thy remaining, Countess Oda," said he, sternly. 
 
 " And now I see why he wisheth it," added Dorstadt, 
 in a mocking tone. 
 
 Count Albrecht was about to put his hand on his dag- 
 ger, but restraining himself, he cried out, "Insolent 
 fellow, if I do not speedily see thy horse's tail, thou shalt 
 not pass over the drawbridge alive ! " 
 
 The knight turned and sprang into the saddle. "I can 
 well believe it of thee ! " he muttered, as he rode away. 
 
 Oda had greatly enjoyed her ride with Siegfried. She 
 was a skilful horsewoman, and they galloped merrily on 
 together over the meadows, chasing the deer which lay 
 hidden among the reeils of the Michaelstein lake, and 
 which the hounds aroused. Siegfried was radiant with 
 joy by the side of his beloved, and his heart expanded 
 like the spring flowers. Birds carolled among the blos- 
 soming trees, and the two young hearts beat high with 
 youthful hope and pleasure. But when they met Albrecht 
 with the Knight von Dorstadt, on returning home, and 
 heard the bishop's demand and threat, it was as if they 
 were suddenly plunged into cold water : one was rudely 
 awakened from his blissful dream ; the other, filled with 
 anxiety and distress. 
 
76 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 Albrecht's response was a consolation to Siegfried, for 
 he knew his brother well enough to feel sure that he would 
 not yield to the bishop's threats. But the latter might 
 take further steps, or unforeseen events might occur to 
 make Oda's stay at Regenstein impossible. He reflected, 
 therefore, whether he had not better confess his love to 
 Oda, lest some day she should be torn from him without 
 knowing that he loved her. On the other hand, how 
 would she take his avowal? She treated him with almost 
 sisterly familiarity, and he could not discover in her 
 behavior to him the slightest sign of maidenly love. So 
 he locked up his secret within his own breast for the 
 present, and waited and hoped. 
 
 As for Count Albrecht, his eyes would often rest in 
 admiration upon Oda's slender figure, contrasting so well 
 with Siegfried's manly strength. Her beautiful face, with 
 its delicate color, and the soft, soulful eyes, had an irresist- 
 ible charm ; her every movement combined grace and 
 dignity, and to the young girl's shyness was added much 
 self-possession. 
 
 All this Albrecht was glad to see, and when he per- 
 ceived how his youngest brother — not an adept in the 
 art of dissimulation — felt toward Oda, the discovery gave 
 him great satisfaction. Siegfried, indeed, had come to 
 meet him half-way, as if to help him in the execution of 
 his plan of making the two happy in marriage. 
 
 Oda sat the whole of the afternoon in her chamber, 
 grieving over the danger which threatened Count Albrecht, 
 and which could only be averted by yielding to the bish- 
 op's demand. During her nearly sleepless night, she 
 determined to beg Count Albrecht to send her at once to 
 the abbess. This she did timidly the next morning. The 
 count looked at her with surprise, and at the same time 
 so kindly, that she could say no more, and despite herself 
 her heart began to beat faster than was its wont. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 77 
 
 " My dear child," said he, gently, " art thou troubled 
 about me on account of the threatened ban ? " 
 
 Oda trembled ; she stood before him, embarrassed, with- 
 out being able to utter a word. 
 
 4 'Do not distress thyself, Countess Oda," he continued, 
 soothingly; "the bishop's ban will afflict me little, even 
 should he dare to pronounce it. I will not detain thee by 
 force, but the threat of excommunication is no reason for 
 releasing thee. The bishop only wanteth thy inheritance, 
 and will strain every nerve to get possession of thee, that 
 he may force thee to renounce it. And then think," he 
 added, smiling, " what a long face Siegfried would wear, if 
 I let thee go." 
 
 The girl opened her blue eyes, as though she did not 
 understand bin, and then asked, simply, " Dost thou wish 
 me to stay, Sir Count? " 
 
 He held out his hand, and said, fervently, "Yea, Count- 
 ess Oda ! I do wish it ; I wish it most heartily ! " 
 
 "I remain then!" she cried, quickly, and her words 
 sounded like a suppressed cry of joy. With a slight pres- 
 sure of his hand she left the room, confused and blushing. 
 
 Count Albrecht stood gazing thoughtfully at the door, 
 through which she had so quickly disappeared. A deep 
 sigh escaped him. " Nonsense ! " he exclaimed, shaking 
 his head, and turning away hastily. 
 
 At that moment Schadow, his squire, entered and an- 
 nounced, " The scrivener, from the castle ! " 
 
 Albrecht made a quick movement, but beckoned to the 
 man to show him up. " She hath sent for me," he said 
 to himself, with a smile. " Welcome, Florencius ! Darest 
 thou trust thyself in the hands of the robber count? " 
 
 " Oh ! Sir Count," answered the new-comer, with a deep 
 bow, " I could not feci safer in Abraham's bosom." 
 
 " Clever fellow ! " laughed the count ; " thou hast al- 
 
78 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 ways a shrewd word to sa}' at the right time. What 
 bringest thou, brave Florencius, — an angry epistle?" 
 
 "Nay; only a thousand greetings from our gracious 
 lady." 
 
 I* And that I must come. Is it not so? " 
 
 " Yea, Sir Count; the message was to that effect. It 
 hath been repeated to me more than once," replied Flor- 
 encius. 
 
 84 Spare me the litany. I will take it for granted," 
 answered Albrecht. " What doth my lady wish? " 
 
 "Thee, and the Countess Oda von Falkenstein." 
 
 "Naturally! Well, she ma}^ have me, but not the 
 countess." 
 
 " No ! In that case I am to ask, why not?" 
 
 ' ' That will I tell the abbess myself." 
 
 "So much the better! So will she be best suited. 
 But—" 
 
 "But! But what?" 
 
 84 1 must see thy prisoner, Sir Count." 
 
 "Oho! thou knave! Is that part of thy charge, or 
 only thine own idle curiosity?" asked Count Albrecht. 
 
 Florencius laughed. " That I am not authorized to tell 
 thee, Sir Count. I was to see for myself if she be young 
 and beautiful, but with caution and secrecy." 
 
 It was now Albrecht's turn to laugh. " By my soul ! 
 Thy mistress hath chosen a crafty spy ! Tell her that the 
 captive is young and beautiful, and that our rock hath 
 never yet sheltered such a lily." 
 
 44 High praise from thy mouth, Sir Count ! " 
 
 " But not high enough, Florencius ! Thou shalt be our 
 guest to-day, and see her at the mid-day meal. In the 
 afternoon thou canst ride back to thy mistress and tell her 
 what thou hast with great secrecy discovered. And I will 
 come myself, erelong." 
 
THE ROBBER C0UN1. 79 
 
 " But I was also bidden to invite the countess to the 
 castle," said Florencius. " The abbess awaits her ar- 
 rival." 
 
 11 Invite her? Since when hath it been the fashion to 
 give invitations to prisoners?" 
 
 " Wilt thou in sooth not let her go, then, Sir Count? " 
 
 " Nay," laughed the count ; u in sooth I will not let her 
 go. Now I will pray thee to leave me ; I will meet thee 
 again at the board." 
 
 Florencius left the room, and went in search of the 
 knight, Bock von Schlanstedt. 
 
 "They are all striving to take the sweet maiden from 
 me ! " said Albrecht to himself, when he was again alone. 
 He walked to the window, and looked toward the castle of 
 Quedlinburg. u Be not disturbed, Jutta ! The white lily 
 cannot be dangerous to the red rose ! " 
 
80 THE BOBBER COUNT. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 The following morning brought a new surprise to Count 
 Albrecht. A letter came from the counts of Berthold and 
 Rudolf of Blankenburg, protesting against Albrecht's 
 assumption of the domain and castle of Gersdorf , under 
 the pretext that it had been promised to them by the 
 Prince of Ballenstedt man} 7 months before. They were, 
 nevertheless, prepared to renounce their claim, if Count 
 Albrecht would solemnly agree to aid them in acquiring 
 Lauenburg, in regard to which they had been in treaty 
 with the abbess of Quedlinburg for a long time. Other- 
 wise, they were ready to declare war against him. 
 Beside the signatures of both the counts of Blankenburg, 
 the document was also signed by the counts Walther 
 and Konrad von Wernigerode and the knights Johann 
 von Romersleben, Heinrich von Hakeborn, Hans von 
 Kreiendorf, Werner von Hadmersleben, and Gerhard von 
 Zflly. 
 
 " Ha !" cried Count Albrecht to Siegfried, as he read ; 
 " the signal for the hunt hath been given, and the bishop 
 hath let loose the hounds. Ride over to Bernhard, and 
 take him this letter. Say to him privately that I know of 
 but one answer to it. In eight days Lauenburg must be 
 ours, and he shall occupy it. I will ride to Quedlinburg, 
 and thence to Gersdorf, in order to inform Gunther. 
 Heed well what Bernhard adviseth." 
 
 "Oh! he will not advise against it," answered the 
 youth, much stirred at the prospect of the coming 
 struggle. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 81 
 
 4 'Take Countess Oda with thee to visit Reginhild," 
 Albrecht went on. "Tranquillize her as well as thou 
 canst ; seek to win her favor. Thou must be her friend 
 and consoler, Siegfried. It is my wish." 
 
 Siegfried stood before his brother with downcast eyes, 
 as though he were receiving rebuke, and in the tone of 
 one who says, " I will mend my ways," he replied, — 
 
 " I will do my best." 
 
 " Good ! " said Albrecht. " Now order Schadow to 
 saddle my horse, and tell him he is to ride w T ith me, and 
 send Bock hither. I wish to talk with him." 
 
 Siegfried went to execute his brother's behest, and Al- 
 brecht put on his coat of mail, which he had no sooner 
 done than Bock made his appearance. 
 
 " Rejoice, Bock!" cried the count; " thou wilt soon 
 have thy fill of hacking and slashing." 
 
 Bock's eyes sparkled. 
 
 "When? Where? Against whom, Sir Count?" 
 
 44 The bishop of Halberstadt, and the Blankenburgs, 
 the Wernigerodes and others will s6on take the field 
 against us. Now listen closely to what I say to thee." 
 
 Bock bent forward, and fixed his piercing e} 7 es upon his 
 master. He looked like a hawk about to swoop down 
 upon its prey. 
 
 44 Let thy six bloodhounds loose," directed the count, 
 44 and hunt up that old fox, Schabernack, and find out 
 from him what the bishop's designs are. If he knoweth 
 nothing, let him discover if the bishop hath on foot an ex- 
 pedition into Swabia, and speedily inform us, and of what 
 is occurring in Halberstadt, as well." 
 
 44 It shall be done, master ; but we must wet his throat 
 and fill his purse." 
 
 44 Promise him a rich guerdon, Bock, for we must needs 
 have certain knowledge at the right time." 
 
82 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 n 
 
 I would rather go alone, and speak with the old 
 devil's spawn myself," answered the knight. "He shall 
 not make me believe a stork's nest to be a horse's 
 crib." 
 
 "Do so," said the count, " but not to-day, for I must 
 go forth, and Siegfried likewise. Let two of thy com- 
 rades lie in ambush on the road between Blankenburg and 
 Wernigerode, and keep their eyes and ears open. The 
 others may rove about Halberstadt and Wegeleben. Give 
 instructions in Schwanebeck, Harlseben, and Derenburg 
 to waylay travellers who are not of our faction, and ex- 
 amine their papers. Those who resist — " 
 
 "They shall be provided for." 
 
 M Do what is necessary, but spare the poor peasants. 
 Thou shalt not harass and importune them. Thou under- 
 standest that, Bock." 
 
 "Yea, my lord." 
 
 " Bock, we must be up early, and keep the bow strung 
 and the lance in rest. Our enemies are bestirring them- 
 selves ; we must vanquish one after another. And I will 
 confide to thee, Bock, that in the first place we must 
 obtain Lauenburg." 
 
 " Ha ! Lauenburg ! That hath had so many suitors 
 already ! " 
 
 "Certainly; and therefore I must press my suit, and 
 capture it at once ! " 
 
 " Yea, Sir Count ; and I must be with thee." 
 
 " Thou shalt. And now thou knowest all. See that 
 thy brave company is up and doing." 
 
 " Master, rely upon me ! " and the knight hastened 
 away with long strides. Schadow stood outside, with two 
 horses saddled and bridled. " The count will be with thee 
 speedily ! " Bock called out to him. Schadow merely 
 nodded. The doughty squire only spoke when it was 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 83 
 
 necessary, and then in the briefest manner. When his 
 master appeared, he held the stirrup for him, and they 
 rode away together. 
 
 To Bock von Schlanstedt the bright sunny day seemed 
 a trifle tedious. After his comrades had departed, he 
 seated himself on a bench in the shadow of the stables, 
 crossed his long, thin legs, and pondered on what his 
 master had said to him. But strange to tell, much as the 
 bold swaggerer had revelled in warfare since he first took 
 his life in his hands, to-day his thoughts were continually 
 straying away from its details, and taking an altogether 
 different turn. 
 
 It was one of his weaknesses to imagine that he under- 
 stood women thoroughly, and could make himself danger- 
 ous to the feminine heart. He could not recover from 
 his chagrin at having been deceived, and confusing mis- 
 tress with maid, when he brought the countess to Regen. 
 stein. He felt that he had disgraced himself, and was in 
 a difficult position with regard to both one and the other. 
 As regards the countess, he considered that he had added 
 insult to injury by his mistake, and kept out of her way 
 as much as possible, seeking to make atonement by his 
 solemn and subservient manner, without suspecting the 
 amusement it caused. 
 
 He was no less mortified in the presence of the maid, 
 though for a different reason. It piqued him to think that 
 he had rendered her homage, as though she were a high- 
 born damsel, — the saucy maid, who had undertaken to 
 play the lady from Quedlinburg to Regenstein, and by 
 making him fall into her trap, had disgraced him in his 
 own eyes. He determined to be revenged upon her for 
 this imposition, and to make her realize, by his severe and 
 yet patronizing behavior, their respective positions. 
 
 Eilika understood his motive, and indulged in playful 
 
84 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 skirmishing with the offended knight, who never gave her, 
 in return for her keenest thrusts, a rude retort, however 
 hot he might be. He usually got the worst of it, however, 
 and was obliged to retire in confusion. 
 
 But these little combats were not without result. The 
 knight's inflammable heart caught fire, and one morning 
 Bock awoke, head over ears in love with the pretty maid. 
 He was quite angry with himself at the discovery, and 
 instead of making known his feelings, he endeavored to 
 carefully conceal them, without choosing the best means 
 of doing so, namely, by avoiding her. On the contrary, 
 he followed her more persistently than ever, and Eilika 
 failed not to note his infatuation. 
 
 The cunning maiden, no longer very young, but some- 
 what spoilt, who thought the old housekeeper too sedate, 
 and the castle servants too much beneath her for familiar 
 intercourse, was strongly tempted to lead the love-lorn 
 knight by the nose for the sake of pastime. 
 
 When she saw him sitting by himself on the stone 
 bench, she came out, and accepting his polite invitation, 
 took a seat beside him. 
 
 '• It is lonely here to-day," she began. " If I were not 
 under thy protection, Sir Knight, I should really feel 
 afraid ; in fact, without thee I should be ready to run 
 away." 
 
 Bock was much flattered by this speech. He sat bolt 
 upright, and said, with a complaisant smile, u Fear noth- 
 ing, mistress ! I will defend thee from danger ; and if 
 thou shouldst run away, I will run after thee." 
 
 " Ah ! Sir Knight ! " sighed Eilika, "• my heart is heavy 
 when I think of the future. What is to become of us, 
 Countess Oda and myself? We cannot always remain at 
 Regenstein." 
 
 "Why not?" answered Bock, with animation; "what 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 85 
 
 do ye lack here ? Ye have each a knight, who is ready 
 at any moment to shed his blood for ye." 
 
 Eilika bit her lips, to avoid laughing. " Heaven forbid, 
 Sir Knight ! " she exclaimed. u I can never bear the sight 
 of blood." 
 
 "It is not necessary that thou shouldst see it," replied 
 Bock ; " a brave knight doth not summon his lady-love, 
 when he breaketh a lance fof her." 
 
 M I have heard," said Eilika, " that the bishop requireth 
 thy master to yield us up to him. Then we shall be put 
 into a convent, and forced to take the veil. Alas ! we love 
 the world and our fellow-men so dearly, Sir Knight ! " 
 chirped the maid, with a glance that might have melted 
 the iron links in Bock's shirt of mail. 
 
 M Gentle maiden ! " cried he, warmly, " how canst thou 
 disturb thyself with such a frightful thought? We will 
 give ye up to no one. Bock von Schlanstedt will never 
 suffer thee to become a nun ! " 
 
 a How wilt thou hinder it?" asked Eilika, with a side- 
 long glance at the knight. 
 
 It was certainly a dangerous question, to which there 
 was a very natural answer. But Bock's imagination had 
 never carried him quite as far as that. He was almost 
 frightened at Eilika's sudden queiy, and at the possibility 
 of his roving, rollicking life being changed to one of 
 domestic monotony. 
 
 " Hinder," he repeated, in visible embarrassment, while 
 he stroked his long mustache. "Oh! there are many 
 ways. Dost thou not see how my young master, Count 
 Siegfried, admireth thy gracious mistress? I believe he 
 loveth her and she him, and when they are wedded, I 
 shall still remain with them, and thou canst likewise stay 
 with his lady, and — and then thou needest not become a 
 nun." 
 
86 TEE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " Ah ! a fine plan ! " laughed Eilika. 
 
 "Is it not?" said Bock, proud of his shrewdness. 
 " But I fear me they are both too shy to speak. What if 
 we should strive to help them a little, so as to bring them 
 together the sooner ? " 
 
 44 H'm ! How wouldst thou begin ? " 
 
 44 Oh ! I will leave that to thee," he answered. " There 
 is ten times more wit under a woman's head-gear than 
 under a steel morion. Thou surely wishest thy mistress 
 happiness, as I do my dear young master ; bethink thy- 
 self if there is not some way by which we can help 
 them." 
 
 Eilika nodded, and sat for a while in thoughtful silence, 
 while Bock waited patiently for the result of her medita- 
 tions. But he was altogether mistaken as to their pur- 
 port ; Eilika's thoughts had wandered another way. 
 
 She had prepared herself for a declaration of love from 
 the knight, and perchance for scornful toleration on her 
 side, though she might not have immediately spoken a 
 decided no, but have asked for time, and so kept him in 
 suspense. But now he had drawn back directly, seeming 
 to regard her question as a sort of challenge. If this 
 were the case, she had unmasked herself, and felt almost 
 as if she were the rejected one. His plan for helping to 
 unite Siegfried and Oda was welcome to her, as well as 
 his proposal that she should remain with the latter, for 
 she sincerely loved her mistress ; but when he said, "And 
 I shall remain with my young master," he should have 
 added, " and then would I marry thee," but not one word 
 more came from him ! What did this Bock desire ? Did 
 he intend to hang about her, without any serious purpose ? 
 She would soon put a stop to that ! 
 
 4 ' Sir Knight," she said, finally, 4 ' thy proposition is not 
 amiss ; I will think of it, and gather meanwhile a bunch 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 87 
 
 of wild flowers for my mistress, for I know how she lov- 
 eth them." 
 
 u And I will help thee to find them," rejoined Bock. 
 
 " I do not need thy help," she retorted. " Thouknow- 
 est how to handle horses, but handling flowers is a differ- 
 ent tiling ! " 
 
 M Fair and softly !" cried Bock, not pleased by Eilika's 
 tone ; "it would not be the first nosegay I have handled." 
 
 " It maketh a difference for whom the flowers are 
 plucked," said she, turning up her nose. 
 
 u If thou wilt permit me to pluck them for thee, I will 
 show thee — " 
 
 44 Spare thyself the trouble ; thou wouldst earn small 
 thanks," replied she, maliciously. 
 
 " I deem trouble always worth thanks," said he, wonder- 
 ing at the abrupt change in her manner. 
 
 " Dost thou? I do not agree with thee. Officiousness 
 never deserveth thanks." 
 
 "A nettle beginneth to sting young," he retorted, fairly 
 aroused. 
 
 "Then keep away from the nettle," suiting the action 
 to the word, and moving to the other end of the bench. 
 
 44 What hath come over thee, that thou shouldst sud- 
 denly be so unkind?" asked Bock. 
 
 "Unkind? Suddenly? I know not that I have ever 
 been kind. I would, however, save thee from being stung 
 by nettles." 
 
 '* Too much wit and wisdom may sometimes prove 
 worse than folly," he answered. 
 
 44 So much the better for thee," laughed she, 44 for thou 
 art not overburdened with the former commodities ! " 
 
 " Hast thou made that discovery already?" 
 
 44 Yes," she answered, boldly, 44 on the first day of our 
 acquaintance, when thou didst ride beside me, and called 
 me 4 gracious lady.'" 
 
88 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 Whereupon he answered, angrily, "Ye were both clothed 
 from head to foot in travelling gear, with veils over your 
 faces ; how should I discern the difference between mis- 
 tress and maid ? " 
 
 " I am not her maid," she said. 
 
 4 ' Not her maid ? What, then ? " 
 
 " That is hard to explain to thee, who hast been brought 
 up among the peasant wenches of thy native village." 
 
 She had now touched a sore spot, and he could not for- 
 give her. He rose, and his angular face assumed a for- 
 bidding expression. 
 
 " Thou hast thyself reminded me that I am in command 
 here to-day. I will, therefore, show my care for thee. 
 The spring sun may tan thy white skin ; for that reason, 
 go up quickly to thy chamber and bide there till thy mis- 
 tress returneth." 
 
 What! Had she heard him rightly? He meant to 
 imprison her? " Sir Bock von Schlanstedt ! " she cried, 
 springing to her feet, " I hope — " 
 
 But he cut her short, adding, with a piercing glance, 
 " Should it not please thee to stay in thy chamber, I know 
 many cooler places," pointing to the caves in the rock, 
 and bade her good morning. 
 
 Was it possible? Dared he do it? But she was, after 
 all, a captive in the fortress of the robber count, and in 
 the power of his lieutenant. Pale and trembling, she went 
 to her room, speechless with rage. 
 
 Bock looked after her grimly, and muttered to himself, 
 " I will tame thee yet, disdainful maiden ! " 
 
THE BOBBER COUNT. 89 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 In the mean time Count Albrecht rode to Quedlinburg, 
 his faithful servant, Schadow, trotting a short distance 
 behind. As they passed over the tournament field, and 
 saw the strongly fortified town lying before them, Al- 
 brecht's face darkened. He begrudged the burghers their 
 rapidly growing power, and the consciousness of it, which 
 made them proud and refractory, no longer relying upon 
 their patrons, whose influence upon the government of the 
 city they endeavored continually to lessen. 
 
 Consequently, he did not pass the lofty gate, where he 
 knew he would receive but a churlish greeting from the 
 guard, but turned to the right, and rode around the Miin- 
 zenburg, and from that side to the Konigsburg. 
 
 When he had mounted the steps within the castle, in 
 the passageway leading to the apartment of the abbess, 
 he met the superior, Kunigunde, whose encounter with 
 Albrecht was by no means accidental, for she had spied 
 him in the distance, and had been lying in wait for him. 
 
 " Ah ! " cried she, feigning surprise, " Count Albrecht, 
 is it thou ! So thou hast come at last ! We have been 
 dying to see thee ! " 
 
 " So I thought," he replied, smiling, " and therefore I 
 have come." 
 
 M Bringest thou thy fair prisoner with thee ! Where is 
 she, then?" asked Kunigunde. 
 
 " Bound and well guarded, in a dark dungeon." 
 
 " What a mocker thou art, Count ! " she said, with a 
 smile which traced a thousand wrinkles in her faded face. 
 
 They had reached the door of an anteroom, which 
 
90 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 Albrecht was about to open, when the superior remarked, 
 " Now we shall hear what our dear lady hath to say to thy 
 detention of one of her flock." 
 
 " I will request her to send for thee," he answered, " so 
 soon as thy counsel is needed." And with a low bow he 
 slipped through the door, which he closed quickly behind 
 him. 
 
 She stood for a moment confused, cheated out of the 
 gratification of her curiosity. 
 
 " Bear ! " she muttered, with a wrathful face, and has- 
 tened to the deaconess, to pour her vexation into her 
 friend's sympathizing ear. 
 
 u My welcome here will be a scant one," thought Count 
 Albrecht, while he was being announced to the abbess. 
 
 Certainly she did not come to him so quickly as on the 
 last occasion. " One must bid thee come, Count, if one 
 wisheth to see thee," she said in a somewhat cool tone, to 
 which her bright eyes seemed } 7 et to give the lie. 
 
 " Gracious lady," answered he, " I have not been sitting 
 with the monks, angling in the Michaelstein fish-pond." 
 
 "I conjecture what hath kept thee away, Count," 
 remarked the abbess, motioning him to take a seat. 
 ' ' Thou comest not alone ? " 
 
 11 Nay, my lady; my Schadow hath accompanied me," 
 he replied, seating himself. 
 
 " Thy shadow? Yea, that I see," said she. 
 
 " Nay, gracious lady, he is below in the court-yard, hold- 
 ing the horses." 
 
 The abbess looked at him, puzzled. 
 
 " My servant's name is Schadow," he continued, with a 
 smile. " Otherwise I come alone." 
 
 " Thou bringest not the countess with thee? " 
 
 u Nay, gracious lady." 
 
 " Count Albrecht," said the abbess, '« this is altogether 
 

 
 THE ROBBER COUNT. 91 
 
 a new manner of acting the part of protector. Are maid- 
 ens in the future to first serve their novitiate at thy castle, 
 before they are admitted into our chapter?" 
 
 "I had not thought of that, my lady, but it would be a 
 good idea. It is very lonely in the castle without a com- 
 panionable woman." 
 
 44 Sayest thou so, Count? Is not this a new senti- 
 ment on thy part? It would not be difficult to supply the 
 lack of companionship at the Regenstein in the pleasantest 
 manner possible." 
 
 She reddened, as she uttered these words, and her eyes 
 
 ark led. 
 In sooth ! " he replied, lightly, " and now the lack is 
 supplied " 
 
 44 But by what means ! By force and craft, justice 
 and right notwithstanding ; though, perhaps, it is com- 
 panionship under such circumstances which thou desirest? " 
 she said, defiantly. 
 
 44 1 did not seek her," answered the count. 4l Bock von 
 Schlanstedt brought me the Countess Oda, because she 
 happened accidentally to come across his path rather than 
 another." 
 
 44 Accidentally? Without thy command ? How can I 
 believe that?" 
 
 44 1 chided him well, when he brought her to my castle." 
 
 44 Notwithstanding which, thou keepest her there." 
 
 44 From pity for the maiden." 
 
 44 From pity ! " repeated the abbess, with a mocking 
 smile. 
 
 44 And because I intend to hold her as a hostage against 
 the shameful designs of her brother and in despite of the 
 bishop, to whom I grudge the beautiful countess," 
 answered Albrecht, becoming impatient at this prolonged 
 interrogation. 
 
92 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 "And hast thou no more reasons to allege?" scoffed 
 the abbess. "Let me ask thee, Sir Count, by what right 
 thou refusest her to me also, to whose protection she hath 
 been confide 1 by her brother?" 
 
 " Because she is safer at the Regenstein with me than 
 she would be here," he answered, resolutely. 
 
 " Safer?" she repeated, her sarcastic smile returning, 
 " thou meanest — nearer to thee ! " 
 
 Count Albrecht frowned. 
 
 " And the poor maiden remaineth willingly with thee?" 
 asked Jutta, with a watchful glance. 
 
 " I trust so, my gracious lady," said Albrecht, looking 
 firmly at the abbess. Her scornful tone and suspicious 
 words irritated him to that degree that he had difficulty 
 in restraining himself. 
 
 " I can well believe it ! Why should she not? Thou 
 art such an anxious guardian of thy accidental charge." 
 
 " I understand my duties as host, my lady." 
 
 "Truly," she returned, with hot cheeks. "And I am 
 told by the convent scrivener that your young countess is 
 beautiful. Thou hast said so, indeed ; thou thinkest thy- 
 self that no such lily hath ever bloomed upon thy rocks. 
 I am sure I wish thee joy of her, Count von Regenstein ! " 
 
 Thereupon Albrecht rose quickly from his seat, pushed 
 it back, and cried, in a loud tone, " My lady, forget not 
 to whom and of whom thou speakest. "Why shouldst 
 thou trouble thyself about my actions? Am I a choir- 
 bo} 7 , who is rebuked because he singeth falsely ? I have 
 come hither, not to justify myself, but to unfold to thee 
 my reasons for detaining the Countess von Falkenstein. 
 Moreover, I am lord in my own castle, and whom I would 
 keep there, I keep, despite thee and the bishop ! "With 
 one word I could disarm thy suspicions, cared I to take 
 the trouble to speak that word ! " 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 93 
 
 He turned from her, and strode angrily up and down. 
 
 The abbess recoiled before his gusty wrath and his 
 flashing glances. Pale and trembling, she sought support 
 by leaning upon the table. And yet this outbreak of 
 masterful temper filled her with a sort of joy, notwith- 
 standing her fears. 
 
 " Speak that word, Count Albrecht ! " she urged. 
 
 <l It is a secret," he replied, u and is nothing more than 
 the earnest desire of my heart. I will disclose it to thee, 
 my lady, but I trust thou wilt not abuse my confidence." 
 
 She listened expectant as he approached nearer, and 
 said, " I cherish a secret hope that the Countess Oda will 
 wed my brother Siegfried." 
 
 "Ah!" ejaculated Jutta ; and this was all she said, 
 but it came from the depths of her heart, while a smile lit 
 up her face. She made an effort to regain her self-pos- 
 session, and conceal the true cause of her anxiety as well 
 as her sense of relief. The count must, at least, have 
 suspected her of jealousy, and she said to herself that he 
 was magnanimous to act as if he perceived nothing. 
 Perchance he already understood her feelings. It might 
 well be, for in his presence she was only too apt to lose 
 self-control. 
 
 But if he knew what she could not conceal, why did he 
 not consider himself fortunate, did he not feel proud to 
 be loved by such a one as she ? She knew that her rank 
 and beauty entitled her to stand side by side with any Von 
 Regenstein, and why should not she and Albrecht make 
 such another pair as were Siegfried, the dragon-slayer, 
 and his Brunhild. 
 
 She wished now to recover the appearance, at least, of 
 maidenly reserve ; so, summoning all her dignity, she said, 
 " Forgive me, Count Albrecht ! Had I been aware of thy 
 desires and hopes regarding the Countess Oda and thy 
 
94 THE ROBBER COUNT 
 
 brother, I should have understood and approved, but the 
 countess was sent to me to be an inmate of this convent ; 
 therefore, I feel myself responsible for her, and as abbess, 
 considered myself obliged to require her presence here. 
 Now, the case is different, and we can easily come to au 
 understanding." 
 
 " If thou didst only know my Siegfried ! " answered the 
 count. 
 
 " Oh, I know him ! " interrupted the abbess, while she 
 again seated herself, and invited Albrecht to do likewise. 
 
 "Thou hast seen him twice, but thou dost not know 
 him as I do," said the count, " who desire for him the hap- 
 piness which I have never had myself, and perchance 
 never will have. Thou knowest that in the last years of 
 my dear father's life, — God rest his soul ! — the weight 
 of the earldom lay more upon my shoulders than upon 
 his. He sent me hither and thither upon weighty busi- 
 ness ; my youth was soon over, and my head so filled with 
 engrossing matters that the heart's rights were lost sight 
 of. And since his death, as the oldest of us six Regen- 
 steins, all the weight of affairs rests upon me. When 
 do I have rest or peace? One conflict is hardly over, 
 before I am driven into another ; with foes everywhere, I 
 must be as watchful as a warder in his tower ; always in 
 harness, alwa3 7 s in the saddle, always in danger, I must 
 think for all, and act for all ; in short, do everything but 
 rest and dream. And yet, I would not have it otherwise. 
 I am used to the life ! A knight and a soldier must I 
 remain, helping others whenever possible, while yet 
 standing my own ground ; and come weal or ill, my 
 brothers' happiness is my first object. 
 
 As he spoke thus, Jutta's gaze was riveted upon him ; 
 while her ears drank in every word, and a happy, peace- 
 ful feeling stole over her. This, then, was the cause of his 
 
THE ROB HER COUNT. 95 
 
 silence, his delay, — be had no time for love. It seemed 
 as if what he had said, he had said intentionally, to con- 
 sole her and to deprecate her impatience. She determined 
 within herself that she would never be overbearing with 
 him again, but strive to ameliorate his hard life by every 
 means in her power, and adhere to him faithfully with 
 quiet devotion, till better days should come. 
 
 She was silent for a time, after he ceased speaking, 
 though she could not repress a look of gratitude for 
 having revealed to her something of his inmost feel- 
 ings. 
 
 Presently she inquired, in a tone of genuine sympathy, 
 " Is there any prospect of this union taking place?" 
 
 The count shruo<red his shoulders. " It is that which 
 troubloth me. The young countess surroundeth herself 
 with such observance of modesty and reserve, that while 
 she winneth all hearts, she keepeth all at a distance." 
 
 Modesty and reserve, which won all hearts ! Was he 
 thinking of her own bold and passionate nature? 
 
 " Is she, then, as exceedingly beautiful as Florencius 
 declareth ? " she asked. 
 
 " I can hardly call the pale lily exceedingly beautiful," 
 answered Albrecht, smiling ; " but there is a gentle grace, 
 an indescribable charm about her ; every movement of 
 her slender figure, the tone of her voice, and the earnest- 
 ness of her clear blue eyes seem to inspire silent adora- 
 tion." 
 
 Jutta listened to this description with growing uneasi- 
 ness. The bad spirit which had but just been exorcised, 
 began again to assert itself. A maiden was only thus 
 portrayed by one who — and this was the man who had 
 no time for love ! 
 
 "Art thou, then, so sure, Count Albrecht, that they 
 love one another ? " 
 
96 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " My brother's ardent love for Ocla is beyond all doubt, 
 and he is untiring in his efforts to show it, by acts of 
 knightly devotion. But I have no proof, as yet, that she 
 returneth his love." 
 
 11 Perhaps another hath won her heart? " 
 
 Jutta asked this question with eagerness, turning a 
 searching look upon the count. 
 
 " I know not, my lady, and I hope not," he answered, 
 fervently. 
 
 "She is thy captive, Count Albrecht. Wouldst thou 
 oblige her to wed thy brother, if she — if thou shouldst 
 find that she loveth another?" 
 
 " My lady ! How canst thou ask such a question ? To 
 force the gentle maiden against her will ! Never ! But 
 I know that true love, which lasteth for aye, is of slow 
 growth, like the oak." 
 
 " What dost thou know about it ? " asked she. 
 
 Albrecht was silent, struck by her question, his own 
 words suddenly appearing to him in a strange light. 
 
 " Count Albrecht ! give me the countess ! She is safer 
 with me than with thee." 
 
 Jutta spoke so imperiously, looking at him, moreover, 
 with a half-anxious, half-threatening gaze, that he could 
 not help distrusting her. 
 
 He shook his head, and said, slowly and resolutely, 
 " Nay, my lady!" 
 
 " I will cherish her as one destined for thy brother," 
 urged Jutta. " I will consider her before all others, and 
 fulfil every wish of her heart. Thou canst come here 
 with thy brother as often as thou wishest, and Siegfried 
 shall see Oda alone. They can converse as freely as we 
 do, and no one shall interfere with them." 
 
 The count again shook his head, without speaking. 
 
 " Thus Count Hoyer will be satisfied, and thou canst 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 97 
 
 arrange matters with him in peace and friendliness. The 
 bishop will have no pretext for threatening thee, and I 
 will do all in my power to secure to Oda her rightful in- 
 heritance, even if I have to appeal to the Emperor." 
 
 Jutta's cheeks flushed, and her voice slightly trembled. 
 
 " I thank thee, my lady ; thy trouble would be useless ; 
 the quarrel must be settled with the sword, and I trust 
 speedily and finally." 
 
 Jutta looked displeased, but tried to control herself. 
 
 "Consider, Sir Count; is it suitable that a maiden 
 should sojourn at Regenstein, among all ye men? Here 
 with us is the place for a high-born young gentlewoman. 
 What canst thou say against that ? " 
 
 " She hath her young waiting- woman with her," replied 
 Albrecht. 
 
 "An excellent duenna, by my troth! And this satis- 
 fieth the noble maiden, with her modesty and reserve ! 
 But I had supposed a Countess of Falkenstein to have 
 more sense of what is becoming than to tarry of her 
 own choice in a lonely fortress, protected only by men 
 against — I know not what, except unwelcome inter- 
 ference." 
 
 "And who bath told thee, my lady," cried the count, 
 rising, " that she tarries of her own choice with men in a 
 lonely fortress ? " 
 
 "Ah ! " cried Jutta, likewise rising ; " so thou detainest 
 her by force? — onty from pity, from love for thy brother, 
 and that thy brother may win a well-dowered bride. 
 How I envy thy brother such a loyal ally ! Thou canst 
 answer nothing. Therefore, I say to thee again, let me 
 have the countess, and let thy brother woo her here with 
 all honor, or else what must I think? There is no reason 
 for holding her ! " 
 
 A stormy light gleamed in Count Albrecht's eyes. 
 
98 
 
 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " Think what thou wilt for me," said he ; U I shall do as I 
 choose, and if it doth not please thee, my lady, I cannot 
 help it. The Countess Oda cometh not here ! And now 
 I bid thee farewell, till thou art in a softer humor ! " 
 And with clanking steps he departed, swung himself into 
 the saddle, and rode straightway to the castle of Gers^ 
 dorf. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 99 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 All the way to Gersdorf the vehement words of the 
 abbess rang in Count Albrecht's ears, u Let me have the 
 countess ; there is no reason for holding her ! " 
 
 No reason? Had he not given her reasons enough? 
 Had he not said that Oda was safer at Regenstein than 
 anywhere else? Yet, if fighting began between the 
 Regensteins and the bishop's faction, no more unfavorable 
 abode could be found for her, and he thought with anxiety 
 of exposing the maiden to the terrors and dangers of war. 
 She would assuredly be safer at the castle of Quedlinburg, 
 under the protection of the princely abbess, who had 
 promised to cherish her ; for what Jutta promised, she 
 performed. 
 
 But Siegfried ! how would he fare without his beloved ! 
 Jutta's words promised well, but he and Oda could not be 
 so untrammelle 1 at the castle of Quedlinburg, under the 
 eye of the abbess, as on the rocky heights of Regenstein, 
 or in the solitude of the neighboring forest. He feared, 
 likewise, that at the convent they would be no nearer the 
 union which Albrecht so ardently desired for them. 
 
 And he himself! could fa make up his mind to let Oda 
 go? Her presence in the castle was like a continual, ever- 
 renewed miracle, which the spring had brought as its most 
 beautiful gift; or had she brought the spring, which, 
 after the dreary winter, had never seemed so sweet and 
 so sunny as now? Since the death of the mother, no 
 chatelaine had lived at Regenstein, commanding respect 
 from man and maid, such as a soldier, like Count Albrecht, 
 does not require. He was satisfied if they did their duty 
 
100 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 in fortress and field, and obeyed his behests ; for the rest, 
 he was not exacting. 
 
 But now a noble maiden, nominally a prisoner, but 
 treated as mistress, lived among them as if in her own 
 home ; climbed to the summit of the rocks, where her 
 slender figure might often be seen against the sky, or 
 moved here and there like the good genius of the place, 
 bringing peace and happiness to all. 
 
 And this guardian spirit Count Albrecht was required 
 to banish ! Never ! Her voice sounded in his ear like 
 the song of the wood-thrush, her morning greeting 
 brightened the day, and when she withdrew at its close 
 her good-night seemed like a benediction. 
 
 But he always thought of Oda and Siegfried together. 
 They had become so united in his mind, that he could not 
 think of them separately. He was sure that this marriage 
 would bring happiness to both, and he desired it as much 
 for the gentle girl who had so soon become endeared to 
 him, as for his beloved Siegfried, whom he had seen grow 
 from boyhood to manhood. 
 
 The interview with the abbess had irritated him, and it 
 disquieted him still. Surely she suspected that he kept 
 possession of the 3'oung countess on his own behalf ; 
 that he loved her, and wished for her himself. He 
 and Oda ! The pale lily as his wife ! What a wild and 
 wondrous thought ! Such a possibility had never dawned 
 upon him, even in his dreams, and surely never to the in- 
 nocent girl ; only Jutta's fantastic jealousy could have 
 originated such a conceit ! 
 
 A greater contrast could not be imagined than that be- 
 tween these two women now under his protection. That 
 Jutta von Kranichfeld loved him passionately he could 
 not fail to see, and he was used to her caprices, which 
 changed like the winds and waves ; a creature now all 
 
 

 THE ROBBER CO I 'XT:- 101 
 
 warmth and sunshine, then on a sudden fierce and stormy ; 
 her love, however, always shining, even through the clouds. 
 Her impetuous nature half repelled, half attracted him. 
 He would not be wooed and won ; he would do the wooing 
 himself, whether it were a hostile citadel or a haughty 
 beauty. Resistance allured him whenever he met it, but 
 in this case it was he who resisted. And yet at times he 
 was tempted to wed this proud creature, subdue her way- 
 ward will, and change her stormy passion to quiet con- 
 stancy and self- forgetting love. The strong right hand, 
 though used to wielding the sword, was surely capable of 
 tender caresses, and the lips accustomed to command, 
 could yet learn to please a lady's ear. Of what manner 
 of woman should his wife be ? A submissive child, smooth- 
 ing his brow with gentle hand, reading his thoughts in his 
 eyes, and regarding his words as the highest earthly wis- 
 dom ; or one of a spirit to match his own, with indepen- 
 dent mind and will ready to fight for him, if need be, and 
 to stand by his side in every danger. Such a woman as 
 this sat in the old imperial palace of Quedlinburg, only 
 waiting for him to say, u Come ! " 
 
 Absorbed in his reflections, Count Albrecht reached the 
 fortress of Gersdorf, and as the warder on the ramparts 
 greeted him with a loud blast of the horn, his dreams of 
 love flew away like frightened birds. He rapidly rehearsed 
 in his mind what he had to say to Gunther, and then it 
 occurred to him that he had quite forgotten to speak to 
 the abbess about Lauenburg. On his way to Quedlinburg 
 he had determined to ask her to put him in possession of 
 the stronghold, for he much preferred to hold it lawfully 
 in fief, than to take it by force ; but he must have it, in 
 any event, and there was danger in delay. 
 
 It was now too late to remedy his oversight. He could 
 not return with his request to the abbess, after the inter- 
 
1 : 02 : 'T-ilS- li'OBBER COUNT. 
 
 view which had just taken place. Therefore he adhered 
 to his first plan, of which he had informed Bernhard 
 through Siegfried ; namely, to storm the castle of Lauen- 
 burg. 
 
 He acquainted Gunther with what had taken place at 
 Regenstein, and gave him detailed instructions. The 
 assault was to be made by the garrisons of Gersdorf and 
 Gunteckenburg under Albrecht's command, a large force 
 not being needed. Guuther should be notified as to the 
 time, and under cover of darkness would march with his 
 followers to a certain point, where Albrecht agreed to 
 meet him. 
 
 Gunther promised faithfully to carry out his brothers 
 orders. The latter again mounted his horse, and, accom- 
 panied by his silent squire, rode back to Regenstein as 
 rapidly as possible. Siegfried had told Oda of the 
 errand upon which he was bent, and proposed to her to 
 walk with him to Heimburg, having the horses sent after 
 them, so that they could ride back, to which Oda willingly 
 agreed. 
 
 They accordingly s^t out, but she was silent and ab- 
 stracted. She plucked a flower here and there as they 
 walked, and answered her companion's remarks in a 
 friendly but absent-minded manner. Finally she asked, 
 arranging her flowers the while, — 
 
 <; Where hath Count Albrecht ridden to-day? " 
 
 " To Quedlinburg, to see the abbess," replied Siegfried. 
 " Be not alarmed ! Thou dost not think he hath gone to 
 make arrangements for sending thee to the convent? 
 Albrecht hath no such intention." 
 
 " But the abbess sent her scrivever hither to request 
 him to do so." 
 
 u That will be of no avail," laughed Siegfried. " No 
 one can withstand my brother, not even the abbess, who 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 103 
 
 formerly possessed some influence over him. Thou dost 
 not know her ? " 
 
 " Nay," said Oda ; " dost thou? " 
 
 " Yea, surely. She is beautiful, and as proud as a 
 queen, and hath the power of winning hearts as she 
 will." 
 
 " I would fain si e her," said Oda, half to herself. 
 
 " Thou needst only say so to Albrecht," he answered, 
 11 and he will gladly take thee to visit her. Yet I will go 
 with thee likewise, to make sure the abbess doth not hold 
 thee fast." 
 
 Oda sighed softly, and was silent. 
 
 " Thou art not happy, Countess Oda," began Siegfried, 
 after a pause ; " doth anything distress thee?" 
 
 Oda shook her head. 
 
 " 1 must try to fulfil my brother's charge," he continued. 
 "Albrecht bade me enliven thee, and seek to win thy 
 favor." 
 
 "Was that thy brother's order?" asked Oda. 
 
 "Yea," replied Siegfried, smiling ; " but such a cnarge 
 was not needed ; and he further said, ' Thou must be her 
 friend and consoler, Siegfried ! It is my wish ! ' And 
 when Albrecht saith, ' It is my wish,' there is nothing 
 to do, Countess Oda, but to obey ; but I have begun right 
 stupidly." 
 
 Oda laughed, and answered, without embarrassment, 
 "Thou art my friend and consoler already, Count Sieg- 
 fried." 
 
 " Am I so, indeed?" he asked, with a beaming counte- 
 nance. 
 
 " I am thy brother's captive, and must obey him," said 
 she ; " but it is very easy to do his bidding, and I will help 
 thee to follow his instructions, so that we shall not fall 
 into disgrace," she added, with a roguish look. 
 
104 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " Now thou lookest blithesome ! I have cheered thee, 
 as Albrecht wished." 
 
 They were now at the foot of the hill, and slowly 
 ascended the steep pathway to Heimburg. 
 
 Countess Reginhild received them with hearty greeting, 
 and while the brothers talked over Albrecht's message, 
 she chatted with Oda in the balcony. The latter, who 
 had been cut off from all intercourse with women of her 
 own station for weeks, gave herself unreservedly to the 
 enjoyment of the sprightly conversation, during which 
 Reginhild cautiously tried to discover how her guest felt 
 toward Siegfried. Oda fell innocently into the snare, and 
 soon her quick-witted interlocutor learned more than she 
 bargained for. 
 
 Siegfried and Oda remained the whole day at Heimburg, 
 and the four en^ed a cheerful meal together, Reginhild 
 being alone somewhat quiet and thoughtful. 
 
 Toward evening her guests rode back to Regenstein on 
 the horses which had been brought over for that purpose. 
 
 When they had gone, Bernhard said to his wife, " A 
 charming maiden ! And I heartily wish our fair-haired 
 boy good fortune, but — I have a foreboding that there is 
 trouble in store for him ! " 
 
 Reginhild nodded gravely, but said nothing. 
 
 " Thou also feelest as I do," continued Bernhard. " Is 
 it not so?" 
 
 " Yea, but I have reason. I have made a strange dis- 
 covery." 
 
 " And pray what is it ? " 
 
 " I believe that Countess Oda loveth — not Siegfried, 
 but — Albrecht." 
 
 " Albrecht ! Albrecht ! " said her husband in amazement. 
 " Hath she told thee this?" 
 
 " Nay ; but to me it is as clear as the day." 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 105 
 
 "Oh J Hilde! Hilde ! " cried Bernhard, "I could cud- 
 gel that Bock for bringing the maiden to Regenstein ! " 
 
 " Blame not the poor child ! " said Reginhild, pityingly ; 
 11 her case is bad enough." 
 
 u Why doth she not goto the abbess, at Quedlinburg, 
 where she belongeth ? " 
 
 "They will not let her go," his wife answered. " One 
 keepeth her in a spirit of defiance, and the other from 
 love." 
 
 " Is it possible that he knoweth it?" asked Bernhard. 
 
 " Albrecht? I think not. He hath no idle time ; and, 
 moreover, he hath not £yes for such things. But what 
 will become of Siegfried, when he seeth his anticipated 
 happiness vanish like a dream [ " 
 
 Count Bernhard sighed. " We have all been spared 
 such troubles as these," he said. " Among all our feuds 
 and fighting with foes, we have never had bitter heart- 
 struggles amongst ourselves." 
 
 And he gazed gloomily after the light-hearted pair, as 
 they rode away down the hill. 
 
106 TEE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Before the door of the ale-house, in the village of 
 Erkstedt, not far from Halberstadt, under a wide-spread- 
 ing linden, sat a man of most unprepossessing appear- 
 ance. 
 
 He was a small hunchbacked fellow, with gray hair and 
 a somewhat distorted face, whose crafty expression was 
 increased by the man's extraordinary squint. 
 
 His brown jerkin was soiled and patched, and his 
 close-fitting leather hose shone with a doubtful lustre. 
 Near him, upon the bank, lay an old knapsack, filled with 
 Heaven knows what ; and before him, upon a rough table, 
 was a stone jug filled with beer. It was late in the after- 
 noon, but if it had been early in the morning, the beer-jug 
 would not have been wanting, for Hinze Habernack suf- 
 fered continually from fiery thirst, which it was very diffi- 
 cult to extinguish. 
 
 For miles around Halberstadt he was known by young 
 and old, and earned his bread in many ways. He called 
 himself a leech, and treated sick cattle as well as human 
 beings by means of herbs, salves, and strange compounds ; 
 he knew of a remedy for every wound, earned messages, 
 managed all sorts of crooked business, and finally prac- 
 tised the black art. 
 
 He was more feared than liked ; and though he was 
 often sent for in case of need, every one was more glad 
 to see him go than come, as he was considered a danger- 
 ous tale-bearer, who," for money, was ready to do almost 
 anything. Though he tried to play the part of a frank, 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 107 
 
 honest fellow, no one trusted him, and yet no one dared 
 openly to denounce him, for he was said to have powerful 
 supporters. 
 
 A mysterious shadow hung over his past. He was born 
 in Sautesberg, and had wandered about a good deal. It 
 was rumored that he had crimes upon his conscience, and 
 that his indirect vision was somehow connected with his 
 moral obliquity. As he played tricks, and found his 
 greatest pleasure in practical jokes, he was nicknamed 
 Schabernack, though he would not submit to this cog- 
 nomen from every one. 
 
 He sat now under the blooming and fragrant linden, 
 waiting for Bock von Schlanstedt. Nothnagel and Hasen- 
 bart, two of the *• Wicked Seven," who at Bock's com- 
 mand had ridden in search of this old fox, had unearthed 
 him at last, and informed him of the knight's wish to 
 see him, whereupon the vagrant had appointed as a 
 rendezvous the ale house at Erkstedt. 
 
 It was not Bock's custom to keep any one waiting, but 
 to-day he was surely very unpunctual, and Hinze Haber- 
 nack, having already eaten his supper, lost patience and 
 resolved to tarry no longer. When he had emptied the 
 stone jug for the third time, he rapped loudly upon the 
 table, as a summons to the host, who soon made his 
 appearance. 
 
 "Another jugful, Hinze?" asked Peter Riibenstreit. 
 
 *• Nay, I am going, for he cometh not," answered the 
 other. " Bring me the reckoning, Peter. I will pay thee, 
 for 1 know thou never cheatest me." 
 
 "Oh, let it stand ! " said the host, who was used to this 
 formula from his guest, who had never yet paid him a 
 penny. " I will take it out of the others." 
 
 '• That 's right ! Do so," laughed Hinze ; " and if that 
 footpad, Bock von Schlanstedt, should come along, tell 
 him I am at his service in all reasonable things, but 
 
108 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 Hinze Habernack is not to be made a fool of, and if he 
 wants anything of me — " 
 
 "Hark!" interrupted the host; " hearest thou noth- 
 ing? There they come, now ! " 
 
 He was right, for at this moment Bock and Nothnagel 
 came trotting up the village street. 
 
 " Well, old fellow, not hanged yet? " cried the former, 
 dismounting. " I have heard nothing of thee for a long 
 time." 
 
 " Thou hast come just in time," answered Habernack ; 
 M a moment later, and I should have been gone." 
 
 " Then we should have ridden after thee, and fetched 
 thee back," observed Bock, while Nothnagel tied the 
 horses, and drew up two stools to the table, upon which 
 they seated themselves opposite the old man. Peter Riiben- 
 streit brought out three fresh beer-jugs, and then withdrew. 
 
 " Thy noble lord, who beareth the stag's antlers on his 
 shield, understandeth the chase well, ,, sneered Hinze ; 
 " not even gentlewomen are spared." 
 
 "If thou revilest my lord, Schabernack, I will make 
 short work of thee ! " exclaimed Bock, starting up. 
 
 " Thou great jack-in-the-box ! " said the old man, look- 
 ing at him askew ; "I knew thee when thou wert a stupid 
 peasant lad in thy father's farm-yard." 
 
 " What art thou looking at me for? " snarled Nothnagel ; 
 " my father hath no farm-yard." 
 
 " I never meant thee, fool ! " Habernack cried. 
 
 To Bock this unexpected reference to his origin was 
 very vexatious, but he could not help laughing at Noth- 
 nagel's indignation, due to Hinze's obliquity of vision, 
 and as he desired a service from the latter, he thought it 
 expedient to assume a milder tone. 
 
 "Softly, old man!" said he, soothingly. "Come, 
 come, drink with us ! " 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 109 
 
 All three thereupon clinked glasses and drank. 
 
 11 Now tell me, what wouldst thou of me?" began the 
 vagrant, wiping his mouth, and leaning back against the 
 trunk of the linden. 
 
 " Hinze," said Bock, confidentially, as he moved closer 
 to the old man, " how goeth it with our most reverend 
 father, the bishop? Thou art one who canst hear the 
 grass a-growing." 
 
 Habernack looked askance at the knight, as he 
 replied, — 
 
 81 Speak out, Bock von Schlanstedt! I cannot see the 
 whole sky through my fingers ! " 
 
 " Well, then, we have a neighborly dispute to settle 
 with the bishop, and — " 
 
 88 And now shivers run down the back," jeered the old 
 man, •* because tl.ou hast heard that he is calling his 
 forces together. But ye need not trouble yourselves ; he 
 doth not mean to attack ye." 
 
 88 He goeth into Swabia, doth he not? To Falken- 
 stein?" 
 
 " To Swabia, but not to Falkenstein," answered Haber- 
 nack. " To Aschersleben." 
 
 44 To Aschersleben?" 
 
 81 Yea. The Princess Elizabeth, Otto's widow, by birth 
 Margravine von Meissen, will wed Count Friedrich von 
 Orlamiinde," Habernack explained; "and she desireth 
 the blessing of the church. This can be had most easily 
 by resigning to it the city of Aschersleben, which the 
 bishop coveteth. Young Elizabeth is willing, because she 
 cannot give up her Friedel, but the city may object to 
 being under the crosier, and in that case the bishop will 
 seize it with an armed hand." 
 
 U A city for a gold finger-ring! One might as well 
 give a horse for a peppercorn ! " laughed Bock. " We 
 
110 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 three are to be praised for our wisdom. We have neither 
 wife nor child, and would not so much as pick up a shoe- 
 nail for the glance of a wench's eye ! " 
 
 "Nay, nay, Sir Bock!" said Hinze ; "I know one 
 who hath always been a favorite with the women ! " 
 
 "What! thou old good-for-nought ! " exclaimed Bock. 
 " Am I a woman-killer? " 
 
 "I did not say so, master," answered the old man, 
 slyly ; " but I meant thee, nevertheless " 
 
 Bock twisted his long mustache complacently, nothing 
 averse to such a reputation, and proceeded to question the 
 vagabond further. 
 
 " So," he began, " Schabernack, my good fellow, how 
 soon will the bishop make this expedition against Ascher- 
 sleben?" 
 
 " Oh, not for some time yet. I have only heard a little 
 bird whistle that something is in the wind." 
 
 " How many horsemen and how many foot-soldiers will 
 he bring into the field?" asked Bock, not misled by 
 Habernack's vague way of speaking. 
 
 " How should I know? Am I his lieutenant? But I 
 will seek for more particulars, and the information will 
 be worth more to the ' Wicked Seven ' than all the oats 
 their horses«eat out of other folks' cribs." 
 
 " If thou wilt open thy squinting eyes as wide as thou 
 dost thy crooked mouth, thou canst not fail to get all the 
 information we need. And thou must bring it to us 
 speedily." 
 
 "I have the same disposition as of yore," was the 
 answer. 
 
 " Thou shalt be well rewarded," Bock replied. 
 
 Habernack shook his gray head, and said, with a grin, — 
 
 "Master Bock, the world is the world, and will ever 
 remain the world, as long as it lasteth. A mass must 
 
THE BOBBER COUNT. Ill 
 
 always be paid for beforehand, and I am the bishop's sub- 
 ject. How much shall I have?" 
 
 " I have nothing to give you myself, but Count Albrecht 
 is no haggler. Therefore, do not fear, but go to work." 
 
 " What would ye know? " 
 
 "If the bishop hath his eye likewise on Falkenstein ; 
 also what his forces are, and how much assistance he will 
 give the Blankenburgs against us." 
 
 "The Blankenburgs?" asked Habernack, listening 
 attentively. " Have ye quarrelled with them, too? " 
 
 " As though thou didst not know that ! " 
 
 " Yea, I knew it," said the old fox, — which was a lie ; 
 1   but when do they intend marching against ye ? I heard 
 it was to be soon." 
 
 " So at least they threaten. It is on account of Lauen- 
 burg, which must be ours." 
 
 " Then the abbess will give it to ye?" 
 
 " Or we take it ourselves," added Bock. 
 
 " Or ye take it yourselves," repeated the old man, con- 
 cealing his pleasure and astonishment. " But the 
 Wernigerodes will join them against ye," he went on, 
 insinuatingly. 
 
 " And half a dozen others," added Bock, not seeing 
 that he was giving Habernack information, instead of the 
 reverse. 
 
 " I verily believe that ye are growing chicken-hearted," 
 jeered the old man. 
 
 " Say not so," cried the other, angrily, " or something 
 will tickle thy crooked back, so that thou wilt not be 
 able to stand upright for three days ! " 
 
 " Threaten me not, Bock von Schlanstedt ! I will do 
 what I can to bring thee all the intelligence thou wishest. 
 Hut forget not what thou hast promised me, Sir Knight. 
 I am a poor old man, who hardly earneth his bread, and 
 must soon depart — " 
 
112 THE JiOBBER COUNT. 
 
 " When thou hast drank thyself to death, thou 
 meanest," interrupted Bock. " We have all had enough 
 for to-day. The monks of Huysburg brew strong beer, 
 and I will not help thee on thy downward track. Thou 
 knowest all, Hinze. Let me see thee soon, or send me 
 word where to meet thee." 
 
 " I will come to Regenstein myself, if ye will let me out 
 of your mouse-trap again with a whole skin," said Haber- 
 nack. 
 
 " Have no fear. We can use thee better elsewhere. I 
 promise thee a safe exit." 
 
 Thereupon he arose, called the host, and paid the reck- 
 oning for the three, while Nothnagel tightened the horses' 
 girths. Habernack squinted at Bock's small leather purse, 
 in which little enough was to be seen ; then he slung his 
 knapsack over his back, shook hands with the others, and 
 went silently on his way. 
 
 Bock swung himself with youthful agility into the saddle. 
 Nothnagel also mounted his bony mare, and Peter Ruben- 
 streit bowed low to his departing guests, who had so ques- 
 tionable a reputation, but who for all had paid him honestly. 
 
 The expression of Nothnagel's scarred and weather- 
 beaten face, with the dark gray hair hanging down under 
 his helmet, was sullen, as he rode by the side of the 
 knight, who sat as upright on his horse as if returning 
 from victory. 
 
 " Nothnagel," said he, after a pause, " we contrived to 
 worm much information out of old Schabernack." 
 
 " H'm ! To my dull wits, it seemeth as if he had learnt 
 more from us than we from him. He now knoweth every- 
 thing, and we know nothing." 
 
 "Nothnagel, thou dost not understand," said Bock, 
 loftily. "Thou hast not the natural gift, as I have, of 
 putting two and two together, and drawing conclusions." 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 113 
 
 Upon this he put spurs to his horse, and trotted on a 
 little ahead. His comrade, however, did not agree with 
 the knight as to the manner in which he had executed his 
 important mission. 
 
 Count Albrecht* s opinion coincided with Nothnagel's, 
 when Book made his report in the evening, and boasted of 
 what he had drawn out of Habernack. 
 
 " Drawn out? " repeated the count, angrily. " Let out, 
 thou meanest, all that the old fox needeth to know. Bock, 
 I am not pleased with thee ! " 
 
 With lowered crest the knight crept away, and it grad- 
 ually dawned upon him that the crafty old man had ex- 
 tracted particulars from him which he only feigned to 
 know, that he mbht lead Bock on further, and it was for 
 this that he had piid Habernack's score ! 
 
 "But I will remember it against the old rascal, and 
 Nothnagel is a sheep's-head not to have given me a hint : 
 for what else did I take the stupid churl ? " 
 
 The only news which Count Albrecht learnt from Bock 
 was the design of the bishop upon Aschersleben, which 
 purpose it was now too late to thwart. This new stroke 
 of the enemy vexed him sorely, as it would establish the 
 bishop's power in Swabia, and assist him in the acquisi- 
 tion of Falkenstein, but he resolved to take no step which 
 might delay the marriage of the Princess Elizabeth with 
 the Count von Orlamunde, as they were both valued 
 friends. 
 
 The following morning Hinze Habernack stood before 
 the bishop of Halberstadt, and repeated, word for word, 
 all that Bock had unwittingly betrayed. The former was 
 gratified to hear of the feud between Count Albrecht and 
 the Blankenburgs ; his continued efforts, therefore, had 
 not been without result. 
 
 " Whence hast thou thy knowledge?" he asked. 
 
114 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " Reverend sir, I smelt the meat roasting," was the 
 reply ; " and I have been creeping about Regenstein till I 
 could catch and sound the count's followers, one by one. 
 My scanty savings have thus flown away I had to decoy 
 the churls to the ale-house to discover all, my lord." 
 
 " I understand," laughed the bishop, taking a handful 
 of silver from a chest, and putting it into the old man's 
 hand. "Come again, when thou hast further tidings for 
 me. There is more for thee in the chest." 
 
 Habernack crept out backwards like a crab, with many 
 bows, and once in the street, he carefully counted his 
 reward. 
 
 " I wonder who payeth best, the count or the bishop," 
 he chuckled to himself ; " but that I will see by bleeding 
 them both ! " 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 115 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Bock's careless blabbing to Habernack angered Count 
 Albrecht sorely, for he had no doubt that the bishop as 
 well as the Blankenburgs would soon know of his project 
 to seize Lauenburg, and unite to throw all possible 
 obstacles in his way. Now he could no longer leave his 
 cousin's threatening letter unanswered, and to make his 
 reply more emphatic, he determined to carry it himself. 
 
 He summoned the garrisons of Heimburg, of Wes- 
 terhausen and Derenburg, and of Benzingerode and 
 Bornecke, to appear the following day, and uniting them 
 with the whole force at Regenstein, he rode to Blanken- 
 burg at the head of this considerable body of troops, with 
 his brothers Bernhard and Siegfried. The poorly defended 
 village was occupied, the castle surrounded, and Albrecht 
 and Bernhard demanded admission, after instructing 
 Siegfried to assault the castle and set the hamlet on fire 
 if after entering they should signal to him from above, 
 o. if within an hour they should not appear. 
 
 Under the circumstances, an entrance was soon granted 
 the two counts, though their reception by the Blanken- 
 burgs, father and son, was anything but friendly. 
 
 44 We are aware that we owe our cousins an answer, 
 and for a better understanding have brought it ourselves," 
 began Albrecht, as he and Bernhard entered the hall. 
 44 Ye and your associates have objected to our holding 
 Gersdorf unless we assist ye to obtain Lauenburg. Are 
 ye still of the same mind ? " 
 
 44 We are, in good sooth!" answered Count Berthold, 
 shortly, a thick-set, sturdy man, with a defiant air. 
 
116 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 44 1 would fain induce thee to think differently, cousin," 
 said Albrecht. " Gersdorf is ours, and Lauenburg will be." 
 
 u That remaineth to be seen," Berthold replied. 
 
 ' 4 What have ye to do with Gersdorf ? " continued 
 Albrecht ; ' ' and why do ye desire a fortress belonging to 
 the chapter ? " 
 
 44 Gersdorf was long since promised to us," asserted 
 the other. 
 
 44 By whom?" Albrecht asked; " by the bishop, who 
 hath nought to do with it, and who wished ye to become 
 his train-bearers, and to make common cause with him 
 against us at his pleasure ; to set ye on, as dogs are 
 set upon the wild boar." 
 
 44 The comparison is not altogether a bad one, cousin," 
 laughed Count Berthold. 4 * Thou art wild and savage 
 enough." 
 
 44 Thou shalt feel my tusks, gentle cousin ! " growled 
 Von Regenstein. "But first, I will ask thee: once for 
 all, wilt thou be friendly, or art thou determined to be at 
 enmity with us ? " 
 
 ' ' We must have Gersdorf or Lauenburg ! " exclaimed 
 the lord of Blaukenburg. 
 
 4 'And verity I say ye shall have neither!" cried 
 Albrecht, striking the table vehemently with his mailed 
 hand. "Extort all thou canst from the bishop, but do 
 not cross my path, or I will pluck out thy best feathers ! " 
 
 44 To do that requireth two, — one who plucketh, and the 
 other who alloweth himself to be plucked," answered 
 Berthold, stubbornly. 
 
 44 Cousin, take back thy challenge ! " exclaimed Albrecht, 
 menacingly. 
 
 44 Nay ! nay ! nay! " 
 
 44 Good ! Then look at this ! " and Albrecht drew from 
 the hunting-pocket, which hung at his belt, a folded 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 117 
 
 parchment, and an inkhorn and reed pen. l ' Thou hast 
 scared us at such a rate with thy letter of defiance that 
 thou must needs recompense us a little. Here is a deed 
 of sale of thy fortresses of Allrode, Stiege, and Has- 
 selfelde ; they lie midway between Lauenburg and our 
 own Elbingerode and Botfeld, and, therefore, I need 
 them." 
 
 Count Berthold laughed grimly. 
 
 " Oh, it is a true deed of sale ! I will pay thee down," 
 Albrecht assured him, drawing a heavy purse from his 
 hunting-pocket, which jingled as he threw it on the table. 
 " Thou shalt not say the robber count hath plundered 
 thee. Here are two thousand gold marks. Take them, 
 and sign the deed." 
 
 u Two thousand marks!" repeated Count Berthold, 
 scornfully. " The fortresses are worth that, fourfold." 
 
 "If thou settest the price," laughed Albrecht; "but 
 this time I set it, and what is lacking thou canst consider 
 as compensation for thy letter of defiance." 
 
 "This is robbery of thine own kinsfolk," cried Ber- 
 thold, wrathfully. 
 
 " Call it what thou wilt ! Thou desireth Lauenburg, I 
 'desire the fortresses ; the only difference is, that I can 
 accomplish my wish and thou canst not," returned 
 Albrecht, pushing toward him the inkstand and pen. 
 
 "It is worse than robbery, it is treachery, which we 
 will not submit to," interposed the young count. 
 
 " Cousin Rudolf, thou hadst best be silent ! " said Count 
 Bernhard, approaching him. 
 
 u Ye seem to forget that ye are intruders here, Cousin 
 Bernhard," observed Berthold. 
 
 " Thievish intruders ! " added Rudolf. 
 
 " Be still, or I will soon silence thee !" and Bernhard 
 raised his hand threateningly. 
 
118 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " Call us foes ! " cried Albrecht ; " ye have wished it, 
 ye have challenged us, and those who defy the Regensteins 
 must suffer for it. Sign the parchment ; my patience is 
 at an end." 
 
 " I will never sign it ! " roared Berthold. 
 
 u Bernhard, go to the window, and draw the sword ! " 
 
 Bernhard did as his brother directed, drew his sword, 
 and opened the window. 
 
 "Siegfried is outside with eighty men," said Albrecht, 
 turning to the Blankenburgs ; " one motion of the sword, 
 and your castle will be stormed, and with the hamlet 
 burned to the ground ! " 
 
 "Incendiaries that ye are!" exclaimed Berthold. 
 
 " Write ! " thundered Albrecht. 
 
 " Nay, never ! " cried the other. 
 
 Albrecht beckoned to his brother, and Bernhard bran- 
 dished the sword as a signal from the window. Loud 
 cries arose from below, and reverberating blows upon the 
 castle gates followed. 
 
 " Hasten, before the}- break in ! Thy small force will be 
 cut down before thine eyes ! " said Bernhard. 
 
 " I will pay thee back ! " Berthold shouted. 
 
 " Nay, keep the gold ! " laughed Count Albrecht ; " it 
 is yours ; only sign the deed ! " 
 
 The cries and blows grew ever louder. The castle 
 gates fell in, and the garrison began to shoot at the 
 assailants. 
 
 " The hamlet is burning ! " exclaimed Bernhard. 
 
 Both the Blankenburgs sprang to the windows ; a thick 
 smoke rose from below. 
 
 "Sign, father," whispered the son; "they are in 
 earnest." 
 
 Berthold went to the table, took the parchment and 
 signed it with trembling hand. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 119 
 
 " There ! " he groaned, throwing the pen at Albrecht' s 
 feet, with hatred in his eyes. 
 
 While Bernhard beckor.ed to the assailants to suspend 
 hostilities, Albrecht folded the parehinent, and said, as he 
 put it again in his pouch, — 
 
 4 'The fortresses are now mine! Any trespassers 
 caught on my territory will stand much in need of grace ! 
 Heed that, Cousin Berthold ! And now we will hinder 
 thee no longer from extinguishing the fire. Come, 
 Bernhard ! " 
 
 As the Regensteins turned to go, Count Berthold called 
 after them threateningly, - 
 
 44 We will soon return your visit! We shall come, 
 never fear, cousin robber ! " 
 
 A loud laugh was the only response. 
 
 In the court-yard Albrecht drew his sword, and ordered 
 that the gates should be opened. 
 
 The soldiers obeyed, and both the brothers strode out, 
 and mounting their horses, joined Siegfried, and rode off 
 at the head of their men. 
 
 The opportunity for plunder was too tempting to resist, 
 and some of the soldiers drove before them a number of 
 cattle, without any attempt on Count Albrecht's part to 
 prevent them. 
 
 After this bold stroke, with the result of which Count 
 Albrecht was more than satisfied, he bethought himself 
 that the sooner Lauenburg was now secured, the better, 
 and he concluded to attempt it three days later. 
 
 When the appointed morning came, all was stir and 
 bustle at Regenstein, which Oda and Eilika failed not to 
 observe, as both Siegfried and Bock were especially active, 
 and plainly showed by their behavior that something 
 unusual was on foot, though the object of the expedition 
 was carefully concealed. 
 
120 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 For two days after her sudden confinement by Bock, 
 Eilika had obstinately held herself aloof, feigning not to 
 see him when they met. But she could not hold out 
 against his polite greetings, or preserve utter silence when 
 he made humorous and provocative allusions. Soon she 
 began to resume her former friendly tone, and they in- 
 dulged as before in continual amicable skirmishing. On 
 this particular morning Bock made himself as conspicuous 
 as possible, running hastily hither and thither, shouting 
 out his orders, and glancing constantly at the upper castle 
 to see if Eilika were not secretly watching him. When 
 she at last appeared in the court-yard, he rushed toward 
 her, brandishing an axe, so that she drew back in alarm. 
 With a solemn face and disconnected words, he spoke 
 darkly of bidding farewell on the eve of bold deeds, bade 
 her think of him the following night, and begged her to 
 give him some memento, a neckerchief or a ribbon, to 
 charm away danger. 
 
 "Thou mayst cut off a lock of my hair with thine axe, 
 Sir Knight," laughed she; "but beware thou dost not 
 hurt me!" 
 
 Bock took the jest for earnest, and tried the edge with 
 his thumb. 
 
 " Sutdiinkel ! " he cried, with an important air, " sharpen 
 this axe for me, quickly ! " 
 
 "When wilt thou return, Sir Knight?" asked Eilika, 
 glad to have the dangerous weapon removed. 
 
 " Heaven knoweth ! " cried Bock. "Give me one 
 parting kiss, dear maiden ! Perchance, it may be the 
 last, as it will, alas, be the first ! " and he caressed his 
 long mustache as he spoke. 
 
 The girl screamed, turned and fled, while Bock looked 
 after her in dismay, like one who sees a captured bird sud- 
 denly slip through his fingers. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 121 
 
 In the course of the afternoon the "Wicked Seven" 
 left Regenstein, but not together, or at the same time. 
 They rode off at different hours and by different ways. 
 
 After their departure, quiet seemed to settle down upon 
 Regenstein. Eilika had little faith in the doughty deeds 
 of her adorer, and the perils to which he had alluded. 
 Oda, on her side, read in Siegfried's glances a secret 
 trouble which she could not interpret. She could not 
 attribute his melancholy to fear, for he knew not what 
 the word meant ; she therefore conjectured that this 
 serious undertaking was to decide the fate of the Regen- 
 steins. She little suspected that Siegfried's feeling was 
 altogether due to his distress at leaving her. If the 
 assault were successful, and Lauenburg fell into their 
 hands, Albrecht had directed that Siegfried should remain 
 as governor of the fortress, who would thus be parted 
 from Oda indefinitely. 
 
 In the afternoon he bade her farewell, with difficulty 
 hiding his emotion, but he said nothing to her of a pro- 
 longed separation. He was to meet Bernhard and ride 
 with him to the monastery of Wendhusen, which was 
 under the sway of the abbess. 
 
 Albrecht himself, who was to follow them in the even- 
 ing, remained till then with Oda. 
 
 He climbed with her to a stone seat which stood upon 
 an eminence, whence they had a wide view over forest and 
 plain to the distant mountains. 
 
 Deep stillness reigned in the castle, save that now and 
 again subdued sounds rose faintly from below. It seemed 
 good to Oda to be here alone with Albrecht, and she could 
 have lain her head like a child upon the shoulder of the 
 stalwart man, in happy security and confidence. 
 
 With her admiration for him was united a slight feeling 
 of awe. Her manner was one of gentle submission, and 
 
122 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 her eyes, when they rested upon his face, had a pleading 
 expression which was almost pathetic. 
 
 This was due to her continual regret that he was making 
 enemies on her behalf, and involving himself in danger. 
 Her anxiety had increased to an almost unbearable point, 
 owing to the unusual note of preparation and to Seig- 
 fried's mysterious departure, and Oda felt that she could 
 conceal it no longer. 
 
 " Sir Count," she began, hesitatingly, " I am filled with 
 uneasiness when I think of the difficulties which may be 
 threatening thee. I fear me, thou art taking some serious 
 step, the cause of which is my sojourn here. 1 pray thee, 
 tell me, if thou wilt, what thou art about to do, for the 
 sake of my peace ! " 
 
 Albrecht looked kindly at her, and said, with a quiet 
 smile, "Why shouldst thou fret thyself, Countess Oda, 
 because we soldiers ride out and seize with a strong hand 
 that which we would have ? " 
 
 " Thou ridest not out on the highway, to plunder like 
 the men-at-arms, who gain their livelihood thus," she 
 answered. 
 
 " Yet dost thou not know what they call me throughout 
 the land?" laughed Albrecht. "Am I not the robber 
 count?" 
 
 " Nay, that art thou not," cried she, warmly. " Thy 
 foes so call thee, but the poor and oppressed whom thou 
 helpest, remitting their tithes and rents, they bless and 
 praise thee. And they are right ; thou doest much for 
 others ; thou take st nothing for thyself." 
 
 " I thank thee for thy good opinion, but thou deceivest 
 thyself, sweet maiden. I will confess to thee that this 
 very night we would take a fortress, with all it containeth." 
 
 " Falkenstein? " asked she, startled. 
 
 " Nay, not Falkenstein this time." Then pointing to the 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 123 
 
 right of Quedlinburg, ^Seest thou those gray walls and 
 towers behind the wooded hill yonder? That is Lauen- 
 burg, and to-morrow morning, before cock-crow, it must 
 be ours." 
 
 Oda looked at him in surprise. " Is the fortress strong ? 
 Will it cost thee a hard fight? " 
 
 M Fear not," he answered ; " doubtless we shall all return 
 alive. The worst thing that will befall will be the anger 
 of the abbess, for the stronghold belongeth to her convent, 
 and my contest with her will be more severe than the 
 attack on Lauenburg." 
 
 44 But thou wilt be able to satisfy her," said Oda, 
 troubled. 
 
 "I hope so," he answered; " her vehemence is soon 
 tempered by her judgment. She is a clear-headed, high- 
 hearted woman ! " 
 
 Oda apparently assented, but said nothing. 
 " We always quarrel when we are together," he con- 
 tinued. "When I visited her recently, thou wert the 
 subject of contention." 
 
 " I ! " exclaimed Oda, in astonishment. 
 " Yea ; the abbess wished to have thee in her keeping, 
 and charged me with holding thee here by force, that T 
 might thus be able to look into thy beautiful blue eyes, 
 and have thee near me." 
 
 " How knoweth she, then — " Oda did not finish the 
 hasty question, but checked herself with a blush. 
 
 " That thou hast blue eyes ? " cried the count. u I told 
 her so myself, and likewise that an angel of love and peace 
 had taken up her abode at Regenstein." 
 " Count Albrecht ! " said the startled girl. 
 "It is true, dear Oda ! " he continued, fervently, while 
 he bent down and took her hand in his. 
 
 Oda's heart beat faster, and her hand trembled 
 
124 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " And the bad Jutta would not believe me. ' Ask my 
 brother Siegfried,' I said to her; 'he knoweth it still 
 better.'" 
 
 Oda tried to withdraw her hand, but the count would 
 not permit it, and asked, "Hath Siegfried told thee that 
 he may remain at Lauenburg ? " 
 
 " Nay," she replied, quietly ; " he told me nothing." 
 
 "I have so arranged it," said he ; " and thou wilt have 
 to stay with me here alone for a little." 
 
 Oda's heart gave a bound, but she replied, " Thou wilt 
 be very lonely without him, Count Albrecht." 
 
 "With thee, dear Oda?" he answered, cheerily. "I 
 think not." 
 
 " But if the abbess insisteth upon my going to the con- 
 vent," she asked, shyly, " must I not do her bidding?" 
 
 11 Nay ; that I have already made very clear to her." 
 
 "Wilt thou not lose her favor, if thou deniest me to 
 her?" 
 
 " I will hazard it," said the count, rising quickly. 
 
 Oda rose also, and they descended the hill together. 
 
 " I shall see thee before I go," Albrecht said, as she 
 entered the castle, and he went to the stables. In the 
 evening he ordered that food should he brought, and 
 sent to ask Oda if she would come to him. 
 
 She presently appeared and sat with him while he ate, 
 the better to prepare himself for the night's work. He 
 was fully armed, and wore a tunic over his shirt of mail. 
 Finally he stood up, and donned his helmet and steel 
 gauntlets. But before he put on the right one, he took 
 Oda's hand and said, " Farewell, Countess Oda. Sleep 
 tranquilly. Klinkhard, the armorer, will watch over thee, 
 so that thou needst have no fear. I hope, at the latest, 
 to return to-morrow evening, and I assure thee I shall 
 gladly do so." 
 
TTIE ROBnEH COUNT. 125 
 
 "Fare thee well, Count Albrecht, and may God protect 
 thee," she answered with emotion, following him at the 
 same time to the court-yard, where he swung himself into 
 the saddle, and, accompanied by Schadow, rode rapidly 
 away. 
 
 Once upon the level road, he put spurs to his horse, and 
 galloped onward impetuously, so that Schadow, on his 
 heavier beast, found it difficult to follow him, and shook 
 his sober head at his master's reckless pace. 
 
 Oda climbed again to the stone seat and listened. The 
 sound of the horses' hoofs came to her distinctly through 
 the still air, and gradually died away ; but the maiden 
 continued sitting there alone with her thoughts in the 
 gathering darkness. Everything below her disappeared 
 from view ; she felt as if lifted above the earth, while 
 from one bright star overhead a ray of hope seemed to fall 
 upon her. 
 
 
126 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 The castle of Lauenburg was successfully taken by the 
 Regensteins, the negligence of the garrison and the condi- 
 tion of the almost dying castellan making the enterprise 
 eas3 T . When the assailants in the early dawn climbed the 
 steep hill, and crept to the fortress through the trees and 
 bushes, they found the drawbridge down, and the watch 
 so s >und asleep that they never heard the resounding 
 footsteps which crossed it ; no challenge followed, and 
 silence reigned within the gates. 
 
 Count Albrecht accordingly resorted to artifice. He 
 ordered his men to conceal themselves till sunrise. Then 
 he presented himself at the gate with his brother Bernhard, 
 and knocked and shouted, whereupon was heard at last a 
 surly response. 
 
 u How long do ye sleep in your burrow?" cried Count 
 Albrecht. "It is not far from mid-day. Up with ye!" 
 
 " Who is there?" sounded from within. 
 
 "The champion of our gracious lady of Quedlinburg, 
 Count von Regenstein ! Rise, ye sluggards I " 
 
 " Champion? Ho ! ho ! we must make sure of that ! " 
 returned the watch. 
 
 More talking was heard inside, but no one opened the 
 gate. Presently a soldier put his head out of a loophole 
 in the tower, but drew it quickly back when he recognized 
 the two counts upon the drawbridge. Within, voices were 
 raised in altercation, and finally the bolts were drawn back, 
 the careless watch having forgotten to lower the portcullis. 
 
 As the right division of the gate was cautiously opened, 
 the two counts rushed in and dealt the watch such vigor- 
 
T1IE ROBBER COUNT. 127 
 
 ous blows with their mailed gloves that the men staggered 
 back, too much stunned to use their weapons. 
 
 " Knaves ! " cried Count Albrecht. " Is this the way 
 ye guard the fortress of the lady abbess?" 
 
 His followers now pressed in after him, and laid about 
 them sturdily. The watch upon this set up a loud cry, 
 and fled to the central watch-tower, but the pursuers were 
 close at their heels, and pressed in with them before the 
 rest of the garrison could make any resistance. Suddenly, 
 on the steps appeared the tottering figure of the sick old 
 castellan in his bed-gown, a drawn sword in his feeble 
 grasp. 
 
 Count Albrecht shouted to him, — 
 
 "Stay where thou art, Leutfried ! We are the Regen- 
 steins ! " 
 
 A groan was the old man's only answer. He pressed 
 his left hand convulsively to his breast, and, overcome by 
 the shock, suddenly fell forward dead, his lifeless body 
 being borne back to the bed whence, with a supreme 
 effort, he had for the last time just arisen. 
 
 All resistance was now at an end, and the Regensteins 
 were in full possession of the castle. Count Albrecht or- 
 dered food for his men, and after all had refreshed them- 
 selves, he took a careful survey of the fortress, the result 
 of which was highly satisfactory. 
 
 44 See, Siegfried!" exclaimed Giinther ; " how neigh- 
 borly Gersdorf looketh. We can easily signal to one 
 another. And seest thou Halberstadt there behind? I 
 truly believe I see the scaffolding on the cathedral towers. 
 May Heaven bless the morning pottage, reverend bishop, 
 which the Regensteins have prepared for thee ! " 
 
 "And there to the left towereth Regenstein beyond 
 that hill, but I do not see my Heimburg," observed Bern- 
 hard. 
 
128 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 Siegfried was silent. What he wished to see was 
 altogether different, far dearer to him than the whole 
 Hartz territory. 
 
 Meanwhile, Bock mustered the little garrison, and de- 
 livered an harangue to the soldiers who had been too lazy 
 to draw up the bridge or lower the portcullis ; one far 
 from nattering, telling them they deserved to be hanged, 
 beheaded, and broken on the wheel, and that they ought 
 to thank him that they were allowed to escape with broken 
 heads, and would soon be taught the true duty of a 
 soldier.-* They who were slumbering at their post in the 
 hour of attack he ordered put in irons. 
 
 Albrecht gave Siegfried the necessary instructions, 
 enjoining upon him to make arrangements for Leutfried's 
 honorable interment, and while bidding him farewell, he 
 quietly asked what he should say to Oda. 
 
 Siegfried answered, in a rather melancholy tone, — 
 
 " From the watch-tower I can see Regenstein. Wilt 
 thou say to Countess Oda that I will mount the tower 
 every evening at sunset, and look toward Regenstein. 
 If I could know that she were sitting on our stone seat up 
 there at the same time, looking hitherward, it would be 
 a comfortable thought." 
 
 Albrecht promised to say so to the maiden, and thought 
 of his own conversation with her yesterday on this same 
 seat. 
 
 Count Albrecht only retained at Lauenburg the ar- 
 morer — an elderly and trusty man, a hunter who knew # 
 the forest thoroughly — and Leutfried's house servants. 
 He took the whole garrison with him, dividing the soldiers 
 between Gunteckenburg and Gersdorf , and left a number 
 of men from both these fortresses with Siegfried, so that 
 the force at Lauenburg was stronger than it had been 
 before. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 129 
 
 The three brothers rode off at the head of their little 
 band, promising Siegfried to visit him soon, and the latter, 
 proud of his new responsibilit}', though sad to be sepa- 
 rated from Oda, stood watching them as long as they were 
 in sight. Giinther returned with his body of men by the 
 nearest route to Gersdorf, while the others rode on to 
 Quedlinburg. 
 
 "This hath been child's play," remarked Albrecht to 
 his brother Bernhard ; "if every place I desire to hold 
 between Oker and Bode were as easy to obtain as Lauen- 
 burg ! " 
 
 " Crave not more to rule over," said Bernhard ; " but 
 be satisfied with what we have." 
 
 u To wield power is to live," answered the elder, with 
 glowing eyes; "but, Bernhard, now cometh a struggle 
 indeed ! Wilt go with me to the abbess? " 
 
 " Dost thou fear to face her alone? " 
 
 " By my soul, I think I do ! " said the other. 
 
 " I would gladly accompany thee, but I believe thou 
 canst mollify her best by thyself," laughed Bernhard. " I 
 will await thee at the prior's." 
 
 "Be it so!" answered Albrecht; "but forget not to 
 say a benedicite for me ! " 
 
 "And a thanksgiving, if thou returnest with thine eyes 
 in thy head ! " 
 
 " And a deed of tenure in my pouch," added Albrecht. 
 
 The abbess received the count with the more pleasure 
 that she did not expect him so soon. After their angry 
 fhterview, which she immediately regretted, she felt 
 ashamed of her jealousy of Oda, which she had so plainly 
 betrayed. When he appeared to-day, therefore, so unex- 
 pectedly, and yet so longed for, her heart went out to 
 meet him, and she resolved that he should not, on this 
 occasion at least, leave her in anger. 
 
130 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " What dost thou bring, Sir Count, or what bringeth 
 thee?" she asked, with a smiling face. 
 
 "A piece of news, gracious lady, which mayhap will 
 grieve thee, but giveth me hope," answered Count Al- 
 brecht, with some constraint. 
 
 "I cannot guess thy riddle," said she, cheerfully; 
 ' ' how can I be grieved at that which maketh thee hope- 
 ful?" 
 
 " I would rather the conditions were reversed, my lady. 
 In a word, then, — Leutfried is dead." 
 
 " Well," she replied ; " thou seest I am not overcome, 
 and if thou hast not killed the good old man, I will par- 
 don thee for bringing me such tidings. But is he, then, 
 dead, surely?" 
 
 " As surely as I stand living before thee here." 
 
 "Peace to his ashes ! " said Jutta. " Wilt thou not be 
 seated, dear Count?" 
 
 " Surely," he replied, seating himself. 
 
 " And now," continued she, — " now we must bethink 
 ourselves of a" new castellan for Lauenburg." 
 
 " Yea, now we must have a new castellan," he repeated, 
 beginning to feel uncomfortable. 
 
 "Canst thou propose any one, Count Albrecht?" said 
 she, mischievously. 
 
 "I? Nay !   — that is — gracious lady, it is thy castle ; 
 thou alone must decide." 
 
 " But I know nothing about such matters." 
 
 " And I know only too well," thought Albrecht, as he 
 passed his hand over his moist brow. 
 
 ' ' I may need no castellan in future ; the chapter 
 gaineth naught by holding Lauenburg," said the abbess. 
 
 " Then give it to some one in fief : one who can defend 
 it." 
 
 "That is my idea, likewise ; I have thought of the 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 131 
 
 counts of Blankenburg, who have offered me considerable 
 inducement," Jutta continued, her eyes sparkling. 
 
 But Count Albrecht failed to notice her expression in 
 his dismay. " The Blankenburgs ? My lady! The 
 Blankenburgs?" 
 
 44 Yea; why not?" 
 
 44 Thou hast promised me not to dispose of the fortress 
 behind my back ! " 
 
 " And am I not doing it before thy very eyes ? " 
 
 11 Thou wilt never dispose of it thus!" he exclaimed, 
 resolutely. 
 
 44 Count Albrecht!" 
 
 44 Never ! Never ! The Blankenburgs are my enemies ; 
 the enemies of thy defender must be thine also ! " 
 
 She looked at him for a moment, and then stretching 
 out her hand to him, she said, heartily, t4 Thou art right! 
 Thy foes are my foes ! " and with a merry laugh she 
 sprang to her feet. 4 ' Enough of this, my dear lord of 
 Lauenbnrg ! How couldst thou think for a moment that 
 I would give the castle to any other man than Albrecht 
 von Regenstein ? " 
 
 Count Albrecht was astonished and dazzled by the 
 bewitching grace of the beautiful abbess. Surely this 
 was easier than the seizure of the fortress. How useless 
 had been his fears ! Oh, that Bernhard could witness this 
 interview ! 
 
 44 Gracious princess, receive my most heartfelt thanks ! " 
 he cried, warmly grasping her hand. 
 
 But she drew it back with a charming movement. 
 44 Thou must ask my pardon for doubting me. Stay! 
 Before thou thankest me, thou must first make thy plea. 
 I have never yet heard a prayer from thee, and I would 
 see how Count Albrecht appears in the attitude of 
 entreaty." 
 
132 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " Gracious Heaven ! M thought Albrecht. "I must sue 
 for the castle, while Siegfried holdeth it at this moment 
 with his sixteen men ! " But there was no help for it ! 
 
 1 * Noble princess and most gracious abbess of the free 
 convent of Quedlinburg ! I humbly beseech thee, of thy 
 good favor, to invest me with the fortress of Lauenburg ! " 
 said Albrecht, most courteously. 
 
 Whereupon she answered, with a lofty grace, " Most 
 noble Count ! we, Jutta, by the grace of God, abbess of 
 Quedlinburg, promise and vow, by virtue of a written 
 deed, witnessed and sealed, to invest thee in lawful 
 enfeoffment with our fortress of Lauenburg. Rise, my 
 liegeman ! " 
 
 He could not rise, for he had not kneeled, but he took 
 her hand, and pressed his lips upon it with courtly 
 reverence, saying, lk I thank thee once more, gracious 
 princess.' 
 
 The count now enjoyed comparative freedom, but it was 
 far otherwise with his conscience. 
 
 The abbess then rang a bell, and ordered that the 
 scrivener should come to her. 
 
 " Florencius," said she, as he entered the room, " draw 
 up a deed of enfeoffment for the Count von Regenstein, 
 granting him our castle of Lauenburg." 
 
 "I have one already prepared, gracious lady," an- 
 swered Florencius, with an air of satisfaction ; " only that 
 the name of the noble feudatory is lacking." 
 
 " Add it immediately, thou forecasting scribe, and then 
 bring me the parchment to sign." 
 
 Whereupon Florencius withdrew to execute the abbess's 
 order. 
 
 And now only a few moments would intervene before 
 Count Albrecht became the lawful master of Lauenburg. 
 If he should accept the document from Jutta's hand in 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 133 
 
 silence, the matter would be settled beyond recall and 
 with most unhoped-for despatch Possibly, in fact 
 probably, the abbess would never know of the usurpation 
 of the castle before the investiture, but rest in the belief 
 that he had acquired it in a legitimate manner. But it 
 would be abusing her confidence were he not to confess 
 that he had already taken possession of the fortress. 
 Yet, on the other hand, who could say that she would 
 then be willing to sign the deed? Would she not refuse 
 to sanction such an arbitrary act? And if so, such a 
 propitious moment as this could never return, ami the 
 prospect of coming to any amicable agreement with the 
 aggrieved abbess would be small indeed. 
 
 While Count Albrecht was thus hesitating, Florencius 
 returned, handed Jutta the completed document and again 
 withdrew. 
 
 The abbess spread it upon the table, seated herself and 
 took the pen. 
 
 At this moment the count approached her quickly, laid 
 his hand on hers, and cried, " Stay, my lady ! Hear me, 
 first ! " 
 
 She looked up in surprise. "Dost thou not wish 
 Lauenburg?" she asked, laughingly. 
 
 M My lady — I have it already." 
 
 " Thou meanest that my word is sufficient?" she said. 
 
 " I mean that early this morning I scaled and seized 
 the fortress." 
 
 "Thou hast dreamed it, and with a stroke of this pen 
 thy dream shall be fulfilled. I know," she added, " how 
 easy and natural it is to dream what one longeth for, one 
 possesseth." 
 
 " I have not dreamed it — I have done it ! " he exclaimed, 
 almost impatiently. "I rode to Lauenburg last night, 
 with my brothers and a handful of troops, attack c 1 and 
 
134 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 seized the castle. I would have thee know it before thou 
 signest the deed." 
 
 Jutta threw down the pen, crying, sharply, " Thou 
 didst slny my castellan?" 
 
 " Nay," answered the count ; " no one injured him ; he 
 died of the shock. And it was time that he died, my 
 lady ! The fortress was in too feeble hands ; the draw- 
 bridge was down, the portcullis was up, the watch asleep ; 
 upon the first assault it might have fallen into any hands." 
 
 " And thou knewest it? " 
 
 " Nay ; if I had, I should have told thee, or taken it 
 sooner." 
 
 11 And thou hast truly taken it? It is no joke?" she 
 asked, with a lingering doubt in her mind. 
 
 " In good sooth, it is no joke ! I have assuredly taken 
 the castle." 
 
 Then she started up, and stood before him like an 
 enraged lioness, with flaming eyes. Words failed her. 
 She strode up and down, as though she did not see him. 
 Presently she stopped, and throwing back her head, ex- 
 claimed, "Thou hast first practised treachery, and then 
 played me a miserable trick. It is shameful, Sir Count! 
 Truly shameful ! " 
 
 " Let loose thy thunders, and when thou art willing to 
 hear me, I will speak," answered the count; and leaning 
 on his sword, he gazed fixedly out of the window. 
 
 "I will hear nothing!" cried Jutta. "Dost think I 
 am thus to be trifled with ! With a false smile on thy 
 lips, thou earnest to beg for something of which thou hast 
 already robbed me ; stole it away like a thief in the night, 
 when I have been for a year looking forward to the pleas- 
 ure of bestowing it upon thee ! This is thy chivalry, 
 Count von Regenstein ! " 
 
 Albrecht remained silent and motionless. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 135 
 
 iC Answer me! Callest thou this chivalrous?" she 
 cried, approaching him. 
 
 " A woman cannot understand such matters ! " returned 
 the count, coolly. 
 
 " A fine answer ! As the deed, so is the speech ! " 
 
 " Presently thou wilt praise the deed," replied Albrecht, 
 turning toward her. u There was danger in every 
 moment's delay ; only in this way could I keep the fortress 
 for thee. I acted also on my own account ; that I do not 
 deny, for it was necessary for my security. The Blanken- 
 burgs coveted it, and the Quedlinburgers, and the bishop 
 is spreading his nets everywhere, and snatching cities and 
 strongholds. When I came hither the last time, I meant 
 to explain it to thee, but I could get no opportunity for 
 rational talk. Then I thought, ' What need of longer 
 waiting? The princess doth not understand the matter, 
 yet she will be glad to have it decided for her.' " 
 
 " And so thou didst act the part of the robber count," 
 said the abbess, bitterly. " There was a time when thou 
 thonghtest differently ; when my words had some weight 
 with thee ; when my wishes were gratified, and thou didst 
 nought that I disapproved. If thou hast forgotten it, I 
 have not. What shall I do now? Thou hast invaded 
 rights, which I must and will guard. Shall I quietly let 
 this pass ? Never ! Not even from thee ! Thou art 
 magistrate of the province, — before what bar shall I 
 summon thee ? Thou art protector of the convent, — who 
 shall protect me from thee ! Thou wast my friend, — and 
 now, what art thou but a foe? 
 
 " I have ever sought to increase thy power, but thou 
 art insatiable. I have trusted thee blindly, and believed 
 my prerogative* safe in thy hands. For thy sake I broke 
 with the bishop, quarrelled with the council yonder in the 
 city, repulsed the counts of Blankeuburg, and closed my 
 
lo6 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 eyes to the disorderly lives of the monks of Wiperti. . But 
 nil in vain ! Thou hast accepted all, and then laughed at 
 thy soft-hearted, credulous friend behind her back ; this 
 is the thanks I get ! " 
 
 i; Art thou now ready to hear me?" asked the count. 
 
 u I am now read}' to order the evacuation of Lauenburg 
 this very day ! Not one of your men must remain within 
 its walls ! " 
 
 Count Albrecht shook his head. " I have given the 
 new castellan very different orders, — to let no one but 
 our men enter the gates ! " 
 
 " And pray, who is the new castellan?" 
 
 " My brother Siegfried." 
 
 "Thy brother Siegfried!" Again the abbess threw 
 back her head, and darting a quick glance at Albrecht, 
 she said, haughtily, " And Countess Oda is with him? " 
 
 The blood rushed to the count's face, as he answered, 
 bluntly, " My lady, hast thou lost thy reason?" 
 
 u Where is Oda?" she continued, sharply. 
 
 u At Regenstein ! Where else should she be?" 
 
 The abbess laughed a scornful laugh, saying, "I have 
 sense enough, Sir Count, to penetrate this manoeuvre. 
 Thou couldst not wait to get possession of my castle by 
 fair means, so anxious wert thou to find a place for thy 
 dear brother, who was one too many for thee at Regen- 
 stein. Oh, it is a famous plot ! But does thy brother 
 acknowledge his debt of gratitude for what thou hast done 
 for him?" 
 
 The count's blood boiled, but controlling himself with 
 •an effort, he replied, " Gracious lady, what is done is done ; 
 to-morrow thou wilt feel differently. Let us now at least 
 declare a truce, and perchance thou mayst even be will- 
 ing to set thy princely hand to this deed of tenure ! " 
 
 On this the abbess stepped to the table, took the parch- 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 137 
 
 incut, and approaching the count, with a sudden motion 
 violently tore it through the middle, threw the pieces at 
 his feet, and cried, " So much for your deed ; this is my 
 answer ! " 
 
 And then, what should Count Albrecht do but suddenly 
 throw his arms around her, with a kind of restrained fury, 
 holding her so that she could not move, and exclaiming, 
 k4 Beauteous art thou, my noble lady, in thy wrath ; and 
 fast as I hold thee now, I will hold thy Lauenburg, deed 
 or no deed ; and so pledge I my faith as thy liegeman ! '» 
 Then, before she could collect herself, he impressed a quick 
 kiss upon her brow, and as quickly releasing the amazed 
 lady, lightly said, "Farewell, till we meet again!" and 
 hurried away, shutting the door after him with resounding 
 force. 
 
 The abbess stood as one paralyzed, trying to breathe, 
 to think. At last, collecting herself with difficulty, she 
 rang for her waiting- woman, and ordered that Master 
 Willekin von Herrkestorf, the chancellor of the chapter, 
 should be summoned immediately. 
 
 Meanwhile, in the cool refectory of the St. Wiperti 
 monastery, Bernhard and Bock, with the fat friar and two 
 monks, sat comfortably around the table, waiting for 
 Albrecht, who, after a considerable interval, entered the 
 room. 
 
 " God bless thy going out and thy coming in, Sir 
 Count ! " said the prior, rising. 
 
 Count Bernhard said nothing, but looked inquiring!}' at 
 his brother. 
 
 " Nay," said Albrecht, answering the look, and shaking 
 his head. u Come, let us ride on, now." 
 
 But the monks begged him to remain and partake of 
 refreshment, which he finally consented to do, giving him- 
 self for the moment to good-fellowship, and putting away 
 
138 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 from him his late strange encounter with the abbess. But 
 he did not linger long ; he soon set off with Bernhard, fol- 
 lowed by Bock and his six comrades. On the road he told 
 his brother all that had occurred, except the manner of his 
 parting with the abbess. " But no matter," he concluded ; 
 4i what we have we keep, and I am ready to hazard any- 
 thing I possess that the sun will not set' seven times upon 
 her wrath. Moreover, I know how to obtain the deed of 
 feudal tenure on the morrow." 
 
 4 'The offer of a gold ring, mayhap?" asked Bernhard, 
 jokingly. 
 
 44 Nay," replied Albrecht ; " Countess Oda is the coveted 
 object for which she will grant me anything." 
 
 "Give her up, Albrecht! Thou canst not keep the 
 maiden alone at Regenstein with thee." 
 
 4 4 Why not ? " asked the elder brother, with a frown. 4 4 1 
 have promised her my protection, and I will not leave her 
 without it." 
 
 44 Have a care, Albrecht," pleaded Bernhard; 44 our 
 foes are increasing by reason of this maiden, and I fear 
 a hard struggle is in store for us." 
 
 44 Yea; doubtless we shall soon have fighting enough," 
 returned Count Albrecht. 
 
 44 If thou wilt not surrender her to the abbess, let her 
 come to us at Heimburg, and be under Reginhild's care," 
 urged Bernhard. 
 
 44 Nay," answered the other, shortly and sharply ; 44 she 
 remaineth where she is," and spurred on his horse so im- 
 patiently that Bernhard could not fail to notice it, and 
 draw his own conclusions. 
 
 When they reached Regenstein, they observed upon the 
 summit of the rocks a figure waving a scarf to them in 
 friendly greeting. It was Oda. Both the brothers saw 
 her, but neither made any observation, though a smile 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 139 
 
 came upon Albrecht's face, as he returned her salutation. 
 Bernhard, on the other hand, appeared not to notice it, 
 but looked down with an air of annoyance. The brothers 
 separated at the foot of the hill, after a brief farewell, but 
 neither felt satisfied with the other. 
 
 In his impatience, Albrecht urged his horse up the steep 
 incline so that it panted for breath, and was so hot when 
 his master rode him into the stable, that Schadow could 
 hardly refrain from speaking, it was so contrary to the 
 count's custom. 
 
 One was hidden from view on the slope of the hill by 
 the trees, so that Oda only knew of Albrecht's arrival by 
 the blast of the warder's horn. 
 
 She hurried down, and near the foot of the rocks she 
 met Count Albrecht coming toward her. There she stood 
 still, to recover her breath, with rosy cheeks and shining 
 eyes. 
 
 " Siegfried sendeth thee greeting, Countess Oda," 
 began Albrecht, as he offered her his hand; " and every 
 evening at sunset he will stand on the watch-tower at 
 Lauenburg and beckon hither, and he would fain thou 
 shouldst stand on our rock and wave a salutation in 
 return." 
 
 Instead of answering, Oda asked, quickly, " Art thou 
 wounded, Count Albrecht? " 
 
 Albrecht laughed. "I have neither given nor received 
 wounds. My sword hath remained in its sheath ; we have 
 captured the castle without bloodshed." 
 
 " Hast thou also seen the abbess? " 
 
 M I have, in good sooth." 
 
 " And how did ye part?" 
 
 M To speak truly, the parting was somewhat stormy," 
 answered the count, with a peculiar intonation ; " but I 
 trust we shall soon be friends again." 
 
140 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 They had slowly descended, and now met the old house- 
 keeper. 
 
 " Let me have something to eat, Ursula," Albrecht 
 called to her ; " I am hungry." 
 
 " Wilt thou not take off thine armor?" asked Oda. 
 
 " In that case I must leave thee," he said, smiling, 
 " and I have been away all day." 
 
 " I will wait," she said, slightly blushing ; " and mean- 
 time Ursula will get ready our supper." 
 
 " Our! Hast thou not already eaten? " 
 
 " Nay," she answered ; " I waited for thy return." 
 
 His eyes rested upon her for a moment, and then he 
 said, "I will be with thee speedily," and went to his 
 room. 
 
 The sun had now sunk nearly to the top of the Brocken, 
 and the watch-tower's shadow lay quite across the court- 
 yard. Oda paced to and fro, absorbed in her own 
 thoughts. 
 
 When the count entered his chamber, he saw that some 
 one had been there before him. His clothing, armor, 
 weapons, and belongings of all kinds, which usually lay 
 in confusion, were now in order, each in its proper place. 
 As Count Albrecht looked about him he frowned at the 
 unauthorized invasion, till a small jug of wild flowers 
 caught his e} r e, which stood beside his inkhorn on the 
 table. No one could have put it there but Oda. She had 
 indeed gathered these flowers and placed them in 
 Albrecht's room ; at the same time, like a good fairy, 
 putting everything to rights. It was she who had been 
 thinking how to please his eye ; it was her hand which 
 had moved this knife, the spurs, and the old law-book, 
 and which had finally arranged this fragrant little nose- 
 gay to crown the work. 
 
 Albrecht took it in his hand, gazed at it, and put it 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 141 
 
 back where Oda had placed it. Now again he surveyed 
 the chamber, but with a smile, as if pleased with its air 
 of cheerful neatness, and a feeling of peaceful content 
 reign-, d in the breast of the man who had just taken a 
 fortress from a sovereign ruler, and openly defied her 
 anger. He laid aside his armor, but instead of throwing 
 it down at random, he carried it to his sleeping-room, and 
 clothed himself in a close-fitting woollen tunic. Then he 
 took the flowers and went into the court-yard to join Oda. 
 
 Heartily thanking the embarrassed girl, he took from 
 the bunch of flowers a little spray of bluebells. " Permit 
 me," he said, smiling; " the bluebells will well become 
 thy dark hair." 
 
 Confused, she stood beside him while he carefully 
 arranged the flowers. Then, fastening the rest of them 
 upon his breast, they went to supper, but not uutil old 
 Ursula had called them more than once. 
 
 The sun sank below the horizon. Yonder on the watch- 
 tower of Lauenburg stood Siegfried, looking and longing, 
 but his lily was not on the rocky height of Regenstein. 
 She sat beneath with his brother, her heart full of joy, 
 while Siegfried's ardent greeting flew over the castle like 
 an arrow that has -missed its mark and is lost forever. 
 
142 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 When Master Willekin, who had not immediately 
 received Jntta's message, finally appeared at the convent, 
 he found the inmates in considerable excitement. In the 
 court-yard, upon the steps, and in the passages he saw 
 everywhere animated faces, and above, in one of the ante- 
 rooms, he met the superior and deaconess with some of 
 the younger ladies engaged in earnest conversation, but 
 they could not explain to him exactly what had befallen. 
 
 Count Albrecht's exceptionally early visit, his prolonged 
 stay, and his hasty departure had taken the castle by sur- 
 prise. The abbess's waiting-woman and Florencius had 
 been teased till the latter acknowledged that he had drawn 
 up a deed giving the count Lauenburg in fief ; and the" 
 former, who confessed to having listened, told them that 
 he had quarrelled with the abbess, but that she only heard 
 detached words and sentences, such as " shameful," " is 
 this thy chivalry?" "slay my castellan," and the question, 
 "Where isOda?" Afterward, when her mistress rang, 
 she had seen a torn parchment lying on the floor. There- 
 fore, the conclusion was arrived at, that Count Albreclit 
 had torn the deed in anger, but why, no one could divine 
 
 Thus prepared for something unusual, the chancellor 
 entered the abbess's room, she having refused to see any 
 one else. He found her still hot with indignation, and in 
 this mood she related to him how Count Albrccht had 
 taken Lauenburg by storm, and installed his brother there 
 as castellan. 
 
 Master Willekin must now counsel her what to do. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 143 
 
 She said nothing whatever of the deed of feudal tenure, 
 and the chancellor was inclined to doubt the story of the 
 scrivener and the waiting- woman. 
 
 But it was highly important to him to know whether the 
 abbess actually intended giving the too-powerful Von 
 Regenstein the coveted castle, which the city of Quedlin- 
 burg so much desired. 
 
 "Gracious lady," he began, after short consideration, 
 ' ' permit me to ask one question. Dost thou wish to take 
 the fortress altogether out of the hands of the Regen- 
 steins, or dost thou only wish to remove their castel- 
 lan?" 
 
 The abbess was embarrassed, for the drawing up of 
 the deed was an undeniable fact, proving her late inten- 
 tion of making over Lauenburg to Count Albrecht. She 
 was obliged, therefore, to confess the truth, and answered, 
 u I had certainly purposed giving Count von Regenstein 
 tenure in fief of the castle of Lauenburg, but since he hath 
 taken it by force, I am of another mind, and have com- 
 manded him to surrender it." 
 
 The chancellor thereupon stated that, notwithstanding 
 the late disagreement between the lady abbess and the 
 council of Quedlinburg, the latter was ready, if need were, 
 to wrest the fortress from Count Albrecht, provided the 
 city might retain it in fief. But it could hardly be effected 
 without powerful allies. 
 
 " Are these to be found?" the abbess asked. 
 
 14 1 know of one," answered Master Willekin, "but 
 thou hast made an enemy of him." 
 
 " The bishop of Halberstadt?" said she, quickly. 
 
 The chancellor assented. 
 
 u It would cost but a word to renew his friendship," she 
 continued. 
 
 "Indeed!" replied Master Willekin, in gratified sur- 
 
144 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 prise. " Hast thou any other complaint against the count, 
 which might give the bishop a right to interfere?" 
 
 " Certainly ! He keepeth Countess Ocla von Falkenstein 
 a prisoner at Regenstein, though her brother hath destined 
 her for this convent, and committed her to my keeping, 
 with a large dower. Count Albrccht refuseth to release 
 her, though I have required of him that he should do so." 
 
 " I am aware of it,'* answered the chancellor, " and the 
 bishop hath demanded it likewise." 
 
 "He hath his own reasons," said the abbess, " and I 
 could call upon him to join with us, and through him we 
 might secure Count Hoyer as an ally." 
 
 "But Count Albrecht hath his friends also," suggested 
 the chancellor. " The Mansfelds and the other Hartz 
 nobles. We can easily light a fire which will spread over 
 the whole country." 
 
 " Let it spread, then ! " cried Jutta, passionately. " I 
 will have my rights! Dost thou believe that Count 
 Albrecht will give up the castle, unless we use force ? Let 
 your Quedlinburgers take it from him, and compel him to 
 yield Countess Oda to me, and ye shall have Lauenburg in 
 fief ! " 
 
 U I must go and consult my friends of the council, 
 gracious lady," said Master Willekin, hastily, taking his 
 leave, lest the capricious abbess should recall her words. 
 
 In the anteroom he found the superior and deaconess 
 waiting for him, and he was obliged to tell them what had 
 occurred. They wrung their hands in holy horror, and if 
 the count's ears burned just then, it was not because of 
 their praises. 
 
 As Master Willekin descended the steps, he said to 
 himself, " I much wonder how long this storm will last. 
 If Count Albrecht should come to-morrow, and give the 
 abbess a few fair words, she would give him Lauenburg 
 

 THE ROBBER COUNT. 145 
 
 on the spot, and garland it with roses to boot. Jnst now, 
 to oust Siegfried and bring the Countess von Falken- 
 stein into the convent, she would plunge the whole neigh- 
 borhood into war. What doth it mean? " 
 
 The chancellor's dwelling was a manor-house in a some- 
 what retired part of the city, with a farm outside the walls 
 attached to it. Through the latter ran a branch of the 
 Bode. Hither he invited the most intimate friends of the 
 councillors, including the first burgomaster, and acquainted 
 them with what had happened. 
 
 His guests heard with satisfaction of the quarrel between 
 the count and abbess, which they assumed must necessarily 
 be to the advantage of the city. At the same time they 
 were enraged at Count Albrecht's seizure of Lauenbuig, 
 recognizing the difficulty of securing it upon the abbess's 
 conditions. They might succeed in storming the castle 
 and driving out the obnoxious Siegfried, but how were 
 they to carry off his brother's prisoner from the impregna- 
 ble Regenstein? The reward, however, was tempting, and 
 with powerful allies and the whole strength of the city, 
 Count Albrecht might be overcome. Was it not for this 
 that they had concluded their alliance with the bishop of 
 Halberstadt? Never before had the prospect seemed so 
 bright for throwing off the hated Regenstein yoke, and 
 proudly asserting themselves as burghers of a free impe- 
 rial city of the great Hanseatic League. 
 
 In the chancellor's shady arbor, around his hospitable 
 board, the assembled councillors determined, under cer- 
 tain conditions, to declare war against the Regensteins. 
 They agreed to summon the council together on the fol- 
 lowing morning, and each undertook to take part in 
 inciting the burghers, especially the artisans, against their 
 feudal chief. Whereupon, full of hope and courage, 
 they took leave of their host. 
 
146 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 That very evening the rest of the councillors and many 
 citizens heard what had occurred. Exaggerated rumors 
 were abroad, and the minds of the townsfolk were much 
 exercised by the different reports. 
 
 Next morning the council came together. Much indig- 
 nation was expressed against the Regensteins, nor did 
 the abbess altogether escape, on account of her partiality 
 for the count. But they were ready to forgive and for- 
 get, under the circumstances, and make common cause 
 with her against him. 
 
 A few of the older councillors shook their heads and 
 raised their warning voices in protest, but the majority 
 were full of confidence, and eager for the struggle to begin. 
 They had bowed beneath the yoke long enough. Quedlin- 
 burg was no petty hamlet, but, since King Heinrich's time, 
 an important city, growing richer and stronger every day, 
 with its own coinage, tolls, and right of holding fairs, as 
 the armed statue of Roland in the market-place testified, 
 he who had promised them the right of criminal jurisdic- 
 tion, which had nevertheless thus far been denied. Here 
 emperors had lived, — Heinrich, Otto, Barbarossa, and 
 Philip of Swabia, — and here the Reichstag had met, and 
 would they now let themselves be taxed and trampled 
 upon by a mere robber count ? They would bear it no 
 longer ! They were in no wise inferior to their neighbors 
 of Halberstadt, who were happy and contented under 
 the crosier of their bishop. They also cited Aschersleben, 
 which had just been acquired by him ; a little suddenly, 
 perhaps, but had immediately been granted important 
 privileges.* They were willing to be on friendly terms 
 with the princely abbess, so that she did not interfere 
 with their municipal liberties, according to their oaths, 
 but they must refuse to be any longer under the count's 
 jurisdiction. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 147 
 
 Thus they gave vent to their feelings, and showed 
 plainly how they coveted the neighboring fortress. 
 Happily the burgomaster had judgment and influence 
 enough to restrain the council from over-haste. He 
 reminded his hot-headed colleagues that Lauenburg was 
 the property of the convent, and that they could not 
 occupy it without the permission of the abbess ; otherwise 
 they would be following in Count Albrecht's footsteps. 
 
 They therefore resolved to go directly to the abbess, 
 and ask her to authorize them to begin hostilities, as well 
 as to solicit the bishop for a definite contingent of horse 
 and foot, as soon as all was in readiness for an attack. 
 
 The sitting had been a secret one, but its purpose was 
 intentionally made known to the whole community. 
 Immediately the city was in a state of ferment. The 
 timid were naturally frightened, but the courageous and 
 public-spirited heartily rejoiced, and were eager to pro- 
 ceed directly to attack the fortress. To be revenged upon 
 the robber count for every injury he had inflicted, for the 
 cattle he had stolen, for every punishment he had im- 
 posed, to assault his castles, and close their own gates 
 against him once for all, was the general desire. The 
 name of the robber count resounded in every nook and 
 corner. 
 
 The next day the guilds held their meetings, and 
 they all agreed to offer their services to the council, and 
 recommend that body to begin hostilities as soon as 
 possible. 
 
 This was precisely what the councillors wished. They 
 could now go to the abbess and inform her that it was 
 the desire of the entire community to throw off their 
 allegiance to Count Albrecht, and solicit her permission 
 to besiege and occupy the fortress of Lauenburg. Her 
 Other condition, namely, that Countess Oda should be 
 
148 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 removed from Regenstein and brought to the convent, had 
 been kept secret by the chancellor's confidants. 
 
 Master Willekin had absented himself from the castle 
 of Quedlinburg for two days, but the superior had informed 
 herself as to all that was occurring below in the city, and 
 painted it in lively colors for the benefit of the abbess. 
 The latter had at first refused to see uny of the chapter, 
 but the superior, in consequence of her urgency, was 
 finally admitted, ostensibly to offer consolation in this 
 trying state of affairs, but really to discover the inmost 
 feelings of the abbess, and to incite her against Count 
 Albrecht. 
 
 Indeed, Jutta had sad moments, when her anger cooled 
 and almost gave place to the old loyalty and affection. 
 That her wrath might not die out, it was advisable to fan 
 the flame a little, and the superior well understood this. 
 She began by appearing to defend the count, but in such 
 a way as to make Jutta more sensitive to the injury he 
 had done her. Then she proceeded to blame her for her 
 weakness, saying, " Why didst thou not follow my ad- 
 vice ? " 
 
 Jutta impatiently shrugged her shoulders. 
 
 "I have always said," Kunigunde continued, "that 
 thou wert spoiling the count. He taketh too much upon 
 himself, and thou shouldst not submit to it." 
 
 She little knew what Jutta had last submitted to. 
 
 " Who will protect thee against this man ? " the superior 
 went on. "Thou hast vexed the bishop, because thou 
 wouldst not assist at his consecration, sorely as I entreated 
 thee. Solely for love of Count Albrecht — oh ! I know 
 it, though thou sliakest thy head — didst thou not decline 
 the bishop's invitation, simply because he had trodden too 
 hard upon the count's foot? And what thanks hast thou? 
 He does what he pleaseth, and laugheth at thee I " 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 149 
 
 The abbess started at these words, for they were only 
 too true. The count had left her with a laugh, having 
 Lauenburg in his power, and he had branded her forehead 
 with his burning kiss. She bit her lips and said nothing 
 to Kunigunde's reproaches, but let herself be rated like 
 a child; she, the princess, and why? Ah! the count 
 should atone for this, likewise ! but when the sun sank, 
 and she sat alone in the twilight, the noble form of 
 Albrecht would appear to her in the gathering darkness, 
 and she would dwell upon his tone and words until she 
 was almost ready to give and forgive him everything. 
 Even the memory of his audacious freedom when he left 
 her was not so unbearable, as she thought of that moment 
 when she was held in his strong arms and suddenly felt 
 his kiss upon her brow. But then, alas ! the sound of his 
 light laugh rang again in her ears, reminding her that 
 Siegfried had been sent to Lauenburg, and that Oda and 
 Albrecht were together at Regenstein, perchance laughing 
 together at the lonely abbess in her castle. Thus her 
 wrath and resentment would return, while she determined 
 to steel her heart against all relenting. 
 
 But Kunigunde took good care that she should not be too 
 much alone , and more than once she repeated her exhorta- 
 tions. She sang the same old tune, and her wrinkled face 
 forcibly expressed her indignation at Count Albrecht's 
 conduct, always concluding her sermon by adjuring Jutta 
 to hand down unimpaired to her successors the powers 
 and privileges which she had herself received. 
 
 It was during one of these lectures that Master Wille- 
 kin von Herrkestorf arrived at the convent with the first 
 burgomaster and two of the councillors, and begged for 
 an interview with the abbess. 
 
 She advanced to meet the representatives of the council 
 with her usual dignity, while they in return made her 
 
150 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 profound salutations. The burgomaster, Nikolaus von 
 Bekheim, after a brief account of the state of affairs in 
 the city, informed her that it was the purpose of the 
 council, with her gracious permission, to take Lauenburg 
 by force and to throw off their allegiance to Count von 
 Regenstein. 
 
 For the first time in her life, Jutta was obliged to de- 
 cide for herself a most important question. When she 
 heard these serious and courageous men propose to 
 attempt an undertaking which she had suggested, she 
 was suddenly overwhelmed by a feeling of great respon- 
 sibility. Her plans for revenge, in the face of stern 
 reality and of undertakings fraught with untold results, 
 seemed now a foolhardy trifling with danger. She was 
 like a dreamer suddenly awakened, who finds himself on 
 the brink of an abyss Past and future were united in 
 the present, and while now she looked at everything in a 
 new light, she saw no way of escape. Pondering deeply, 
 she turned from one to the other of these men, who 
 waited expectantly for her answer, and whose manner 
 betrayed only resolute determination. 
 
 Nikolaus von Bekheim was a fine-looking man, with 
 large, bright eyes and shapely head, his erect carriage and 
 appearance of vigor contrasting singularly with his snow- 
 white hair. Werner Scheerenschmid, one of the coun- 
 cillors, with his slender figure and austere face, impressed 
 one as a man of shrewdness and reserve. The other, 
 Henning Wollrabe, was a genuine, fair-haired Saxon, 
 with ruddy complexion and broad shoulders, spirited and 
 intrepid, and at the same time with a quiet assurance of 
 manner. He belonged to an old Quedlinburg family, but 
 owed his place in the council even more to his wealth 
 than to his other advantages. 
 
 The abbess's situation was one of some difficulty as shg 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 151 
 
 sat confronting these representatives of Quedlinburg, all 
 eager for independence, and, moreover, in a highly irri- 
 table state of mind. If she granted the council's request, 
 she gave the signal for hostilities over which she could 
 have no control ; and if she refused, the city would in all 
 probability dispense with her consent, and go to war with 
 the count, regardless of her wishes or rights. These 
 reflections passed swiftly through her mind, while with 
 grace and dignity, and at the same time with firmness, 
 she said, — 
 
 "Good sirs! we will endeavor to settle this affair 
 presently, in the best way possible. We are most un- 
 willing to plunge our good city of Quedlinburg into strife 
 and bloodshed, or to give permission for war against its 
 feudal chief. We know well that ye bring many com- 
 plaints against the count, and that ye would be rid of 
 burdens which we would gladly see removed without de- 
 tracting from princely prerogatives. We stand between 
 the town and our noble protector, and would fain do 
 justice to both, according to the laws and customs of our 
 ancestors ; but as we desire to take counsel in this matter, 
 and his Imperial Majesty is too distant, we will consult 
 the reverend bishop of Halberstadt, and thereupon come 
 to a decision." 
 
 Now this certainly sounded different from all which she 
 had said to the chancellor in the first ebullition of her 
 wrath. But at present she felt differently, and by speak- 
 ing thus she hoped still to hold the sword in her own 
 hand, and remain for the present mistress of the situa- 
 tion. The representatives of the council were not quite 
 satisfied with her speech, neither were they altogether 
 dissatisfied. After the chancellor's communication, they 
 looked for a more definite reply, but the abbess's proposal 
 to consult the bishop, the city's secret ally and the bitter 
 
152 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 enemy of tbe count, was gratifying, and from such con- 
 sultation they anticipated only favorable results. 
 
 The chancellor was of the same opinion, and seeing 
 that the restless superior was about to interfere, he be- 
 sought her by signs, which fortunately she heeded, to be 
 silent. 
 
 4 'May we inform our fellow-citizens, noble princess, 
 of thy decision?" asked Nikolaus von Bekheim. 
 
 44 Surely, Burgomaster," answered the abbess, 4 ' ye 
 may say this to the other councillors, the guild masters, 
 and our good friends, the townsfolk " 
 
 44 And wilt thou acquaint us with the bishop's ad- 
 vice, gracious lady ? " inquired Master Werner Scheeren- 
 schmid, with a scrutinizing look at the abbess. 
 
 44 We will not keep you in ignorance of our resolution, 
 Master Councillor,'' she replied, evasively. 44 To-morrow 
 I purpose to ride to Halberstadt. Thou wilt accompany 
 me, Master Willekin, and I shall ask for a small guard of 
 horsemen, Burgomaster ! " 
 
 44 They are always at thy service, my lady," replied the 
 worthy magistrate. 
 
 44 We are ready to protect thee with our lives, if need 
 be, noble lady, from any danger that may threaten thee ! " 
 cried Henning Wollrabe, warmly. 
 
 44 1 thank thee, Master Henning; ye have my best 
 wishes for the welfare of our good town." 
 
 Jutta said this smiling, and with a friendly inclination 
 of the head, for she wished to appear to ♦these gentlemen 
 of the council not only as princess, but as a charming 
 woman, whom they could not find it in their hearts to 
 resist. 
 
 She seldom failed to make such an impression as she 
 wished upon all men folk, and thus to-day the representa- 
 tives of the city of Quedlinburg took their leave, charmed 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 153 
 
 with her grace and beauty, and forgetting that they had 
 really obtained nothing by their visit. She had promised, 
 it is true, to ask the bishop's advice, but not to follow it. 
 The superior slipped out of the room with the chan- 
 cellor, and Jutta was left alone, her heart eased, after 
 painful days, by a feeling of comparative calmness and 
 content. 
 
154 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Although Count Albrecht immediately received news 
 of the ferment in Quedlinburg, he only laughed at it, be- 
 lieving it would all come to naught. 
 
 For him, however, now began a different and a far 
 more difficult warfare than that which the city threatened. 
 It was with his own heart and conscience that he was now 
 called upon to struggle. Albrecht loved Oda von Falken- 
 stein, and he knew it. It had become evident to him the 
 evening when he had put flowers in Oda's hair. From that 
 moment he was conscience-stricken, as he thought of his 
 brother Siegfried, with whose love for the maiden he was 
 only too well acquainted, and whose hopes he had himself 
 encouraged. Now that he was aware of his own desires, 
 he was horror-struck ; he felt himself a traitor, and re- 
 solved at once to renounce her utterly, without reflecting 
 that, perhaps, his resolution would tax even his strength 
 beyond its endurance. 
 
 When he met Oda, after a sleepless night, he avoided 
 her gaze as if oppressed by guilt, and spoke to her as little 
 as possible. Directly after breakfast he ordered his horse, 
 then threw himself into the saddle, and set out alone, 
 hoping thus to ease his mind. He rode on as in a dream, 
 without noticing where he went, lost in thought, hearing 
 nothing, seeing nothing. Every day, every hour, every 
 moment since Oda's arrival at Regenstein was recalled, 
 not forgetting her last " good-night," which was followed 
 — he could not deceive himself — by a soft pressure of the 
 hand. She did not suspect that he loved her, he thought 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 155 
 
 He had as yet done nothing on her behalf, but she had 
 implicit faith in his promises of assistance, and this must 
 be why she was friendly, and perhaps, also, b< cause he 
 was Siegfried's brother. Why should any other feeling 
 spring up in her young heart? And how could he be 
 guilty of such unpardonable folly, such wickedness, as 
 to fall in love with the pale lily, Siegfried's destined 
 bride ? 
 
 He sighed deeply, and straightened himself in the 
 saddle, then twitching the bridle, and making his horse 
 start as if on the brink of a precipice, he found himself 
 close to the walls of Quedlinburg without at all knowing 
 how he had come thither, and above him towered the 
 abbess's castle.. 
 
 Brim had brought him back by the same road over 
 which he had ridden yesterday. Was the noble animal 
 guided by some mysterious instinct? Should he return to 
 the abbess, make his peace with her, and freely surrender 
 the fortress of Lauenburg, giving her the opportunity 
 to bestow it upon him in fief, as she had purposed? 
 Count Albrecht was not free from superstition, and horse, 
 hound, and hawk were to him silent friends, in whose 
 sagacity lie had full faith. Had his trusty beast again 
 decided for him, indicating the way he should go? 
 
 As he reasoned thus with himself, it was possible that 
 Jutta's bright eyes might discover him from her window ; 
 but he did not trouble himself as to her opinion of his 
 appearance here. 
 
 Ah ! should she now look into his heart, and see there 
 that which she had jealously taxed him with, and which 
 he had then honestly denied, — his love for Oda ! 
 
 Had his horse, then, brought him here, that he might 
 make an apology, and acknowledge that, after all, Jutta 
 was right? 
 
156 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 He patted the animal's neck and stroked his mane. 
 
 " What thinkest thou, Brun? " he said. " Shall we go 
 to my lady, and make our peace? " 
 
 Brun nodded his head. 
 
 M Ha ! Brun ! Thou knowest her not ; thou hast never 
 quarrelled with her, nor looked into her great, dark eyes 
 when they burned ! What if I should go to her now, 
 and offer her my hand and heart ? Then I should be irrev- 
 ocably bound, and saved from the folly against which I 
 am so weak. This would guard the maiden and Siegfried 
 from my madness. A word to the beautiful abbess, and 
 all is done ! Shall we go up, Brun ? " 
 
 Brun shook his head till his chain and bridle rattled. 
 
 " Thou wilt not go? Thou wilt not have the proud 
 Jutta for thy mistress ? " cried the count, joyfully. "Come, 
 let us return, and see what Oda is doing ! " 
 
 But, instead of turning, the horse began to paw the 
 ground. 
 
 " What, dost wish me to attack this froward little city, 
 break down its walls, and challenge the burgher rabble be- 
 fore they throw down the gauntlet? Not now, Brun. 
 Come, come ! Oda is alone at home ! " 
 
 He turned his bay and trotted back, keeping his eyes 
 fixed on Regenstein, thinking that perchance Oda's slen- 
 der figure might appear again upon its rocky height. And 
 as he rode over the drawbridge, the seizure of Lauenburg, 
 the abbess's anger, the enmity of the Blankenbuigs and 
 of the townsfolk were all forgotten ; but he locked his 
 secret in the recesses of his heart, so that Oda might sus- 
 pect nothing. No pressure of the hand, no tender word, 
 no glance betrayed his love for her ; yet tlie prolonged strug- 
 gle with himself gave him little rest or peace, and the next 
 day he swung himself again into the saddle, to reason with 
 himself in solitude, where Oda's questioning eyes could 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 157 
 
 not pursue him ; to do what he had failed in doing yester- 
 day, — decide upon his course. 
 
 At the foot of Regenstein, Brun wished to take the road 
 to Quedlinburg once more ; but this time the count chose to 
 go his own way. and, turning the wilful beast, he rode by 
 the Michaelstein monastery, up the valley of the Goldbach. 
 As the narrow pathway became steeper, and his way was 
 impeded by low-hanging branches, Count Albrecht dis- 
 mounted, fastened his horse, and threw himself upon the 
 ground in the shade of a beech-tree. Not a leaf was 
 stirring, and only the song of birds broke the silence of 
 the forest. 
 
 But even here disturbed thoughts swarmed through his 
 mind like gnats in the sunshine, and when he tried to set 
 them in order, a doubt began to dawn upon him which 
 grew more and more definite, and which he could not 
 shake off. 
 
 The more sure he was of Siegfried's love for Oda, the 
 less certain he felt that Oda returned it. He must know 
 the truth, and reluctantly confessed to himself that this 
 doubt brought with it a gleam of hope. 
 
 But how should he sound Oda's heart ? The soldierly 
 knight was versed in militaiy strateg} T , but he little knew 
 how to surprise a woman's secret. Therefore, he deter- 
 mined to wait till chance should reveal it to him, and 
 when he discovered that she loved Siegfried, he would 
 ask Jutta's hand, and be to her a faithful husband, and 
 to Oda an affectionate brother-in-law. As head of his 
 family, he felt it simply a duty to marry and give Regen- 
 stein a mistress. He had received sufficient proof of 
 Jutta's love, notwithstanding their quarrels. Her pas- 
 sionate nature attracted him, and her wit and beauty were 
 such that he persuaded himself, if need were, he could 
 learn to love this captivating creature. 
 
158 THE ROBBER COUNT, 
 
 So in the solitude of the forest he arrived at a decision 
 which satisfied his conscience, and restored to him so 
 much peace of mind as would enable him to attend to 
 affairs which greatly required his care. 
 
 Thereupon he rode back to Regenstein, and found his 
 sister-in-law with Oda. It occurred to him at once to 
 take Reginhild aside, tell her everything, and ask for her 
 advice and assistance, for he loved her heartily, and had 
 confidence in her clear judgment and kindly feeling. But 
 when she looked at him as if she would read his thouglfts, 
 his resolution failed, and he was ashamed to confess that 
 he, the mature man, was held by the self -same fetters 
 which bound the young Siegfried. 
 
 lie might, however, have spared himself his apprehen- 
 sions, for Reginhild gave him advice unasked, having 
 come to Regenstein for this very purpose. 
 
 Oda's feeling for Albrecht, which Reginhild had dis- 
 covered, gave her much pain on Siegfried's account, and 
 when Bernhard, on his return from Lauenburg, related how 
 Siegfried had been sent there as castellan, and how his 
 own suggestion, that Oda should go to the convent, had 
 been summarily rejected, she feared that Albrecht would 
 become dearer to her, while Siegfried would be forgotten. 
 She imagined, from Albrecht's persistent refusal to part 
 with the young countess, that he had taken a passing 
 fancy to the latter, as she regarded Jutta von Kranichfeld 
 as future mistress of Regenstein. Siegfried's happiness 
 must not be destroyed for the elder brother's passing 
 whim, and, therefore, it was desirable that the former 
 should soon return, and it was to bring this about that 
 she had come to Regenstein, with Bernhard's approval. 
 
 After a sisterly greeting, she began, as if speaking for 
 her husband. Disturbing rumors had come to him of the 
 state of affairs in Quedlinburg, and of the town's inten- 
 tion to besiege Lauenburg. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 159 
 
 Bernhard begged his brother to remember that Sieg- 
 fried, with all his courage, was too young and inex- 
 perienced to be responsible for the castle, under these cir- 
 cumstances, and he advised Albrecht to recall him, and 
 put an older man in his place. 
 
 Reginhild's words dropped like a plummet into the 
 hearts of both her hearers, and the clever woman was on 
 the alert to see their effect, both upon Albrecht and Oda. 
 
 The count was taken by surprise, but he saw that the 
 suggestion was a wise one, and that this would be a good 
 test of Oda's feelings. If she cared for Siegfried, she 
 would show pleasure at the prospect of his return, and 
 then he would know what to do. 
 
 Bernhardt advice concerning Lauenburg certainly 
 seemed judicious. But Albrecht, conscious of his love, 
 was sure that some hidden design lay behind it, and sus- 
 pected what it was. He could not, however, refuse to 
 remove Siegfried, without creating the suspicion that he had 
 sent him away to be rid of him. But he would temporize, 
 and thus the better discover what Oda's feelings were. 
 
 Oda also heard Reginhild's proposal with a troubled 
 conscience, while she listened intently to Albrecht's reply, 
 without betraying in the least her own wishes in the 
 matter. All three were, in fact, carefully watching one 
 another. 
 
 11 Bernhard is right," answered Albrecht, after a short 
 pause. M I will send Harder, of Derenburg, to his aid ; a 
 true and trusty man. But I do not wish to recall him 
 immediately after intrusting him with the command of 
 which he seemed so proud. Dost thou not agree with me, 
 Countess Oda?" 
 
 M He said nothing to me of his pleasure, when he left 
 us," she replied ; u but what young knight would not enjoy 
 such a trust?" 
 
130 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 ' ' Thou canst not leave Siegfried at Lauenburg, after 
 thou scndest Harder thither," remarked Reginhild. " It 
 is not suitable for a Regenstein to be second in authority, 
 and under his own vassal. The garrison ought not to 
 know why the young castellan is withdrawn ; thou shouldst 
 give him some other than the real reason." 
 
 "It will doubtless be a mortification to him," said 
 Count Albrecht. "He will never allow that he cannot 
 command as well as another." 
 
 "I am sure he will acknowledge it, brother, if thou 
 puttest it in a favorable light. Ask him if he would not 
 return to Regenstein, rather than be only in nominal com- 
 mand of Lauenburg. Am I not right, dear Oda? " 
 
 " I think thou art, Countess Reginhild," Oda answered. 
 
 And Count Albrecht agreed with her. He heard in his 
 sister-in-law's words a covert plea for Siegfried, and for 
 his own part the voice of conscience loudly appealed to 
 him. With a strong effort, then, he put self aside, and 
 exclaimed, " Thou hast convinced me, Reginhild ! Sieg- 
 fried shall come home." 
 
 No joyful light came into Oda's eyes as he uttered 
 these words, but she cast them down, and he could learn 
 nothing of her thoughts. 
 
 Reginhild recognized the sacrifice which he made for 
 Siegfried, and returned in good spirits to Heimburg, with 
 the same respect which she had always felt for her 
 brother-in-law's sense of honor and goodness of heart. 
 Later, when Albrecht sat alone in his room, he felt vexed 
 with himself that he had not thought of sending for Sieg- 
 fried, without waiting for Bernhard and Reginhild to per- 
 suade him. For the first time in his life he felt humiliated 
 before his brother and sister, and the thought was not a 
 pleasant one. 
 
 Discontented with himself, he summoned Bock, and 
 said to him, — 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 161 
 
 t< 
 
 Listen, Bock ! Our good lady abbess hath expressed 
 a desire that no Regenstein shall command the fortress of 
 Lauenbiirg. For this cause, — dost thou hear, Bock? — 
 for this cause, I have determined to send Harder, of Deren- 
 bnrg, to take Count Siegfried's place. To-morrow morn- 
 ing I wish thee to ride with three men to Derenburg, give 
 him my orders, and escort him to Lauenbiirg. The next 
 day thou canst return to Regenstein with my brother. 
 Dost understand why Harder is to relieve Siegfried? " 
 
 "Because the abbess wisheth what we all wish, that 
 Count Siegfried should remain here with Countess Oda," 
 replied Bock, with a knowing smile. 
 
 "Thou art out of thy wits! " cried the count, with a 
 red face. " I told thee, because she doth not choose to 
 have a Regenstein castellan there. Now repeat it after 
 me!" 
 
 Bock repeated it, word for word. 
 
 44 Now, stick to that, and make no stupid blunder. 
 Start early in the morning, and be on thy guard against 
 the Quedlinburgers ; they will show thee no sort of 
 civility. Bring back no plunder. Dost hear, Bock ? " 
 
 44 H'm ! 'T is a pity ! " muttered Bock ; M but if I get 
 hold of Schabernack, Sir Count — " 
 
 44 Thou canst question him as shrewdly as thou didst 
 the other day," laughed Count Albrecht. 
 
 Bock bit his long mustache. 
 
 44 All shall be done as thou commandest, Sir Count," 
 said he, shortly leaving the room. 
 
 His master had not enjoined silence, and the news of 
 Siegfried's expected return was* soon communicated to 
 every soul in the castle, for he knew they would all 
 rejoice. He wished especially to inform Eilika. He 
 found her seated in an arbor, occupied with needle-work. 
 She had seen him coming, but seemed much surprised as 
 
162 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 his tall figure, bent almost double, appeared in the low 
 entrance. He seated himself beside her on the bench, 
 without much ado, and thus began, — 
 
 "What wilt thou give me, gentle maiden, if I give thee 
 pleasant tidings?" 
 
 11 That dependeth upon whether they are pleasant to 
 thee or to me." 
 
 " I should think that what would please me must please 
 thee," he said, with a self-satisfied air ; " but guess what 
 it is, Mistress Eilika." 
 
 " Well, then, thou art going on a long journey," said 
 she, maliciously. 
 
 "And would that please thee?" he asked, with a 
 reproachful look ; " but if thou callest two days a long 
 time, thou art right." 
 
 " Two whole days? I shall be inconsolable, Sir 
 Knight ! " she cried. 
 
 " Now that pleaseth me! But guess whom I am to 
 bring back with me ! " urged Bock. 
 
 "Not Count Siegfried?" 
 
 " What a sharp wit thou hast ! " exclaimed the knight. 
 " One cannot surprise thee ! " 
 
 " Hath Count Albrecht so ordered it?" asked Eilika. 
 
 "Surely! Who else? Tell me, Mistress Eilika, hath 
 the countess pined for our dear young master? Perchance 
 she hath told Count Albrecht that she would fain have 
 him return." 
 
 "Oh, Sir Knight, how canst thou think so!" Eilika 
 retorted. 
 
 " Why, thou seest, the count never of himself changeth 
 his mind. And as to the abbess, I believe naught of it." 
 
 "What of the abbess?" 
 
 " Count Albrecht saith that the abbess wisheth no 
 Regenstein to be castellan at Lauenburg, and to gratify 
 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 103 
 
 her he is going to send Harder, of Derenburg, to relieve 
 his brother." 
 
 1 ' I think Count von Regensteiu would do anything to 
 please the abbess," said Eilika. 
 
 " So it is thought; and, between ourselves, the abbess 
 may yet be mistress of Regenstein." 
 
 "Is it so? " said Eilika. " And she will not have her 
 future brother-in-law remain at Lauenburg? There must 
 be some cause for that." 
 
 " Thy mistress is the cause," returned Bock. 
 
 Eilika shook her head. "Nay, nay ; I truly believe it 
 is the abbess's doing." 
 
 1 ' Because she wisheth thy countess and our young 
 count to wed one another. I said so likewise, but I 
 got a fine answer from the count " ; and Bock made a 
 grimace. 
 
 " What said he to thee?" 
 
 " He told me I had gone clean out of my wits. ' 
 
 Eilika laughed aloud. 
 
 " This time he did thee injustice, Sir Knight. But now 
 I will hear what my mistress hath to say to it." 
 
 She rose, and gathered up her sewing materials. 
 
 "What we have been speaking of, Sir Knight, is be- 
 tween ourselves," said she ; " can I rely upon thee; " 
 
 "I give thee my wo;d of honor, dear maiden," an- 
 swered Bock, ponderously ; ' 4 thy confidence is to me a 
 very fountain of delight." Whereupon, he carried her 
 hand to his lips, and walked slowly back to the castle by 
 the side of the coquettish maiden. 
 
 "I have brought thee good news, my lady! Count 
 Siegfried is to return ! " exclaimed Eilika, as she entered 
 her mistress's room. 
 
 Oda looked up sadly. "Why callest thou this good 
 news, Eilika?" 
 
164 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " And art thou not glad of it?" asked her maid. 
 
 The young countess shook her head. 
 
 " But I thought — " And Eilika stopped, and looked 
 'doubtfully at her mistress. 
 
 " Thou thinkest what the others think," said Oda. 
 
 " Why, my lady ! A young knight like Count Siegfried, 
 handsome, brave, and courtly, and a Regenstein ! Hast 
 thou not seen that he loveth thee dearly ? " 
 
 "Do not speak of it!" answered Oda, with a sigh. 
 " Eilika, I have no one to whom I can unburden my 
 heart ; I will confide in thee. They wish me to become 
 Count Siegfried's wife ; Count Albrecht, Countess Regin- 
 hild, and — I know it well — Count Siegfried himself most 
 of all." 
 
 "And the abbess," added Eilika. 
 
 11 The abbess ! She wisheth it also ! " cried Oda, as- 
 tonished. 
 
 " Certainly. It is owing to her that Count Siegfried is 
 to return," the maid went on. 
 
 " Thou art mistaken," said Oda. " Count Bernhard 
 desireth that an older and more experienced man should 
 command Lauenburg. Countess Reginhilcl said so in my 
 presence." 
 
 "In thy presence ! " repeated Eilika, smiling. " Natu- 
 rally, my lady, they would not tell thee the true reason. 
 But depend upon it, it is the work of the abbess. She 
 hath made use of Countess Reginhild as of Count Al- 
 brecht." 
 
 " Who told thee so?" asked her mistress, indignantly. 
 
 " The Knight Bock said so." 
 
 " Oh ! And what knoweth he of the matter?" 
 
 " He hath it from Count Albrecht's own month." 
 
 " From Count Albrecht ! " repeated Oda, shocked. 
 
 " Certainly ! Count Albrecht told him that Count Sieg- 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 165 
 
 fried was to return, because the abbess wished it ; and 
 that the Knight Bock should ride to Laueuburg and fetch 
 him," Eilika went on glibly. "Count Albrecht doth 
 whatever the abbess desireth, because she is one day to be 
 mistress of Regenstein. Dost thou not know that?" 
 
 Oda only half heard her maid's gossip, but at these last 
 words she started, and the blood left her cheeks until 
 they became paler than lilies. 
 
 " Let her have Regenstein ! " Eilika continued. " Thou 
 canst go to Lauenburg with Count Siegfried. Knight 
 Bock saith it is grand there ; a lordly castle upon a 
 steep hill in the midst of the forest, like an eagle's nest. 
 And wouldst thou have a change ? thou canst go to Falk- 
 enstein, my lady, for the Regensteins have sworn, Knight 
 Bock telleth me, that thou shalt not lose thine inheritance. 
 Surely Count Siegfried will not let his lady be deprived of 
 such a castle as Falkenstein. Such a knight as he, who 
 would not love ! " 
 
 " Eilika, hath the abbess set thee also upon me?" cried 
 Oda, impatiently. 
 
 • ' There is no need of that, my lady ! There is not a 
 soul in Regenstein who would not heartily wish that thou 
 mightst wed Count Siegfried. And thou promised to con- 
 fide in me. Do so, my dear lady ! I would go through 
 fire for thy sake. Tell me only that thou lovest Count 
 Siegfried ! " 
 
 " Thou meanest well, Eilika," said Oda, extending her 
 hand to the maid. "I love Count Siegfried as a dear 
 friend aud brother, but in no other way." 
 
 i4 lt will all come in time, dear mistress," laughed 
 Eilika. " Begin with the sisterly love ; the other will soon 
 follow. He is coming the day after to-morrow ; be kind 
 to him, Countess Oda ; he surely deserveth thy love ! " 
 
 11 1 will try, my good Eilika ! I will strive to love him, 
 
166 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 since Count Albreeht wisheth it, but — " And she finished 
 the sentence with a sigh. 
 
 When later in the evening Eilika encountered Bock at 
 the stables, he immediately asked her, — 
 
 " Pray, what did thy mistress say, when she heard Count 
 Siegfried was to come back to us ? " 
 
 "I am sure she loveth him," answered Eilika, "only 
 she will not confess it." 
 
 " Might I tell him so to-morrow?" inquired Bock. 
 
 " It could do no harm to give him a hint." 
 
 u H'm ! I will take care of it ! " he replied. 
 
 As the pair walked on side by side, he whispered, 
 softly, — 
 
 " I believe, dear maiden, thou hast left thy thimble in 
 the arbor ; let us go together and find it." 
 
 "I believe, Sir Knight, thou hast left thy wits in the 
 arbor," answered Eilika, giving his long mustache a 
 tweak ; " go and find it by thyself ! " 
 
 And with a little laugh, she slipped away in the dark- 
 ness. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 167 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 It was at an unusually early hour that the provost of 
 the cathedral, Jordan von Donfus, entered Bishop Al- 
 breeht's apartment, and, in reply to the latter's surprised 
 inquiry, exclaimed, — 
 
 "The abbess of Quedlinburg cometh this afternoon, 
 reverend lord, to make thee a visit ! " 
 
 "Abbess Jutta?" cried the bishop, incredulously! 
 " Jordanus, what merry partaker of Herbord Moor's ex- 
 cellent wine hath told thee this fairy tale ? " 
 
 "At my age one believeth not fairy tales," said the 
 provost, " though I heard the tidings from Herbord Moor 
 himself. The chancellor sent the news to his friend ; I 
 read the letter with my own eyes. The Abbess Jutta is 
 coming to see thee to-day." 
 
 The bishop stood up. " Jordanus, is the cathedral still 
 standing?" 
 
 " I asked myself the same question, when I heard the 
 news," observed the provost. 
 
 "What can she desire?" said the bishop, half to him- 
 self, as he walked to and fro, pondering the matter. 
 " Hath she quarrelled with the Regensteins, or cometh 
 she as mediator between them and me ? " 
 
 " Certainly not the latter, with the count's knowledge," 
 answered the provost. "And — wouldst thou allow me 
 to counsel thee? do not tell her that thou hast threatened 
 Count von Regenstein with excommunication." 
 
 " I understand, Jordanus," said the bishop, in a tone of 
 annovnnce. " It was a mistake, a great mistake," 
 
168 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 The provost shook his head solemnly. "One should 
 never threaten what one cannot or will not perform. " 
 
 " Thou art right ; I was too hasty," returned the bishop. 
 u If I could only conjecture what the capricious abbess 
 wisheth of me ! When I politely invited her, she refused 
 to come ; and now, when no one dreamed of seeing her, 
 she maketh her appearance." 
 
 " She must not know that the chancellor hath privately 
 informed us of her coming," remarked the provost. " If 
 she beggeth anything of thee, thou canst require some- 
 thing of her in return." 
 
 " I trust she may come, Jordanus ! " 
 
 " And do not let her cross this threshold unsatisfied, 
 reverend sir," urged Jordan. 
 
 A peculiar smile flitted over the bishop's face, but he 
 said nothing. The provost bowed, and slowly left the 
 room. 
 
 M The old man is right ; one should not indulge in vain 
 threats," the bishop said to himself, when he was alone ; 
 u neither in vain requests. But hot blood floweth in her 
 veins. ' Fortes fortuna juvat ! ' " 
 
 Two days after, at mid-day, the abbess's cortege rode be- 
 tween the bishop's guard, drawn up on either side, to the 
 gloomy rambling fortress, its court-yard enclosed by high 
 walls. Master Willekin von Herrkestorf helped Countess 
 Jutta to alight from her richly caparisoned palfrey, and two 
 ecclesiastics conducted her up the stairway and through 
 the porch to the vaulted corridor. There the bishop him- 
 self met her, offered her his hand, and led her into the 
 eame room in which the interview with the chancellor took 
 place, when he brought the news of Jutta's refusal to 
 attend the consecration. 
 
 On the way hither the abbess had been quiet and 
 serious, giving only short answers to the lively talk of the 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 169 
 
 chancellor, who much feared that she might change her 
 mind, even now. 
 
 The old city, with its massive ramparts and marshy 
 moat, its embattled parapet and sturdy towers, even 
 stronger than those of Quedlinburg, looked gloomy and 
 forbidding. Armed to the teeth, as it were, it seemed to 
 threaten all who approached, and when she reached the 
 Kiihlinger gate, the abbess would fain have turned back 
 had she not promised the council to confer with the bishop 
 of Halberstadt. As she passed through the long, dimly 
 lighted passage, her heart almost failed her. She felt as 
 if destiny were leading her by dark ways which she 
 should never retrace. She was obliged to rehearse all 
 that Count Albrecht had done to displease her, lest she 
 should not adhere to her purpose, and it was not until she 
 entered the bishop's handsomely appointed and well- 
 lighted apartment, that she regained her self-possession 
 and her original resolve. The bishop closed the door and 
 dropped a heavy curtain over it, so that no eavesdropper 
 could overhear what was said within. He was now alone 
 with the abbess. Upon the table, between a comfortable 
 folding chair and a cushioned bench, stood a silver dish of 
 confections, and two great bowls of magnificent roses, 
 which filled the room with fragrance. 
 
 " Didst thou expect me, my lord?" asked the abbess, 
 looking at the table. 
 
 "Day by day, Countess Jutta," answered the bishop; 
 " as one expecteth the bright sun after stormy days." 
 
 He had led her to the cushioned settle, and seated him- 
 self opposite her. She threw aside her mantle, and her 
 temporarily secular dress set off the perfect beauty of 
 her figure to great advantage. She wore a closely fitting 
 blue robe, with hanging sleeves, lined with white silk 
 open from the elbows. The tight under-sleeves were 
 
170 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 amber-colored. The abbess's cross hung by a golden chain 
 from her neck ; at her waist she wore a costly girdle, and 
 in her dark hair a jewelled diadem. The bishop's un- 
 feigned admiration was not lost upon her. 
 
 "If thou hast confidently expected me," she said, with 
 an air of surprise, u thou must also know why I come." 
 
 " If I do know or conjecture it, my lady, I would yet 
 prefer to hear it from thine own gracious lips." 
 
 " Count von Regenstein hath insulted me, and I have 
 come to consult thee as to how he can be compelled to 
 respect my rights," answered the abbess, with a slight 
 tremulousness of voice. 
 
 However the bishop might inwardly rejoice, there was 
 no sign of it in his face, and he only bowed assentingly 
 as if he had known it beforehand. 
 
 " Heretofore, my lady, thou hast chosen to follow the 
 advice of the haughty count, rather than that of thy friend 
 of the old days in Friedrich's court," he said, reproachfully ; 
 M but I hope thou hast not forgotten that thou canst rule 
 me with a glance, if thou wilt. As thou hast been so 
 friendly to the count, he surely owes thee every respect, 
 and I should greatly blame thee for suffering him to return 
 thy favors with insult and ingratitude." 
 
 " Count Albrecht is the protector of the convent," said 
 the abbess, embarrassed ; "otherwise he would have had 
 no favors from me." 
 
 " I consoled myself with that thought, fair princess," 
 rejoined the bishop. " But how thinkest thou that I can 
 help thee against the count? " 
 
 " Not help, so much as counsel," suggested Jutta. " I 
 wish thy advice concerning Laumburg. Count Albrecht 
 seized it without my knowledge, and hath given the com- 
 mand to his brother, to which I will not submit. I wish 
 to have no Regenstein there ; least of all, Siegfried." 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 171 
 
 " Least of all, Siegfried ! " repeated the bishop. M Hath 
 he also aggrieved thee ? " 
 
 M Nay, but — " She stopped and hesitated. 
 
 " But thou dost not wish him at Lauenburg? " 
 
 " I said so," she replied, impatiently. " Leutfred is 
 dead ; and I would like now to invest Count Albrecht or 
 the city of Quedlinburg with the castle, but — " 
 
 " I would give it to neither," said the bishop, quickly, 
 l*. for they are both too powerful already for our well- 
 being." 
 
 "But only upon one condition," the abbess continued, 
 without noticing the interruption. 
 
 " And pray what may that be ? " 
 
 The abbess hesitated and looked at her shapely gold- 
 embroidered shoes, which happened to peep from beneath 
 her robe. " Thou knowest that Count Albrecht, despite 
 my pressing remonstrances, is resolved to detain Countess 
 Oda at Regenstein, and her release is the one condition 
 upon which I will part with Lauenburg." 
 
 "Knowest thou Count Albrecht's reason for keeping 
 possession of the Countess von Falkenstein?" asked the 
 bishop. 
 
 The abbess looked at him keenly, as if pondering how 
 far it was safe to trust him. M The count hath informed 
 me that he hopeth Countess Oda may wed his brother 
 Siegfried." 
 
 "And then sendeth him away from her to Lauenburg ! " 
 exclaimed the bishop. "Strange! Most strange! My 
 lady, believest thou this ? " 
 
 " Nay ! It is naught but an excuse ! " cried the abbess, 
 indignantly. 
 
 "Thou thinkest, then, that he only wisheth to get pos- 
 session of the demesne." 
 
 "With the countess!" cried Jutta, excitedly; "and 
 
172 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 thou must not allow it, for I know that it hath been 
 promised thee." 
 
 The bishop bit his lips, to suppress an exclamation at 
 the happy discovery which had just been made to him. 
 
 The abbess had completely betrayed herself. It was 
 jealousy of Oda which had driven her to Halberstadt, and 
 prepared her to take this step against her disloyal friend 
 and his sworn enemy. So reasoned the crafty bishop. 
 And further, if the count had deserted her, he would now 
 have an opportunity to win her favor, for which he eagerly 
 longed. On this account, it would be for his interest that 
 Siegfried should remain at Lauenburg and Oda at Regen- 
 stein. But the earldom ! If either Albrecht or Siegfried 
 married her, her inheritance would never be suffered to 
 pass into other hands. It was difficult to give advice. 
 Desire for Falkenstein, which Count IToycr had promised 
 him, as well for the beautiful woman who now sat so 
 near him in all her charms, struggled for mastery in the 
 breast of the passionate and ambitious churchman, and 
 his rage increased against Count Albrecht, who had so 
 often crossed his path. But at this moment neither his 
 foe nor the fortress of Falkenstein were before his eyes, 
 but only the fascinating Jutta, who appeared to him 
 doubly attractive in her anger, and whom, through her 
 thirst for retaliation, he hoped the more easily to win. 
 
 After a long pause, he began, — 
 
 " I fail to discover, my dear abbess, in what way I can 
 right thee. I have also demanded in vain the release of 
 the Countess Oda, in the name of her brother. It appear- 
 eth to me that the maiden doth not wish to leave Regen- 
 stein, for she is allowed perfect freedom, and still she doth 
 not choose to go to the*. Thy suspicion is, therefore, not 
 unfounded ; and the best counsel I can give thee is to 
 trouble thyself no more about her, but enjoy thy youth 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 173 
 
 while thou canst, and gladden with thy beauty those who 
 know how to appreciate thee better than thy cold-blooded, 
 purblind protector." 
 
 He accompanied these words with looks of admira- 
 tion, and Jutta returned his glance with an enchanting 
 smile. 
 
 " Duke Albrecht," said she, " thou art the same flatterer 
 in the bishop's violet robe that thou wert formerly at Wart- 
 burg in thy gold-embroidered page's doublet." 
 
 u How can one help it, sitting opposite the most beauti- 
 ful woman in the Holy Empire? The landgravine, Ma- 
 thilde's former page, often recalleth the happy hours he 
 passed by the side of her dark-haired maid of honor. Let 
 us be good friends again, and, under the veil of secrecy, 
 become one in heart and soul ! " 
 
 "An original thought, my good lord ! A bishop and an 
 abbess hidden together under the veil of secrecy ! " laughed 
 Jutta. 
 
 " What could we not accomplish together, if we had the 
 will ! " he exclaimed, gazing fixedly at her. 
 
 " And the power," added she. 
 
 " The power ! And art thou not aware of the boundless 
 sway of thy captivating beauty? " cried the bishop. 
 
 She looked at him for a moment, as if considering 
 whether or not she should test her power over him. Then 
 bending her head over the roses on the table, she closed 
 her eyes, and deeply inhaled their perfume, as if she would 
 yield herself to their intoxication. 
 
 " More charming than roses, thou transporteth me to 
 the seventh heaven ! " And the bishop seized her hand 
 and carried it to his lips. 
 
 ''Remain upon earth! Thou art not yet ready for 
 heaven, I fear, dear friend," said she, with a smile 
 which set his brain in a whirl. 
 
174 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 ' 4 The only heaven I would know is that into which thou 
 canst admit me ! Countess Jutta, a word from thee, and 
 my wish and thine are fulfilled ! " 
 
 " What wish is that, Duke Albrecht? " 
 
 " To make Count Albrecht feel how he hath wronged 
 thee." 
 
 She said, half to herself, — 
 
 "He hath never made me any pledges ! " 
 
 u But your names have long been coupled, and he 
 boasteth of thy love for him," answered the bishop. 
 
 "It is not possible ! " she cried, reddening. " I have 
 given him no cause to say such things ! " 
 
 " So much the more shame to him ! He hath used thee 
 basely ; hath let thee hope, and wait, and all the while 
 hath never thought of making thee his. How doth it suit 
 thee to be called the rejected Jutta?" 
 
 The abbess was about to rise up, wrathfully, but his 
 gaze held her spell-bound. She sat there trembling with 
 agitation, while the bishop watched her, lynx- like, to ob- 
 serve the effect of his lies. 
 
 Finally, she shook her head, and said, resolutely, — 
 
 " It is not possible ! Thou doeth him injustice ! " 
 
 "Thou defeudeth him still?" said the bishop, with a 
 cynical smile. "Well, thou shouldst know what he think - 
 eth of thee, and, mayhap — Countess Oda — " 
 
 "Oda!" 
 
 "Yes, Oda, who is with him at Regenstein, and to 
 whom, perchance, he boasteth of thy favor." 
 
 " Ah ! if I were sure of that ! " muttered the abbess. 
 
 " How canst thou doubt it? I would avenge myself, if 
 I were thou, instead of sighing ; and thou hast only to 
 speak the word." 
 
 " How wouldst thou avenge me? " she asked, quickly. 
 
 " That shall be my care, but I shall claim my reward ; 
 
THE ROB HER COUNT. 175 
 
 and as I shall hesitate at nothing, thou shouldst refuse 
 me nothing," he answered, in a low voice. 
 
 She looked at him a moment, as if endeavoring to grasp 
 the meaning of his words. Then, frightened at his ex- 
 pression, she suddenly realized that he was leading her to 
 the brink of an abyss. 
 
 " Nay, Bishop Albrecht ! " she said, rising quickly. " I 
 did not desire this, when I asked for counsel ! " 
 
 " I am read}' to aid thee in all things," he continued. 
 " Believe me, the count is dangerous to us both, and he is 
 merely trifling with thee. Let us make a compact: 
 united, we shall be invincible. Let the faithless count go ! 
 Forget him, as he hath forgotten thee ! In this breast 
 beateth a heart which is thine. Ah ! Jutta, how happy 
 we might be together, wert thou only willing." 
 
 She drew back alarmed, and putting up her hands as if 
 in defence, she cried, — 
 
 "Nay; I will make no compact with thee! Rather 
 would I myself protect the count against thee ! " 
 
 " Against me? " and he gave her a searching glance. 
 u Dost thou repulse thy truest ally? Wouldst thou wear 
 the robber count's fetters rather than enjoy life with him 
 who hath always adored thee ? " 
 
 " I wear no one's fetters, nor will I wear thine ! " she 
 answered. 
 
 11 Thou indulgeth hopes that will never be fulfilled," 
 said the bishop, decidedly. " Cast them aside, lest thou 
 art forced to acknowledge thyself betrayed and forsaken. 
 Bow not down to a deceitful idol." 
 
 " Thinkest thou it would be easier for me to bow down 
 before thee?" 
 
 11 If I obtain what thou wishest and gratify thy desires, 
 I have a right to demand somewhat," returned the bishop. 
 
 "Demand where thou canst exact payment! T owe 
 thee nothing ! " 
 
176 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 '•Who desireth revenge, thou or I?" he asked, with 
 knitted brow. 
 
 " Not I ! " she replied, vehemently. "I came to thee 
 on behalf of the town council, which wisheth to free 
 itself from Count Albrecht, and hopeth for thine aid ! " 
 
 " Since when hast thou constituted thyself the ambas- 
 sador of the burgomaster and council? " asked the bishop, 
 sarcastically. 
 
 " Thou knowest why I came. Wert thou not expecting 
 me?" 
 
 ' ' Yes ; but not on their behalf. What care I for the 
 quarrel between Quedlinburg and its feudal chief? Let 
 them rid themselves of him as they can ! It appeareth 
 to me that thou art most concerned about the young 
 Countess von Falkenstein," he observed, with a sardonic 
 smile. 
 
 " I wished advice also on that score," said the abbess, 
 reddening; " but I do not buy it, my lord," she added, 
 defiantly. 
 
 " Well, then, listen to my counsel," answered Bishop 
 Albrecht, coolly, while a scornful expression played 
 about his mouth. " Allow the admirable count to keep 
 the castle ; perchance he may take the city likewise. Let 
 him also keep Countess Oda, if thou canst not prevent 
 him, and spend the rest of thy life in prayer and peni- 
 tence, and may Heaven grant thee a blessed end." 
 
 " I thank thee for thy lofty counsel, which could not be 
 otherwise, coming from so holy a prel ite," said Jutta, in 
 suppressed anger, while she drew her mantle about her. 
 
 " It is always at thy service, my lady," replied the 
 bishop, with cutting courtesy. "Whenever thou sendest 
 for me, I am at thy service." 
 
 " I will not forget it, most reverend sir," said she, as 
 she left the room, and her words sounded like a menace. 
 
THE KOBBFM COUNT. 177 
 
 The bishop had raised the curtain, and opened the door 
 with his own hand, and as he closed it behind her, he 
 said to himself, — 
 
 " Sunshine and storm quickly following each other, as 
 of old ! But no tree falleth at the first stroke. She will 
 send for me in time of need, and the day will come yet ! 
 1 Demand where thou canst compel payment,' said she. 
 Ah ! thou wilt pay me yet ! " and he laughed quietly. 
 "What harm if she should warn Count Albrecht ! He 
 knoweth how I love him, and it suiteth me well the Qued- 
 linburgers should quarrel with him now. I hope that Jutta 
 knoweth nothing of my understanding with them — but 
 Countess Oda ! We must get her into a convent. No 
 Regenstein must marry her. I shall be forced to paint 
 hell a little redder for our friend Hoyer." 
 
 When the abbess was again in the saddle, she said to 
 the chancellor, — 
 
 " Set not thy hopes upon Lauenburg, Master Willekin ! 
 The bishop will not help thee ; he hath advised me to let 
 Count Albrecht hold it in fee." 
 
 "Is that the bishop's advice, my lady?" asked the 
 chancellor, astonished. 
 
 She made no answer, but made her horse trot on in 
 advance, so as to pursue her own thoughts undisturbed. 
 She had now taken a step which could not be retraced. 
 Oh ! that she had not ; that she had followed the warning 
 impulse which urged her to return as she entered the gate 
 of Halberstadt! What had she obtained by this visit? 
 Absolutely nothing. She had betrayed to the bishop her 
 passion for Count Albrecht and her jealousy of Oda ; and 
 he would use the knowledge to further his own ends. 
 On the other hand, she had made the discovery that she 
 still held his heart in thrall, and this furnished her with a 
 weapon, in case of need. He had not shocked her by 
 
178 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 pleading for her love in return, for though she had given 
 him no right to look for it, yet their former intimacy 
 might be considered to deprive it of any ground of offence. 
 She would not now confess to herself how near she had 
 been to betraying Count Albrecht to the bishop, and 
 accepting the aid of his bitterest foe against him. She 
 persuaded herself that she had only carried out her prom- 
 ise to the councillors, without having any other object in 
 view. But when she contrasted the deceitful nature of 
 the bishop, full of artifice and capable of any crime, with 
 the outspoken count, who was at least always frank and 
 magnanimous, she could not but feel humiliated at the 
 thought of having appealed to the former as against 
 the latter. Her indignation at Count Albrecht, whom 
 the bishop had so slandered, had once more disappeared, 
 and in her complete change of temper she felt that she 
 owed him satisfaction. She now thought herself justified 
 in giving him Lauenburg in fief, especially as she had 
 originally destined it for him. As exp : ation for her dis- 
 loyalty, she would pardon his violence, and thus heap 
 coals of fire on his head. 
 
 To her eyes, peace seemed to rest upon the landscape 
 everywhere, and the fields of corn waved in the soft 
 breeze. On the right, the dark blue mountain range 
 stretched along the horizon, while nearer wooded hills 
 rose up behind one another from the fertile plain. Before 
 them lay Quedlinburg, with its walls and towers, and the 
 abbess returned with a somewhat lightened heart. 
 
 As the bishop had declined to meddle in the quarrel 
 between Count Albrecht and the city, she hoped herself 
 to make peace between them, and now deliberated by 
 what means she should appease the council and towns- 
 folk. 
 
 Suddenly she reined in her palfrey, and turning to the 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 179 
 
 x 
 
 chancellor, who followed her at a little distance, asked, 
 " Who are those riders yonder? " 
 
 "Count Siegfried von Regenstein and Bock von Schlan 
 stedt, with three horsemen," answered Master Willekin. 
 
 " Count Siegfried! Thou must be mistaken, Master 
 Chancellor. What should bring him here? " 
 
 " I cannot be mistaken, my lady," he answered. 
 
 And as their men rode up and joined them, they all 
 agreed that it was surely Count Siegfried and Knight 
 Bock, with three of the " Wicked Seven." 
 
 Jutta was herself convinced they were right, as they 
 approached nearer, while the youngest of the Regensteins 
 spurred his horse into a gallop and rode straight toward 
 them. This meeting was not agreeable to her, but she 
 could not well avoid it here m the open valley. She there- 
 fore remained where she was, waiting for Siegfried to over- 
 take her. He saluted her courteously, as soon as he was 
 near enough, and cried out, joyfully, "The relieved 
 castellan offers fervent thanks for his release ! " 
 
 "I understand thee not, Sir Count," replied Jutta, sur- 
 prised 
 
 "Oh! I know about It," laughed the youth; "it is 
 owing solely to thy wish that Albrecht hath sent another 
 castellan to Lauenburg, and summoned me back to 
 Regenstein." 
 
 44 Who told thee so?" 
 
 " My brother himself, my lady. He sent me the 
 message by Bock, and thou couldst not have given me a 
 greater pleasure." 
 
 " And thou thinkest that it was my wish alone that 
 determined Count Albrecht to recall thee?" she asked, 
 still incredulous. 
 
 Siegfried brought his horse a little closer to the abbess, 
 and said, softly, " It is true, Albrecht hath another reason. 
 
180 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 How shall I say it to thee? Thou knowest, my lady, that 
 Countess Oda is at Regenstein, and Albrecht wisheth that 
 I — that I should be her constant companion ; he hath 
 himself charged me to be her true knight, and bidden me 
 seek for her favor, and, my lady, I am only too glad to 
 obey him," he concluded, shortly. 
 
 Jutta could scarcely trust her ears ; but her heart beat 
 violently, and her agitation would only allow her to ask, 
 " Hath Count Albrecht said all this to thee himself? " 
 
 "Yea, indeed," answered Siegfried, "through honest 
 Bock, who hath made his own addition. And it is almost 
 too much to believe," he added, in the fulness of his 
 heart. 
 
 "Hasten home, then," laughed the abbess, overjoyed 
 herself at what she had heard. " And, Count Siegfried, 
 give my love and greeting to thy brother ! " 
 
 She hardly knew what she said, and without waiting 
 for the young count's farewell, she struck her horse and 
 galloped off at a headlong pace. 
 
 The chancellor shook his gray head, understanding 
 nothing of what had passed between her and Siegfried, 
 and followed her also at a gallop. And the armed men 
 clattered after them on their heavy beasts, throwing up 
 the dust behind them. 
 
 On arriving at the court-yard, the abbess sprang from 
 her steaming palfrey without assistance, flew up the steps 
 and through the corridors to her own room, locking the 
 door hastily behind her. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 181 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 With a resounding blast of his horn, the warder 
 announced Siegfried's arrival at Regenstein, and the 
 latter waved him a friendly salutation. 
 
 " God be thanked ! There he is, and now all will be 
 well, ,, said Count Albrecht to himself, as he heard the horn. 
 
 But Oda started at the unwelcome sound which heralded 
 the return of the castle's darling, whom, alas! all wel- 
 comed back but herself. 
 
 Nevertheless, when she descended into the court-yard 
 with Albrecht to receive him, and she saw his handsome 
 face lighted with love and happiness, she returned his 
 look and greeting with a warmth which almost turned 
 his head. 
 
 It was she who first found words. 
 
 U I expected thee to return with the famous flower of 
 Lauenburg in thy hand," she said, smiling. u Hast thou 
 not found it? " 
 
 " I have not searched for the flower of Lauenburg," he 
 answered, gazing at her. M I thought only of the lily at 
 Regenstein." 
 
 She cast down her eyes, but raised them again to 
 Albrecht' s face, when he said, u I have cared for her as 
 well as I could, but yet hath she drooped a little." 
 
 Siegfried regarded this as a clear proof of her love for 
 him, and said, cheerily, " Thou must do so no more, dear 
 Countess. We will ride out hawking, hunting, and fishing, 
 and we will amuse ourselves with pleasant pastimes for 
 which our good Albrecht, who taketh care of us all, hath 
 no time." 
 
182 . THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 His brother nodded affectionately at him. 
 
 " And thou art right glad to be at home again, Sieg- 
 fried? " said he. 
 
 " Thou seest how glad I am," laughed the young count. 
 " I can be castellan here when thou art away fighting or 
 making peace with bishop or lady abbess. Before I forget 
 it, — she sendeth thee a friendly greeting, Albrecht." 
 
 4 4 Who ? The abbess ? To me ? " 
 
 " Yea ! I met her near Quedlinburg, with the chan- 
 cellor and six horsemen, coming from Halberstadt." 
 
 " From Halberstadt! What was she doing in Halber- 
 stadt?" 
 
 k4 I know not. She would hardly believe me when I 
 told her that thou hadst recalled me because she wished 
 it, and I thanked her for it." 
 
 44 That is right," said Albrecht, and he glanced at Oda, 
 who stood beside them, quietly listening. 
 
 u So Eilika was right," she thought to herself, " when 
 she asserted that Albrecht does everything the abbess 
 wishes." 
 
 The count mused over Jutta's ride to Halberstadt, but 
 could think of no explanation of it. Her friendly greet- 
 ing for him was much easier to understand. 
 
 44 Did Ursula know, brother, that I was to return 
 to-da}-?" asked Siegfried. 
 
 As Albrecht, lost in thought, did not answer, Oda 
 replied instead, 44 Every one is prepared for thee, Count 
 Siegfried ; but lay aside thine armor ; Ursula hath in 
 readiness such a meal for thee as would make amends 
 for starvation at Lauenburg." 
 
 u It was not far from that,' he laughed ; 44 when we 
 needed a roast, we must go out into the forest and shoot 
 something." 
 
 44 I must speak a word with Ursula," said Oda, hasten- 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 183 
 
 ing away, while Siegfried looked after her with eager 
 eyes. 
 
 Albrecht followed his brother to his room, to question 
 him about affairs at Lauenburg, while he changed his 
 clothiug. The count glanced around hastily, and ob- 
 served that no fresh nosegay, such as greeted him on his 
 return home, stood upon Siegfried's table. 
 
 They soon descended to the hall, and seated themselves 
 cheerfully at the well-spread board. 
 
 Blissful days now came for Siegfried. He devoted 
 himself to Oda, early and late, and endeavored to make 
 her happy in all ways, finding her ever kind and cheer 
 ful. He liked best to walk with Oda through the 
 forest. There they would wander beneath the shade of 
 the old oaks and beeches, often finding themselves, with- 
 out intending it, at the Michaelstein monastery. The first 
 time they came, Siegfried took his companion into the 
 cloisters, ornamented with beautifully sculptured foliage, 
 and showed her the memorial stones of his ancestors, the 
 counts and countesses of Regenstein, who had died during 
 the last two centuries. 
 
 The worthy abbot, with long white beard, would invite 
 them into the refectory to partake of a refreshing draught 
 of milk, while his eyes rested benignantly upon the youth- 
 ful pair, whom he secretly hoped and believed to be des- 
 tined for one another. They liked to sit beside the 
 murmuring brook or the monastery pond, overhung by 
 alders and tall rushes, and Oda was never tired of gazing 
 at the snow-white water lilies floating on the surface amid 
 their great round leaves. 
 
 On the way home, their hearts full of the happim ss of 
 youth, Siegfried would oftentimes think that the right 
 moment had come for him to speak. But the young 
 knight, so fearless before an enemy, had not the courage 
 
184 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 to confess his love to this maiden. More than once he 
 had begun, "Countess Oda ! " but she, alarmed at his 
 solemn tone, would look at him with such deprecating 
 eves that he would become confused and give his sentence 
 a different ending from that which he had at first in- 
 tended, while Oda breathed a sigh of relief. 
 
 One day, however, when she seemed especially friendly, 
 he ventured for once to ask his shy question. They were 
 on the eastern declivity of Regenstein, where young oak- 
 trees grew scattered among the rocks. Their tender 
 shoots were of a beautiful ruddy hue, and as Oda sat 
 with Siegfried in the shadow of a spreading branch, she 
 wove them into a wreath, and with a jesting allusion to 
 the Ballenstedt tournament, placed it upon his blond 
 head. He looked handsome enough in this sylvan guise, 
 and as he lay stretched upon the ground, supporting 
 himself with one arm, a sunbeam glanced through the 
 foliage, and touching his hair in the midst of the red 
 wreath, changed it to gold. Oda surveyed him furtively 
 as she arranged some wild flowers she had gathered, 
 while he seemed absorbed in thought, icll\ r plucking hand- 
 fuls of grass now and then. After a long silence, he 
 exclaimed, "Is it not beautiful here, Oda? Couldst 
 thou not be content to sta}^ here always ? " 
 
 " Ah! forever! " she answered, enthusiastically, with- 
 out stopping to think. 
 
 Siegfried started up. " Truly? Forever, Oda?" 
 
 " Yea, as long as I live," she cried, not reflecting how 
 he might interpret her words or the significance of his 
 question. 
 
 Siegfried seized her hand and stammered, with a look 
 of impassioned love, "And with me, Oda?" 
 
 She looked up in consternation, understanding him now 
 only too well. 
 
TIIE ROBBER COUNT. 185 
 
 " For Heaven's sake, Siegfried, what have I said?" 
 she cried in distress. " Do not ask me ! Thon dost not 
 wish to pain me ! Thou knowest not — I cannot answer 
 thee — indeed I cannot." 
 
 But Siegfried's hopes spread their wings, and carried 
 him up to the seventh heaven. Never before had he 
 heard her utter such words as these. Her present distress 
 he regarded as maidenly embarrassment, the result of 
 a natural struggle with her own heart, and he resolved 
 not to importune her for the moment, but wait patiently 
 till she was better prepared to hear him, and to acknowl- 
 edge that she loved him in return. 
 
 As he spent so much of his time now with his charming 
 companion, Count Albrecht was obliged to remind him not 
 to neglect his accustomed knightly exercises, and Sieg- 
 fried listened not unwillingly to his warning, glad to dis- 
 play his skill in riding and tilting. 
 
 In front of the upper castle was a large open space, 
 where masters and men were used to practise. 
 
 Here Siegfried and Bock one clay had a tilting match. 
 They were armed with light breastplates, triangular 
 shields, and leathern helmets, covered with iron or brass. 
 The points of their spears were blunted with large oakum- 
 wound buttons, so that they could unseat one another 
 without inflicting serious wounds. The spectators were 
 Albrecht, Oda, and Eilika, besides several of the castle 
 retainers. Bock was Siegfried's superior in jousting, 
 but, too polite to allow the lookers-on to observe it, he 
 spared his young master when he could. Both endeav- 
 ored to shine in the eyes of the ladies, who followed the 
 rapid movements of the horses, the well aimed thrusts 
 and clever parrying, with great interest, and greeted with 
 applause every advantage gained by one or the other. 
 
 Now and then Albrecht called out a word of encourage- 
 
186 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 ment or suggestion to Siegfried. Meanwhile, he ordered 
 a servant to saddle his own horse, and bring him his tilt- 
 ing spear and other equipments. When they were brought 
 he armed himself, and challenged Siegfried, who con- 
 sented rather unwillingly, as he well knew he could not 
 stand his ground against Albrecht. 
 
 Suspense, in part pleasurable, partly painful, took pos- 
 session of Oda as the brothers met ; with glowing cheeks 
 she watched every movement, and started at every 
 encounter of lances. In her heart she hoped the elder 
 would be victorious, but yet she would spare Siegfried 
 discomfiture At first Albrecht appeared to act the part 
 of instructor, and parried Siegfried's blows with playful 
 dexterity, while he kept his seat immovably, and the 
 younger broke more than one lance. But as the latter 
 became insensibly irritated at his brother's evident for- 
 bearance, and his attacks grew more fiery and impetuous, 
 Albrecht grasped his weapon firmly, rode sharply at Sieg- 
 fried, and with a powerful thrust, threw him from the 
 saddle. 
 
 Oda gave a little cry of distress, and would have even 
 gone to his assistance if Eilika had not held her back, 
 while Siegfried quickly rose to his feet. 
 
 Albrecht noticed Oda's reproachful glance, as well as 
 her exclamation, and he regretted that he had unseated 
 Siegfried so summarily. 
 
 " How dost thou, Siegfried?" he called out. 
 
 " Whole and sound," replied the other, without a touch 
 of ill-feeling; " but I can ride no more to-day." 
 
 The sudden fall must have wrenched him somewhat, 
 for he limped a little, which Oda observed with sympathy. 
 
 Count Albrecht now hailed Bock, perhaps to dispel his 
 own dissatisfaction at having unseated Siegfried, or that 
 Siegfried might not remain the only vanquished one. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 187 
 
 "Come, Bock, it is long since we have tilted together; 
 prepare to defend thyself, therefore ! " 
 
 11 That will I do, Sir Count/' answered the knight, 
 groaning as he fastened his helmet, for he feared that his 
 fate was sealed. 
 
 They rode to the opposite ends of the lists, and now 
 began an exciting jonst for the by-standers, for they were 
 both adroit tilters. It was a great gratification to his fol- 
 lowers, who continually swelled the group of spectators, 
 to see their lord encounter the boastful knight. All 
 hoped their master would come off victor, and that the 
 doughty Bock would get a lesson which would humble him. 
 
 At almost every onset, the lance-heads clashed fairly 
 against the shields of the jousters, who were shaken, but 
 yet kept their seats, but presently the count succeeded, 
 by a particularly well- aimed and stalwart blow, in bring- 
 ing Bock to the ground. Triumphant cheers greeted the 
 victor. Oda waved her scarf to him, and her heart was 
 elated. Eilika was glad that it had cost the count some 
 pains to unseat her devoted Bock, and yet more so to see 
 him get up unharmed. 
 
 " Console thyself, Bock ! " cried the count, wiping Ins 
 brow ; • ' nought doth more honor to the teacher than to 
 have his pupil outstrip him ! " 
 
 "Yea, verily!" replied Bock. "I know that thrust 
 well ! " and he stretched his long limbs and congratulated 
 himself that he had come off so easily. 
 
 Oda was always most friendly to Siegfried in Albrecht's 
 presence, but to-day sin was more cordial than usual, so 
 that neither of the brothers could fail to notice it. Both 
 divined her motive, which was to console the younger for 
 his defeat, but they attributed it rather to love than pity. 
 
 Siegfried was happy, but Albrecht's heart was heavy, 
 and he began to fear he had given himself credit for more 
 
188 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 power of self-denial than he possessed. He had deceived 
 himself, when he hoped to be able to suppress his own 
 feeling for Oda in his brother's presence. Seeing the 
 persistence with which Siegfried sought her affection, and 
 the pleasure, as he supposed, with which she received 
 these proofs of his love, he could not forbear saying to 
 himself, " Oh, if thou wert in Siegfried's place ! " Then 
 a bad spirit would whisper, " Woo her thyself ! Contend 
 with him for her love ; and as thou hast thrown him out 
 of the saddle, so canst thou oust him from her heart ; he 
 hath no more right there than thou ! " 
 
 What he missed most were the happy hours which he 
 had passed with her alone in familiar intercourse. They 
 were now irretrievably lost, for where Oda was, there was 
 Siegfried ; he could not banish him from her side, and 
 there were moments when he almost regretted his return. 
 
 What he had hoped and expected from it had not ccme 
 to pass. On the contrary, his own love for Oda had but 
 increased at sight of Siegfried's devotion. Formerly he 
 had reproached himself that he had not sent for his 
 brother earlier ; now he was vexed at Reginhild for having 
 given him irrefutable reasons for it. He forgot that he 
 had agreed so readily to her proposal in order to place 
 Siegfried as a barrier between himself and Oda ; and he 
 could tell no longer whether he had taken the step 1 ather 
 to please his sister-in-law or to gratify Jutta's jealousy. 
 At all events, Siegfried was now with Oda at Regenstein, 
 and it was for this reason that Jutta had sent through him 
 so friendly a greeting, and was so well satisfied. Had 
 she mysteriously divined the resolution Albrecht had 
 taken, in the solitary valley of the Goldbacli, which now 
 suddenly came back to him? Were he only once con 
 vinced of Oda's love for Siegfried, — so he had declared 
 he would stifle his own feelings, and 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 189 
 
 throw himself into Jutta's arras. He fell into a discon- 
 tented mood. Nothing was more contrary to his nature 
 than to waver and procrastinate. He had something 
 better to do than to idle away his days with one who 
 loved him not, while dark clouds threatened to burst upon 
 his head. He longed to fight against his foes, so as to 
 escape from the contest within ; he was vexed at the 
 Blankenburgs' delay, and he would have rejoiced at a new 
 quarrel with the bishop, or to be able to stop the mouths 
 of the Quedlinburgers in their everlasting cry for inde- 
 pendence ; anything to enable him to forget his foolish 
 love. 
 
 But before he met his enemies abroad, affairs must be 
 settled at home. He must come to some decision. Sieg- 
 fried should ask Oda's hand in marriage. It was not 
 possible that she would refuse him ; but if she did, the 
 bishop should not on that account be allowed to get pos- 
 session of Falkenstein, but he would let Oda go to the 
 castle of Quedlinburg, and ask Jutta to be mistress of 
 Regenstein. Perhaps some day Oda might become ab- 
 bess, and he would then be the protector of her whom he 
 had once regarded so differently. He shook his head at 
 the idea, but -went to work without delay. 
 
 "Siegfried," he said to his brother, as the latter 
 entered the room, in response to Albrecht's summons, 
 11 how do matters stand between thee and Oda? I know 
 that thou lovest the countess, but I would know if she 
 loveth thee, and will be thy wife? " 
 
 Siegfried was somewhat confused, being unprepared for 
 this abrupt question, and answered, " I know not, 
 Albrecht." 
 
 " Thou dost not know? Listen, Siegfried. I am tired 
 of this delay ; we must come to a decision. Go to thy lily, 
 offer her thy heart and hand, and ask her plainly if she will 
 
190 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 be thy wife. If she eonsenteth, as I hope and believe she 
 will, we will celebrate the nuptials, and we Regensteins 
 will go with all our fighting men to Selkethal, and take 
 the earldom from thy noble brother-in-law, before he and 
 his friend, the bishop, are apprised of our purpose. Then 
 Count Hoyer and his pious Margaret may seek refuge in 
 Ilalberstadt, and thou canst find a nest for thyself and 
 thy young wife at Falkenstein. What thinkest thou? " 
 
 Siegfried had listened to his words with increased 
 pleasure and emotion. Albrecht's allusion to Oda as his 
 young wife, and the alluring prospect of living with her 
 in the castle of Falkenstein, set his heart on fire. He 
 failed, therefore, to observe Albrecht's strange manner, 
 as he forced himself to speak in a firm and cheerful tone, 
 whilst he felt sad enough at heart. 
 
 The youth, however, made no answer, but kept his eyes 
 fixed on the floor in embarrassment. 
 
 " How? Thou hesitatest? " cried Albrecht, amazed. 
 
 " I would only too gladly, but I cannot," Siegfried an- 
 swered, in a low tone. 
 
 Albrecht frowned. " Count Siegfried von Regenstein 
 cannot ask a maiden's hand in marriage ? " 
 
 " Hear me, Albrecht ! More than once I have sought 
 to confess my love to her, but in vain ; I could never fin- 
 ish the sentence, for as soon as I began, she would give 
 me such a frightened, supplicating look, that it cut me to 
 the heart, and I could say no more. I believe that she 
 loveth me, and not long ago, she told me that she would 
 gladly remain here all her life ; but she is too shy and 
 timid to hear my confession, much less to answer it. 
 Albrecht, ask her for me! Thou dost not feel as I do ; 
 thou canst s iy anything to her that thou vvouldst." 
 
 " Siegfried ! " cried Albrecht, alarmed, ** thou knowest 
 not what thou askest ! " 
 
T11K BOBBER COUNT. 191 
 
 u It is only what I would joyfully do for thee, wert thou 
 in my place and I in thine," answered Siegfried, affection- 
 ately. 
 
 Albrecht gave his brother a look which the latter could 
 not understand. Then extending his hand, hii said, 
 earnestly, "I will do as thou wishest, Siegfried. God 
 grant that the result may be for our best happiness ! " 
 
 "So be it, brother ! Early to-morrow I ride to Gers- 
 dorf , to see Gunthf r ; thou wilt be alone with Oda, and 
 canst easily speak with her. If she accept me, let the red 
 pennon wave from the tower, so that I can see my happi- 
 ness beckoning to me from afar." 
 
 Albrecht nodded in assent. " But if she — " 
 
 u If she refuseth, make no sign; but I will not yet 
 despair." 
 
 So ended the interview. Siegfried departed with a light 
 heart, but Albrecht's was heavy. He looked after his 
 brother with a sorrowful smile, and repeated to himself 
 his words, " Thou dost not feel as I do ; thou canst say 
 anything to her that thou wilt." As he sat at the table, 
 he rested his head upon his hands and whispered to him- 
 self, " I must win her for him I Father in Heaven, lead 
 me not into temptation ! The issue resteth with me ; as I 
 speak to her, so must be the result for him and for me." 
 
 Then he sprang up and banished all evil thoughts. 
 
 " Nay, Siegfried ! " he cried aloud, " I will not betray 
 thee ! " 
 
 Early the next morning, Siegfried was already far on 
 his way. Albrecht ascended with Oda to their favorite 
 stone seat on the summit of the rock, but each step seemed 
 steeper and more difficult than it had ever been before. 
 Oda, on the contrary, was unusually sprightly, rejoicing 
 to be again with Albrecht, and ascended so nimbly that 
 she reached the top first, and stood there with her happy 
 
192 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 face turned toward the breeze, which lightly stirred her 
 dark hair, and gazed about her with delight. 
 
 Albrecht stood still, letting his eyes rest upon the 
 charming picture. He was alone with her whose love 
 would make him so happy, and he dared not clasp her in 
 his arms, as he was impelled to do, but must entreat her 
 to be to his brother all that he longed she might be to him. 
 His heart ached, and his feet seemed held down by 
 leaden weights. At this moment, Oda turned and called 
 to him, merrily, " Well, Count Albrecht ! Canst thou not 
 climb? Mere, take my hand ! " 
 
 Laughingly she stretched out her hand to him, and he 
 allowed her to appear to assist him, but it struck him as 
 singular that she should offer him her hand at that 
 moment. 
 
 "What wert thou listening to, or looking at?" she 
 asked, with unconstrained friendliness, as he stood by her 
 side, still holding her hand in his. 
 
 "I was looking at thee," he replied, deeply moved. 
 " Thou stoodst before me like a beautiful vision, promis- 
 ing blessing to the beholder." 
 
 "What blessing have I to give?" she asked, gently 
 drawing away her hand. 
 
 " The greatest of all blessings — for which I am ready 
 even now to ask of thee." 
 
 She stepped back involuntarily, trembling. 
 "Do not be frightened," he said, smiling faintly; "I 
 ask it not for myself. Thou must imagine my brother 
 Siegfried standeth here in my place. Come, seat thyself, 
 and let me talk to thee." 
 
 She sank upon the seat beside him, while he continued, 
 striving to control himself. 
 
 "I need not tell thee that my brother Siegfried loveth 
 thee with his whole heart. In his name, I entreat tlry 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 10H 
 
 hand in marriage, Countess Oda. Art thou willing to 
 become his wife ? " 
 
 Oda leaned back, her e} T es closed, and her arms hang 
 ing, as if powerless, by her side. Presently, she looked 
 up sadly, and said, in a low tone, — 
 
 " Dost thou wish it, Count Albrecht? " 
 
 "If thou lovest my brother, and canst be happy with 
 him, it is my most fervent wish," he answered ; and it 
 seemed to him as if he were speaking in a dream. 
 
 She gazed fixedly before her, and shook her head. 
 
 "I cannot answer thy question, Count Albrecht," she 
 continued, finally, as though her voice were choked ; 
 M neither yea nor nay. I am heartily attached to Count 
 Siegfried, — but — " 
 
 "Thou hast said to him that thou wouldst willingly 
 dwell all the rest of thy life at Regenstein ; didst thou 
 not mean in his company?" he asked, perceiving her 
 agitation. 
 
 " Nay ! nay ! I had no such thought. I meant the 
 peaceful days here, the rambles through the forest," she 
 replied, in confusion, blushing painfully. 
 
 " But what shall I say to Siegfried? That thou refus- 
 eth him? " he urged, with beating heart. 
 
 " Nay, Count Albrecht, for I see — it is thy wish," she 
 answered, meekly ; " and if I can — " 
 
 " Stay, Oda ! " he interrupted ; " not for the world, on 
 my account ! Thou must choose for thyself. TJiou only 
 must decide." 
 
 She shook her head again. 
 
 " I have no wish. Let me have time to think, to make 
 up my mind ; at any rate, I hope thou wilt not be dissatis- 
 fied with me," and she rose to go. 
 
 "And Siegfried? " asked he, once more. 
 
 " Thank him, and tell him not to give up hope," she 
 answered, faintly, as if she could say no more. 
 
194 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 Albrecht seated himself again, and listened to her 
 retreating footsteps. 
 
 "She loveth him," he thought, moodily; "and there 
 is no hope for me." 
 
 Painful thoughts disturbed his mind as he sat there a 
 long time, alone, upon the rocky platform. Finally he 
 descended, and, going to his room, wrote upon a strip of 
 parchment, " No red pennon, but hope notwithstanding ! " 
 He despatched a horseman with this message to meet his 
 brother Siegfried, on the way home from the castle of 
 Gersdorf. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. VJo 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Hitherto, Oil a had allowed herself to hope that 
 Albre* lit loved her, but now that he had sought her hand 
 in marriage for his brother, this hope was completely ex- 
 tinguished. She was ready to comply with his slightest 
 wish, but could she go so far as to marry Siegfried, to 
 please him ? She felt an affection for her youthful lover, 
 both for himself and because he was so like his eldest 
 brother. Should she console herself with the image, 
 sinee she could not possess the original? So she ques- 
 tioned herself as she sat alone in her chamber, after she 
 had left Albrecht, and had recovered from the first keen 
 pang inflicted by his words. The handsome and attrac- 
 tive Siegfried loved her, as she knew, with all his chivalrous 
 heart, and witli a modesty and patience quite at variance 
 with his natural impetuosity, which went far to prove the 
 strength of his affection. To spare her feelings, so she 
 said to herself, he had not even asked her himself in mar- 
 riage, but had sued for the hand of the disinherited 
 maiden through his brother. Moreover, should Albrecht 
 ask anything of her in vain? Nay, not if he were to ask 
 her heart's blood ! But she could not deceive the hus- 
 band, with whom she must journey through life. If she 
 consented to wed Siegfried, to gratify Albrecht, she would 
 say to him frankly, — 
 
 C, I will be thy faithful wife, if thou wilt be satisfied 
 with my dutiful devotion ; more, I cannot give thee." 
 
 But first she would try the effect of time and an earnest 
 effort to return his love. She would begin by opening 
 her heart to him a little, till, perhaps, by and by, she 
 
196 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 could give it to him wholly. How long it would be before 
 she could do so, she could not tell, but she would make a 
 beginning. 
 
 After his conversation with Oda, Albrecht was more 
 convinced than ever of her love for his brother, and could 
 not understand why she did not accept his proposal im- 
 mediately. He had little comprehension of the intricacies 
 of the feminine heart, and confidently expected that she 
 would speedily give her consent. His own fate was, 
 therefore, decided, and he must endeavor to forget his 
 disappointment, or compensate himself with Jutta's tem- 
 pestuous love. All this he had pondered as he sat alone 
 on the rocky height, and it still absorbed his thoughts as 
 he wandered up and down in the orchard with Oda. 
 
 Suddenly, they heard from the gate-tower a long and 
 pecu'iar blast of the horn. Albrecht and Oda looked at 
 one another. 
 
 " A guest of princely rank ! " said the count. " Who 
 can it be?" 
 
 They went to a part of the orchard where they could 
 overlook the gate, and discovered two ladies on horse- 
 back, with three mounted attendants. Albrecht gave a 
 low exclamation of surprise, and Oda immediately guessed 
 who they were. 
 
 " The abbess, Count Albrecht? " she asked. 
 
 "Yea; Countess Jutta von Kranichfeld and Countess 
 Adelheid von Hallermund." 
 
 Oda felt a chill creep over her. 
 
 " She hath come for me," she said. 
 
 But the count did not hear her. It seemed to him like 
 a stroke of fate that Jutta should be here now for the first 
 time to visit him. He hastened to greet her, and to lift 
 her from her horse ; a service which she accepted with a 
 smile and a blush. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 197 
 
 Oda, who remained a little in the background, saw him 
 hold the beautiful abbess in his arms, and set her gently 
 upon the ground, and a sharp pain penetrated her heart. 
 The charming canoness was, in the mean time, assisted 
 from her saddle by the jovial scrivener, Florencius, one of 
 the ladies' three attendants. 
 
 As Oda hesitatingly approached, the abbess scanned 
 her rapidly, and turning to Albrecht, said, softly, — 
 
 " Is that thy lily ? I had not thought her so beautiful ! " 
 Then she advanced and offered Oda her hand. 
 
 The greeting was constrained, but Jutta's cleverness 
 and self-possession soon smoothed over the awkwardness 
 of this first meeting. She quickly assumed an easy, con- 
 fidential tone, to which Oda responded as cordially as 
 she could. 
 
 At Count Albrecht's invitation they repaired to the hall, 
 where the abbess, after looking round as if in search of 
 some one, asked, quickly, " Where is Count Siegfried?" 
 
 Albrecht well understood her thought, and answered, 
 with some embarrassment, " He rode to Gersdorf early 
 this morning, but I expect him back shortly." 
 
 u It is a pity," observed Jutta, visibly relieved, " for I 
 wished him to hear what I have to say to thee. Floren- 
 cius, my friend, come here ! " and she took from the 
 scrivener's hands a folded parchment, which until now he 
 had kept out of sight. " Sir Count," she went on, hand- 
 ing it to Albrecht, " here is a deed, signed and sealed by 
 me, giving thee the fortress of Lauenburg in fief, as a 
 reward for thy efforts to save it from the covetousness of 
 the Blankenburgs and the townsfolk. Take it, and defend 
 it against all comers, — those, for example, who might try 
 some time to seize it before dawn," concluded she, with a 
 mischievous smile. 
 
 " Accept my most heartfelt thanks, gracious lady ! '' 
 
198 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 exclaimed Albrecht, overjoyed at this termination of the 
 affair. " Doth the deed prohibit any count of Regenstein 
 from holding command in the castle?" he added, not 
 being able to refrain from this little jest, in return for hers. 
 
 The abbess reddened, but Countess Adelheid came to 
 her assistance. " It is not in the deed ; and it was from 
 the first only the desire of the Quedlinburgers." 
 
 Albrecht smiled, and asked, " Is that all they desire?" 
 
 " By no means," returned the abbess, "and I have much 
 to say to thee on that score." 
 
 They sat down on the wooden settle which ran along 
 one side of the room, the others chatting in the deep recess 
 of the window, and the abbess continued, " Before all, 
 they long to free themselves from their dependence upon 
 thee. More than once have emissaries of the council come 
 to me, with offers and proposals. They promise to be 
 submissive to me, if not to thee, and to pay me double 
 the amount yearly in tolls and customs that thou receives!, 
 if I will but help them gain their freedom ; and when I have 
 refused their requests, they have ventured to threaten, and 
 gave me to understand that they had powerful allies, and 
 would not hesitate to take forcibly w r hat they could not 
 obtain peacefully." 
 
 Count Albrecht was filled with anger at Jutta's commu- 
 nications. He asked, " What answer didst thou give 
 them?" 
 
 " I expressed my displeasure," replied Jutta, proudly; 
 "reminded them of their sworn oaths, and advised them 
 to go to thee with their demands." 
 
 M By all the saints ! It is long since I let them feel my 
 hand, and it is high time that I should do so ! " 
 
 " But not without an armed following," cautioned the 
 abbess. " Thou must not expect to find much love or 
 loyalty in Quedlinburg." 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 199 
 
 u On the part of these pepper-pots and ale-house he- 
 roes ! " Albrecht said, scornfully. 
 
 1 'Believe me, they have some secret design against 
 thee, Count Albrecht. They would not hold their heads 
 so high, had they not some one behind them to urge them 
 on." 
 
 "He of the long crosier, wouldst thou say?" laughed 
 the count. 
 
 " Laugh not ! " cried Jutta. " I tell thee he will hesi- 
 tate at nothing, nothing ! " 
 
 14 I can readily believe it," Albrecht answered carelessly. 
 "Thou hast seen him recently, in Halberstadt?" 
 
 " I needed his advice upon some affairs connected with 
 the convent," she replied, in some confusion ; " and — " 
 
 "Enough, my lady," he interrupted. " And as to our 
 dear Quedlinburgers, I well know how I stand with 
 them." 
 
 " It was on that account I came here," said the abbess. 
 " Florencius could have brought thee the deed, but I 
 wished to warn thee, for I felt anxious, and I have had 
 dreams of ill-omen." 
 
 He looked her directly in the face, and answered, smil- 
 ingly, " I have had quite different dreams, and I trust 
 they maybe fulfilled, though that dependeth upon thee," 
 he added, softly. 
 
 Jutta's eyes shone, but she waited in silence till she 
 should hear more. 
 
 At this moment, most inopportunely, the canoness 
 called out, " Come quickly, Jutta, if thou wouldst see the 
 incomparable knight, Bock von Schlanstedt !" 
 
 " Thou canst see him more conveniently, my lady," said 
 Albrecht. " I will bid him to dinner." 
 
 But the abbess had risen and hastened to the window, 
 less to see Bock than to hide her agitation. 
 
200 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 Oda had heard, meanwhile, nothing of what had passed 
 between Albrecht and Jntta, but she had seen the expres- 
 sion of their faces, and as the latter became more joyous, 
 she grew proportionately uneasy. 
 
 Old Ursula took great pains to prepare a repast worthy 
 the distinguished guests, and when they took their places 
 at table, which was set with the rude, not to say scanty, 
 table furniture of the master of Regenstein, the count 
 apologized for its simplicity, and turning to Oda, added, 
 " Thou wouldst have fared better with our good abbess, 
 dear Oda." 
 
 " Yet thy prisoner doth not look as though thou hadst 
 starved her," said the abbess. 
 
 " I never let my captives suffer from hunger," he replied, 
 good-huinoredly. 
 
 "Thou must show us thy dungeon, Countess Oda," 
 said the canoness. 
 
 u And the chains with which they bound thee," added 
 Florencius, carrying on the jest. 
 
 " The chains with which Countess Oda is bound are not 
 of the kind that can be seen or heard," laughed Jutta. 
 
 Oda, embarrassed but not disconcerted, replied, " Thou 
 art right, my lady ; gratitude forgeth fetters which one 
 does not easily throw off." 
 
 Jutta's lips moved with a sarcastic smile, which did 
 not escape Oda. But the abbess made no answer, fearing 
 some unpleasantness before Albrecht. 
 
 The seat at Oda's left was empty, Albrecht having 
 reserved it for Siegfried, who had not yet returned. Be- 
 tween her and Countess Adelheid sat Bock von Schlan- 
 stedt. 
 
 This worthy usually occupied the chief seat at the sec- 
 ond table, where he endeavored by example and precept 
 to inculcate good manners, without, however, producing 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 201 
 
 any decided result. From time to time he was invited to 
 dine with his master, and this was always a red-letter day 
 for him, not on account of the better food, but the com- 
 pliment, upon which he prided himself excessively. He 
 reserved for such occasions a somewhat odd-looking gar- 
 ment, of embroidered cinnamon-colored cloth, and lined 
 with quilted leather, which was absurdly adapted to his 
 long, lean figure. He never appeared in it without his 
 sword and belt of knighthood, his special pride. His 
 deportment at table was most punctilious, and he sat bolt- 
 upright in his chair, with solemn dignity, using only the 
 choicest expressions in speaking. He esteemed it a 
 particular honor to dine with these beautiful and high- 
 born ladies, thinking that it must elevate him in Eilika's 
 eyes. 
 
 The blooming canoness, who was about the same age as 
 her youthful abbess, and nowise her inferior in vivacity, 
 was highly diverted by her self-important neighbor. Bock 
 answered all her questions with elaborate deference, and 
 tried to carry on an agreeable and instructive conversation 
 with the lively countess, which entertained her highly. 
 The abbess also, and Count Albrecht, who overwhelmed 
 her with attentions, grew more and more mirthful, laugh- 
 ing heartily at Florencius's shrewd witticisms. 
 
 Oda alone, though involuntarily observing Albrecht 
 and Jutta, took little part in the merriment. The others 
 did not try to draw her into the conversation, supposing 
 that Siegfried's absence might account for her silence. 
 Count Albrecht often glanced at her, but turned his eyes 
 away when he met their troubled glance, as if his con- 
 science was not quite easy. 
 
 Finally Siegfried arrived, and on entering the hall 
 directed looks of gratitude toward his brother and Oda, as 
 if he would let them know he had received their message, 
 
202 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 and was contented to wait and to hope. After saluting 
 their guests, he took his place beside Oda, and seemed to 
 have the enlivening effect upon her which the others had 
 anticipated. 
 
 u Howlooketh the weather, Siegfried ! " asked Albrecht, 
 lightly. 
 
 '•A storm is approaching ; it cometh from Halberstadt," 
 he answered, looking significantly at his brother. 
 
 But Albrecht was so absorbed with Jutta that he paid 
 no heed to the double meaning of Siegfried's words. 
 
 Heavy clouds were gathering overhead, as they now 
 for the first time perceived. 
 
 "From Halberstadt?" said the count. "Naturally, 
 everything hurtful to us originateth there ; even the thun- 
 der-storms." 
 
 " But if this one should descend upon us, and last till 
 nightfall, canst thou harbor us all, Count Albrecht? " 
 
 " We have surely room enough," he replied ; " but ye 
 must not expect to rest as comfortably here as in your own 
 princely castle." 
 
 " What will our superior think, if we do not return?" 
 observed Adelheid. 
 
 "That we have been imprisoned here!" laughed Flo- 
 rencius. 
 
 " Oh, the lot of a captive at Regenstein is not a bitter 
 one ; is it, Countess Oda? " said Jutta. 
 
 "That dependeth upon the kind of fetters with which 
 one is bound," replied the young countess. 
 
 They all laughed at her ready retort, including the 
 abbess, but she bore her a grudge in consequence. 
 
 At this moment their eyes were blinded by a sudden 
 flash of lightning, whereat Adelheid cried out in terror, 
 and the laughter ceased. 
 
 But the abbess's face had an exultant expression, as 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 203 
 
 with head thrown hack, she cried, u What is the matter, 
 Adelheid? Art thou afraid of lightning? It was so hot, 
 so oppressive, and now corncth this blessed relief. The 
 lightning flash is like a fiery kiss, making one tremble, 
 but with delight ! " 
 
 And now the thunder rolled and reverberated overhead. 
 
 " Listen ! " cried she; "how it seemeth to shake the 
 rocks, as though it struck them with a mighty hammer. It 
 maketh the heart flutter to witness this wild, wonderful 
 power ! " 
 
 Her companions looked at her, surprised at her excite- 
 ment. 
 
 "My lady!" exclaimed Count Albrecht, "I never 
 before saw a woman who took delight in a thunder- 
 storm." 
 
 11 I exult in storms," she answered; " 1 only wish I 
 could thunder ! " 
 
 " Thou canst, thou canst, my lady ! " laughed the count. 
 " I have heard thee." 
 
 Whereat Adelheid and Florencius nodded to one another, 
 and smiled. 
 
 Again the lightning flashed, and the thunder pealed 
 more loudly than before. 
 
 " The heavens crash and the earth quaketh," cried 
 Jutta, '• but thy Regenstein standeth fast, Count Albrecht ; 
 it is as unshaken by storms as thou. Thou art like Pro- 
 metheus, chained up here forever to thy lonely rocks ! 
 And how hast thou incurred the anger of the gods? They 
 thunder at thee, and threaten thee, for what? A broken 
 word, a blighted happiness? Speak, Sir Count ! " 
 
 "I never broke my word; I fear them not," Albrecht 
 replied ; " and Regenstein is in no danger; many storms 
 have raged a-ound it, but it hath never been touched yet." 
 
 Rut the fiercer the storm became, the more the abbess 
 
204 the noBnm count. 
 
 was moved. This outbreak of Nature exercised a wonder- 
 ful influence upon her, which she could neither withstand 
 nor explain ; it seemed almost as if there were some secret 
 sympathy between her and the storm-laden clouds. While 
 Adelheid and Oda covered their eyes to shut out the vivid 
 flashes, and trembled at the heavy thunder-claps, and even 
 the men became quiet, and only exchanged short remarks, 
 Jutta was full of restlessness and a strange delight in the 
 warring of the elements. 
 
 To Oda, the abbess's excitement seemed most un- 
 natural, and she said, in her dismay, — 
 
 " My lady, brave not the heavens thus ! " 
 
 " Why should I not, child ? " Jutta answered. "Come 
 with me to the summit of the rocks, thou pale lily, and 
 see the lightning play over the valley and hear the 
 thunder-clouds roar around us like flying dragons ! " and 
 she sprang up, as if she would suit the action to the word. 
 
 The others rose also. Adelheid hung upon her arm, 
 and cried, — 
 
 1 ' Jutta, what wouldst thou ? Thou wilt be struck by 
 lightning ! " 
 
 "Let me alone!" she whispered, hoarsely; "the 
 storm is within me ! " 
 
 She stood erect, and looked at Albrecht as if she ex- 
 pected he would speak. But he remained silent, watching 
 Oda, who was half indignant, half terrified. Siegfried 
 placed himself protectingly near her, while Florencius 
 approached the canoness, and said, in a low tone, — 
 
 " Pray, let her alone ! It will pass off with the storm." 
 
 Bock stood like a statue, with his eye fixed on his 
 master, and quietly waited to see what would follow. 
 But Jutta's freakish impetuosity had put an end to the 
 pleasure of the company, and now the rain began to fall 
 in torrents. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 205 
 
 "Ah!" said she, drawing a deep breath, "here cora- 
 eth the rain ! Let us open the windows, and let in the 
 air ! I am suffocating for it ! " 
 
 She threw open a window, and leaned out to cool her- 
 self. The rain made a plashing sound upon the stones, 
 which soothed her ear. It flowed from the rocks in little 
 runnels, and freshened the folinge of the trees and bushes, 
 while sweet odors ascended from the wild flowers below. 
 
 Jutta beckoned Albrecht to her side within the window 
 recess. 
 
 " Come, Count Albrecht ! " said she ; " come here, and 
 feel how sweet the air is ! It is ravishing ! " 
 
 He came and stood beside her, leaning over her 
 shoulder in the narrow recess. Her head was close to 
 his, her hair touched his brow, and her breath fanned his 
 cheek. How could he fail to be moved by the proximity 
 of this beautiful woman ! 
 
 Presently, the clouds rolled away, the rain ceased, and 
 here and there patches of blue sky became visible. 
 
 " Now, let us go out," said Siegfried; "it must be 
 glorious outside ! " 
 
 Albrecht and Jutta left their place at the window. She 
 had now resumed her usual calmness ; a smile played 
 about her lips, and her eyes glowed. A gentle languo r 
 succeeded the overwrought condition which the storm 
 had engendered, and it seemed as if she would make 
 the others as happy as she was herself. 
 
 Florencius went with Bock to visit the stables, the dog- 
 kennels, and bird-house, for he was fond of animals. 
 
 The others mounted the rocks, and enjoyed to the full 
 the refreshing coolness of the air. The abbess was 
 pleased with the view of her castle ; she thoughtfully 
 scanned the landscape, and then looked down with 
 interest upon the huge mass of Regenstein. 
 
206 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 While engaged in studying its details, Countess Adel- 
 heid stepped up to her and whispered in her ear, — 
 
 4 ' Art thou surveying thy future home ? " 
 
 Jutta shook her head, and answered Adelheid, — 
 
 " He hath said nought to me." 
 
 11 But thy heart speaketh." 
 
 Jutta only smiled. 
 
 Albrecht now called their attention to the different 
 points of the view, but seemed quiet and constrained. 
 As his glance wandered it rested upon Oda, who stood 
 apart on an eminence with Siegfried, close to the edge of 
 the precipice. She rested her hand upon his shoulder, 
 and he held her as she leaned over, looking down into the 
 abyss, the rock being still wet and slippery. 
 
 The count stopped speaking immediately, and Jutta, 
 noticing it, followed the direction of his gaze. Then her 
 jealousy at once revived, and she exclaimed, — 
 
 1 'It is really touching, Count, to see the care with 
 which thou watcheth over thy lily ! Count Siegfried, 
 methinks, is holding her fast, and she must see some- 
 thing interesting down there, to let him hold her so 
 long." 
 
 Albrecht made no answer, but the abbess could not see 
 his annoyed expression, and continued, — 
 
 M There ! she steppeth back ! She must have felt thine 
 anxiety ! And how bashfully she smileth upon the young 
 knight! Oh! it is beautiful ! " 
 
 Still the count said nothing. He was wounded and put 
 out of tune by her words and manner, and when the 
 canoness suggested that it was time to depart, he made 
 no long remonstrance. 
 
 " Thou wilt escort us part of the way, Count Albrecht?" 
 said the abbess. 
 
 " It is but my bounden duty, my lady," he answered. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 207 
 
 The horses were ordered, and both ladies took friendly 
 leave of Oda. 
 
 "Thou hast refused, hitherto, to honor our convent, 
 Countess Oda," said the abbess ; " but its gates will always 
 open to thee, and thou wilt be welcome at any tilne. ,, 
 
 "** And if thou wilt visit us even for a sennight, thou 
 wilt confer a great pleasure upon us all," added the 
 canoness. 
 
 Oda thanked them, assuring them that it would give 
 her pleasure to do so, if Count Albrecht would allow her. 
 
 " Which he will not do," laughed the count. 
 
 They thereupon mounted their horses, and the two 
 brothers escorted their guests half-way to Westerhausen. 
 
 By her remarks to Siegfried as they rode along, the 
 abbess let him see clearly that she considered him secretly 
 betrothed to Oda, and the young lover was not displeased 
 by her sallies, as they flattered his hopes. And Jutta, 
 fancying herself now sure of him, also rallied Albrecht 
 upon his feeling for his future sister-in-law. 
 
 They parted, therefore, most amicably. The ladies 
 rode to Quedlinburg with Florencius and their servants, 
 and the two counts returned to Regenstein. Count 
 Albrecht repeated to Siegfried his conversation with 
 Oda, and assured the latter of her love, which he was 
 only too ready to believe. 
 
 Whereupon Siegfried, in his turn, said, " Now listen to 
 me, Albrecht; if I had not gone to see Giinther to-day, 
 he would have come to us to-morrow to give us news. 
 When, in answer to thy question to-day, I said a storm 
 was coming, I referred not so much to the thunder-storm 
 as to blacker clouds which threaten us from Halberstadt." 
 
 Albrecht listened attentively, and Siegfried continued, 
 " Prince Bernhard von Ballenstedt, who beareth a bitter 
 grudge against the bishop on account of the city of 
 
208 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 Aschersleben, yesterday sent a private message to Giin- 
 ther, warning us to be on our guard, for the bishop is 
 plotting against us. He went to Falkenstein a few days 
 ago with Count Konrad, of Wernigerode, and several other 
 nobles, and they were all closeted there with Count Hoyer. 
 Prince Bernhard doth not know the result, but Count von 
 Wernigc rode came afterward to Ballenstedt and asked him 
 if he were to receive back Aschersleben in fief, whether 
 he would join the bishop of Halberstadt against us " 
 
 " This intelligence is surely worth a ride to Gersdorf !" 
 cried Albrecht. " What answer did Bernhard make?" 
 
 "He refused, point-blank," replied Siegfried; "and 
 said he would take from no man in fief what rightfully 
 belonged to him by inheritance, and what he meant in 
 good time to recover ; and that he would never be friends, 
 in peace or in war, with the bishop of Halberstadt." 
 
 " Good ! " rejoined Count Albrecht ; "we will ride out 
 to-morrow in search of further information." 
 
 " First, the abbess went to the bishop, and then the 
 bishop to Count Hoyer. Is not that a little singular? " 
 Count Albrecht looked startled. "Thou meanest — " 
 " I mean that here are two threads which may possibly 
 be tied together." 
 
 "Siegfried!" exclaimed his brother, "dost thou sus- 
 pect the lady abbess ? Why didst thou not tell me sooner, 
 that I might have questioned her? " 
 
 " I intended so to do," the other replied ; " but when I 
 saw thee conversing with her so confidentially, the sus- 
 picion banished ; but now it hath returned, and I cannot 
 rid myself of the idea that she hath had a hand in the 
 game. And I verily believe, Albrecht, that it is on 
 account of Oda." 
 
 "Ah, certainly!" laughed the elder; "thou thinkest 
 that the world revolveth around Oda." 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 209 
 
 Siegfried reddened, but said nothing, for his brother's 
 laugh had a bitter intonation. 
 
 They had now reached the castle gate, and dismount- 
 ing, each went his own way, Siegfried to the castle and 
 Albrecht to his lofty stone seat. The intelligence he had 
 just received weighed heavily on his mind, and he wished 
 to be alone. 
 
 When he reached the level rock, Oda quickly rose, 
 having been apparently lost in thought. She seemed 
 disconcerted by his appearance, and her eyes were red. 
 
 " Oda, what is the matter? Thou hast been weeping ! " 
 cried Count Albrecht, surprised in his turn. 
 
 She looked at him for a moment, then hiding her face, 
 she said, with a sob in her voice, "Ah, let me alone! 
 What is it to thee?" 
 
 And without further words she slipped past him, and 
 hastened down the steps. 
 
 What had come over her? She had never spoken so to 
 him before. What had he done? Count Albrecht was 
 completely at a loss. 
 
210 THE ROBBER COUNT, 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 On the following morning Siegfried was first in the 
 saddle. He rode toward Halberstadt, to discover, if pos- 
 sible, any preparations that might be on foot for the pro- 
 posed attack. A little later Bock set out, with the same 
 object, in the direction of Wernigerode, stopping at Heim- 
 burg on his way to inform Count Bernhard that his brother 
 wished to see him at Regenstein immediately. Count 
 Albrecht intended to follow him, to make observations in 
 the neighborhood of Quedlinburg, and ordered Nothnagel, 
 Hasenbart, and Gutdiinkel to scour the woods and valleys, 
 and be on the lookout for any soldiers, either in camp or 
 on the march. 
 
 Bock had not been long gone before he returned, bring- 
 ing with him Hinze Habernack, whom he had captured 
 not far from Regenstein, under what seemed to him rather 
 suspicious circumstances. The old man asserted that he 
 was on his way to Count Albrecht with important commu- 
 nications, and Bock had come back with the vagrant, 
 against whom he still bore a grudge, to make sure that he 
 did not slip through his hands. 
 
 Led before Albrecht, Habernack reported the ride of the 
 bishop to Falkenstein with Count von Wernigerode, Knight 
 Rudolf von Dorstadt, and Hans von Kriendorf, the two 
 latter sworn enemies of the count. 
 
 When the latter asked what business the bishop had on 
 hand with Count Hoyer, the old fox squinted at him hesi- 
 tatingly, licked his lips, and said, — 
 
 " I know all about it, Sir Count." Then, after a mo- 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 211 
 
 merit's pause, " And if I dare mention it before the worthy 
 knight here — " 
 
 " The devil take thee ! Speak, or I will give thee the 
 thumb-screws ! " threatened Bock. 
 
 M Go on, go on ; only out with it ! " Count Albrecht ex- 
 claimed, impatiently. 
 
 " Count Hover promised the bishop, after Countess 
 Margarethe's death, the earldom of Falkenstein," Haber- 
 nack went on. " But the abbess of Quedlinburg hath told 
 Bishop Albrecht that thou wilt marry Countess Ocla, and 
 demand the earldom as her inheritance. So they have 
 settled amongst themselves to take her from thee." 
 
 "Man! How hast thou learned all this?" cried Al- 
 brecht. 
 
 " H'm ! Sir Count, it was not so easy ; but I promised 
 thy knight, Bock, to bring thee tidings as soon as I could, 
 and I hope thou wilt pay me well. Thou seest, the rever- 
 end bishop is in love with a girl whose mother is a good 
 friend of mine, so I go to her. The devil knows how the 
 daughter wheedles it out of my lord, — that is her affair, 
 — but she doth it." 
 
 "When are they coming? Dost thou know that?" 
 asked Count Albrecht. 
 
 " Nay, I know not," answered Habernack. " I believe 
 they have not set a time yet. It will not be for some 
 days, I think ; but I do not know." 
 
 " Knowest thou any more of the matter? " 
 
 " Nay, I know no more," protested the old man. 
 
 " Habernack ! The thumb-screws ! " cried Bock again. 
 
 The hunchback cast a black look at him, and shook his 
 head. Count Albrecht then proceeded to pay him well for 
 his information, adding, " And now thou canst take thy- 
 self off ! " 
 
 " Sir Count," said Bock, " I trust not the churl. Were 
 
212 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 it not better to keep him here till we see if he hath told us 
 the truth?" 
 
 " What ! Thou swell- nosed, low-born knight ! " screamed 
 Habernack. " Is this the way thou keepest faith with 
 me? Didst thou not promise to let me go in safety? " 
 
 " Didst thou promise him that, Bock?" said the count, 
 sternly. 
 
 "I did, Sir Count; but—" 
 
 " Then hold to thy word ! " 
 
 "Noble Count," said the old man, when he had re- 
 covered from his fright, "I am hungry and weary; let 
 me rest a little, and have a morsel of food and drink. 
 Then I will go on my way to Blankenburg ; there I have 
 man}' acquaintances, and I will look about me, and come 
 back and tell thee if I see anything afoot. If I am not 
 here by evening, thou wilt know that I have naught to 
 tell." 
 
 " Good," answered the count, after a short pause ; " do 
 as thou sayest. Bock, take him with thee, and see that he 
 has his food, and then set out tlryself for Heimburg." 
 
 Bock led Habernack to the serving-men's quarters, not 
 observing, while the latter hobbled slowly along, as if foot- 
 sore, what sharp glances he cast about him. Then Bock 
 rode off, and left the old man talking with the servants, 
 from whom he soon extracted what he wished to know. 
 
 Toward noon Hinze Habernack reached the castle of 
 Blankenburg, where Count Berthold had been expecting 
 him for two days, and paid him in good gold for all that 
 he had heard and seen at Regenstein. 
 
 "They are asleep up there, like marmots in winter. 
 The garrison is no stronger than usual, the stock of cattle 
 scanty, and they have had no supplies for a long time. 
 Be quick, and ye will find them unprepared. I have taken 
 care of that, as the reverend bishop ordered." 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 213 
 
 The old rogue did not add that he had betrayed the 
 bishop's designs to his foe, only deceiving the latter as to 
 the time of their execution. 
 
 1 i Knowest thou anything of Falkenstein's people ? " 
 asked Count Berthold. 
 
 " They are in Wegeleben, Sir Count." 
 
 " When canst thou be in Halberstadt?" 
 
 " In three hours I will be at the reverend bishop's." 
 
 "Tell him that we are read}'," said the count. "In 
 Wernigerode they only await the signal from me. I can 
 send a horseman thither at a moment's notice, and another 
 to Quedlinburg, and before midnight we will all come 
 together." 
 
 The cunning messenger immediately set out again, 
 taking the shortest road to Halbcrstadt. 
 
 Count Albrecht was disturbed as well as enraged at the 
 report of the vagrant, in which he put faith, as it coincided 
 substantially with the Prince of Ballenstedt's warning. 
 Siegfried was right ; the attack was against Oda, and 
 the abbess was at the bottom of it all, for it was at her 
 instigation the bishop had induced Count Hover to recover 
 his sister by force. Jutta had visited the bishop before 
 Siegfried's recall, and labored then under the delusion that 
 not he, but Albrecht, wished to marry Countess Oda. It 
 was, therefore, due to her insensate jealousy that he must 
 now fight against all his enemies at once, and he felt sure 
 that the Quedlinburgers would not be idle. 
 
 It was some time before Bernhard made his appearance, 
 and, meanwhile, Albrecht was with Oda. She was now as 
 composed and gentle as usual, and strove to make amends 
 for her yesterday's behavior by redoubled friendliness. 
 He read in her eyes a mute entreaty that he would ask her 
 no questions, and accordingly he said nothing, presently 
 forgetting all about it in the multiplicity of his cares and 
 anxieties. 
 
214 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 When Bernhard finally arrived, the brothers went up to 
 Albrecht's room, where hot words passed between them. 
 Bernhard reproached Albrecht with his unaccountable 
 obstinacy, which had caused all tlteir trouble, so that now, 
 for the sake of this maiden, they were menaced by so 
 many foes. Had he sent her long ago to the convent, and 
 married Jutta, whose feeling for him he had so long 
 known, she would have had no grounds for jealousy, and 
 they would have been spared this present danger. 
 
 Bernhard allowed it to be seen plainly that he thought 
 Albrecht's own feeling for Oda was the true reason why he 
 had detained her at Regenstein. 
 
 But the more Albrecht perceived the truth of his re- 
 marks, the more angry his brother's reproaches made him. 
 He answered, shortly, — 
 
 " The struggle for the earldom of Falkenstein could not 
 be prevented. Siegfried loveth Oda, and wisheth to marry 
 her, so that sooner or later we must fight for her inherit- 
 ance." 
 
 " Who can tell if that would have been necessary?" 
 urged Bernhard. " Perchance Hoyer himself would not 
 have been willing to disinherit his sister, had Siegfried 
 fairly sued for her, and been content to wait patiently for 
 the earldom ; in which case, I trow, the bishop would not 
 have dared to contest our rights." 
 
 " Wherefore should he wait?" cried Albrecht. "What 
 can be acquired to-day one need not wait for till to-mor- 
 row, and, mayhap, lose altogether." 
 
 u This restless craving for power, — it is in thy very 
 blood," said Bernhard, " and is the one failing of thy 
 brave and honorable heart ! It will be thy undoing, some 
 day, and will bring us all to ruin ! " 
 
 " If thou wouldstrock children rather than break spears, 
 thou canst," laughed Albrecht ; "my desires are different." 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT, 215 
 
 Bernliard was silent, and at this point they wisely 
 changed the current of their talk, and took counsel as to 
 what should be done under their present circumstances. 
 The following day Albrecht must announce the threatened 
 attack to the governors and garrisons of the Regensteins, 
 warning them to keep strict watch and ward, and also 
 send messages to the friendl}' counts of the Hartz country 
 and of Swabia, who had promised their assistance, to hold 
 themselves in readiness. Also, Regenstein must be well 
 supplied with provisions for a siege. 
 
 He concluded not to ride to Quedlinburg, but to remain 
 with Bernhard until toward evening. Siegfried, Bock, and 
 his companions returned, one by one, not having seen any- 
 thing remarkable. He who did not return was Hinze 
 Habernack, and the brothers accordingly concluded that 
 the impending assault was not very near at hand. 
 
 Bernhard now proposed to return to his wife, whom he 
 knew would be anxiously expecting him, and Albrecht 
 accompanied him to the gate. As they walked slowly 
 over the rocks in the twilight, Albrecht stopped suddenly 
 before the dark opening in the ground, which was now 
 half choked up, and said, — 
 
 " Listen! Dost hear?" 
 
 " What?" asked Bernhard. 
 
 " The knight templar is hard at work," answered Al- 
 brecht, in a low tone. 
 
 "Yes; I hear him," said Bernhard. " He telleth us, 
 what we already know, that troublous times are in store 
 for us." 
 
 " I deem it a bad portent that he knocketh so loudly," 
 returned Albrecht. 
 
 Bernhard nodded assent, and they went on in silence. 
 
 From below ground came dull sounds, that could not be 
 explained in any natural manner. The dark, underground 
 
216 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 passage led to the knight templar's dungeon, and from 
 time immemorial this legend had been handed down con- 
 cerning it. 
 
 A former Regenstein had kept a templar imprisoned 
 here in a deep dungeon for years, during which he sought 
 unceasingly, with desperate efforts, to cut his way through 
 the rock with a piece of old iron. He was not interfered 
 with, but he never saw the light again, and one day the 
 knocking suddenly ceased : the knight templar was dead. 
 But his spirit was not at rest. The hopeless work went 
 on forever, and when any danger threatened the house of 
 Regenstein the knocking and scraping could be distinctly 
 heard in the stillness of the night. Before any great mis- 
 fortune — sure to occur within the year — his spirit was 
 seen, clad in a flowing white mantle, upon the summit of 
 the rocks, and afterwards slowly descending again to the 
 dismal prison. 
 
 Arrived at the castle gate, Bernhard threw himself into 
 the saddle, while Albrecht returned by the way he came. 
 He stopped again at the subterraneous opening, and 
 listened. The sounds were still to be heard beneath his 
 feet. " If only I knew how to release him, poor restless 
 spirit, I would do so," he thought. " But he cannot be ex- 
 orcised ; for us Regensteins he is the voice of fate. And 
 Bernhard saith that Oda is the cause of all these troubles. 
 What folly ! He must always be croaking. But Oda ! A 
 glance of her blue eyes maketh one forget every trouble ! " 
 And, full of the thought of her, the count returned to the 
 castle. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 217 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 When the sun rose next morning upon Regenstein, 
 scattering the mists which rose from the woody glens and 
 hollows, the castle began to bestir itself, and just then 
 was seen the gleam of polished steel upon the steep ascent 
 leading to the castle. A trumpeter appeared before the 
 gate, and blew a prolonged blast, which the warder was 
 not slow to answer. Beside the former was an armed 
 man, who wore the belt of a knight, and carried in his 
 hand a pine branch to indicate his office as herald. He 
 asked leave to speak with the lord of the castle, or his 
 representative. Count Albrecht and Bock were both 
 awake, and the latter hastened to the entrance. He called 
 from the wall above to know what the stranger wanted, 
 and the latter replied, in a loud voice, — • 
 
 " I am the Knight Bosse von Silda. My lord, the noble 
 Count Hoyer von Falkenstein, sendeth greeting to Count 
 Albrecht von Regenstein, and demandeth that his sister, 
 Countess Oda, whom ye here unlawfully hold captive, 
 shall be straightway delivered into our hands. If ye will 
 not do this, we will besiege your castle, and attack ye with 
 fire and sword, and not withdraw till ye open your gates, 
 and deliver the maiden into our hands. "We shall bring 
 four hundred fighting men, and ye may expect no help 
 from without, neither men nor provisions. Therefore we 
 challenge you, and we await a well-considered answer." 
 
 " I will answer thee," cried Bock, from above. "lam 
 the Knight Bock von Schlanstedt. Ye cannot have the 
 maiden, and we need no assistance, for we have too many 
 rather than too few men, and our storehouses are full, for 
 
218 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 we knew ye were coming. As to 3 T our four hundred, if ye 
 come too near our walls ye will get something on your 
 heads ye will not relish. This is our answer. If ye would 
 have it from my master himself, I will summon him ; but 
 it is not necessary." 
 
 "Nay, it is not necessary," said Count Albrecht, who 
 now appeared upon the tower. " What is thy demand?" 
 
 " The release of Countess Oda von Falkenstein," called 
 back the herald. 
 
 " That I refuse, without further parley," cried Albrecht. 
 " Who is thy leader ? " 
 
 " Count Berthold von Blankenburg." 
 
 " I thought so," said the count ; " and who commandeth 
 the bishop's force ? " 
 
 " The Knight Rudolf von Dorstadt." 
 
 " Very well. Tell your masters to make haste, aud let 
 them see how speedily we will open our gates for them ! " 
 cried Albrecht, and descended again to give necessary 
 orders to his men. 
 
 "Would that I had not let that accursed rogue of a 
 Schabernack escape yesterday," muttered Bock to himself, 
 as he strode along the breastworks to enjoin upon the gar- 
 rison the need of a stubborn resistance. 
 
 Notwithstanding the bold words of the herald, the con- 
 dition of affairs was a critical one. Thanks to its natural 
 advantages, the stronghold could be defended by a com- 
 paratively small body of troops, and with suitable vigilance 
 they might feel almost sure of being able to hold the enemy 
 at bay. But a prolonged siege must be fraught with dan- 
 ger, as they were wholly unprepared for it, not having 
 thought of laying in an unusual store of provisions. 
 
 Albrecht ordered the private signal of distress to be 
 hung from the watch-tower to apprise Bernhard of the 
 sudden attack. Though the garrison at Heimburg could 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 219 
 
 do nothing alone against the besiegers, Bernhard could 
 procure help by sending out messengers. But the answer- 
 ing signals informed them that the enemy had forestalled 
 them by surrounding Heimburg also. From Regenstein 
 they could see that men were posted in a wide circle 
 around the fortress, and that riders were in motion, appar- 
 ently with the purpose of preventing any one approaching, 
 so that news of the siege should not get abroad in the 
 neighborhood. For the present, therefore, they could 
 hope for no aid. 
 
 The soldiers and servants were, to a man, full of cour- 
 age, because Count Albrecht was with them. His firm- 
 ness and self-possession, his assured glance, and the clear- 
 ness and precision of his orders, inspired them with 
 confidence. The weakest points of the castle were strongly 
 fortified, and the gates were especially well guarded, but 
 as yet no serious attack had been made. 
 
 Skirmishing was kept up at intervals ; arrows were shot 
 from behind trees and crags as well as from the ramparts, 
 and larger missiles from huge whalebone bows, which were 
 supported upon wooden frames, being too heavy to be held 
 otherwise. The besieged, likewise, strewed the ground, 
 outside the walls, as far as they could be thrown, with 
 caltrops, large balls with four sharp, projecting iron spikes, 
 one of which always pointed upward, to the detriment of 
 men and horses. 
 
 If Count Albrecht had only had men to care for he 
 would have troubled himself but little, but he was tortured 
 by the thought that, if the contest lasted long, if no succor 
 came, and Oda suffered from privation, he must give her 
 up. He would have preferred to conceal from her that 
 she was the real cause of the assault. But that was im- 
 possible. She would soon discover it, even if he withheld 
 the knowledge, and so many of his men had heard the 
 
220 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 knight's challenge that it would be impossible to keep it 
 secret. 
 
 And, in fact, Oda heard the truth within an hour, and 
 not as Albrecht or Siegfried would have told it to her, but 
 from the lips of the over-wrought Eilika. 
 
 The latter was wakened early by the unusual disturb- 
 ance, and, in going out to discover the cause, she met 
 Bock, full of his own importance, running to and fro as if 
 possessed, .and asked him the meaning of the commotion. 
 
 " Ha ! It is all for your sakes," cried the knight, enthu- 
 siastically. " We are encompassed on every side, and 
 Count Hoyer demandeth your release. The Falkensteins, 
 the Blankenburgs, Wernigerodes, and the bishop's fol- 
 lowers surround us, and are going to storm the castle and 
 fetch you out." 
 
 u Ah, merciful heaven! This is frightful, Sir Knight! 
 Do not give us up ! exclaimed the distressed maid. 
 " They will put us into the convent." 
 
 " Have no fear, dear Mistress Eilika," answered Bock, 
 grandiloquently; "this arm and this good sword shall 
 defend ye both. We will not yield you up, as long as we 
 have a morsel of food left, and after that — " But his 
 last words were lost in the depths of the armory, into 
 which he presently disappeared. 
 
 Eilika ran to her young mistress with the dismal tidings. 
 Oda dressed herself in trembling haste, and went to see 
 Count Albrecht. She met him coming from the eastern 
 ramparts, in full armor, and seeing at the first glance that 
 she knew all, he tried to soothe her fears, while he smil- 
 ingly said, " Be calm, dear Oda ! Thou art secure 
 enough here ! Regenstein cannot be taken ; no foeman 
 will enter the gate or scale the wall ; they will soon 
 retreat, hut not with thee." 
 
 " Let me go with them, Count Albrecht," she returned, 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 221 
 
 sadly but decidedly. " I wish no fighting on my account. 
 Let me go, that thou mayest have peace." 
 
 " By no means, Countess Oda ! Thou shalt not leave 
 Regenstein. Thou servest merely as a pretext. It is an 
 old feud, which hath been gradually growing bitterer, and 
 must be settled some day." 
 
 " Accept their pretext, then, and deliver me to them," 
 she still urged. " I bring thee naught but trouble." 
 
 " Oda !" The tone in which he spoke her name came 
 from the depths of his heart. She looked down in confu- 
 sion. 
 
 " Give me thy hand," he continued. " Remain, to 
 please me, as thou hast done hitherto. Wilt thou not? " 
 
 She could not resist ; no, she would not leave him now. 
 As once before, she gave him her hand, and thought 
 within herself, " If I may not live with him, perchance I 
 may at least die with him." 
 
 M I will stay, Count Albrecht," she answered with moist 
 eyes, which at the same time shone with suppressed joy ; 
 " and if I can be of any service to thee, thou knowest I 
 shall be glad." 
 
 M If I can see thee cheerful and contented," said he, "I 
 am content ! " 
 
 As they walked they met Siegfried, also fully armed, 
 with eager face, delighted to have the opportunity to 
 fight for Oda, and protect her at any risk. His talk was 
 warlike, and did not tend to quiet her apprehensions. He 
 said to Albrecht, almost indignantly, — 
 
 11 They come no nearer ; I verily believe they have no 
 means of storming the fortress." 
 
 M Very possibly," answered Albrecht, wishing to soothe 
 Oda's fears as much as possible. 
 
 Siegfried would hardly leave the walls, put himself in 
 the most dangerous places, and apparently tried to pro- 
 
222 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 voke an attack. But as they showed no signs of making 
 an assault on the third day after their first appearance, 
 Albrecht himself was astonished, and could not explain 
 the unaccountable delay. The enemy had not retired ; 
 could it be that he was not strong enough to venture upon 
 an assault? Albrecht resolved to discover the cause of his 
 inactivity, and to sally out for this purpose. 
 
 The sortie was made early the following morning, under 
 Albrecht's command. Only a small force could be 
 spared, however, that the walls might not be left unpro- 
 tected. , . 
 
 The enemy's nearest outpost was surprised and thrown 
 into confusion, but help came quickly from all sides, and 
 after a short contest, Albrecht was obliged to retire be- 
 fore superior numbers, or his retreat to the castle would 
 have been cut off. Siegfried had gone so far in his 
 impetuosity that he could no longer hear Albrecht's com- 
 mands, and would doubtless have been captured if Bock, 
 with his trusty comrades, had not followed him, and at the 
 risk of their lives rescued him. 
 
 Though the Regensteins lost only three men, they 
 could ill be spared. Rupfer, one of the M Wicked Seven," 
 though severely wounded, was rescued with considerable 
 difficulty and carried into the fort. Siegfried received a 
 heavy blow on the head from a mace, which, however, 
 did not break his helmet, as it was parried by Bock, who, 
 with Gutdiinkel and others, kept back his assailants, and 
 carried him to the castle, partially stunned. Albrecht 
 and his followers were all hard pressed, but they kept 
 together, the count exposing himself fearlessly, and deal- 
 ing blows right and left with his formidable battle-axe. 
 Finally they reached the sally-port and the gates closed 
 behind the last man, no other than the old were- wolf, 
 Nothnagel. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 923 
 
 Albrecht was indignant with Siegfried, and reproached 
 him for his rashness. He had convinced himself of the 
 enemy's strength, and that a contest in the field must be 
 out of the question. 
 
 Bock had escaped with a swollen shoulder and a thrust 
 in the groin, which had not, however, penetrated his 
 armor, though he could not forbear a little modest brag- 
 ging for Eilika's benefit. Siegfried was left in Ocla's care, 
 and when she gently bound bis aching head with wet 
 cloths, happy to be of use and to lessen his pain she was 
 more than rewarded by his happy, grateful smile. At the 
 same time, in her inmost heart she thought, "Ah, if I 
 could only tend Albrecht thus ! " while glad enough that 
 there was no need of it. 
 
 The next day, the besiegers replied to the sortie by 
 storming the southeast wall, but after an obstinate strug- 
 gle were beaten back, without loss to the Regensteins. 
 Siegfried, to his great chagrin, could not join in the 
 combat, not being able to bear the weight of his 
 helmet. 
 
 Each side had now tested the strength of its antago- 
 nists, and desisted temporarily from active hostilities. 
 Albrecht made up his mind that it Mas the enemy's 
 intention to starve out his garrison, and his anxiety in- 
 creased continually, for he knew that they could hold out 
 but two weeks longer, though their inexhaustible wells 
 were a great blessing. 
 
 With longing eyes, Albrecht, Siegfried, and Oda gazed 
 from the summit of the rocks, hoping they might see 
 succor approaching. Oda would remain there the greater 
 part of the day, like a sentinel, shading her eyes with her 
 hand, and scanning the horizon. She pictured to herself 
 how she would fly down the steps to Albrecht, exclaiming, 
 " They come, they come ! " But they came not, and Oda 
 
224 THE BOBBER COUNT. 
 
 grew more downcast each day. It was on her account that 
 blood had flowed, that men had been killed and wounded, 
 that Siegfried had barely escaped death, and who could 
 say what the end would be ! 
 
 She dared not again propose to Albrecht to let her go, 
 but he saw plainly that she suffered, and was grieved. 
 He could hardly bear this, and ransacked his brain, 
 striving to discover some means of freeing himself from 
 the foe. At last a plan suggested itself, which at first 
 seemed fantastic, but which, as he considered it in his 
 mind, gradually ripened into a definite resolve. It would 
 be a bold undertaking, and he must take his life in his 
 hand, but this he had done before, and now it would be 
 for Oda. 
 
 M Siegfried," said he to his brother, " if no one cometh 
 to help us, I must do so myself. How is it possible ? thou 
 wouldst ask. Listen ! There is only one way of escape 
 for us, which is not guarded by the enemy, and I have 
 concluded to take that way, — down the precipice there." 
 
 " Albrecht! Art thou in jest or earnest?" cried Sieg- 
 fried. 
 
 4 ' Sober earnest!" answered his brother. "I can be 
 lowered in the night by a rope, walk to Ditfurt, send 
 thence to the fortress, go to Count Burchard von Mans- 
 feld, who can despatch messengers to Stolberg and Hohn- 
 stein, and in three or at most four days return with a 
 considerable force and free you all. Ye can hold out as 
 long as that, and if I can only get to Ditfurt unhindered, 
 the plan cannot fail. Call Bock ! " 
 
 " But why shouldst thou risk thy life thus?" objected 
 Siegfried. " It would be much better for me to go than 
 for thee, upon whom we all depend. Think whai would 
 become of us, if thou wert to fall or be captured ! " 
 
 I must go myself," Albrecht declared. " Thou shalt 
 
 a 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 225 
 
 remain with Oda ; thou wilt be her protector for life, and 
 thou must not leave her now." 
 
 But Siegfried begged that he might go. "Thou art 
 needed here more than I. I will gladly make the attempt. 
 Albrecht, let me try it ! " he said. 
 
 " Nay," persisted Albrecht ; " I must be the one to go, 
 and 1o come back with men whom I can lead into action." 
 
 Siegfried was obliged to yield, and Albrecht added, 
 " One thing more ! Oda must know nothing of my pur- 
 pose to-day. When I am gone, thou canst tell her." 
 
 Bock was now let into the secret, and he also begged 
 to be allowed to go in place of his master, but was refused. 
 Then they set about making the necessary preparations 
 with secrecy. 
 
 The chain of the well was drawn up, and lengthened 
 with strong ropes, which they hoped would suffice, and by 
 which Albrecht was to be lowered, under Siegfried's and 
 Bock's superintendence, by the armorer Klinkhard and 
 two strong men. So long as all was quiet at Regenstein, 
 Siegfried was to let the red pennon wave from the tower, 
 so that Albrecht, on his return, might see that he was In 
 time. A loud trumpet-note would be the signal for an 
 attack, which Siegfried would aid by making a sortie with 
 the whole garrison. 
 
 All was now arranged and decided upon, and they had 
 no difficulty in concealing their purpose from Oda. Since 
 the siege began, Count Albrecht, Siegfried, and Bock 
 alternately kept watch at night, constantly going the 
 rounds to see that all was well, and the other two stayed 
 till a late hour with him whose turn it was to watch. 
 Therefore, Oda was not surprised that the two brothers 
 did not go to rest, after bidding her good night. Albrecht 
 said nothing more than usual, but when she was not look- 
 ing, devoured her with his eyes, as if he were never to see 
 her again. 
 
226 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 When the hour came, the three mounted the rocks, 
 Albreeht in full armor, and covered with a dark cloak. 
 They found Klinkhard, Nothnagel, and Schadow waiting 
 for them with the chain. 
 
 The night was clear, and the moon would rise about 
 midnight. The abyss lay black and unfathomable before 
 them, and absolute silence reigned. The chain was made 
 fast to the middle of a piece of wood, astride which 
 Albreeht sat, and a rope was wound around his body, 
 leaving hands and feet free, so that he could keep him- 
 self from striking against the face of the rock when the 
 chain swung. As they bound him, he silently committed 
 himself to the care of Heaven ; then, embracing Siegfried, 
 and pressing the hands of the others, he was lowered by 
 Klinkhard. Nothnagel, and Schadow over the brink of the 
 precipice. 
 
 The five spectators shuddered as their beloved leader 
 disappeared into the frightful abyss. No one spoke a 
 word ; they heard his iron-shod feet strike against the 
 rock, and now and then loosened fragments would roll 
 into the depth below. But these sounds soon ceased, 
 only the chain was heard rattling lightly over the rocks as 
 they let it out, inch by inch, and when it came to an end, 
 and they began cautiously to lower the knotted rope, all 
 was again silent. 
 
 A quarter of an hour passed in great anxiety lest chain 
 and cable should not hold, or not prove long enough for 
 the purpose. Suddenly they perceived that the weight 
 was gone. Was the chain broken ? Or had it been caught 
 in a cleft of the rocks? Had the count fallen, or had he 
 reached the ground? They waited a little, and then began 
 carefully to draw up the rope. The chain was free, and 
 when they came to the end, they found the rope, which 
 had been bound around the count's body, wound about 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 227 
 
 the piece of wood, so they knew he had reached the ground 
 alive, and that his heroic attempt would probably succeed. 
 
 With lightened hearts they left the spot, and Bock 
 watched in his master's place that night. 
 
 Siegfried was up betimes next morning, proud of being 
 Oda's protector, and commander of the beleaguered for- 
 tress. He charged Bock to tell every man how, and for 
 what purpose, Count Albrecht had leftRegenstein, so that 
 their spirits might be cheered by the hope of speedy relief. 
 But he had deliberated long as to how he should enlighten 
 Oda. Knowing that she lived in constant fear by reason 
 of the danger to which the brothers were exposed, and re- 
 proached herself with being the unhappy cause of it all, 
 he resolved to inform her in the most cautious manner of 
 Albrecht's hazardous journey. 
 
 During these latter troubled days, Oda was often obliged 
 to take her breakfast alone. She had already finished her 
 repast, when Siegfried entered the hall. 
 
 " Did Count Albrecht change places with thee or Bock 
 last night?" she inquired, hastily. 
 
 " AVhy dost thou ask?" 
 
 " It was not his footstep which I heard in the court- 
 yard during the night," she explained. 
 
 "Dost thou know Albrecht's step so well ?" exclaimed 
 Siegfried, in surprise. 
 
 She was afraid of betraying too much, and so said 
 nothing. 
 
 " Thou art right," he continued, as Oda did not answer. 
 u Bock took the watch last night." 
 
 " It was thy brother's turn. Is Count Albrecht not 
 well? Whereas he?" 
 
 Where is he ? This simple question quite took away his 
 presence of mind. What should he reply? 
 Albrecht is — gone." 
 
 a 
 
228 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " Gone ! " 
 
 c ' Yea ; he hath left Regenstein." 
 
 Siegfried was now convinced that he had never before 
 cut so sorry a figure in his life. 
 
 Oda was silent, and gazed at him with a troubled ex- 
 pression, as if he had spoken in some strange tongue 
 which she did not understand. Suddenly, a change came 
 over her face, and she cried out, — 
 
 "Hath there been fighting in the night? Hath the 
 count ventured out alone, and been taken prisoner? " 
 
 " Nay," answered Siegfried ; " he hath stolen away, to 
 bring us succor." 
 
 "In the midst of the enemy! Count Siegfried, thou 
 art hiding something from me ! Tell me all ! What hath 
 happened? Where is Count Albrecht?" 
 
 At sight of Oda's sudden vehemence, and her trembling 
 solicitude for Albrecht, Siegfried felt a strange fear take 
 possession of him, and his mind was filled with forebod- 
 
 " Albrecht did not pass through the enemy's camp, but 
 went over the rocks," he said, looking at Oda fixedly, with 
 a dawning perception of the terrible truth. 
 
 " The rocks ! What rocks? What rocks, Count Sieg- 
 fried?" 
 
 " The precipice ; but he — " 
 
 She sprang toward him, and seized him by the arm. 
 
 "The precipice! He hath fallen over! Crushed and 
 dead ! Oh, my God ! my God ! " 
 
 She covered her face with her hands, not knowing, in 
 her despair, what she said or did, while all the light and 
 life died out of Siegfried's heart at her words. 
 
 He was silent for a moment, looking at her as she stood 
 pale and rigid, and then replied, in a low tone, — 
 
 "Do not distress thyself, Countess Oda! Albrecht 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 229 
 
 liveth. We have lowered him down the precipice safely. 
 In three days he will return with his friends, and enter the 
 castle gate as victor. And then " — his voice falling 
 almost to a whisper — "then, Countess Oda, I will tell 
 him that thou lovest him." 
 
 u That thou shalt never do ! " she cried, in great agita- 
 tion. " If thou darest say so, if thou lettest him so much 
 as suspect it, I will throw myself from the precipice ! I 
 swear it, by all that is sacred ! " 
 
 With these words her strength seemed to fail her. The 
 passionate love which she had so long suppressed, and so 
 painfully hidden under a calm exterior, had now broken 
 forth with overmastering force, and Siegfried's beautiful 
 castles in the air were overthrown forever. She grieved 
 bitterly at the thought of his ruined happiness, but not 
 another word could she utter. With a look of the deepest 
 compassion, which he did not see, she glided past him out 
 of the hall. 
 
 Siegfried sank down upon a stool beside the table, 
 buried his face in his hands, and fairly wept. 
 
230 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 Wearisome were the days which Siegfried and Oda 
 now passed in longing expectation of Albrecht's return. 
 Though they were both calm, and friendly to one another, 
 and neither made the slightest allusion to their late dis- 
 tressing interview, the time seemed very long to Oda, and 
 presented a great contrast to the happy hours she had 
 spent alone with Albrecht in Siegfried's absence. The 
 latter had immediately begged her permission that Bock 
 might be allowed to sit with them at their table while his 
 brother was away, and she gladly consented, understand- 
 ing perfectly his object, desiring as much as he to avoid 
 any further intimate relations. 
 
 Bock did the greatest part of the talking, and attribut- 
 ing the silence of the others to their solicitude for Al- 
 brecht, tried to encourage tliem as much as possible, 
 praising his foresight and energy, which he declared to be 
 equal to every emergency. He could not forgive his mas- 
 ter, however, for letting Habernack slip off, for he felt 
 sure that the old rogue had only tried to lull them into 
 security with his false story of the time appointed for the 
 attack, and had then informed the enemy how little pre- 
 pared Regenstein was for a siege. Bock, therefore, vowed 
 deadly revenge against the crafty hunchback. 
 
 The enemy lay quietly encamped, apparently hoping, 
 by starvation, to bring the fortress to terms. On the 
 third day after his departure, a man was posted on the 
 summit of the hill to watch for the count's approach, it 
 having been agreed that he should lie in wait till the pre- 
 concerted signal was given. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 231 
 
 Finally, ou the fifth morning the sentinel made the 
 joyful announcement, " They come, they come ! " Every 
 one hastened to the heights and saw an approaching squad 
 of horsemen, which seemed to be too few in number to 
 overpower the enemy. But they knew not that this 
 was only half of the whole force, the other half, which 
 could not be seen from where they stood, being near at 
 hand, on its way from the south, so that the enemy might 
 be attacked simultaneously from opposite sides. 
 
 Siegfried ordered the garrison immediately to prepare 
 for a sortie, and at the trumpet blast they burst out of the 
 gates and fell upon the foe from a third quarter. 
 
 Notwithstanding a brave resistance, which prolonged 
 the combat for hours, the besiegers were completely routed, 
 though the investing forces of Heimburg joined in the 
 fray, soon followed by Count Bernhard with his garrison. 
 A considerable number of prisoners was left in the hands 
 of the victors. 
 
 When the soldiers of the besieged fortress met their 
 heroic leader upon the field, after the conflict was over, 
 they cheered him wildly, flourishing their weapons in the 
 air, unmindful of all discipline. Even Bock forgot his 
 dignity, and raising himself in the saddle, vociferated 
 with all his might, 4t Victory, victory ! " 
 
 Count Albrecht's brothers greeted him with hearty 
 delight, all of them being present except Ulrich, — 
 Giinther and Poppo having come, with their followers, 
 at Albrecht's summons, from Gersdorf and Crottorf to 
 fight for the stronghold of their fathers. Bernhard, who 
 had himself been invested, could not understand Albrecht's 
 appearance at the head of his allies, and heard with 
 astonishment of his midnight exploit. Siegfried pressed 
 Albrecht's hand without a word, but the latter took his 
 silence as an expression of speechless joy at the triumph 
 of their house over their united opponents. 
 
232 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 The few noble prisoners — among whom was neither the 
 count of Blankenburg, nor of Wernigerode, nor Rudolf 
 von Dorstadt — were released, after promising, upon oath, 
 to pay a ransom as soon as they should be able to do so. 
 
 But when it came to the mustering of the common 
 prisoners, who were from Halberstadt, Ascher>leben, and 
 Quedlinburg, Count Albrecht was not disposed to show 
 them equal lenity. He had learned from a Halberstadt 
 soldier that these three cities had been for a long time 
 secretly in alliance with the bishop against him, and this 
 intelligence angered Count Albrecht ; but he was especially 
 indignant with the citizens of Quedlinburg, who owed him 
 allegiance, and of whose enmity he had had many proofs 
 in his late rapid ride through the country. 
 
 After depriving the other prisoners of their armor and 
 weapons, they were finally released, but he could not be 
 induced to free the Quedlinburgers, and his friends had 
 much ado to prevent him from putting them all to the 
 sword. 
 
 In the enemy's camp was found a goodly store of pro- 
 visions, — very welcome to the inmates of Regenstein. 
 
 Many of the followers of the friendly counts, as well as 
 the men from Gersdorf and Crottorf, were distributed by 
 degrees in the neighboring castles, and those who could 
 not find room there camped at the foot of Regenstein, for 
 there was yet work for them to do. 
 
 The victorious allies now rode together to the castle to 
 celebrate their success. Besides the five brothers, there 
 were the counts Burchaid von Mansfeld, Bernhard's 
 father-in-law, Heinrich von Stolberg, and Dietrich von 
 Hohnstein, with many of their followers, with whom Bock 
 von Schlanstedt fraternized. 
 
 Albrecht thought of Oda in the midst of the fray, and 
 when it was over he sent to her to let her know that he 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 233 
 
 was unhurt. She anticipated bis return with eager im- 
 patience, but her joy was accompanied b}^ a feeling of 
 shrinking apprehension, as if he must now know that she 
 loved him. Not that she imagined for a moment that 
 Siegfried had betrayed her secret, but it had escaped from 
 her keeping, and she felt that it was no longer only hers. 
 
 After a tedious delay another messenger arrived, to 
 inform old Ursula of Albrecht's speedy arrival, and the 
 number of his guests. 
 
 The thought of meeting him first in the presence of 
 strangers was distasteful to Oda, and that she might see 
 him, unseen herself, she hastened to the spot amidst the 
 shrubbery, where they had watched the arrival of the 
 abbess and her train. Here she now stood with beating 
 heart, listening intently. 
 
 At last came the sound of the warder's trumpet, more 
 triumphant, she thought, than she had ever heard it. 
 And there — there he was, at the head of his friends 
 and followers, proud and elate. Oh, how well he looked, 
 as he sat erect on his powerful horse, his face lighted with 
 a smile, while his eyes glanced here and there, as if search- 
 ing for some one, — could it be for her? She drew back 
 quickly, and he passed by. 
 
 Count Albrecht led his guests to the castle, and said, in 
 a blithesome tone, "■ Giinther and Siegfried, see that our 
 guests are well cared for. Poppo, do thou look after the 
 table." 
 
 "And what wilt thou do, Albrecht?" Siegfried would 
 have liked to ask. 
 
 Albrecht withdrew and proceeded to the orchard, where 
 Oda still lingered, as if by a secret presentiment. 
 
 In another moment he stood before her, and he had 
 well-nigh drawn her to his breast. 
 
 44 Qda ? Oda J " he cried, stretching out both hands. 
 
234 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 She looked at him, trembling, but was unable to speak, 
 while he forgot for the minute that his part was to woo 
 her for Siegfried ; and she, that her love for him must be 
 hopeless. 
 
 " Thou seest I have returned to thee," he said at last. 
 
 4 ' Welcome home, Count Albrecht," she replied. " I 
 wish thee joy. And I thank thee for thy message." 
 
 " Wert thou angry with me for leaving thee without a 
 word?" 
 
 " If thou haclst bidden me farewell, I would not have 
 let thee go," she said, softly. 
 
 " I went for thee, dear Oda, and for Siegfried, whom I 
 would not put in peril, for we could not tell — " 
 
 " And for Siegfried." His name painfully awakened 
 her from her blissful dreams. She could not find words 
 to thank him for his devotion, but only said, l< Come 
 within, to thy guests, Count Albrecht." 
 
 As they went into the castle, side by side, he began, 
 " After all, I must let thee go for a little. We are all 
 about to take the field, and thou canst not stay here 
 alone. Will it suit thee if we escort thee to the castle of 
 Quedlinburg? The abbess will surely receive thee cor- 
 dially ; she hath herself invited thee, and I hope thy 
 sojourn there will not be long, and Siegfried hopeth so," 
 he added, with emphasis. 
 
 '• lam content with whatever thou thinkest best," she 
 replied, submissively. 
 
 M Thou must be prepared, then, to depart day after 
 to-morrow. We set forth then," said he. 
 
 Oda entered the hall, but now somewhat disheartened, 
 courteously saluted Albrecht* s guests, and retired as soon 
 as possible to her apartment. Siegfried had met her com- 
 ing from the orchard with Albrecht, and he saw that she 
 was very pale, 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 235 
 
 The nobles and knights now seated themselves at table 
 and made merry, while Albrecht failed to notice how his 
 youngest brother's eyes continually rested upon him with 
 a look of thoughtful melancholy. 
 
 As they talked over the different phases and turns of 
 the conflict which had just taken place, their conversation 
 took the form more and more of a council of war ; for now 
 that they were all together, they determined to give the 
 bishop and the cities with whom he was in league a lesson 
 which they should not soon forget. 
 
 Count Burchard von Mansfeld was in favor of first 
 seizing the earldom of Falkenstein ; the counts of Stolberg 
 and Hohnstein wished to begin operations by revenging 
 themselves upon the Blankenburgs and Wernigerodes, 
 while Albrecht' s brothers urged that the bishop should be 
 attacked, without loss of time. 
 
 But Count Albrecht shook his head, nnd said, grimly, 
 " Quedlinburg, first of all ! If they will not bow beneath 
 the yoke, I will make them pay well for their misdeeds. 
 Do ye know that while we were shut in here they took 
 Gunteckenburg by surprise, and reduced it to ashes?" 
 Exclamations of indignation, threats, and imprecations 
 interrupted him. 
 
 " Luchard was forced to fly with his men, as many of 
 them as were still living, to the Wiperti monastery," he went 
 on; " but the rebels pursued them thither, destroyed the 
 outside walls which I built myself, and would have razed 
 the whole building to the ground if the abbess had not 
 interposed with the full weight of her authority." 
 
 11 How knowest thou this?" asked Count Burchanl. 
 
 M On my ride to Mansfeld, I met one of Luchard's men, 
 who had been wounded and cut off from his fellows, and 
 he told me all. Besides which, the Quedlinburgers have 
 declared themselves independent of my jurisdiction. Add 
 
236 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 to this the secret alliance with the bishop, and the meas- 
 ure is full to overflowing. I will destroy their Town House 
 for them, and those who have crowed like cocks over the 
 downfall of Gunteckenburg may find their heads too loose 
 upon their shoulders." 
 
 No one said anything, and the count continued, " But 
 we Regensteins are a match for the Quedlinburgers ; 
 meanwhile ye can seize Falkenstein, and then we will all 
 fall upon the bishop of Halberstadt." 
 
 " He will defend himself, for he hath strong allies," 
 said Count von Stolberg. " But if the Hartz region and 
 Swabia are turned into a great battle-field, it will not be 
 our fault." 
 
 " Perad venture, we could save ourselves somewhat," 
 suggested Count von Mansfeld. "We might send the 
 citizens of Halberstadt a challenge, letting them know the 
 bishop is the cause of it. They love him not, and he hatli 
 foes in his own chapter." 
 
 " Agreed ! " cried Albrecht. " Poppo, write a challenge 
 for us ; thou knowest where to find parchment and ink." 
 
 Poppo brought the writing materials, and wrote the 
 challenge, the customary wording of which was at least as 
 familiar to these warlike men as the Lord's Prayer. 
 
 Meanwhile the others continued their consultation over 
 the plans. They decided that the counts of Mansfeld, 
 Stolberg, and Hohnstein should attack Falkenstein, seize 
 the fortress, drive out Count Hoyer, and garrison it. 
 Count Albrecht, on his part, should bring all his forces 
 against the city of Quedlinburg. During the siege, only 
 the necessary guard should be maintained in the Regen- 
 stein castles, but mounted soldiers should patrol between 
 them, and keep Count Albrecht informed of whatever 
 might occur. 
 
 So all was finally arranged, and the next day but one 
 was appointed for setting forth. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 237 
 
 Poppo now read aloud his challenge : " Be it known to 
 ye, burgomaster and council of Halberstadt, that we, 
 counts'* (here followed the names), " with our allies, on 
 behalf of Albrecht, Count von Regenstein, hereby declare 
 ourselves openly your enemies, and we pledge ourselves 
 to sack and destroy your city, if ye do not within three 
 days renounce and throw off wholly and entirely your 
 allegiance to your bishop. We now proclaim our purpose 
 to ye in due season, under our hands, and Count Albrecht 
 von Regenstein's seal." 
 
 The assembled lords then subscribed their names to the 
 document, and Poppo sealed the wax seal with the Regen- 
 stein arms. 
 
 " That is done ! " exclaimed Albrecht. " Now, noble 
 friends, let us all make merry ! " 
 
 They were not slow to follow his bidding, and soon 
 became merry indeed. They were outspoken men, bold 
 and free, who knew full well where and when to strike in 
 combat, but who in their cups took little heed of what they 
 said. 
 
 "Here's to thy beautiful captive, Albrecht!" cried 
 Count Dietrich von Holm stein. " Thor's thunders ! That 
 was not a bad catch, Bock von Schlanstedt ! " 
 
 * " And not only the beautiful prisoner, but the beautiful 
 earldom of Falkenstein, which will likewise fall into thy 
 hands," added Count Heinrich von Stolberg. 
 
 M It hath not fallen in our hands as yet," replied 
 Albrecht. 
 
 "Never fear ! We will take care of that ! " 
 
 "Tell me, ye Regensteins, which of you is to wed the 
 beautiful countess, the eldest or the youngest?" asked 
 Count Burchard. 
 
 "I trow ye are all four enamoured of her! Confess 
 now ; am I not right? " Count Dietrich inquired, jestingly. 
 
238 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 M I am ! " laughed Poppo. " I acknowledge it ! " 
 
 " And I also," his brother Giinther added. 
 
 " Albrecht and Siegfried are silent," observed Count 
 Heinrich. " That proveth that they love her most." 
 
 " Now it only remaineth to discover which of us she 
 loveth. Albrecht, I believe she loveth thee ! " said 
 Poppo. 
 
 4 'Why dost thou talk so, Poppo?" exclaimed his eldest 
 brother, quickty. 
 
 "Oh! I have seen her look at thee — " 
 
 ' ' Nonsense ! Be silent ! " interrupted Albrecht, sharply. 
 
 u If ye were not brothers," remarked Count Dietrich, 
 " the simplest way to settle the matter would be for ye to 
 fight with one another till there was only one left for her 
 to wed. As it is, ye seem to be in one another's way." 
 
 "But } T et we are brothers," answered Bernhard, se- 
 verely, "and not one of us can be in the way of the others." 
 
 " Well ! well ! I meant nothing," Count Burchard said, 
 good-naturedly. 
 
 With the rapidity of lightning, Albrecht's and Sieg- 
 fried's eyes met at Count Dietrich's untimely words. 
 What each thought and felt, no one knew. Siegfried 
 remained silent, and Albrecht noticed now for the first 
 time his depressed looks. The talk had been distasteful 
 to him from the outset, and he now said, pointedly, 
 " Enough of this, friends ! Countess Oda is my guest as 
 well as yourselves, and I will not have a word more said 
 about her. When we ride to Quedlinburg, we will take 
 her with us to the abbess, for she cannot be here alone." 
 
 The conversation now took another turn, and good-fel- 
 lowship was restored. They sat long at table, till at last 
 Count Burchard and his vassals departed with his son in- 
 law for the castle of Heimburg, as Bernhardt guests. 
 The others stayed at Regenstein, each quartered in a 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 239 
 
 small chamber, and well enough satisfied with the un- 
 glazed windows and rude furniture of those primitive 
 days. 
 
 When Albrecht lay again, for the first time for five 
 nights, upon his bed, sleep refused to come, notwithstand- 
 ing the fatigue he had undergone. He thought not of the 
 siege, nor of the risks he had run to preserve his castle, 
 nor yet of the fight which had taken place, any more than 
 of that which was to come ; he thought of Oda. She 
 appeared, on his return, so beautiful and winning, that it 
 seemed to him almost impossible to give her up. Might 
 she not, after all, return his affection ? She had almost 
 refused to marry Siegfried, and many a time when they 
 were alone, he had seen her cheeks flush, her eyes light 
 up, and such tender words came from her as must have 
 been for him alone. 
 
 But in the midst of these blissful memories, the words 
 of Count von Hohnstein rankled in his memory, like 
 poisoned arrows, "Ye seem to be in one another's way." 
 
 Dietrich certainly had meant no evil. In the elation 
 of success, he spoke as one who spends his life in rough 
 contests and rivalries. But once said, his words could 
 not be recalled, and rang again in Albiecht's ears. "Ac- 
 cursed words!" he murmured, and turned himself about 
 upon his bed, as if he would turn his back upon them. 
 
 At last sleep came to him, but brought with it a fright- 
 ful dream. He thought he was storming a castle, in order 
 to rescue Oda, who was imprisoned there. Horsemen 
 came to the help of the castle, and he shouted to Sieg- 
 fried, " Keep them back, till I save Oda ! " Siegfried fell 
 upo:i them with a handful of men and fought well ; but as 
 Albrecht returned successful with Oda in his arms, he saw 
 his brother, pierced by a lance, fall from his horse. 
 Siegfried was dead, and Oda was his ! 
 
240 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 The first thing to be done next morning was to despatch 
 the challenge to the council of Halbertstadt, as well as 
 orders to the Regensteins' several fortresses. Bock asked 
 that five of the "Wicked Seven" — the sixth, Rupfer, 
 was yet disabled by his wounds — should be among those 
 sent on this errand. Before starting, Bock took them 
 aside, and gave them a special charge, of which Count 
 Albrecht knew nothing, but which they received with 
 demonstrations of satisfaction, promising to execute it 
 faithfully. 
 
 Then began preparations for the attack upon Quedlin- 
 burg. Weapons of all sorts — scaling-ladders, rams, en- 
 gines for projectiles, pitchy firebrands, and countless 
 bundles of arrows — were brought forth and heaped up in 
 the court-yard. Count Albrecht, Siegfried, Bock, and 
 Klinkhard, the armorer, had their hands full, and the former 
 had no time to think of Oda, who was herself occupied, 
 together with Eilika, in making arrangements for her 
 departure. He was too bus}', also, to question Siegfried as 
 to his unusual demeanor, so different from his usual high 
 spirits before a fight. Albrecht did not dwell upon the 
 change in his brother, and what he noticed, he attributed 
 to the talk at table concerning Oda, and he was not wrong. 
 Dietrich's thoughtless words as to their being in one 
 another's way had struck the younger brother even more 
 forcibly than the elder ; and since the former's discovery 
 of Ocla's love for Albrecht, one thought filled his mind, 
 one question occupied him : Did Albrecht return her love ? 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 241 
 
 The entertainment of the guests was left to Poppo and 
 Gunther ; and although they had had their share of riding 
 and fighting the day before, and so much more was in 
 store for them, they could not sit still, but hastened to the 
 jousting-court and broke a couple of spears together. 
 
 While Eilika helped her mistress to prepare for her 
 short journey, she sighed from time to time so deeply, 
 that Oda finally asked her, — 
 
 "What aileth thee, Eilika? Is it so hard for thee to 
 go?" 
 
 u In sooth, it is, gracious mistress ! It is so pleasant 
 here ; and who knoweth that we shall ever come back ? " 
 
 u We are going where we properly belong, Eilika. 
 Thou canst think we have only taken a roundabout way 
 thither, as the worthy Bock expressed it, when he took us 
 prisoners." 
 
 "Ah! but it is so delightful up here!" repeated the 
 maid. " What have we not enjoyed here, and what hap- 
 piness might be in store for us, if thou wert willing ! 
 Then we should not be forced to leave Regenstein at all." 
 
 Notwithstanding her own sorrow, Oda could not forbear 
 smiling at her maid's laments. 
 
 " Eilika," said she, " dost thou find it hard to say fare- 
 well to the doughty knight ? Why doth he not try to keep 
 thee?" 
 
 " We wait for thee to set us an example," answered 
 Eilika. u We cannot understand why thou shouldst not 
 become Countess von Regenstein, for it only resteth with 
 thee." 
 
 11 Do not speak of this again, Eilika," said Oda, turning 
 away in displeasure. 
 
 Eilika sighed over her stony-heartedness, and went on 
 arranging her mistress's wardrobe in silence. 
 
 After a time she began again, " What sort of life shall 
 
242 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 we lead with the abbess, my lady? Will it be like any 
 other convent ? " 
 
 " Did the abbess and her friend look as if it were so, 
 when they were here ? " 
 
 " Nay ; they certainly did not," laughed Eilika. " And 
 Master Florencins, the scrivener — " 
 
 "Well, what of him?" 
 
 " He dwelleth likewise at the castle, and is merrier and 
 more comely than the knight Bock." 
 
 " So, thou art already thinking of consolation?" 
 
 " Ah ! dear mistress, one must have pastime." 
 
 "Well, if thou countest upon amusing thyself with 
 Florencins at the castle, at least do not lament that thou 
 hast to leave Regenstein," observed Oda, shortly. 
 
 Oda forced herself to chat and jest with Eilika over 
 the preparations for departure, that she might distract her 
 thoughts. For, in truth, her heart was heavy. Eilika 
 was right : what joy had come to her? 
 
 Brought to Regenstein as a captive, she had been here 
 nearly five months, happy and contented in the present, 
 scarcely thinking of the future, but which again confronted 
 her in its grim reality, now that her beautiful dream had 
 vanished. Her hero, whom she had allowed herself to 
 love with her whole heart, was about to disappear from her 
 in the turmoil of battle. If she ever saw him again, it 
 would be when he came to claim another as his bride, the 
 beautiful abbess, at whose nuptial rites in the old convent 
 church she might, perchance, bear a burning taper. What 
 remained to her now ? Nothing but memories ! And to 
 fix them in her mind, she climbed once again to the stone 
 seat, to let her eyes rest on the picture which she had so 
 often looked at with delight, and might see no more. She 
 knew she would be undisturbed, for to-day Count Albrecht 
 had hardly a look for her. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 243 
 
 Since early morning, nothing but brief commands had 
 issued from the lips of the count. In the afternoon, when 
 the preparations for departure were finished, he said to his 
 trusty lieutenant, " Have the messengers all returned?" 
 
 " Not all ; three are still away." 
 
 " Who carried the challenge to Halberstadt?" 
 
 " Nothnagel ; but he hath not yet come back." 
 
 " They cannot have detained him by force?" 
 
 "Hardly, Sir Count; at all events, they have not cap- 
 tured him alive." 
 
 Count Albrecht was of the same opinion, knowing of 
 what stuff the man was made. Without further anxiety 
 for Nothnagel, therefore, he went into the stabls to con- 
 vince himself that the horses were thoroughly shod. Bock 
 betook himself to his hermit's cell, to make his own simple 
 preparation for the march. Toward evening, the three 
 missing messengers returned. Bock came out to meet 
 them, as they dismounted from their horses. 
 
 " It is done," said Nothnagel. " I delivered the letter 
 at the Johann's gate." 
 
 "What said they?" 
 
 M We might come as soon as we liked ; they were ready 
 for us." 
 
 11 The devil take them ! We will smoke them like 
 hams ! And the other charge?" continued Bock. 
 
 " That hath been attended to likewise. He swingeth," 
 answered Nothnagel. 
 
 " From a willow-tree," Hasenbart added ; and they 
 laughed, diabolically. 
 
 Bock went to his master with his news. "Thy letter 
 hath been delivered, Sir Count. The three have returned." 
 
 11 What hath kept the churls so long?" asked Albrecht. 
 
 Bock hesitated. "They have done their duty, Sir 
 Count." 
 
244 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " They deserve no thanks for that ! Where were they ?" 
 
 "They had a little message from me to — to an old 
 acquaintance," stammered Bock. 
 
 " To whom, Bock ; to whom ? " 
 
 " To Hinze Habernack." 
 
 Count Albrccht, pointing his finger at him, said, 
 " Bock, Bock, I do not ask what hath been done. I fear 
 me it was an evil deed." 
 
 " Sir Count," returned the latter, firmly, " I take the 
 sin upon my own soul." 
 
 But he lingered, and Albrecht saw that he had some- 
 thing on his mind. 
 
 " What aileth thee?" he asked. 
 
 " Sir Count, the templar knocked loudly this evening." 
 
 "Again?" exclaimed Albrecht. " Hath any one else 
 heard it?" 
 
 " I think not." 
 
 "Be silent, then, and see that none linger about the 
 place. They will take it for an evil portent, and that is 
 not well when one is going to meet the enemy. Dost 
 understand ? " 
 
 Bock nodded, and turned his steps toward the dark 
 hollow. There he sat for a long time upon a rock, guard- 
 ing the ill-omened spot, and listening with gloomy thoughts 
 to the unearthly sounds. The night was dark, not a star 
 shone down upon the lonely watcher, and the wind moaned 
 mournfully about the nooks and corners of the old castle. 
 
 As Count Albrecht and his friends with their followers 
 rode next morning to Quedlinburg, the spectacle was one 
 to rejoice a soldier's heart. Pennons fluttered, helmets 
 glittered in the sun, weapons clashed, accoutrements rat' 
 tied, and horses snorted and pawed the ground. The 
 men-at-arms sang, and indulged in all sorts of pranks, for 
 they were elated at the prospect of storming and plunder- 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 245 
 
 ing the city, and hoped to return with rare booty. The 
 eight counts rode at their head, and Oda with them. 
 
 " Thou art the first maiden, Countess Oda, who hath 
 been escorted by men-at-arms to the convent," said Count 
 von Stolberg. 
 
 u And will ye all accompany me to the abbess?" asked 
 she, with a smile. 
 
 " Nay," he answered ; "we turn to the right at the foot 
 of the hill, and ride to — " 
 
 " We will spare Countess Jutta the alarm of seeing her 
 castle invested by men-at-arms," interrupted Albrecht, for 
 he feared Count Heinruh would let Oda know that the 
 goal of their expedition was Falkenstein. " Siegfried 
 shall conduct Countess Oda to the abbess." 
 
 Neither Siegfried nor Oda were well pleased with this 
 plan, but neither dared make any objection. 
 
 Eilika rode behind her mistress with the men who led 
 the pack-horses ; and Bock came trotting up to her, say- 
 ing, "Dost thou recognize this as the way by which we 
 rode together to Regenstein ? " 
 
 " I have not noticed the road ; I have had eyes only for 
 thee, Sir Knight," answered the roguish girl. 
 
 u 7" have not forgotten it," he replied, considerably 
 flattered, " and I hope soon to ride back by thy side. 
 Meanwhile, fare thee well, and forget me not ! " 
 
 As the armed body approached Quedlinburg, the tocsin 
 sounded, and they soon saw head after head appear over 
 the breastworks. The gates were fastened, and the 
 bridges drawn up. The town was prepared for a conflict 
 with the Regensteins, before the challenge was sent, and 
 were on the watch for any signs of the advancing foe. 
 
 Soldiers, citizens, women, and children mounted the 
 walls to behold their enemies and discover their strength, 
 but the helpless non-combatants soon disappeared. 
 
246 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 Count Albrecht ordered a halt oil the Miinzenburg, a 
 couple of bow-shots from the gates, and the counts of 
 Stolberg, Hohnstein, and Mansfeld took leave of the 
 Regensteins and Countess Oda, promising to send tidings 
 of their success ; and Count Stolberg said to Oda, " My 
 cousin, Conn' ess Luitgard, is in the convent chapter. I 
 pray thee greet her for me." They then departed with 
 their followers, on the way to Falkenstein. 
 
 Count Albrecht divided his forces, and stationed them 
 at different points under the command of his brothers, for 
 the investment of the city. He was not able to surround 
 it entirely, for he deemed it unsafe to separate his men by 
 too great distances, considering it best, with his moderate 
 force, to make unexpected assaults at different gates. 
 
 In bidding Oda farewell, he grasped her hand, saying, 
 "God bless thee, Countess Oda! Thou canst observe 
 our movements from the castle. As soon as I can, I will 
 come up and visit thee. Say so to the abbess. Farewell, 
 till we meet again." 
 
 "God have thee in his keeping, Count Albrecht," she 
 answered, heartily, and rode off with Siegfried, Eilika, 
 and two mounted soldiers, and the men with the pack- 
 horses followed them at a short distance. 
 
 As they ascended the steep hillside, Siegfried said, 
 ''Countess Oda, let us take leave of each other here, 
 where no one can observe us. God knows and thou 
 knowest that I love thee more, far more, than I can tell. 
 For a time, I lived in hope, but it was a short dream. 
 Thou lovest my brother, and I believe he loveth thee, 
 though I do not know it. If he should offer thee his 
 hand, accept it, and mayest thou be happy ! And when 
 thou comest to dwell at Regenstein, think of me, and — " 
 But here his voice failed him. 
 
 Oda, who had liste \ed to his words, deeply grieved, now 
 
THE BOBBER COUNT. 247 
 
 said to him, M Count Siegfried, I thank thee for the affec- 
 tion which thou hast shown me ; my destiny is in God's 
 hand ; but if we come together again, let us remain 
 good, loving friends, Siegfried, as we have been during 
 all the happy days at Regenstein." 
 
 She held out her hand, but he would not allow himself 
 to take it. " We shall never see each other again in this 
 world, Countess Oda ! This is a long farewell, and it is 
 well, for I cannot live without thee. I have now but one 
 wish, that thou shouldst make Albrecht happy ! " 
 
 She did not understand his words, and replied, quietly, 
 " Why should we not meet again, Count Siegfried? 
 Wait a little, and sunshine will once more come to thee. 
 If I can help thy noble brother, it will give me joy. I 
 will serve him in every way I can ! " 
 
 She offered him her hand again, and now he took and 
 pressed it ferventl}\ 
 
 " We are here," he said. " Show the abbess a friendly 
 countenance, and I counsel thee, for Albrecht's sake, let 
 her not see that thou lovest him." 
 
 The inmates of the castle had seen their approach, and 
 Florencius received them in the court-yard, and conducted 
 them up the steps. The abbess and canoness met them 
 above, and bade them welcome. Jutta was pleased to 
 see Oda in Siegfried's care, and thought to herself, " He 
 commits his betrothed to my kee^ ing till the fighting is 
 over, and he can take her home as his bride ! " " And 
 Count Albrecht?" she inquired. " Had he not time to 
 come ? " 
 
 " Nay, my lady," returned Siegfried, " it was not possi- 
 ble ; but he sendeth thee greeting." 
 
 " And will see thee as soon as he can," added Oda. 
 
 " Thou also wilt be welcome at all times, Count Sieg- 
 fried," said the abbess. 
 
248 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " I thank thee, my lady," replied he. 
 
 The abbess and Adelheid turned aside, and spoke to- 
 gether in low tones, not to interfere with the lovers' 
 farewell ; but they were brief. 
 
 u Farewell, dear, dear Oda ! " exclaimed Siegfried. 
 
 "Farewell, Siegfried! " she answered, full of pity. 
 
 One more pressure of the hand, one long look, a mute 
 bow to the two ladies, and Siegfried was gone. 
 
 Jutta and Adelheid each took one of Oda's hands, and 
 the abbess said, " Come, dear Oda, we will conduct thee 
 to thy room. From thy windows thou canst see Regen- 
 stein. Later, I will summon the sisters of the chapter, 
 for they have all anxiously awaited thy coming." 
 
 1 'And also not without curiosity," added Adelheid, 
 smiling. 
 
 Siegfried rode slowly down the hill to Albrecht's camp, 
 and seeing his brother from afar, he put spurs to his horse, 
 and galloped toward him. As he drew his sword and 
 brandished it, he looked, with his shining armor and fair 
 flowing locks, like the youthful St. George. 
 
 i 'Here I am, Albrecht ! " he cried, in a loud, excited 
 voice. " Now send me wherever the fight will be hottest ! " 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 249 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 The result of the siege of Quedlinburg was not at all in 
 accordance with Count Albrccht's hopes, for the brave city 
 proved far more difficult to vanquish than he had imagined. 
 The repeated assaults upon the different gates were 
 valiantly repulsed, and two conflagrations, kindled by 
 explosives thrown into the city, were quickly extin- 
 guished, so that the besiegers had as yet gained no signal 
 advantage. 
 
 The count was consequently in a very bad humor, and 
 the visit to the castle, which on Jutta's account he was 
 constrained and on Oda's he was fain to make, he cut as 
 short as possible. 
 
 Mindful of Siegfried's words, Oda was shy and reserved, 
 but appeared contented with the abbess and the other 
 inmates of the convent. Jutta attributed the blunt, 
 almost unfriendly, demeanor of Count Albrecht to his 
 chagrin at his ill-success, and volunteered her services as 
 peacemaker between him and the city, but her offer was 
 declined. His resentment toward the town increased 
 daily, as he found himself no nearer its reduction, and 
 powerless to revenge himself for the blackened ruins of 
 Gnnteckenburg. 
 
 Siegfried neither accompanied his elder brother on his 
 visit to the castle, nor did he go alone. Count Albrecht 
 fancied that he had declared to Oda, or perchance had 
 bound himself by a vow, not to see her till he could come 
 as victor. ITe asked him no questions, but this conjecture 
 was strengthened by Siegfried's eager offers of service on 
 
250 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 every occasion, and by his impatient desire that the Qued- 
 linburgers might sally forth and give battle in the open 
 field. 
 
 But this they were in no haste to do. The bishop and 
 the cities of Halberstadt and Aschcrsleben must soon come 
 to their help, and consequently they waited. When they 
 perceived their allies advancing, they would then sally 
 from the gates and try their strength with the enemy, but 
 till then they prudently held themselves aloof. They kept a 
 vigilant watch, however, guarded all their gates, and calmly 
 beheld the enemy's tents by day and his camp-fires by night. 
 The Regensteins could not starve them out, though they 
 had cut off their communication with the outer world, and 
 had captured a train of wagons laden with merchandise, 
 which was destined for Quedlinburg, and was coming from 
 Nordhausen, by the old high road over the Hartz. This 
 made the long delay of the expected succor more irksome. 
 Count Albrecht, on the other hand, was well satisfied, 
 and his satisfaction soon increased. 
 
 The letter to the council of Halberstadt had had the 
 desired effect, even beyond Count Albrecht's most san- 
 guine hopes ; the bishop had been driven from the city, 
 and obliged to seek refuge in flight. 
 
 It happened in this wise : Albrecht von Regenstein Was 
 beloved by the common people, far and wide, because he 
 never maltreated them, like other feudal lords, but pro- 
 tected them against their oppressors. The bishop, on the 
 other hand, had few friends among them, as he vigorously 
 demanded his tithes and revenues ; thus it was that the 
 mass of the people took the count's side, when the quarrel 
 between them became known. 
 
 Upon the arrival of the letter which threatened Quedlin- 
 burg with great danger, by reason of the bishop, the 
 artisans and poorer townsfolk in Halberstadt rose up in 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 251 
 
 insurrection. The town council and wealthy citizens did 
 little or nothing to suppress it, partly because they lacked 
 power, or feared for their lives and property ; partly 
 because they were willing that the bishop should receive 
 a severe lesson for his haughty demeanor and his inter- 
 ference with the government of the city. The insurrec- 
 tion was secretly encouraged by his enemies in the chapter, 
 and the excited populace threatening to storm the epis- 
 copal palace ; there was nothing for the bishop to do but 
 to flee from Halberstadt. He had escaped by night, either 
 to his fortress of Hornburg, on the Use, or to the castle of 
 Wiedelah, whence he could easily reach the Hartzburg, 
 the well-fortified stronghold of the counts of Wernigerode. 
 
 This intelligence was extremely welcome to Count 
 Albrecht, for though he was far from imagining that the 
 fugitive bishop would sit down and fold his hands, he was 
 glad to be left unmolested for the present, and he hoped 
 that under these circumstances Halberstadt might be 
 unwilling to send aid to the Quedlinburgers. 
 
 The news which he received from his allies was also 
 very gratifying. The garrison of Falkenstein, for its 
 honor's sake, and for the credit of its loyalty to its lord, 
 had held out for three days before surrendering, where- 
 upon Count Hover and his pious wife and chaplain had 
 reluctantly withdrawn. Their successors established them- 
 selves comfortably in the beautiful fortress, and amused 
 themselves by following the chase in the neighboring 
 forest. They concluded their message to Count Albrecht 
 by asking if he wished their help. If not, they would 
 continue to hold Falkenstein — in other words, go on with 
 their hunting and carousing — till he or one of his 
 brothers relieved them. In that case, would Count 
 Burchard and his men go on to seize the territory of 
 Arnstein, an appendage of the earldom of Falkenstein? 
 
252 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 Albrecht understood what this meant. Arnstein, with 
 its castle, bordered on Burchard's earldom of Mansfeld, 
 and if he wished to seize it, he undoubtedly meant to do 
 so for his own benefit. 
 
 But Count Albrecht could not refuse his ally this reward 
 for the valuable assistance he had rendered him. More- 
 over, Count Albrecht wished to show the Quedlinburgers 
 that he was quite strong enough to chastise them single- 
 handed, so that in future they might have a proper respect 
 for his authority. 
 
 Therefore he assured his friends that he did not need 
 their aid. Burchard might occupy Arnstein if he pleased, 
 and Heinrich and Dietrich could remain at Falkenstein till 
 he should send to relieve them, which he hoped might be 
 soon. But he desired them to keep a vigilant watch upon 
 the city of Aschersleben, so that he should not be taken by 
 surprise, and to persuade the princes of Anhalt, especially 
 Bernhard, to join in the alliance against the bishop. 
 
 The negligence on the part of the other cities appeared 
 suspicious to the Quedlinburgers, and they determined to 
 learn whether they would adhere to their agreement, and 
 why they did not send succor to Quecllinburg. As the 
 city was incompletely invested, messengers were de- 
 spatched in the night through a postern gate, and passed 
 through the enemy's camp, returning the next night. 
 
 In this way the citizens of Quedlinburg heard the story 
 of the bishop's expulsion. But the burgomaster and 
 council of Halberstadt declared they had no intention of 
 breaking their covenant, and would not leave their sister 
 city in the lurch, could they only hold out a few days 
 longer. The council was negotiating with the bishop in 
 regard to his return. They would send a force of horse 
 and foot soldiers to their aid as soon as possible, and 
 announce its approach by a flag on one of the towers of 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 253 
 
 Halberstadt. The Quedlinburgers must keep watch, and 
 make a sortie at the right time upon the enemy. 
 
 The message from Aschersleben sounded less favorable. 
 They assured their allies that they could not come to their 
 aid, for the counts of Stolberg and Hohnstein barred the 
 way ; the besieged must therefore be patient, and wait for 
 aid from Halberstadt. Aschersleben, it seemed, had 
 deserted them in their need. 
 
 Even from the highest tower of Quedlinburg the road 
 from Halberstadt was hidden by surrounding hills, but 
 the signal tower of Halberstadt was visible, though not to 
 the besiegers. Through the whole Hartz were scattered 
 ten such watch-towers, whence one could see and signal 
 far and wide, but the townsfolk looked long before they 
 could see the flag fluttering on the Halberstadt tower? 
 
 Meantime Count Albrecht continued his efforts to break 
 into the city. Once his men almost succeeded ; the High 
 gate was forced, and the Regcnsteins were already half 
 through it when they were driven back by a shower of 
 arrows and stones, boiling water and oil. Albrecht's 
 auger at his failure now increased daily. 
 
 Finally, at the last moment, he received the menacing 
 intelligence that the bishop, after much negotiation, had 
 returned to Halberstadt and been welcomed by the fickle 
 citizens. But worse than this was the news that they 
 were coming in considerable force to the assistance of the 
 beleaguered town, and might be expected to appear at any 
 time before the walls. 
 
 Albrecht well knew how his enemies thirsted for 
 revenge, and he posted his sentinels at once upon the 
 nearest hills. 
 
 As he stood one morning, with his three 3'onnger 
 brothers and Bock, near the G roper gate, he noticed a 
 lively commotion upon the walls, which indicated that 
 
254 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 something unusual was about to happen ; perchance a 
 sortie. 
 
 At that moment messengers arrived, announcing the 
 approach of the Halberstadt troops ; the main body was 
 at some distance, but a vanguard of horsemen was already 
 on the Liebfrauen hill. 
 
 u We must force them back, or in any case delay them 
 until we know what this commotion meaneth," declared 
 Count Albrecht. 
 
 Then, looking at Siegfried, he said, briefly, u Siegfried, 
 thou must go to meet them ; fall upon them in the narrow 
 pass of the Weinberg, and hold them back as long as thou 
 hast a man left ! " 
 
 " That will be a hot piece of work for Count Siegfried, 
 my ldrd," interposed Bock. " A fight in the pass will be 
 a bloody matter, and we know not yet the strength — " 
 
 " It cannot be helped ! " exclaimed Albrecht ; " it must 
 be done, and thou must go with him." 
 
 Siegfried ordered the trumpeters to sound " to horse," 
 and with the "light of battle" in his eyes, he rode away 
 with Bock and his mail-clad horsemen. 
 
 The count then turned to his two other brothers. 
 "Giinther, thou must guard the High gate; Bernhard 
 remaineth at the Ohringer gate, and thou, Poppo, stayest 
 here ! Keep up communication with one another, and 
 help one another in case of need. If ye can spare any 
 men, send them to Siegfried's aid ; if ye must retire, do 
 so in this direction. Should a retreat be necessary, fly 
 toward Gersdorf ! " 
 
 " And Siegfried?" asked Poppo ; " shall he be left with 
 only his handful of men, in the defile? He will never 
 retreat, but — " 
 
 " I will follow him, as soon as all is in readiness here," 
 answered Albrecht. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT, 255 
 
 Gunther and Poppo stationed themselves at their posts, 
 and awaited the foe. 
 
 Albreeht sent a rider to repeat his orders to Bernhard, 
 and then halted upon a hill with a body of his foot- 
 soldiers, whence he could overlook the field of battle. 
 
 Siegfried galloped at the head of his men toward 
 Ilalberstadt. He said nothing, but looked about him 
 with a feverish glance, first to the peaceful Hue sky, then 
 toward the forest and Regenstein And as he entered 
 the narrow pass of the Weinberg, he turned toward the 
 castle and waved his hand, as if in final farewell. 
 
 A few moments later, in a bend of the defile, he came 
 directly upon the men of Halberstadt. Siegfried raised 
 himself in the stirrups, brandished his sword, and cried 
 aloud, " Forward ! Victory or death ! " 
 
 The troops rushed upon one another in a hand-to-hand 
 encounter, and fought fiercely ; swords clashed, and maces 
 and battle-axes fell heavily on helmet and shield. Both 
 sides struggled obstinately, and the combatants were 
 mingled in wild confusion. Where the contest was hot- 
 test, there was Siegfried, while Bock endeavored to keep 
 by his side, risking his life repeatedly in his efforts to 
 protect his chief. 
 
 Finally the Regenstein3 were victorious, and the men of 
 Ilalberstadt turned and fled, the victors following in mad 
 pursuit. 
 
 In the defile all was now still. "The dead and dying, 
 with sword or lance still held in their stiffened grasp, lay 
 side by side, and there among them was the youngest, the 
 flower of the house of Regenstein, slowly breathing out his 
 life. lie had fallen upon his back and was looking up to 
 the sky, the left hand pressed upon the breast ; a peaceful 
 expression rested upon his face. 
 
 And now came Bock, rushing back to the scene of the 
 
256 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 struggle. He had missed Siegfried, and returned in haste 
 to seek him. Finding him thus on the ground, Bock flung 
 himself out of the saddle, crying, " Count Siegfried, 
 art thou wounded ? " 
 
 " A stab in the breast," answered Siegfried, weakly. 
 
 u Well, well," said Bock, more distressed than he chose 
 to show. " All wounds heal quickly at thy age." 
 
 Siegfried moved his head a little. " Nay, Bock, not 
 all. Faithful friend, come nearer ! I have a secret to tell 
 thee, — it must not be buried with me." 
 
 '* Count Siegfried ! " cried Bock, " God in heaven ! — " 
 but he could go no further. The old knight had seen too 
 many men laid low, not to know full well the look on 
 Siegfried's face. 
 
 " Come close, Bock, — listen. Countess Oda hath con- 
 fessed that she loveth — not me — but Albrecht. Tell 
 him, Bock, when I am dead, — nearest thou, — only to 
 him, to no other, — I could not." 
 
 " It shall be done, Count Siegfried, if I live," answered 
 Bock, cut to the heart. Tears came to the eyes of the 
 hardened veteran, and coursed down his wrinkled cheeks. 
 He half lifted, half dragged his young master to the 
 border of the road, and laid him on the grassy slope. 
 
 "Thank thee!" sighed Siegfried. "Farewell, old 
 friend. Go now, Bock ! Let no one through the 
 pass ! " 
 
 Bock could stay no longer ; he must return to his men, 
 and saw, alas, only too clearly, that he could do nothing. 
 He grasped Siegfried's hand with a groan, then clinching 
 his teeth, he sprang into the saddle and dashed away. 
 
 The sortie of the Qnedlinburgers from the Ohringer, 
 Groper, and High gates was feeble and spiritless ; and 
 when Count Albrecht saw that his men presented a firm 
 front to the enemy, he turned with his foot-soldiers toward 
 
TfflB UOBBER COUNT. 2hl 
 
 the Weinberg. As he rode slowly at their head, a sort of 
 panic seized him as regards his brother. He had sent 
 Siegfried against the foe, and ordered him to hold out to 
 the last. Siegfried had shown a reckless courage through- 
 out the siege ; what would he do now, urged on by such 
 orders as these? It might be that he had sent his brother 
 to his death. His dream recurred to him, and his anxiety 
 increased with every step. Tie urged his horse into a trot, 
 then into a gallop, spurring him on till at last he left the 
 road and swept across the open country, as if driven b} r 
 avenging spirits, toward the pass. Soon he reached the 
 ill-fated spot, where lay the body of his brother beside 
 the road ; whether living or dead, he knew not. 
 
 " Siegfried! Siegfried! Merciful Father !" he cried, 
 then sprang from his horse, and bent over the prostrate 
 form. 
 
 Siegfried looked at him with clouded eyes ; a painful 
 smile flitted over the pale face, and he said, softly, "We 
 have conquered, Albrecht, but it hath cost thee a brother ! " 
 
 " Siegfried ! Oh ! my God ! And I have sent thee to 
 thy death ! " 
 
 " Nay, nay," whispered the other. 
 
 Albrecht knelt down, gazing into his brother's face. 
 "My dream! My dream! Why was I not warned by 
 it ! " he moaned. 
 
 Siegfried did not understand him. He attempted to 
 give Albrecht his hand, but was too weak. Albrecht took 
 it tenderly, and thought he felt a slight pressure. Sieg- 
 fried tried to motion his brother to come yet nearer, as he 
 was not able to raise his voice, " Albrecht, greet Oda for 
 me ; now am I — no longer in thy way," he gasped. 
 
 "Siegfried! what sayest thou? Siegfried! Thou 
 must not think thou wast ever in my way," cried Al- 
 brecht. " I wished to make thee happy, thee and Oda ! " 
 
258 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 Siegfried could hear him no more . But Albrecht, holding 
 him in his arms, heard him yield up his latest breath. 
 
 The company of foot-soldiers had in the mean time 
 reached the pass, and stood whispering in the road at a 
 little distant e, awed by the grief of their leader. They 
 asked him for no instructions, and he gave them none, 
 and hardly recognized their presence. Overpowered by 
 grief, he forgot everything but the brother whose lifeless 
 head lay upon his lap. Beyond the Weinberg, the fugi- 
 tives, pursued by Bock and his men, turned aside from the 
 road, and took to the open fields, still follow d by the 
 Eegenstein horse. Finally the latter gave up the chase, 
 but could not return by the way they had come, for the 
 main body of the Ilalberstadt troops had now come up, 
 and cut off their retreat in that direction. 
 
 The contest before the city walls resulted badly for 
 the Regensteins. The first sally of the Quedlinburgers 
 from two of their gates was only intended to deceive their 
 enemies and keep them occupied. Out of the middle, the 
 Groper gate, they poured in unlooked-for strength, drove 
 back Poppo and his men, and separated Bernhard and 
 Gunther, assailing them both at once, while now, also in 
 great numbers, they sallied forth from the Ohringer and 
 High gates. The besiegers were overmatched, and, in- 
 deed, routed. A body of Halberstadt soldiers had gone 
 around the Weinberg and intercepted Poppo and Gunther, 
 both of whom were retreating, slightly wounded, so that 
 they were forced with their followers to fly toward Wester- 
 hausen. On the way, Bock overtook them, bringing the 
 terrible tidings of Siegfried's fall. Thereupon they set 
 out for the Weinberg pass, in order to save their brother 
 or his dead body from the hands of the enemy. Where 
 Albrecht and Bernhard were, they knew not. 
 
 Siegfried's impetuous ride had been witnessed from the 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 259 
 
 Quedlinburg towers, and Count Albrccht was seen to fol- 
 low, and a body of troops had been sent after him. 
 
 At full gallop, Count Albrecht came out of the pass, 
 and behind him, in pursuit, came twenty of the bishop's 
 men. 
 
 At the first glance, he saw that the day was lost, and 
 his troops completely routed. The nearest way to the 
 fortress of Gersdorf passed Quedlinburg, and he took it, 
 trusting to the speed of his horse. He must needs ap- 
 proach the Ohringer gate, and this settled his fate. He 
 encountered there a number of horsemen who had taken 
 no part in the fight, and whose horses, therefore, were fresh. 
 They observed the count's flight toward Gersdorf, and 
 gave chase so hotly that in his distress he plunged into a 
 morass, from which his exhausted horse was unable to 
 extricate himself. 
 
 Immediately he was surrounded by his enemies, several 
 of whom boldly ventured into the quagmire. There a 
 desperate struggle took place, Count Albrecht defending 
 himself like a wild boar, but he was overpowered at last 
 and wounded in the right arm. 
 
 Then an almost incredible thing happened: Count Al- 
 brecht von Regenstein was taken prisoner by the Quedlin- 
 burgers. 
 
 Like fire amongst thatch spread the cry, " We have him ! 
 we have him ! " till it reached the gates of the city, where 
 a thousand voices took it up, and shouted in triumph, 
 u The robber count is caught ! The robber count cometh 
 ti prisoner ! " 
 
 Notwithstanding all his exertions, Beruhard had been 
 unable to cut his way through to Poppo, and withdrew, 
 fighting, in accordance with Albrecht' s instructions, in the 
 direction of Castle Gersdorf. But seeing in the distance 
 a rider hotly pursued, whom he thought must be bis 
 
260 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 eldest brother, he tried to go to his aid. But in vain : he 
 was once more beaten back, though not pursued. 
 
 The fighting was now at an end ; the power of the 
 Regensteins was broken and apparently destroyed. The 
 victors were abundantly satisfied, and paid no further heed 
 to the detached bodies of the enemy scattered here and 
 there. 
 
 As soon as Bernhard perceived this, he determined not 
 to continue on to Gersdorf , but to follow at some distance 
 the procession which accompanied the captive into the 
 city. Full of sadness and anxiety, he rode slowly after his 
 brother. 
 
 "0 Albrecht, Albrecht ! " he groaned; "thou de- 
 siredst to rule everywhere, and a prison cell is the end. 
 And what will come of it? All for the sake of the 
 maiden captured on this very spot ! Oh ! that we had 
 never seen her ! " 
 
 He resolved to find his three other brothers, of whom he 
 had seen and heard nothing since morning ; and putting 
 his tired horse into a trot, he rode around the city. At 
 last he descried them with Bock, approaching from the 
 Weinberg, and attended by a small troop of soldiers, 
 bearing with them a wounded man. No, alas ! it was a 
 dead body, Siegfried's. And when he rode up and recog- 
 nized the too well known features, he found himself im- 
 mediately obliged to tell his brothers the woful news, that 
 Albrecht was a prisoner. 
 
 Their cup was now full. They rode on almost broken- 
 hearted, with Siegfried's remains, to the Wiperti mon- 
 astery, no one molesting the gloomy procession. They 
 laid the body upon a bier before the altar in the monastery 
 church, first removing the armor to discover Siegfried's 
 wound, when they found on his breast a withered wreath 
 of oak-leaves and ivy, fastened with an embroidered band. 
 
THE ROBBER COUXT. 261 
 
 The brothers recognized it, and reverently left it untouched. 
 A soldier and a monk watched the dead, and a messenger 
 was sent to the Michaelstein monastery to prepare the 
 tomb. 
 
 In Quedlinburg the townsfolk flocked into the streets, 
 upon the towers, anS to the open windows, to see the cap- 
 tured count pass by. The cortege was long. First came 
 the captain of the city forces. Then a body of foot- 
 soldiers, bearing spears and the city banner. Behind 
 them was the prisoner surrounded by those who had cap- 
 tured him, and these, succeeded by the bishop's horsemen, 
 who had pursued him through the pass, from beside his 
 brother's body, and finally followed the rest of the men- 
 at-arms of both cities. With a face like an iron mask, 
 Count Albrecht strode on, not lifting his eyes from the 
 ground. A few of the spectators observed a respectful 
 silence, but most of them greeted him with loud mur- 
 murs and execrations. In the market-place the multitude 
 heaved to an 1 fro like waves of the sen. Upon the broad 
 Town House steps the burgomasters and council were 
 assembled. Their dark looks boded no good to the count, 
 as he passed on without looking up. No word .was 
 spoken ; the narrow chamber was ready for its occupant, 
 and he allowed himself to be led into it without resistance ; 
 the massive door clanged behind him, locks and bolts were 
 fastened, and he was alone. 
 
 Darkness fell upon this ill-starred day. In the prior's 
 cell at St. Wiperti's the three brothers sat with Bock, in 
 earnest consultation. They decided to remain where they 
 were over night, and in the morning Bernhaid would begin 
 his efforts to negotiate with the council for Albrecht's 
 release, and beg the intercession of the abbess. Bock 
 declared that he would not leave the monastery while his 
 master was a prisoner. 
 
262 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 Later, an emissary of the council arrived, and desired 
 to speak with Bernhard, whose presence in the monastery 
 had become known. The messenger declared that the 
 burgomaster and council required the cessation of further 
 hostilities on the part of the Regensteins and their allies. 
 At the first attack upon the city, or \my attempt to free 
 the prisoner by force, Count Albrecht's head would fall 
 by the hand of the executioner. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 263 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 In the evening, soon after Count Albrecht's entry into 
 the city, Master Willekin von Herrkestorf arrived at the 
 convent, and acquainted the abbess with the wonderful 
 news. She and her ladies had watched the course of 
 events all day from the castle, and had seen that the 
 Regensteins were worsted, but had regarded the defeat as 
 one of the accidents of war, which brings victory to-da} T 
 and reverse to-morrow. Now, at the news of the chan- 
 cellor, which he was obliged to repeat twice before she 
 would believe it, the abbess's anger was boundless at the 
 unheard-of audacity of the Quedlinburgers in c pturing 
 their feudal lord. She demanded his release, and wished 
 to send the chancellor at once with this message. Master 
 Willekin with difficulty suppressed a sardonic smile, as he 
 answered that the honorable council would hardly hasten 
 to grant such a request. 
 
 " At least, let them give him a suitable prison," she 
 urged. " Let him be sent to my castle, requiring him to 
 pledge his word that he will not leave it till he hath paid 
 his ransom." 
 
 The chancellor could give her little hope, intimating that 
 it was doubtful if the count would be released by the pay- 
 ment of ransom. 
 
 "What meanest thou?" asked the abbess. "They 
 would not trample upon the laws of honorable warfare ! " 
 
 " They talk of a tribunal beneath the linden-tree," 
 answered Master Willekin. 
 
 "What, Master Chancellor! The city presumeth to 
 talk of holding a court beneath the linden-tree ! I will 
 
264 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 appeal to the Emperor ! But thou dost not represent the 
 city. Let the burgomaster and council come to me them- 
 selves. We shall know how to make terms with them ! " 
 
 Thereupon the angry princess dismissed her chancellor. 
 
 Only the older and sober-minded citizens spoke of a 
 court of justice ; the others, including the mass of the 
 common people, desired that the count might be put to 
 death without more ado. 
 
 The council held a session in the evening, principally to 
 consider how to secure his safe-keeping, and resolved to 
 have a dungeon built for this purpose, to preclude the 
 possibility of escape, as some said, and others, to prevent 
 the people from breaking into his prison and slaying him. 
 The honor of constructing it fell to the master of the 
 carpenters' guild. 
 
 In the city the rejoicing still continued. Crowds lin- 
 gered in the streets and market-place, and discussed the 
 wonderful event, and feasting and drinking lasted far into 
 the night. 
 
 In the convent chapter there was a divided feeling. 
 The superior, Countess Kunigunde, and the deaconess, 
 Gertrude von Meinersen, had often been the objects of 
 his jests, and had suffered many slights on his account 
 from the abbess. They therefore rejoiced in Albrecht's 
 downfall, and, to vex Jutta, made no secret of their sat- 
 isfaction. The others expressed deep and sincere pity for 
 his fate. But their sorrow was as nothing compared with 
 Oda's, although she was more skilful in hiding her feeling's 
 than the abbess, whose indignation at the Qnedlinburgers 
 was even greater than her grief. While comforting her- 
 self with the hope that Albrecht's life was in no danger, 
 Oda was well-nigh broken-hearted when she thought of 
 the great man laid low, and at the mercy of his enemies. 
 She controlled herself before the others, especially before 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 265 
 
 the abbess, determined not to betray her love for the 
 count, as she had done so sadly to Siegfried on the morn- 
 ing after Albrecht's descent from the castle. 
 
 Early the next day, Count Bernhard came to the abbess, 
 and found her sitting with Countess Adelheid and Oda. 
 He related all that had happened, and offered his services 
 on behalf of the convent, in his brother's stead. Jutta 
 thanked him, but Bernhard saw that she regarded Al- 
 brecht's imprisonment as promising to be of short dura- 
 tion. But he soon dispelled this error. Already, early 
 in the morning, he had sent to the burgomaster, begging 
 for a safe-conduct and an interview with him, and asking 
 permission to see his brother. These requests were re- 
 fused, and it was declared that no negotiations could be 
 considered, the council not having decided upon its action 
 toward the prisoner. 
 
 " Albrecht's fate is trembling in the balance," concluded 
 Bernhard, " and I come to thee, my lady, to ask earnestly 
 for thy immediate mediation and assistance." 
 
 u I will do everything in my power, Sir Count ! " ex- 
 claimed the abbess, in consternation at the distressing 
 tidings. " But where are thine allies? If thou shouldst 
 again summon thy forces, and with the counts of Mans- 
 feld, Stolberg, and Hohnstein — " 
 
 44 The fighting is over," he interposed. "I have told 
 our friends that they may withdraw, for we are threatened 
 that upon the first renewal of hostilities, my brother's 
 head shall be exposed upon the walls of the town." 
 
 The ladies turned pale, and Oda barely escaped 
 swooning. 
 
 " Let me first treat with the burgomaster and council," 
 said the abbess. " They'cannot refuse me an interview. 
 Then shalt thou hear from me, Sir Count. Are thy three 
 brothers uninjured ? " 
 
266 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " My three brothers?" repeated Beruhard, astonished. 
 " Hast thou not heard, my lady — " 
 
 "What, prithee?" 
 
 "That only two of them are living; my brother Sieg- 
 fried hath fallen." 
 
 He spoke bitterl} 7 , and threw, perhaps unwittingly, a 
 lowering glance upon Oda. 
 
 At this moment Siegfried's parting words came back to 
 her like a flash, " We shall never see each other again in 
 this world." Did he have a foreboding of his death, or 
 had he, in sooth, sought it? It was an unbearable thought. 
 Oda was so agitated that she lost all self-control, and 
 covering her face, burst into tears. 
 
 The others also were deeply moved, and looked at Oda 
 with hearty sympathy. 
 
 " Siegfried dead ! " Jutta said, softly ; '* cut down in 
 the flower of his youth ! How happened it? " 
 
 " Albrecht sent him against a troop of horsemen in the 
 Weinberg pass," answered Bernhard ; "ordering him to 
 hold it without fail, and on no account to let a foeman 
 fight his way through. Siegfried obeyed the command to 
 the letter, but it was a desperate undertaking." 
 
 "How could Count Albrecht despatch his brother on 
 such an enterprise ? " 
 
 " I was not present at the time," replied Bernhard. 
 
 Jutta looked searchingly at Count Bernhard, and then, 
 as if by a rapid association of ideas, she glanced at Oda. 
 
 " When will ye lay him to rest? " she asked. 
 
 "The funeral will take place at noon, the day after 
 to-morrow, at the Michaelstein monastery," answered 
 Bernhard. 
 
 "We will be present — we three," said the abbess; 
 "shall we not?" 
 
 " Certainly," replied Adelheid, 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 267 
 
 Oda bowed her head silently. 
 
 Bernhard then bade the ladies farewell. And the 
 abbess, turning to Adelheid and Oda, said, " I must 
 pray yon to leave me now, for I must consider carefully 
 what I shall say to the council." 
 
 Accordingly they took their leave, and Jutta was left 
 alone with her thoughts. Bernhard's story of Siegfried's 
 de Hi had made an impression upon her, from which she 
 could not free herself. A terrible suspicion possessed 
 her, and she tried in vain to thrust it aside. However 
 submissively she might bow to the decree of Providence, 
 however she might appreciate the uncertainty of war, 
 which brings to naught the best-laid plans, the stubborn 
 fact remained, that by Siegfried's death Oda had become 
 free. And could it be that in order to possess her him- 
 self, Albrecht had — Nay, nay ; away with the fright- 
 ful thought ! 
 
 But if a mutual affection really existed between Albrecht 
 and Oda, as she had formerly suspected, what was to 
 hinder them from taking advantage of a decree of Provi- 
 dence to join hands in wedlock ? And should she release 
 Albrecht from prison, would she be doing so for herself 
 or for Oda? He was bound to her by no vows ; she knew 
 not if he loved her enough to marry her, had Oda never 
 come between them. Nor did she know if the latter loved 
 Albrecht, or would wed the eldest brother, now that the 
 youngest had gone. She resolved to sound Oda's heart, 
 and devised a plan for doing so which was not devoid of 
 harshness, but by which she thought she might attain 
 her end. 
 
 She determined to leave no stone unturned in her efforts 
 to procure the count's freedom, and at the same time to 
 let him know that he had her alone to thank for his release, 
 should she haply succeed in obtaining it. 
 
268 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 She awaited impatiently the visit of the burgomaster, 
 whom she had sent for through Master Willekin He 
 came the next day, accompanied by the councillor, Werner 
 Scheerenschmid. 
 
 When asked by the abbess on what conditions they 
 would free Count Albrecht, the burgomaster replied, 
 firmly, ' ' On no conditions, gracious princess. The greater 
 part of the townsfolk and several of the councillors demand 
 that Count Albrecht von Regenstein shall be put to death, 
 and those who would spare his life insist upon the ne- 
 cessity of keeping him a captive, that the city may have 
 peace." 
 
 The abbess was deeply indignant, but restraining her- 
 self, said, "Why not release him, on condition of his 
 taking a solemn oath to end his feud with the city?" 
 
 Master Nikolaus shook his head. " Such vows have 
 been broken before now, my lady. If we allow the count 
 to live, we must keep him in our hands as a hostage for 
 the conduct of his brothers and allies, and his head must 
 pay the forfeit if our peace is disturbed." 
 
 "Can I not act as mediator between ye, and bring 
 about some happy agreement?" Jutta asked, anxiously. 
 
 " We have already decided upon our course," answered 
 the burgomaster. " The tribunal of the high tree will 
 find the sentence." 
 
 "The tribunal of the high tree?" cried the abbess. 
 * • How can ye speak of it ? It is for me to invoke it ; it 
 is my prerogative." 
 
 "There was no other way open for us, gracious prin- 
 cess," said the burgomaster. " The city magistrate cannot 
 execute justice upon the count." 
 
 M Justice ! His is the justice, yours the injustice," 
 stormed the abbess. 
 
 "The noble judges of the high-tree tribunal will de- 
 cide." 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 269 
 
 " Then is he already condemned ! " 
 
 11 Justice will be done him," said the burgomaster. "We 
 have sent a message to Duke Otto, of Brunswick, to con- 
 voke the court." 
 
 "Ye have sent!" exclaimed the abbess. "Ye mean 
 that ye ask my permission to send Duke Otto the 
 message ! " 
 
 " We have already sent it, my lady." 
 
 " Without consulting me? " 
 
 Nikolau s von Bekheim coldly assented. 
 
 "We knew thy opinion, without asking, gracious prin- 
 cess," answered Werner Scheerenschmid. 
 
 " And the Duke of Brunswick, the brother of the bishop, 
 Count Albretht's worst foe, is to pronounce the sentence? 
 And that is what ye call justice?" 
 
 " The people call him ' Otto, the Mild,' " replied Master 
 Nikolaus. 
 
 "I also have a seat and voice in the court of nobles, 
 Burgomaster. I bid ye farewell till we meet under the 
 high tree." And she turned away, more indignant than at 
 first. 
 
 Further words were useless ; the court of justice had 
 been summoned, and there was nothing to do but await 
 the issue. The principal thing must be to avert the death 
 sentence. As long as Count Albrecht should live, even 
 were he in prison, his release might be possible by strata- 
 gem, bribery, or force, and Jntta also built hopes upon the 
 ^ckleness of the common people. 
 
 The next day, at the appointed time, the abbess, with 
 Adelheid and Oda, the chancellor and the scrivener, 
 together with some of the castle servitors, all on horse- 
 back, halted in a glade of the forest at the foot of Regen- 
 stein, where Siegfrieds body had been brought. Jutta 
 looked little like a mourner. At intervals she directed 
 
270 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 scrutinizing glances at Oda, and was restless and absent, 
 and her two companions judged from her manner that she 
 had some project in her mind. Soon the funeral proces- 
 sion, on foot, wound slowly down the hill, and was joined 
 by the others, who had now dismounted. 
 
 Eight armed men, of those who had fought at Siegfried's 
 side in the pass, bore the garlanded coffin, behind which 
 walked Bock, with two soldiers, carrying helmet, sword, 
 and shield, and after them the armorer Klinkhard, leading 
 Siegfried's horse. Then came Bernhard, with his wife, 
 Reginhild, Ulrich, Poppo, and Giinther ; the abbess, and 
 her companions, Master Willekin and Florencius, follow- 
 ing ; soldiers and serving-men closed the procession. 
 
 So they bore the body of the young hero through the 
 bright autumn woods where he had so often hunted, so 
 lately wandered by Oda's side. 
 
 At a bend of the pathway they met the white-bearded 
 abbot of Michaelstein, with his monks, and now the slow 
 tolling: of the monastery bell broke the stillness. The 
 monks walked at the head of the funeral train to the open 
 tomb in the cloisters. There the coffin was set down, and 
 the old abbot spoke a few touching and impressive words. 
 Then with litany and prayers, Siegfried's mortal remains 
 were laid beside those of his fathers. 
 
 The mourners had knelt in silent devotion, and the 
 abbess, choosing the moment when they rose from their 
 knees to execute her plan, said to the unhappy Oda, as 
 if by a sudden inspiration, in a low but audible tone, — 
 
 " Countess Oda, we need no longer be silent as to that of 
 which we all know. Thy loss is greater than ours. The 
 rest of us take leave here of a brother and friend, but thou 
 hast bidden farewell to thy beloved one. At this sacred 
 time and place, let the honored dead witness thy solemn 
 vow to consecrate thy soul to his memory, and never to 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 271 
 
 give thy love to another, now that he hath departed whose 
 heart was thine ! " 
 
 At these designing words, Oda started as from a lurking 
 serpent. Well she understood Jutta's object, and wished 
 that it were now possible to repeat Siegfried's farewell 
 words to her, but everything forbade, and pressing her 
 hand to her heart, she answered, trembling, " What I 
 have vowed to the dead, God only knoweth, or shall 
 know ! " 
 
 But this did not satisfy the abbess, who continued, 
 strenuously, "What is pleasing to God is also pleasing 
 to men. Why should we not know what thou hast vowed, 
 we who would help and console thee ? " 
 
 In Oda's mind there was a struggle as to whether she 
 should speak, or be silent. 
 
 Then mildly interposed the venerable abbot, "What 
 passeth between the sorrowing heart and its Creator is a 
 sacred mystery into which no fellow-creature should pry. 
 The maiden is right. I pray thee, my lady, disturb not 
 the peace of the dead ! " 
 
 The abbess, angered that she had failed in her object, 
 and likewise at the abbot's admonition, replied, loftily, 
 "It is for the peace of the dead that we urge this vow 
 upon the maiden, as a fitting sacrifice to him who died 
 for her." 
 
 Jutta had no idea what meaning her words conveyed to 
 Oda. She simply meant that the feud which caused 
 Siegfried's death was the result of Oda's sojourn at 
 Regenstein ; but Oda understood her otherwise. In Oda's 
 ears she plainly asserted that he had courted death in the 
 despair of rejected love. She had striven in her own 
 mind against this interpretation of his last words ; but 
 now that Jutta boldly declared it before so many wit- 
 nesses, she doubted no longer, and felt that she indeed 
 
272 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 owed him, as atonement, the renunciation of her future 
 happiness. 
 
 She tottered toward the open tomb, ready to utter the 
 fatal vow, when Reginhild, who well knew that he whom 
 she loved was not dead, but living, hastened to Oda, and 
 throwing her arms about her, cried, " Take no vow, Oda, 
 I abjure thee! I know thy heart, and God knoweth it. 
 Leave thyself in II is hands ! " 
 
 Then she led Oda unresistingly from the cloister, not 
 noticing the look of implacable enmity which Jutta threw 
 upon her in passing. 
 
 One, at least, of the by-standers had been appalled when 
 he saw Oda about to take the vow of celibacy, — Bock 
 von Schlanstedt, — for he knew more than Reginhild, but 
 Jiis lips were sealed. 
 
THE BOB B Eli COUNT. 273 
 
 CHAPTER XXVn. 
 
 Weeks passed before the tribunal could assemble. 
 Finally all the counts and princes of the Hartz country 
 and the adjacent provinces came together and sat in the 
 open air, in a half- circle on both sides of the stone table 
 and the chief judge's seat, under the great linden-tree. 
 On the right hand of the duke sat the abbess, and on the 
 left his brother, the bishop of Halberstadt, who now saw 
 his rival for the first time since the quarrel over Schwane- 
 beck and Emersleben and inwardly rejoiced at his humilia- 
 tion. Albrecht's brothers were also present, but they were 
 allowed no more voice in the trial than the burgomaster 
 and council, who appeared as complainants. Outside the 
 bar were many nobles and knights, as well as a crowd of 
 the townsfolk. 
 
 Duke Otto, of Brunswick, exercised his office of chief 
 judge with justice and impartiality, uninfluenced by his 
 brother's deadly hatred of the accused. 
 
 Among the judges were friends and foes of the count, 
 but the nobles among the spectators took his part, regard- 
 ing him as the embodiment of knightly virtues, and griev- 
 ing the more for his overthrow, as the burgers everywhere 
 were born foes of the nobility. 
 
 Three conflicting views were brought forward. The 
 bishop and his allies would only be satisfied with the 
 count's death The burgomaster, in the name of the citi- 
 zens, declared their willingness to spare him on condition 
 that they might hold him a prisoner for life ; that the 
 Regenstein castle, within thn city boundaries, should be 
 dismantled, and that twelve watch-towers should be built 
 
274 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 upon its walls at the count's cost. The abbess and his 
 friends demanded his immediate release, on payment of a 
 suitable ransom ; and he declared himself unwilling to 
 accept other conditions. 
 
 The case was argued long and earnestly. But as the 
 sun began to decline, and the opponents were no nearer 
 an agreement, the duke determined that a detailed state- 
 ment of the different opinions, and the grounds therefor, 
 should be engrossed and submitted to the Emperor for his 
 decision. 
 
 Then the abbess rose, and said, with a clear voice, 
 " And I offer to go to the Emperor and obtain his judg- 
 ment. Grant me this favor, noble lords ! The count is 
 my protector, and it is my dut} 7 and privilege to plead for 
 him ; and I pledge myself, upon my princely and womanly 
 honor, to speak the whole truth ! " 
 
 As she stood erect, beautiful and courageous, looking 
 proudly from one to the other, not one ventured to refuse 
 her petition, although many felt dissatisfied that Count 
 Albrecht should have so powerful and seductive an advo- 
 cate with the Emperor. The abbess was chosen, however, 
 to represent the assembly at his court. The sitting was 
 declared at an end, and Albrecht von Regenstein, strongly 
 guarded, was conveyed back to prison. 
 
 This was not the same in which he had been confined at 
 first. A cell had been built for him under the roof of the 
 Town House, of solid timber, fastened together with heavy 
 iron bands, eight feet square and somewhat over six feet 
 high. It had a barred loop-hole and iron-bound door, and 
 within it were a bench and iron chain. Here, therefore, 
 lay Count Albrecht, the bravest knight of the Hartz, fet- 
 tered and helpless, a caged lion. 
 
 When he set forth on his dismal way to the trial, he 
 thought of the da}' when he rode by the linden with Siegfried, 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 275 
 
 and as his faithful horse shied, observed to his brother, 
 u God forbid that a Regenstein shall ever stand as the ac- 
 cused under this linden ! " It was on the same day that 
 he had gone to the Town House, confronted the assembled 
 council, and striking the table witli his mailed hand, had 
 peremptorily ordered the abrogation of the bishop's court. 
 
 And now — now he himself had stood beneath the 
 linden, threatened with death or life imprisonment, in the 
 power of that same council which he had seen tremble 
 before him. Accustomed to breathe the free mountain 
 air and live in the saddle, he was now confined in a dark 
 cage wherein he could hardly take four steps, and where he 
 heard nothing but the rattling of his chains as he moved. 
 His jailer answered no questions, no one approached his 
 cell, and during the trial none ventured to address him ; 
 he had nothing to console him in his terrible loneliness. 
 
 Though he clung to life and the hope of freedom, yet 
 his home at Regenstein had become desolate. Siegfried 
 was dead. Oda gone. The former had fallen, it was 
 true, fighting bravely, and a better death Albrecht could 
 not wish for himself. But it was Siegfried's last words 
 which horrified Albrecht, " Now am I no longer in thy 
 way ! " 
 
 If, perchance, he knew of Albrecht's love for Oda, and 
 had died thinking that his brother had sent him into the 
 pass to get him out of his way ! Albrecht felt that if it 
 were thus, nothing could ever make him happy again. 
 The order which he had given Siegfried seemed to him a 
 reasonable one. Victory or defeat depended equally upon 
 each of the brothers ; each had staked his life upon the 
 game, and must go on staking it continually. If fate had 
 so decreed, he might have survived the day as did Bock, 
 who, nevertheless, did not spare himself, or as some of 
 his men did, who fought in the fatal defile. At the same 
 
276 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 time, he should not have risked Siegfried's life, for Oda's 
 sake, as well as Siegfried's. 
 
 His ardent love for the former was now his sole posses- 
 sion ; it shortened the dreary hours, and lighted up his dark 
 cell like a ray of sunlight. Oh, that he could comfort 
 her ! That he could only fly with her ! He would ask 
 nothing but to be near her, to talk with her as he used oi 
 the lofty stone seat at Regenstein. He would not venture 
 to hope for her love even we: c he free, but he would joyfully 
 consecrate his life to her service if he might be allowed to 
 do so. But should she turn from him with aversion, for 
 Siegfried's sake, life would then be worthless. 
 
 At time?, Jutta's stately figure would appear before 
 him, but the vision inspired no other feeling than that of 
 gratitude. She had struggled for him nobly under tli • 
 linden, notwithstanding the bishop's fierce looks and the 
 wondering glances of his associates, and plainly showed 
 her devotion. She must still hope to save him, and with 
 sorrow he thought of it, still hope that he would be hers. 
 He had longed to call out to her, " Spare thy words ; 
 though thou savest me, thou losest me." 
 
 Well he knew that no armor was proof against Jutta's 
 charms, and that by such Ludwig, the Bavarian, was only 
 too readily moved ; but could Albrecht accept his freedom 
 from her hands, and then requite her with barren thanks? 
 
 While he brooded thus, the abbess was already far on 
 her journey, her first goal being the castle of the Wart- 
 burg. There she would beg of her former protectress, 
 the Landgravine Mathilde, of Thuringia, a letter to her 
 father, the Emperor, which would insure a gracious recep- 
 tion from him. She hoped much from the chivalrous 
 Emperor, who had so lately shown his magnanimity to his 
 own prisoner, the friend of his youth, King Friedrich the 
 Fair, of Austria, whom the fortunes of war had delivered 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 211 
 
 into his hands. Ludwig had released him from imprison- 
 ment, received him with open arms, and made him co- 
 rnier with himself. It was through this generosity that 
 Jutta trusted to obtain favorable sentence for the captive. 
 
 At the Wartburg, where she was cordially welcomed, 
 she learnt that the Emperor with his court was at Lands- 
 hut, in Bavaria, and journeyed thither with a letter from 
 Mathilde, after enjoying her hospitality. Jutta's suite 
 consisted of Mistress Iledwig von Hakeborn, Gerhard von 
 Ditfurt, a younger noble attached to the castle, her wait- 
 ing-woman, and six mounted servitors, — men who led the 
 numerous pack-horses. 
 
 The Countess Adelheid had besought the abbess that 
 she might go with her ; but as the latter, during her 
 absence, must leave the convent under the care of the 
 superior, Kuniguude, she wished Adelheid to play the spy, 
 and sanctioned her resistance to the exercise of any undue 
 authority on Kunigunde's part. As Jutta must take one 
 member of the chapter as maid of honor, she designedly 
 chose the pretty, merry, and not too scrupulous Iledwig, 
 who was perfectly ready to turn the heads of the knights 
 at Ludwig's court, and to help the abbess in the removal 
 of any obstacles. 
 
 Oda's life was rendered very uncomfortable by reason 
 of Jutta's jealousy, which led to a continued unremitting 
 supervision. But after her departure, the superior, who 
 favored every one whom Jutta disliked, and was now nom- 
 inally supreme, treated her with marked kindness. The 
 other inmates of the castle, including Adelheid, were all 
 friendly, and showed great sympathy for the loss of her 
 betrothed, as they considered Siegfried to have been. 
 
 The conviction that he had sought death for her sake 
 weighed heavily upon Oda, and she asked herself if she 
 had been guilty, in exciting hopes which she had surely 
 
278 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 destroyed. But her deepest grief was not for the dead 
 but for the living brother, the uncertainty of whose fate 
 caused her the keenest anxiety. She did not dare to find 
 relief by confiding in any of her convent companions ; and 
 Eilika, notwithstanding her devotion, was, after all, but a 
 servant, and too talkative to be trusted with a secret; 
 yet the sharp-eyed maid had divined it already, and just 
 as she formerly did all in her power to promote Oda's 
 union with Siegfried, so now she was equally determined 
 to see her wedded to Count Albrecht, expecting confidently 
 his speedy release, and she tried to impart something of 
 her hopefulness to her mistress. Her firm ally in this 
 new scheme was still her devoted knight. 
 
 Bock von Schlanstedt had established himself at St. 
 Wiperti's to be near his imprisoned master, and meantime 
 kept up constant communication with Eilika. The latter 
 was nothing loath, for Florencius seemed to her, on nearer 
 acquaintance, to be not so congenial. 
 
 Bock, on the other hand, had become friendly with him, 
 having a special object in cultivating his acquaintance, 
 apart from any personal liking. The jovial scrivener was 
 a favorite in the city, where he had good friends among 
 the burghers ; and Bock hoped through some of them to 
 gain access to his master, whom he longed to spenk with, 
 and Florencius had promised to do all in his power to 
 further the knight's desire. 
 
 When Eilika informed Bock of the discovery she had 
 made of her mistress's love for Count Albrecht, she told 
 him what he already knew better than she, but he was 
 glad to have this confirmation of Siegfried's last words. 
 
 Eilika rejoiced her mistress by relating to her how Bock 
 hoped, through the mediation of the scrivener, to be able 
 to speak to his master, and Oda was glad at the prospect 
 of thus hearing news of the count, and of his possible 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 279 
 
 release. She gave her maid a jewelled trinket, that 
 Florenciua might have the means to bribe his guard, but 
 it was necessary to use the greatest care. Flore ncius 
 needed time to prepare the way, and when at last he had 
 Worked successfully upon the guards and the turnkey, 
 Jutta unexpectedly returned from her journey to the 
 Emperor's court. 
 
 She had conquered, and the result of her courageous 
 pilgrimage was the count's deliverance. 
 
 After many negotiations, representations, and prayers, 
 she had wrung from the Emperor the freedom of the count, 
 provided he complied with the conditions named in his 
 Majesty's letter to the city of Quedliuburg. 
 
 The conditions were these : Count Albrecht was to 
 remain protector of the convent, but he must resign his 
 jurisdiction over Quedlinburg, which was for the future to 
 be independent. The Regcnstein fortresses within its 
 boundaries were to be given up to the city. Guntecken- 
 burg was not to be rebuilt, nor any new fortress within a 
 mile of the city ; and finally, seven towers must be erected 
 on its walls, at Count Albrecht's cost. 
 
 In the case of his submission to these conditions, he 
 should be set at liberty forthwith, and the Emperor granted 
 the town, as a special favor, the power of trying its own 
 criminals, but such right should in no way interfere with 
 the tribunal under the linden- tree. 
 
 The city agreed to free the count on these conditions, 
 which Count Albrecht, however, refused. 
 
 The abbess was inexpressibly chagrined.. For his sake 
 she had undertaken a long and difficult journey, in bad 
 weather, had worked and striven for him, and finally 
 obtained conditions which did not imply the surrender of 
 any part of his earldom, and which, in comparison with 
 the loss of life or liberty, were light indeed. And had 
 
280 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 she done all this in vain? She had expected such grati- 
 tude from him as might fill the measure of her dearest 
 hopes, and instead of this, his answer was no more than 
 a surly refusal. 
 
 She sat down and wrote to him, upbraiding him with 
 his ingratitude, and exhorting him urgently to alter his 
 decision. 
 
 The letter was delivered to him by permission of the 
 council, whose wishes coincided with Jutta's, as this treaty 
 would give the city many long-desired advantages in place 
 of the doubtful satisfaction of keeping Count Albrecht von 
 Regenstein, as long as he lived, within their walls. 
 
 But Jutta's letter could not bend the count's stubborn 
 will. He sent word to the writer that he felt the deepest 
 gratitude for her exertions on his behalf, but at the same 
 time he was firmly resolved to make no concessions, and 
 preferred rather to remain a prisoner. 
 
 The abbess was in despair, and was completely at a loss 
 as to what should be done next. She meditated the 
 strangest plans, and was prepared to resort to any 
 extreme measure which might help her in the attainment 
 of her object. 
 
 At last the time approached for Bock's secret visit to 
 his master. He desired to bring Count Albrecht a greet- 
 ing from Oda, and begged, through Eilika, to be allowed 
 to see her alone, to which she gladly assented. They met 
 in the crypt of the castle church, where the ladies of the 
 convent sometimes retired for silent devotions, before the 
 tomb of the first abbess, Mathilde. 
 
 " Salute the count for me," said Oda, M and say to him 
 that I heartily beseech him to accept the Emperor's con- 
 ditions, and therewith purchase his freedom." 
 
 u And hast thou nothing more to tell him, my lady? r 
 asked Bock. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 281 
 
 " Nay," answered she ; u that is enough." 
 
 " Wilt thou not send him a token of remembrance to 
 console him in his imprisonment? " he urged. 
 
 " What shall I send him? I have nothing here ; or — 
 stay ! This ring, it belonged to my dear mother ; take 
 this to Count Albrecht." 
 
 She pulled off a small gold ring from her finger, and 
 gave it to the gratified Bock. 
 
 He promised to return the next evening, and went upon 
 his errand, accompanied by Florencius. 
 
 The latter had arranged everything with the greatest 
 care. He brought his companion successfully into the 
 city, concealed him till nightfall with a trusty acquaint- 
 ance, and then led him, with the help of the guards whom 
 he had bribed, through a postern into the Town House, and 
 thence to the count's cell, where he was left alone, the 
 scrivener retiring with the guards. 
 
 Bock placed himself outside of the barred opening, 
 where he could easily talk with his master. 
 
 Count Albrecht, filled with joyful surprise at the sound 
 of his vassal's voice, received Oda's message and ring 
 with deep emotion. " She is not angry ; she doth not turn 
 from me with aversion," he thought, and pressed the little 
 token more than once to his lips. 
 
 " Dear maiden," said he ; " she wisheth me to purchase 
 life and freedom, but she counteth not the cost. The 
 humiliation is too great, the reward too small." 
 
 " Sir Count," replied Bock, "I crave thy pardon, but 
 that is a foolish speech. One defeat after so m:my victo- 
 ries, what doth it signify? It is not only Countess Oda, 
 we all pray thee to yield. Come, courage ! Lead us 
 again into the field, and we will follow thee anywhere, and 
 "be quits with these miserable burghers ! " 
 
 M Nay, Bock; Fate hath crossed ray path, and I have 
 surrendered my sword." 
 
282 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 1 ' We will forge the e a new one, Sir Count ! " exclaimed 
 the knight. " What is to become of thine earldom, and 
 thy noble house? Regenstein waiteth for its lord." 
 
 "It is lonely and desolate," answered the count. 
 " Upon its rocks the flowers have faded." 
 
 " Who knoweth, Sir Count?" cried Bock ; " mayhap I 
 bring thee happiness which will make life worth living 
 again." 
 
 Count Albrecht said nothing, answering only with a 
 heavy sigh, and Bock continued, " Sir Count, I have a 
 message to thee from Count Siegfried." 
 
 " From Siegfried! Siegfried died in my arms; how 
 canst thou bring me a message from him ? " 
 
 " He gave it to me, to give to thee when he should be 
 dead, at the time he lay in the pass after his fatal wound," 
 replied Bock. "I saw thee no more that day, and could 
 not deliver it until now." 
 
 " Ah, Bock," Albrecht said, sorrowfully, " I know only 
 too well what it is. He hath told thee I sent him to his 
 death." 
 
 " Nay, nay, my lord ! Those were not his words at 
 all. I was to say to thee that Countess Oda confided to 
 him that she did not love him, but thee !" 
 
 Here a chain clanked as if the count made a sudden 
 movement, and he cried, "Bock! Bock! What sayest 
 thou? Knowestthou what thou sayest?" 
 
 "Word for word," protested the other. " I promised 
 our Siegfried, when he lay dying, to say this to thee from 
 him, and to no one else." 
 
 ' ' Bock ! good Bock ! Bethink thyself well" what thou 
 art saying to me, and that my life hangeth upon thy 
 words." 
 
 " Upon my honor, Sir Count, I have told thee the exact 
 words Count Siegfried spoke before his death." 
 
THE BOBBER COUNT. 283 
 
 "Truly, Bock? My God! She loveth me! She 
 loveth me ! " whispered Count Albrecht, in great agitation. 
 " And I lie here in disgrace, fettered like a hound ! 
 Open the door ! Let me out, Bock," he cried, suddenly. 
 " Help me ! Hast thou no iron ? Strike, Bock ! I must 
 break loose ! " Almost beside himself, he struck the walls 
 of his cell so that the solid planks groaned and creaked. 
 
 The turnkey rushed in, alarmed. " Hold thy peace, Sir 
 Count, I beseech thee ! Thou wilt waken all the folk in 
 the city ; they can hear thee in the market-place ! " 
 
 " Let them hear me ! " roared the count. " Let them 
 come w r ith their accursed conditions ! I will do all they 
 desire, subscribe to everything, promise anything, swear 
 anything, only I will be free ! " 
 
 "To-morrow thou canst be free, if thou choosest!" 
 cried Bock through the barred loop-hole. 
 
 " Thinkest thou that they will hold to their word, and 
 release me? Get me my freedom, Bock, and bring me to 
 her. I want naught else but freedom, a horse and sword, 
 and her, her, Bock ! 
 
 " To-morrow, Sir Count ; to-morrow ! " said Bock, 
 reassuringly. 
 
 " When wilt thou see Countess Oda? " Count Albrecht 
 inquirt d, a little more calmly. 
 
 11 To-morrow evening, in the crypt." 
 
 u Say to her, Bock, that I accept the Emperor's condi- 
 tions, because she wisheth, solely because she wisheth. 
 That is all, and she must be si ent and so must thou, 
 Bock. So soon as I am at liberty, I must see her, but 
 alone, quite alone. Canst thou contrive that? " 
 ."Surely, Count Albrecht!" replied Bock; "in the 
 crypt. I will see to it, and Florencius will help us. 
 Only come to the convent so soon as thou art free, and 
 leave the rest to us." 
 
284 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 11 Good ; to-morrow morning I will send to the council." 
 
 " Sir Count, Florencius will see Countess Oda early in 
 the morning. Shall he not take thy message to her? He 
 is trustworthy and discreet, and hath brought me here. 
 Without him, I could not have come." 
 
 " Yea, Bock ! Let Florencius tell her. Is he at 
 hand?" 
 
 Bock went and called the scrivener. " Thanks, brave 
 friend!" said Count Albrecht. "Bock will give thee a 
 message to Countess Oda. I beg thee to deliver it." 
 
 " Thou may est depend upon me, Count Albrecht," 
 answered Florencius. u And now we must go, before 
 the watch is changed." 
 
 " Go ! go ! We will soon in >et again ! " exclaimed the 
 count, and putting his hand through the bars it Mas 
 heartily grasped. Then the two cautiously departed, 
 leaving a happy man in the gloomy cell. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 285 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 As the inmates of the convent gathered for the morn- 
 ing meal, Oda was missing, and it being her function as 
 last-comer to say grace, a messenger was despatched to 
 learn the cause of her absence. On his return, he in- 
 formed the abbess that she would join the others directly, 
 adding that Master Florencius was with her. 
 
 " Florencius? " said the abbess, in astonishment. 
 
 " At this hour?" cried the superior. 
 
 " And alone?" added the deaconess. 
 
 " Nay ; her maiden Eilika is with her," the messenger 
 replied. 
 
 Shortly afterward -Oda appeared, excused herself for 
 the delay, took her place at the table, and repeated the 
 grace. But it was done so hastily and so absent-mindedly 
 that she drew upon herself looks of surprise and dis- 
 pleasure. 
 
 During the meal, which the ladies, having unlimited 
 leisure, willingly prolonged, Oda seemed altogether unlike 
 herself. Now she sat dreamily gazing into the dis- 
 tance, and again would become so animated that every 
 one at the table noticed the change which had come over 
 her, and felt sure that something extraordinary had 
 occurred. Could it be that the jovial Florencius had tem- 
 porarily made her forget the death of Count Siegfried? 
 But what had happened that her cheerfulness should be 
 manifested so suddenly and openly? 
 
 The abbess thoughtfully observed Oda's altered manner, 
 and bade her friend Adelheid, Hedwig von Hakeborn, and 
 
286 THE BOBBER COUNT. 
 
 a personal attendant of her own to watch Oda narrowly, 
 and report her movements. 
 
 No one suspected the true cause of the Countess von 
 Falkenstein's joy, for none but the four who were ini- 
 tiated knew of the resolutions which Count Albrecht had 
 taken during the night. 
 
 He had sent in the morning to the burgomaster, to beg 
 for a conference. 
 
 The burgomaster came, and Count Albrecht declared to 
 him his willingness to purchase his freedom by accepting 
 the Emperor's conditions, if he could be solemnly assured 
 that he would be released from durance that sa~ie even- 
 ing, and his liberation kept secret until the next day. 
 
 Master Nikolaus von Bekheim, believing he could 
 promise the prisoner that his wishes would be acceded to, 
 immediately called the council together in private session, 
 and meanwhile prepared a deed of quitclaim for the 
 count to sign. 
 
 The council met, the count being brought into their 
 presence, and the discussion was temperate and dignified. 
 
 As by this act of the count a great revenue would come 
 to the council, they treated their late foe with marked 
 consideration. He himself spoke not a word more than 
 was absolutely necessary. The burgomaster read aloud 
 the deed of quitclaim, the count signed it with a firm 
 hand, and swore, before God, to honorably and scrupu- 
 lously observe the contract. Thereupon he was declared 
 free, and assured that his release should be kept secret 
 until the following day. 
 
 He remained in the burgomaster's apartment till the 
 twilight fell, and then left the city of which lie had been 
 so long the feudal lord. 
 
 Clad in his coat of mail and steel helmet, and covered 
 with a long mantle, he strode through the darkness up the 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 287 
 
 well-known way to the Wiperti cloister. It was the end 
 of October, but the fresh wind and cold, drizzling rain 
 were delightful to the released prisoner, who halted 
 repeatedly, and expanding his chest, took many a long 
 breath. 
 
 The sacrifice he had made to regain his freedom did not 
 weigh very heavily upon his mind, but the thought of the 
 independence of the city rankled within him, and his blood 
 boiled for the moment as he passed the demolished Gun- 
 teckenburg. Happily he had not sworn to abstain from 
 vengeance, and some day he would make Quedlinburg pay 
 the reckoning, with interest. 
 
 However, for the present he had troubles which lay 
 nearer his heart. It was owing principally to Jutta's 
 efforts that he owed his release, and he well knew what 
 reward she expected. He was deeply and sincerely 
 pained that he must disappoint her hopes, and had it not 
 been for Oda's desire and Oda's love, he would never have 
 signed that compact with the council. 
 
 So his liberation was due to the two women who dwelt 
 yonder under the same roof, both of whom loved him, and 
 of whom one expected a high price in exchange for his 
 freedom, while the other, in her unselfishness, never 
 imagined for a moment what happiness his release was 
 bringing her. And now he was on his way to them, to 
 fill one heart with joy and the other with bitterness. 
 
 In front of the Wiperti cloister stood Bock, in the dark- 
 ness and rain, awaiting his lord, but before he could see 
 the count he recognized his footsteps, and hastened to 
 meet him. 
 
 11 1 am here, Bock ! " cried Albrecht, pressing his loyal 
 knight's hand ; " now lead me to the countess." 
 
 " Refresh thyself, first, with a brief rest, and a morsel 
 of food, Sir Count," answered Bock. " Above in the 
 
288 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 castle they are now supping, and the gracious countess 
 will not be able to absent herself." 
 
 The count was obliged to submit, and after partaking 
 of refreshment with the prior, he and Bock mounted the 
 heights, upon which stood the castle. He passed through 
 the courtyard and Jutta's newly built portal, and entered 
 the crypt, where a lamp perpetually burned before the 
 tomb of the first abbess. Here he waited for his beloved, 
 in the vast, dimly lighted vault, his eyes fixed upon the 
 door. Bock had gone into the castle to inform Florencius 
 and Eilika of his arrival. 
 
 Oda soon appeared with the former, who quickly retired, 
 closing the door behind him ; Bock and Eilika keeping 
 watch before the portal meanwhile. 
 
 Count Albrecht approached the trembling maiden and 
 clasped her in his arms, while she hid her head upon his 
 breast, and wept. 
 
 " Oda, Oda!" he whispered, softly; " art thou now 
 mine?" 
 
 At the sound of his voice she started in affright, and 
 tried to release herself. But he held her, and said, 
 " Knowest thou not, Oda, that I have long loved thee 
 with my whole soul? That it is only for thy sake that I 
 have left my prison ? " 
 
 She looked at him like one aroused from a deep slumber, 
 who cannot tell where she is. Albrecht love her ! Had 
 long loved her ! Surely, she was dreaming. She smiled, 
 but her blue eyes seemed to say, " Ah, wake me not yet ! 
 It is so sweet to dream." When, however, his glance 
 met hers, and she felt herself pressed closely in his arms, 
 she gradually became conscious of the realhy of her happi- 
 ness. Her breast heaved, her thoughts were still in con- 
 fusion. At last she threw her arms about Albrecht's 
 neck, and it seemed as if her heart must break for joy. 
 
THE MOB HER COUNT. 289 
 
 " Oda, didst thou know that I loved thee?" he asked. 
 
 " Nay ; but I prayed for it as for my soul's salvation." 
 
 44 And lovest thou me? Lovest thou me truly?" he 
 asked again, that he might hear her repeat what he would 
 gladly listen to forever. 
 
 " Ah, beyond everything ! " she cried. " Since T first 
 saw thee, Albrecht, thou hast been my pole-star, my soul's 
 shrine ! " 
 
 " Then nothing shall ever separate us again," he said ; 
 44 we are united for eternity." 
 
 She shuddered, and answered, in a low tone, " Sieg- 
 fried standeth between us. He sought his death on my 
 account." 
 
 Albrecht started. " Who said so, Oda? " 
 
 " I knew it when he bade me farewell," she replied, 
 sadly. " He said, ' I have now only one wish, — to make 
 Albrecht happy. This is a farewell forever.' Those were 
 his own very words," Oda asserted. 
 
 44 Siegfried died in my arms ; and his last words were, 
 'I am no longer in thy way.'" This utterance came 
 meditatively from Albrecht's lips. 
 
 44 He is yet in our way, Albrecht. Ought we to enjoy 
 a happiness for which Siegfried gave his life?" 
 
 Albrecht mused mournfully. As he now held his be- 
 loved in his arms, so had he held his dying brother. Yet, 
 had not Siegfried sacrificed himself, that he and Oda 
 might be happy ; had Siegfried not himself sent the mes- 
 sage, telling him of Oda's love? 
 
 "Oda!" he said, at last, U I will confess now that it 
 was from Siegfried himself that I learnt of thy love." 
 
 She looked at him, shocked. 
 
 44 He spoke not of it to me," continued Albrecht, " but 
 as he lay dying, he intrusted Bock with a message, which 
 the knight gave me only yesterday. Thy love is a legacy 
 
290 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 to me from the dead. Over Siegfried's grave will we join 
 hands, and his spirit shall give us a benediction." 
 
 " Rut, Albrocht, what if it should be a curse?" 
 
 "We need not fear my dear brother's spirit, Oda, for 
 we are not guilty of his death. He wished us to be 
 happy." 
 
 " So let it be, then, in God's name, my beloved," she 
 answered, and pressed upon his lips her first kiss. 
 
 After the evening meal, the abbess sat alone in her 
 room. Upon the table before her lay an open book, and 
 resting her head on her hand, she idly turned over the illu- 
 minated pages. 
 
 Knocking hastily, her waiting- woman entered. " Gra- 
 cious lady, the Countess Oda has just gone into the crypt 
 with Master Florencius " 
 
 The abbess looked up as though roused from a dream. 
 
 "What sayest thou? Countess Oda with Master Flo- 
 rencius in the cr} r pt? Art thou not mistaken?" 
 
 " Nay, my lady; I saw them both pass through the 
 portal, with my own eyes." 
 
 The abbess arose. "Go," she added, after a short 
 pause, " and summon the ladies of the chapter. Request 
 them to come to me immediately ; let each bring a long 
 taper. Thou needst s-iy nothing further." 
 
 The waiting- woman hastened away to do her errand. 
 
 " Now, we will unmask the hypocrite ! " exclaimed the 
 abbess, when she was alone. "Thou wouldst become 
 Countess von Regenstein, and makest secret appointments 
 with a convent scrivener. This is the cause of thy gayety 
 to-day. Oh ! if Count Albrecht knew how his lily was 
 lowering herself ! " and she maliciously dwelt upon the 
 manner in which she would brand Oda before the eyes of 
 her convent companions. 
 
 The latter were accustomed to the abbess's caprices, and 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 291 
 
 appeared soon in her room, each bearing a taper, not a 
 little curious at this unusual summons. 
 
 "Dear sisters," began the abbess, " we vowed, when 
 journeying far from home, that if we returned in safety, 
 we would offer our silent thanksgivings before the tomb of 
 the blessed Mathilde. Come ye now, and help me fulfil 
 the vow." 
 
 11 Countess Oda is not here," said Hedwig. " Shall I 
 call her?" 
 
 "Nay," replied Jutta, quickly; "we will go without 
 her." 
 
 Many of the ladies, who knew how the abbess disliked 
 Oda, now felt sure that something was wrong, but it was 
 only Countess Adelheid who said, softly, — 
 
 " What design hast thou, Jutta?" 
 
 " Be still, Adelheid ! " the abbess whispered. 
 
 The tapers were lighted, and the ladies ranged them- 
 selves in procession, the abbess at their head. They were 
 not obliged to go by the way of the court-yard, but could 
 pass directly from the castle into the church, through the 
 nave of which they slowly wended, in silence, toward the 
 crypt. 
 
 As the abbess softly opened the door, she saw with 
 malignant satisfaction two figures in the obscurity ; but as 
 Oda stood between herself and Count Albrecht, Jutta yet 
 expected to surprise her in the arms of Florencius, and 
 hastened forward to seize her prey. 
 
 Startled by the sound, Oda turned, and before the 
 abbess's bewildered gaze stood Count Albrecht, free and 
 erect. 
 
 His armor gleamed in the candle-light, and his eyes 
 sternly met Jutta's ; with one arm he held Oda, who made 
 a movement to flee, and then crept nearer to him. 
 
 The abbess was speechless, and stood with wide-open 
 
292 THE BOBBER COUNT. 
 
 eyes, as if turned to stone. Her ladies pressed after her, 
 and surrounded her in a half-circle, while the candles 
 shook in their trembling fingers. Not a word was said ; 
 the silence was oppressive. 
 
 At length, Count Albrecht spoke in a deep, earnest 
 voice, " Thou hast forestalled me, my lady ! Not thus 
 did I intend thee to learn of my freedom. My next step 
 would have been to bring thee my heartiest thanks, but I 
 needs must first see her who now standeth beside me as 
 my betrothed ! " 
 
 The abbess slowly shook her head. Then she said 
 hoarsely, "And thou hast sought and found her here 
 secretly, in the darkness of the crypt. Sir Count, I wish 
 thee joy — of thy bride! Wilt thou take her away with 
 thee?" 
 
 " To-morrow morning," he replied, " when I hope — " 
 
 u Spare thy words ! I will hear no more," she broke in ; 
 and said to her ladies, " Come with me ! We will choose 
 another time for thanksgiving." Then she turned, and 
 followed by her companions, passed out the same way she 
 had come. 
 
 "Albrecht, there goeth our relentless enemy," whispered 
 Oda, as the door closed upon the last candle-bearer, and 
 the crypt was left in the dim light of its ever-burning 
 lamp. 
 
 ' ' Hast thou a bolt on thy chamber door ? " asked Al- 
 brecht. 
 
 "Yea," answered she. 
 
 " Fa ten it, before thou sleepest," said the count, " and 
 eat nothing in the castle but that thou receivest from 
 Eilika. Hold thyself in readiness to-morrow morning ; I 
 will come early to fetch thee." 
 
 " Whither, Albrecht?" asked Oda, softly. 
 
 " Whither, my love?" he repeated, with a smile. " To 
 
THE ROB BE 11 COUNT. 293 
 
 Regenstein, to our castle ! In two days thou shalt be my 
 wife ; the good abbot of Michaelstein shall unite us ! " 
 
 Oda laid her head upon her lover's breast, while he 
 kissed her, and said, " Sleep sweetly, Oda. This shall be 
 our last parting." Then, going to the door, he called 
 Florencius, Bock, and Eilika "Countess Oda von Fal- 
 kenstein is my betrothed," he announced to the three. 
 " To-morrow we will ride home, Bock ! Send the tidings 
 to my brothers. In two days the wedding is to take 
 place at Regenstein." 
 
 Bock kneeled before his young mistress, Eilika gladly 
 kissed her hand, and Florencius wished her and Count 
 Albrecht all happiness. 
 
 Oda then betook herself to the castle with Eilika and 
 the scrivener, the Count and Bock returned to the Wiperti 
 monastery. 
 
 In the privacy of her chamber, Oda, with a trembling 
 voice, said to her maid, '• Tell me, Eilika, is it a dream, 
 or truth? Am I really betrothed?" 
 
 44 Dear mistress," laughed Eilika, "the day after to- 
 morrow thou shalt be Countess von Regenstein." 
 
 And Oda, in the fulness of her heart, fell upon her 
 faithful maid's neck, and tears filled her eyes. 
 
 The abbess's condition was terrible. On her return 
 from the crypt, where Count Albrecht, with two words, 
 had slain her hopes, like a judge pronouncing the death 
 sentence, she bore herself proudly erect, but once alone, 
 she broke down utterly, but with a great effort finally re- 
 covered comparative self-command. She neither spoke 
 nor wept, but walked continually up and down her room 
 till she sank exhausted upon a settle, and lay there, star- 
 ing at vacancy, till late into the night, when her maid, 
 after much persuasion, got her to bed. Her soul was full 
 of hatred for Albrecht and Oda, and she was conscious 
 of no other feeling than a boundless desire for revenge. 
 
294 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 The next morning, after bidding farewell to the other 
 occupants of the castle, Oda entered the abbess's pres- 
 ence, to take leave of her before departing. It was a 
 heavy task. 
 
 Jutta received her without rising, and said, " So thou 
 art going back to Regenstein, of which thou seemest so 
 fond, that thou art determined to return thither, if not 
 with one brother, then with another." 
 
 ' ; I could have returned with no other than Count 
 Albrecht," she replied. 
 
 "So! Wert thou not betrothed to Count Siegfried?" 
 
 " Never, my lady ! " answered Oda. " It is not true ! " 
 
 " But he is dead, and cannot gainsay thee." 
 
 " My lady, I speak the truth ! " 
 
 "Count Albrecht told me he wished thee to wed Sieg- 
 fried. When I was at Regenstein myself, and saw thee 
 with Siegfried, were ye not betrothed? " 
 
 " Nay, my lady," Oda said. " Count Albrecht wished 
 it, so long as his brother lived; and, indeed, he himself 
 solicited my hand for Siegfried, but I could not bring 
 myself — " 
 
 "Because thou lovedst Count Albrecht?" 
 
 "Yea," said Oda, blushing. 
 
 " Lovest thou him still?" asked Jutta, quickly. 
 
 " Would I follow him otherwise, my lady? " 
 
 " And thou wouldst take the hand stained with a 
 brother's blood?" 
 
 " What sayest thou ! " cried Oda. 
 
 "I say," declared the abbess, "he sent his brother to 
 his death, that he might have thee himself." 
 
 " Countess Jutta, what hath Albrecht done to thee, that 
 thou shouldst — " 
 
 She could say no more, overcome with shame and indig- 
 nation. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 295 
 
 " Concern not thyself with that ! " said the abbess, ris- 
 ing. "He hath caused the death of the only man who 
 loved thee." 
 
 "That is a shameless falsehood ! " exclaimed Oda, be- 
 side herself. 
 
 A harsh laugh was the only reply. 
 
 Footsteps were now heard, and Count Albrecht entered 
 the room directly behind the servant who announced him. 
 
 Oda flew toward him. " Albrecht, she saith thou hast 
 as good as slain thy brother," she cried, with a burst of 
 tears. 
 
 The count stood between the two, and scanning the 
 abbess with a searching glance, he said, quickly, " Who 
 told thee this, my lady ? " 
 
 " Thy brother, Bernhard," she answered, boldly. 
 
 " Bernhard never said so," interposed Oda. "I was 
 present when he told us of poor Siegfried's death." 
 
 But her words fell like a blow upon Count Albrecht. 
 
 11 I will ask Bernhard if he hath spoken or thought any 
 such thing," he said, gravely; " but now I ask thee, my 
 lady, — and, I pray thee weigh thy answer well, — dost 
 thou believe this? " 
 
 "Yea!" 
 
 Albrecht made a hasty movement toward her, but Oda 
 softly held him. 
 
 t; Then I have naught further to say. I cannot bring 
 myself to utter the thanks which are due thee." And 
 tinning away, as if with abhorrence, he said, " Come, 
 Oda ! let us leave this abode of evil spirits." And lead- 
 ing her by the hand, straightway he strode from the 
 room. 
 
 Bock, who always knew what to do, had provided a 
 horse for his master at dawn, brought his own beast out 
 of the monastery, and ridden with Count Albrecht to the 
 
296 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 convent, where, in the court-yard, Oda's and Eilika's horses 
 now stood saddled and ready. 
 
 When Albrecht heard that Oda was with the abbess, he 
 boded no good from the interview, and had therefore 
 hastened to her aid. On returning with his love to the 
 court-yard, the four mounted, turned their backs upon 
 the castle, and rode through the cool, misty valley, on 
 the way to Regenstein. 
 
 Albrecht and Ola, agitated by the painful scene through 
 which they had just passed, rode in front, Bock and 
 Eilika at a little distance behind. 
 
 14 Seest thou, dear Mistress Eilika," the knight began, 
 " now we journey together over the same way that we 
 travelled half a year ago ; but how changed is every- 
 thing ! " 
 
 She nodded and said, " To-day, in sooth, we follow thee 
 more willingly than then, when thou didst capture us here, 
 with no consent of ours." 
 
 " Many a good stroke of work have I done in my 
 time," he went on, complacently ; " but methinks this is 
 the best prize that I ever bore to Regenstein. I fear 
 such another will not fall to my lot for many a day ! " 
 
 " We will surely hope not," laughed Eilika. 
 
 "Behold how wonderfully all is ordered!" said Bock. 
 u When I took ye prisoners, I only hoped that we might 
 gain a fair ransom ; and now one is to become mistress of 
 Regenstein, and thou — thou also hast now no need to 
 become a nun." 
 
 ' ' Thinkest thou so ? " she asked. 
 
 44 I have proved my heart and thine, mistress," answered 
 Bock; " and so soon as I can arrange certain things, I 
 will address a petition to the count ; and if his answer be 
 favorable, so I hope it will, I will come to thee some day 
 and ask thee to be mv wife." 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 297 
 
 " Ah ! Sir Knight ! " said Eilika, full of satisfaction, 
 yet affecting to be much abashed. 
 
 11 Do not answer me now," said he. " I will leave thee 
 time for reflection, and if thou canst not make up thy 
 mind to take me, it will not yet be too late to go into the 
 cloister." 
 
 Eilika discreetly kept silence, and the knight pursued 
 the matter no further, but changed the conversation forth- 
 with, and they rode on, side by side. 
 
 The same hour a messenger from the castle of Quedlin- 
 burg was bearing a sealed letter to the bishop of Halber- 
 stadt, containing only these words, written in a trembling 
 hand : — 
 
 " Call him to a reckoning, and revenge me. 
 
 Jutta." 
 
298 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 It was on a lowering day of autumn that the Regen- 
 stein family sat together at the marriage feast in their 
 lofty castle. Canon Ulrich had not been able to come 
 upon so short a notice, but Beruhard and Reginhild, 
 Poppo, and Giinther were here, and the venerable abbot 
 of Michaelstein, who had shared in so many joys and 
 sorrows of the house of Regenstein, had blessed the 
 nuptials of the bridal pair, and sat at Oda's right hand, 
 Bock von Schlanstedt being opposite him. 
 
 From time to time, Oda would shyly turn to Albrecht 
 with a look of thankfulness, for, in her humility, she 
 regarded his love as a wonderful and undeserved blessing. 
 The others partook of the happiness of both, and Regin- 
 hild already felt a hearty friendship for the new sister, 
 and sought with her usual gayety and wit to enliven the 
 little company, but she hardly succeeded. They all knew 
 the circumstances of Siegfried's death and Albrecht's fatal 
 order, which had led to it. Not one could impute the 
 smallest blame to Albrecht ; rather, they compassionated 
 him for the sad memory which he must bear through life. 
 Notwithstanding, when they saw him sitting beside Oda, 
 they thought to themselves that he never would have 
 been there had Siegfried lived. Each sought to banish 
 this thought, while, at the same time, he read it in the 
 faces of the others ; and though all strove to be merry, 
 the youngest brother's spirit seemed to sit there with them 
 at the board, and compel recognition. 
 
 Soon after the marriage feast, Bernhard rode home with 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 299 
 
 his wife, though Reginhild gladly would have stayed 
 longer. He had forced himself to appear cheerful, for 
 Albrecht's sake, though far from feeling so. He saw in 
 Oda the cause — though innocent — of all the disputes and 
 fighting of the summer, beginning with the advent of the 
 young countess and leading to the siege of Regenstein, 
 the quarrel with Quedlinburg, Albrecht's defeat and Sieg- 
 fried's death, and which were not yet at an end. For 
 Bernhard knew, what Albreeht was still ignorant of, that 
 the bishop of Halbertstadt h d taken advantage of Al- 
 brecht's imprisonment to seize upon the earldom of Fal- 
 kenstein. A new struggle with the bishop therefore 
 threatened, due also to Oda. 
 
 On the day of his return to Regenstein, Albreeht had 
 ridden directly to Bernhard, who received him joyfully. 
 The latter's first words related to Siegfried's death. 
 Bernhard exonerated him from all blame, and he and his 
 wife endeavored to banish any feeling of self-reproach. 
 In their first meeting no suggestion of it intruded itself, 
 though the old hearty confidence was not restored. 
 
 Bernhard's remonstrances, due to Albrecht's restless 
 striving after power and his detention of Oda, had had 
 no other result than to produce a coolness between the 
 two brothers. In accordance with Bernhard's orders, their 
 allies had withdrawn from Falkenstein, and abandoned it 
 to the bishop, which the former feared would enrage 
 Albreeht when he should hear of it. 
 
 All this, and the quarrel with the fiery abbess, who 
 would be sure to try to revenge herself, weighed heavily 
 upon Bernhard, and this it was which hastened his steps 
 from Regenstein after the wedding. 
 
 At his departure, Poppo, Giinther, and Bock betook 
 themselves to the soldiers' quarters and joined them there 
 in a carouse, Albreeht and Oda remaining in the great hall 
 
300 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 with the abbot. They stood arm in arm before the fire- 
 place, watching its flickering flame. 
 
 Then the good old man, approaching them with affec- 
 tionate regards, began in a mild tone, "Hearken, my 
 children ; I have waited till we should be alone, to speak a 
 few words to you both. My hair was already gray when I 
 brought thee, Albrecht, a helpless babe, to the font at 
 thy christening. Thy whole life lies open before me. I 
 know thee better than thou dost know thyself ; and thy 
 maidenly spirit, Countess Oda, is no closed book to the 
 octogenarian. But as ye both knelt to-day at Siegfried's 
 tomb, the good God permitted me to look into your hearts 
 as I have never looked before. I saw pain and sorrow 
 therein, as well as anxious fear, lest God should not bless 
 this union, owing to him for whose rest ye prayed. I 
 know ye are both guiltless, and therefore may the Lord 
 release you from doubt and despondency, that in this 
 transitory world ye become not faint-hearted, but lead good 
 and happy lives here, with a joyful hope in a blessed 
 immortality. With this holy sign, I remove to-day and 
 forever what burdeneth your consciences, and pray for the 
 peace of the dead, the consolation of the living, and an 
 everlasting reunion in the world to come. Amen." 
 
 So spake the venerable abbot, making the sign of the 
 cross over Albrecht and Oda, who humbly bowed before 
 him. The former reverently pressed the old man's hand 
 to his lips ; then, with a glad heart, he fervently kissed 
 his beloved Oda. 
 
 On the third day after Jutta had sent her message to 
 the bishop of Halberstadt, he made his appearance at the 
 castle. The announcement of his arrival came to her 
 like a thunder-clap, to draw her from the apathy into 
 which she had fallen. 
 
 " Bid him welcome ! " she cried to her waiting- woman. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 301 
 
 She had taken the first step ; now there was no drawing 
 back. 
 
 The bishop entered, but not a feature in his impen- 
 etrable face betrayed his hopes. 
 
 " May the blessing of heaven be upon thee, noble lady," 
 he ejaculated, piously. 
 
 " Thy greeting soundeth as 'twere mockery," replied 
 she, bitterly. 
 
 '• One doth not jest with a bruised or broken heart," he 
 made answer. 
 
 " My heart is neither bruised nor broken, but full of 
 indignation and — " 
 
 4 ' Determination to be revenged," he interposed. ' ' That 
 I can well believe." 
 
 The abbess was silent, and pointed to a chair, while she 
 seated herself. 
 
 " We go back to just where we were when thou earnest 
 to Halberstadt," the bishop went on, " but with this great 
 difference : then I offered to avenge thy wrongs, and time 
 and opportunity were not wanting to bend the count to 
 thy will. But thou didst reject my proposal, and pre- 
 feredst to warn and protect him. Verily, thou hast done it 
 to good purpose ! Notwithstanding which, I haVe over- 
 come and delivered him, bound, into the hands of his 
 enemies." 
 
 11 Thou?" interrupted Jutta. 
 
 " Who else?" inquired the bishop. "Who began the 
 contest with him ? Who urged on his foes in Blankenburg 
 and Wernigerode? Who entered into an alliance with the 
 towns against him, and wakened the Count von Falken- 
 stein out of his sleep, and sent the Quedlinburgers a body 
 of horsemen at the right time, — the same who cnught 
 him in the morass? Whose counsel led to the tribunal of 
 nobles, and suggested the demand for the count's death? 
 
302 THE ROBBER COUtfT. 
 
 All this, my lady, have I done ! But it pleased thee to be 
 his guardian angel, to use th}~ eloquence on h : s behalf, 
 and to go, for his sake, to the Emperor. Thou hast every- 
 where crossed my path, and hast saved and freed our 
 enemy ; and what thanks hast thou for it?" 
 
 A heavy sigh escaped from Jutta. 
 
 u If thou hadst only saved him for thyself! Why 
 didst not thou insert a clause that he should be free only 
 in case thou becamest mistress of Regenstein?" 
 
 " Because I trusted him," replied the abbess, with inex- 
 pressible bitterness. 
 
 "Because thou didst trust him, and not me," added 
 the bishop. u I pray thee now, hath he given thee any 
 assurance of his love ? " 
 
 " None," she answered. 
 
 u And yet thou hast trusted him," said the bishop, sar- 
 donically. 
 
 " He assured me that he hoped Countess Oda would 
 marry his brother." 
 
 " But after he had fallen in the fight — " 
 
 M Fallen, Bishop Albrecht ! Count Albrecht sent him 
 to his death." 
 
 " Canst thou prove it? " asked the bishop. 
 
 11 From certain intimations of his brother Bernhard — " 
 
 The bishop shook his head. " A suspicion; nothing 
 more ! We cannot avail of this." 
 
 " Avail of what thou canst, but he must not enjoy his 
 happiness," cried the abbess. 
 
 " He hath paid dear for it, and it is too late to take it 
 from him. He hath escaped us, through thee, and will not 
 let himself be taken a second time." 
 
 " Paid dearly ! His power is undiminished ; his protec- 
 torate of the city weakened rather than strengthened him. 
 And belie vest thou that he will remain quiet? Thinkest 
 
TIIFl ROBBER COUNT. 303 
 
 thou he will leave thee in undisturbed possession of Falk- 
 enstein? No sooner will the spring come than he will 
 appear likewise. Doth he not know whom he hath to 
 thank for his downfall? Thou hast summed up the in- 
 juries thou hast done him ; believe me he hath also 
 summed them up ! Nor will he forgive thee for advocat- 
 ing the death penalty. He seeth in thee his deadly foe, 
 whom he will relentlessly pursue. Already he hath forced 
 thee to flee from thy episcopal seat, and he would gladly 
 hunt thee down beyond any Emperor's help. Thy life is 
 not save for an hour ! " 
 
 The bishop, leaning back in his chair, had listened 
 unmoved to this passionate appeal. Now he observed, 
 with a sinister smile, " Thy words are like music to me. 
 I had never dreamed that Countess Jutta von Kranichfeld 
 cared for my poor, worthless life. I thank thee, from my 
 heart, fair lady ! But how thinkest thou this danger is to 
 be averted ? " 
 
 She arose quickly, angered that he chose not to under- 
 stand her. 
 
 "If thou dost not know," she said, coldly, "how 
 should I ? " and she began to walk up and down. 
 
 The bishop arose also, approached her and said, " Speak 
 out, my lady ! What wouldst thou of me ? " 
 
 She met his glance, but hesitated a moment, then 
 answering, " Nothing ! " she moved away from him. 
 
 The bishop put his hand into the pocket of his violet 
 robe, drew out a paper, unfolded it and read with em- 
 phasis, " Call him to a reckoning, and revenge me!" 
 Then he looked at her pointedly. 
 
 " Give it to me ! " she cried quickly, stretching out her 
 hand. " Let me burn it ! It was a folly. All is changed 
 since the summer." 
 
 "In no wise, my lady ! " he said, smiling, putting back 
 
304 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 the paper into his pocket. " I am wholly at thy service, 
 but I must first hear thy commands." 
 
 She threw back her head, saying, " I have no commands 
 for thee ! Protect thyself as best thou canst ; no harm 
 will come to me." 
 
 " Count Albrecht hath something better to do now than 
 to think of injury " ; and the bishop added, to exasperate 
 Jutta, "He sitteth now with his young wife, kisseth 
 her fair cheeks, and relateth merry tales to make her 
 laugh — " 
 
 " Drive me not frantic ! " cried the abbess. 
 
 " What wouldst thou have me do, then? " he asked. 
 
 " He must not live ! " she exclaimed, involuntarily. 
 
 u Ah! Dost mean it?" said the bishop. "Thou 
 wishest his death ? " 
 
 " Hast thou not wished it?" 
 
 "Yea, through a. just sentence ; but now in his own 
 castle and in the arms of his wife — " 
 
 " Darest thou not do it? " she said, with scorn. 
 
 The bishop folded his arms, saying, calmly, " What dost 
 thou bid me do ? " 
 
 " Call him to account." 
 
 " Thou knowest the price ; wilt thou agree to it? " 
 
 She struggled with herself, while her breast heaved 
 painfully. 
 
 ik It is thy wish as well as mine," she stammered, trem- 
 bling. 
 
 Shall I have what I ask ? " he went on, resolutely. 
 Yea," she gasped, covering her face with her hands, 
 and shuddering. 
 
 He came close to her. " Seven years I have loved 
 thee, seven years hath my heart yearned for thee," he 
 whispered. " Now, at last ! At last ! " 
 
 She drew back, exclaiming, " Go! go ! " 
 
 
 tc 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 305 
 
 " Countess Jutta, when that is done which thou desir- 
 est, where shall we meet again ? " 
 
 " At Falkenstein," she whispered, with difficulty. 
 
 " Good ! I will send thee an escort." And the bishop 
 of Halberstadt left her. 
 
 The abbess gazed after him, fixedly. " When it is 
 done," she murmured. 
 
30G THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 Winter approached in all its might, heralding its com- 
 ing with stormy winds, frost, and sleet, and presently 
 subdued the whole land, holding it enchained in icy 
 fetters. The glittering band of snow which lay on the 
 summit of the Brocken became broader and broader, till 
 it covered the whole mountain, and finally stretched out 
 far and wide over the plain. Only Regenstein, whose 
 steep, rocky walls could not hold the snow, stood out 
 bald and gray, in the midst of the whiteness, as if too 
 proud to wear the tyrant's colors. 
 
 Within the castle, however, it was very different. 
 There were shelter, and ease, and comfort. 
 
 It was a happy time for Albrecht and Oda. Shut out 
 from the world, with none to intermeddle, they lived for 
 each other in a blissful solitude, which they enjoyed to 
 the full. 
 
 When the storm-winds ceased blustering, a peaceful 
 stillness reigned. Within the walls all was quiet ; only 
 in the smithy one heard at times the blows of the busy 
 hammer. 
 
 Mighty fires burned in the chimneys, and in Albrecht's 
 well-ordered room sat the happy pair, never tired of relat- 
 ing to one another their early experiences. The rough 
 soldier had become a tender husband, eager to perform 
 household service for his young wife, in the performance 
 of which his awkwardness caused them many a hearty 
 laugh. The glance of his eye and the sound of his voice 
 betokened perfect content and an almost childlike glad- 
 ness ; he seemed to think there was naught to do but sit 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 307 
 
 here in his lofty eyry, watchiDg over unci caressing his 
 bride. 
 
 As for Oda, she blossomed day by day, in the warm 
 sunshine of love ; for the pale lily had become a charming 
 woman, who filled her new place with gentle dignity, 
 never forgetting, in the midst of her love and admiration, 
 that she owed her paradise to the noble man who had placed 
 her where she was. Her only anxiety was lest she should 
 fail to satisfy him ; but Albrecht would kiss her brow, 
 draw her to him, and call her every dear name, until her 
 heart was fain to sing for joy, and he could feel its happy 
 pulsations as he embraced her. 
 
 Yet, she needed time to comprehend that she was 
 actually mistress here where she had so lately dwelt in 
 mild captivity, driven from her own home, and pining for 
 what seemed then an unattainable blessing. Many a 
 time a sudden horror would possess her, as she forgot for 
 the moment that she was not yet a prisoner, detained 
 here against her guardian's will, and that none had any 
 longer a right to snatch her from her Albrecht's side. 
 How often she recalled her first coming to the castle, and 
 standing in the hall trembling among so many men, with 
 her eyes appealing to Reginhild ! And again, her sor- 
 rowful departure, when the counts rode against Quedlin- 
 burg. At that time she was well-nigh convinced that she 
 should never revisit Regenstein, and yet had she become 
 its mistress, and every one, from its lord down to the 
 humblest scullion, strove to do her honor and service. 
 To celebrate the feast of yule-tide, Albrecht's brothers, 
 Ulrich, Poppo, and Giinther, came to Regenstein, Bock 
 von Schlanstedt and the abbot of Michaelstein making 
 part of the company ; and nothing interfered with their 
 festivities. When Bcrnhard saw how happy Oda made 
 his brother, his affection for her grew daily, and the old 
 
308 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 intimate relations between the two brothers were again 
 fully restored. 
 
 80 the eventful year, with its sorrows and its joys, 
 came to an end, and left the house of Regeiistein, not- 
 withstanding its losses, powerful and vigorous, and with 
 promise of continued prosperity for many a day. 
 
 Albrecht and Oda were soon left alone again, and 
 passed the last hours of the year beside their own fireside, 
 recalling their past joys and griefs, pleasing themselves 
 with pictures of the happiness which the future must 
 have in store for them. 
 
 The soldiers and servants of the castle held high revel in 
 their own quarters, Bock von Schlanstedt at their head. 
 The garrison was smaller than usual, for many of those 
 who had followed their lord to the- siege of Quedlinburg 
 had never returned, and during the winter no new men 
 were needed. It would be well enough in the early spring 
 to fill up the ranks, when it was time for hostilities to be 
 renewed. The " Wicked Seven " were no longer here, 
 for Gutdiinkel and Femrlein had fallen in battle, Bock 
 having only four of his chosen comrades left. The appel- 
 lation " wicked seven'' having therefore lost its signifi- 
 cance, Bock, in consideration of the five who were left, 
 including himself, ingeniously substituted the name of 
 " the rough hand " for the old one. 
 
 The knight was merry, for to-morrow, on New-Year's 
 day, he was t ) ask his lord's permission to formally woo 
 and wed Eilika. That he might have a clear head for this 
 serious affair, he had separated from the wassailers about 
 midnight, and betook himself to his rocky nook, in the 
 eastern end of the castle. 
 
 It was a clear winter's night ; the moon had risen, and 
 its light, with the reflection from the snow, made it bright 
 as day. Here and there little fleecy clouds floated over- 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 309 
 
 head. Dock slowly climbed the rocks, thinking of his 
 well-prepared speech for the morrow. He hoped to be 
 placed by the count, he and his wife, in charge of one of 
 his castles, though there was room enough and to spare 
 at Regenstein for the new couple. Full of these cheerful 
 thoughts, he stood looking idly about, when — merciful 
 Heaven ! What sees he ! There above upon the height, 
 something is slowly moving ; a white figure, plainly visible 
 against the sky, — the templar ! The templar appearing 
 thus the first night of the new year ! What danger, 
 what calamity to the house doth this not portend ? 
 
 The rough soldier shuddered and stood rooted to the 
 spot, his eyes fixed upon the apparition. Should he 
 mount the rocks, confront the spectre, and question it 
 boldly? Already his foot was upon the lowest step, when 
 he remembered that he was unarmed, and fearing to meet 
 the spirit without his usual dependence, his sword, he 
 remained motionless, holding his breath as if the slightest 
 sound would send away the ghostly visitant. It remained 
 for a long time upon the topmost height, appearing to 
 look intently upon a certain point in the landscape which 
 seemed to be in the direction of Derenburg. What 
 should be there ? Did the phantom behold a misfortune 
 coming thence to menace the Regensteins? At last it 
 glided slowly down the steps, its white mantle blending 
 with the snow, and on a sudden it vanished. 
 
 As Bock lay that night in his rocky hermitage, he was 
 tormented with frightful dreams, and it seemed that when 
 he went to his n: aster on the morrow, it would be with a 
 light enough head but a heavy heart. He asked himself 
 whether it were not now his duty to give up his marriage, 
 and devote his time and strength to his master. At any 
 rate, there was no longer any question of another abode 
 than Regenstein ; he determined to lose sight neither of 
 
310 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 him nor his lady. Should he tell the count of the tem- 
 plar's appearance? It cut him to the heart to overshadow 
 Count Albrecht' s happiness with his ominous news, and to 
 awaken within him the apprehension of an unknown 
 clanger lurking in the darkness, and ready to fall upon 
 him at any moment. Yet, after much pondering, he saw 
 that he must not conceal his sight of the apparition from 
 the count, who, forewarned, must be the better forearmed. 
 When he presented himself with his petition next morn- 
 ing, Albrecht gave his willing consent, and added, laugh- 
 ingly, u So she hath conquered the old veteran? Wed 
 her, in God's name ! Ye have my blessing. Thou shalt 
 choose thy dwelling, even if it should be the Lauenburg ! " 
 
 "Count Albrecht," said Bock, earnestly, "I shall not 
 leave Regenstein ; with thy permission, we will abide here." 
 
 u Thou wilt not, then, rule a castle," said the count in 
 surprise. " Why, Bock, I had taken thee to be more 
 ambitious ! " 
 
 u I cannot leave thee, Sir Count ; thou wilt need me ! " 
 
 " That shall I, in the spring, if we come to blows with 
 the bishop. We must force him to give up Falkenstein, 
 if he will not do it peaceably." 
 
 Bock shook his head. 
 
 " What aileth thee, Bock? " asked his master, looking 
 at him closely. " Thou dost not look like a glad bride- 
 groom." 
 
 '' Neither am I," answered Bock. " Count Albrecht, I 
 have ill news for thee ; the templar hath shown himself ! " 
 
 The count started from his seat. 
 
 ' ' The templar ! When ? " 
 
 " To-night, above there, on the rocks." 
 
 " Who hath seen him?" 
 
 "I myself," said Bock. "I saw him as I sought my 
 cell soon after midnight. If I had had 1113- sword, I would 
 have faced him." 
 
THE BOBBER COUNT. 311 
 
 " AVas thy head clear, Bock? ' 
 
 "As clear as it is this moment, and the night was as 
 light as day ! " 
 
 The count was silent, lost in moody thought. Finally, 
 he said, — 
 
 "After midnight, thou sayest ; it was thus upon the 
 threshold of the old and the new year ! Doth the vision 
 point to past or future ills?" 
 
 Bock shrugged his shoulders. 
 
 " It is said he is only heard or seen when evil is coming. 
 We heard him en that last evening before the siege of 
 Quedlinburg, and who knoweth that he did not appear to 
 forebode Count Siegfried's end ? " 
 
 " Thou tlrnkest, Bock, that the templar heralds my 
 death?" 
 
 " It may not be thine, Sir Count." 
 
 " Whose, then, Bock ? Not my beloved wife's ! " cried 
 the count. 
 
 "Thou hast other brothers," answered Bock. ""We 
 are all in the Lord's hand, but I dared not keep this thing 
 from thee." 
 
 "Thou art right, old friend; we must be upon our 
 guard. Tell no one what thou hast seen, — not even 
 Eilika. Dost thou hear? " 
 
 "No one shall know it, Sir Count," answered Bock, 
 putting his hand in his master's. 
 
 " Do not betray by any word or sign that we have 
 aught to fear," the count went on ; " act as if nothing had 
 chanced ; fit up thy dwelling here as suits thee, and tell me 
 when thou and Eilika will come together at the altar." 
 
 Bock nodded, and left the count's presence. But he 
 was no longer in the humor to go and in set phrase declare 
 himself Eilika's lover. lie could not rest, and wandered 
 about, now here, now there, without well knowing what he 
 
312 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 was about. More than once he met Eilika, who seemed 
 to-day to cross his path continually, and who cast upon 
 him many meaning glances. She had expected his offer 
 long ago, and felt sure of it on New-Year's day, and now, 
 as he showed no disposition to speak, she became more and 
 more gloomy. Bock, being invited to sit at his master's 
 table, found him, to his wonder and joy, cheerful and 
 almost gay, jesting in his usual manner, as if the news of 
 the templar's appearance had faded out of his mind. 
 
 "How goeth it, Bock?" he asked, jovially. " Hast 
 stormed the fortress yet? Is the drawbridge lowered? " 
 
 " I have not attempted it as yet, my lord," answered 
 Bock, confusedly. 
 
 "Wherefore delayest thou, thou bashful younker?" 
 laughed the count. " It is not our wont here to hold back 
 in fear, without laying hands upon good booty, whatever 
 it is." 
 
 " I wish thee courage, knight," said Oda, with a smile ; 
 " and if I am not deceived, thou wilt not encounter a 
 fierce resistance." 
 
 "If thou needest aid, Bock, thou hast but to speak," 
 added the count. "I am always on the weaker side." 
 
 When the meal was ended, the count and his lady left 
 the hall, while Bock remained, sunk in thought. 
 
 After a time Eilika entered, saying, " Knight, the 
 countess sendeth thee this cup of wine, and saith thou 
 needest it specially to-day ; she bade me sit with thee 
 whilst thou drinkest." 
 
 Then, at last, did the war-worn veteran rise to the 
 occasion. He carefully smoothed the wrinkles of his cinna- 
 mon-colored doublet, stroked his mustache, and ponder- 
 ously began : " Thou amiable maiden ! Fair flower on the 
 thorny pathway of life ! Star shining in my lonely sky. 
 The moment hath come to approach thee, courageously. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 313 
 
 I have made no secret of my ardent love, sweet mistress, 
 nor of my fervent desire to call thee my own. I therefore 
 bow the knee, as is befitting before the lady of my heart, 
 and pray thee, most worthy and excellent damsel, to 
 become a knight's honorable .wife ; to love me as I love 
 thee, and so to plight me thy troth." 
 
 Thereupon he knelt before her, stretched out his bony 
 hand, and, with his head on one side, looked at her with 
 his keen eye and an expression which he was fain to make 
 as languishing and fascinating as possible» His high-flown 
 phrases apparently met with approval, and when he brought 
 them to an end, Eilika took his hand, and, with downcast 
 eyes, as she thought becoming, answered, "I feel greatly 
 honored, Knight, by thy offer, and my heart can no longer 
 conceal its preference for thee. I will be thine in love 
 and service, body and soul, and honor, and obey thee as 
 my lord and master, with truth and constancy, till my 
 life's end." 
 
 " Now, I thank thee, beloved maiden," he said, with 
 renewed spirit. " May the holy saints grant thou never 
 regrettest this day. Give me now, I beg, a kiss as the 
 seal of our betrothal." 
 
 Then she kissed him, nothing loath, and he rose from 
 his knees and embraced her, joyfully. 
 
 " Thou art mine at last, Eilika ! Art thou right happy ? " 
 
 "Yea, my — but what shall I ca'l thee, my own?" 
 
 " What shalt thou call me? " 
 
 " I would say, what is thy baptismal name?" 
 
 He looked alarmed, and put his hand to his forehead. 
 " The devil take me ! " he cried ; " I have clean forgotten ! 
 I have not heard it for thirty years, and no man here 
 knoweth it ! " 
 
 " What sha'l we do, then ? " laughed Eilika. u I cannot 
 call thee Bock ; T must have thee christened again." 
 
314 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 " Nay, nay ; wait a moment ! " said he, searching his 
 memory. " I have somewhere an old breviary that my 
 mother sent me, — heaven rest her soul, — when she heard 
 that the Count von Regenstcin had taken me iuto his ser- 
 vice. She got a monk to write therein my name and a 
 pious sentence. Come, sweetheart, come with me to my 
 cell ; we will seek for it ; but — " Here he stopped sud- 
 denly, and looked at Eilika, " I cannot read." 
 
 ''I can!" she said, triumphantly, and they marched 
 slowly, arm in arm, to Bock's hermitage, as if calling 
 liea ven and earth to bear witness to their satisfaction. 
 When they reached Bock's nook, he said, " Wait here, 
 Eilika ! It is not befitting for thee to enter the chamber 
 of a bachelor ; I will fetch the book." 
 
 She smiled coyly, and paced up and down the snowy 
 earth till he reappeared, bringing the precious book. 
 
 li Here it is ! " he cried ; M now read me my name ! " 
 
 Eilika unclapsed the cover and searched. Then stand- 
 ing upon tiptoe, she threw her arms about his neck, 
 exclaiming, " Thy name is Benjamin ! " 
 
 u Benjamin? " he repeated, with much emphasis. " Yea, 
 that is right ! And the sentence ? " 
 
 a Oh ! That is Latin ; I understand it not. But come, 
 now, let us come to our lord and lady, dear Benjamin 
 Bock von Schlanstedt ! " 
 
THE ROBBEU COUNT. 315 
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 Never had Count Albrecht remained so long inactive in 
 his stronghold as during this winter, which lasted long, 
 and put his impatient spirit to the test. Oda, on the other 
 hand, was grateful for every flake of snow which helped 
 to keep her restless husband by her side, as her entreaties 
 alone might have failed in doing. She well knew that 
 when the spring came and the sunshine thawed the frozen 
 ways, Albrecht would don his harness once more and take 
 up arms, of which he already began to speak. All the 
 happiness which he now enjoyed could not keep him quiet ; 
 something forever urged him to add to his power and the 
 lustre of the family name. 
 
 Oda's inheritance was still in the hands of the bishop of 
 Halberstadt, the long winter having been favorable to the 
 latter, enabling him to spin out the negotiations relating 
 to Falkenstein in the most satisfactory manner to himself. 
 
 These negotiations were not carried on by Count 
 Albrecht, but by Count Burchard von Mansfeld, who 
 offered himself as intermediary. But Albrecht soon lost 
 patience, and declared to his friend that if no decision 
 were reached by spring, he would draw the sword, and thus 
 bring matters to a speedy issue. 
 
 As the season advanced, and the bishop still kept his 
 hold of the earldom, desirous, apparently, of avoiding 
 hostilities, nothwithstandiug his secret preparations, Count 
 Albrecht began to make ready to meet him in the field. 
 Oda did all that she could to dissuade him fi\,m putting 
 himself in peril for the sake of her inheritance. But her 
 
316 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 prayers were of no avail, though it must be confessed his 
 preparations proceeded but slowly. 
 
 Albrecht saw that this was to be the beginning of a 
 struggle which mint end in the overthrow of one or the 
 other contestants, and he resolved not to be rash i.or over- 
 hasty, as he had been at the time of the siege of Quecllin- 
 burg. He therefore made his arrangements with great 
 care, though this was not the cause of the unusual delay. 
 
 Count Albrecht was changed ; he seemed ill at ease, and 
 there was a hesitation and indecision about his orders 
 which led to the waste of valuable time, which he could 
 not rid himself of. Something seemed to paralyze his 
 will, and takeaway his self-confidence. It was not fear: 
 against that he was proof; and when he questioned himself, 
 he was obliged to confess that it was due to the appear- 
 ance of the templar. He was convinced that this had 
 reference to the coming contest, and that some terrible 
 thing threatened him, heralded by the uneasy spirit. All 
 was at last in readiness, but, deterred by his forebodings, 
 Count Albrecht lingered still, and such procrastination 
 might well prove serious, if nothing more. 
 
 Bock von Schlanstedt, now for some time the contented 
 husband of the happy Eilika , was under the same spell as 
 his master, although no further allusion was made by either 
 to the spectral appearance. He watched the count untir- 
 ingly, and when the latter rode, as he sometimes did, with 
 his shield-bearer, Schadow, to one or the other of his cas- 
 tles, Bock secretly followed him, ordering his four com- 
 rades to scour the neighborhood, to warn and aid the count 
 of any approaching danger. Albrecht was aware of his 
 presence, for Bock's big-boned steed was easily recogniz- 
 able, and he was pleased by this devotion, but neither the 
 count nor the others knew that he was being covertly 
 watched and tracked by hired spies. 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 217 
 
 At the end of a beautiful spring day, in the latter part 
 of May, Albrecht and Oda stood on the summit of Regen- 
 stein, gazing at the setting sun, and recalling the past and 
 the many talks they had had together on this very spot. 
 Albrecht looked g'"ave, as he drew his wife closer to him. 
 " Dost thou remember," she began, " how thou didst woo 
 me here, for thy brother Siegfried? Didst thou not love 
 me then thyself? " 
 
 u As much as I do now ! " he answered ; " but I had 
 given him my word, and hadst thou consented — " 
 
 " Nay, Albrecht, I could never have done so, though I 
 strove for a little to accustom myself to the thought. I 
 loved thee alone, and thy pleading for Siegfried cost me 
 many a bitter hour ! " 
 
 M Forgive me, Oda ! " he said, tenderly ; M but now we 
 are joined together, and nothing but death can separate 
 us." 
 
 " Speak not of death, Albrecht! Life is so beautiful. 
 Oh, I have a great dread of thy going forth to fight 
 again — " 
 
 " Thou art a soldier's wife," he answered. " And if I 
 return to thee victorious — " 
 
 '•If thou returnest!" bhe repeated, terrified. " The 
 bishop is a malignant foe, but he is not the worst. Fear- 
 est thou not the abbess's revenge ? " 
 
 " A woman's revenge ! " he cried, scornfully. " What 
 harm can a needle do an armed man ? " 
 
 "There is much in song and legend of woman's re- 
 venge," she continued. " Albrecht, art thou, then, so sure 
 of victory?" 
 
 " I was never before so well prepared as now." 
 
 " But yet I see a cloud on thy brow. Albrecht, give up 
 this conflict, in which so much is at stake, and which can 
 yield so little ! " She hung upon his neck, stroked his 
 
31S THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 hair, and looked at him so tenderly with her blue eyes, 
 that he was strangely moved. 
 
 He clasped her in his arms. " Foolish child ! " he said, 
 affectionately ; ' ' thou bluntest the edge of my sword with 
 thy witcheries. Must I peradventure some day cast down 
 my eyes, when a son of mine asketh me for his mother's 
 inheritance ? " 
 
 Oda hid her face on his breast, without answering. 
 
 " I will bring thee the keys of Falkenstein castle, my 
 Oda. Will not that please thee ? " 
 
 She shook her head, but not moving it from its resting- 
 place. Then suddenly she asked, ' ' Ridest thou not forth 
 to-morrow for news ? " 
 
 " Yea, to-morrow," he replied. 
 
 " Whither?" 
 
 " To Derenburg, and thence past Danstedt to Wester- 
 burg. I must furnish myself with more men, and look 
 after the horses." 
 
 " And with whom ? " 
 
 " With my Schadow" he replied, smiling; " but why 
 dost thou ask ? " 
 
 " Ah ! if I could go with thee," she sighed ; " my heart 
 is so heavy." 
 
 "I will be with thee at eve," he assured her, but he 
 felt himself oppressed in mind. Oda's words and trem- 
 bling anxiety unnerved him more than he cared to show. 
 
 They were silent for a little, each seeking to read the 
 other's heart. The rosy glow of sunset warmed Oda's 
 pale cheeks, and made Albrecht's locks gleam like gold, 
 whilst their shadows stretched out far behind them upon 
 the rocks. 
 
 " Behold how gorgeously the sun sinketh," said Albrecht ; 
 " it biddeth farewell to one more beautiful day, which will 
 never return." 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 319 
 
 " And the sun hath created its beauty, as thou hast 
 created my happiness, Albrecht. Thou art my sun. All 
 would be night, dark night, wert thou to leave me. I 
 tremble at the thought of bidding thee farewell." 
 
 "Let us say good by now," he said, seriously. 
 
 " Now? To-day? Albrecht, thou art not going out to 
 fight to-morrow." 
 
 11 Nay, my love ; but then might I steal away some 
 morning before thou awakest, and spare thee the pain of 
 a farewell." 
 
 "Albrecht, thy face looketh red, like blood ! " she cried 
 in affright. 
 
 u It is only the reflection of the setting sun," he said. 
 
 " The setting sun," she repeated, and began to sob 
 upon his breast. He tried to soothe her, and holding her 
 in his arms, he perceived that she shivered from head to 
 foot. 
 
 " Come," said he ; "it groweth cool here." 
 
 He led her carefully down the rocky steps, the sun 
 having now quite disappeared below the horizon. 
 
 Next morning Count Albrecht sent Bock with a message 
 to Benzingerode. As the latter saw Schadow saddling his 
 own and his master's horses, he asked, "Whither ride 
 ye to-day?" 
 
 " To Westerburg," answered Schadow. 
 
 Thereupon Bock ordered Rupfer and Springwolf to 
 follow the count slowly, without his knowledge, as far as 
 Derenburg, and to wait there till he joined them with 
 Nothnagel and Hasenbart. Then he rode off with the 
 two latter. 
 
 Count Albrecht was soon in the saddle, and on the way, 
 with Schadow, to Derenburg. It was a warm day, and he 
 wore only a light shirt of mail, without his usual quilted 
 buff coat. At Derenburg he was satisfied with what he 
 
320 THE BOBBER COUNT. 
 
 saw, and remained there but a short time, riding on, still 
 with his shield-bearer, toward Danstedt, in order to reach 
 Westerburg betimes. 
 
 As they trotted slowly along the hilly road, they saw 
 at a little distance a single horseman, apparently a 
 peasant, in a blue frock, riding in the same direction. 
 They paid no attention to him, and he soon passed out 
 of sight. 
 
 Suddenly, in a moment, near the hamlet of Danstedt, 
 a body of men in the bishop's colors fell upon them. 
 They rushed at Albrecht, with swords drawn, and their 
 leader, no other than Rudolf von Dorstadt, cried out, — 
 
 " Ha, Robber Count ! Dost thou remember the priest's 
 hireling ? " 
 
 Albrecht's sword flashed from its sheath like lightning, 
 and he fought like a lion with Von Dorstadt, whose men 
 meanwhile fell upon Schadow. The latter soon received 
 a blow from a mace, and fell from the saddle. Count 
 Albrecht was himself bleeding profusely from a wound 
 upon the head, and could scarcely see what he was doing. 
 Closely pressed on all sides, there was no chance of escape, 
 and while he was parrying a blow, Rudolf von Dorstadt 
 thrust his sword into his breast with such force that he 
 sank back with a groan, and fell heavily to the ground. 
 
 The murderers galloped away, exulting, leaving their 
 victims where they fell. One was alive ; the heart of the 
 other had ceased to beat. 
 
 Count Albrecht von Regensteiu was no more. 
 
 Bock, with his two companions, coming from Benzinge- 
 rode, met the other two near Derenburg, and riding 
 toward Danstedt, encountered on the way two riderless 
 horses, which they recognized as Count Albrecht's and 
 Schadow's. At once they began madly spurring their own 
 beasts, and following the prints of the hoofs, they soon 
 
THE BOBBER COUNT. 321 
 
 reached the fatal spot, and threw themselves headlong 
 from their sad lies. 
 
 "Dead! dead!" groaned Bock. " Just too late. He 
 is not e'en cold." 
 
 He threw himself in wild despair upon his master's 
 body, and only a stifled sob distinguished the living from 
 the dead. 
 
 " Schadow liveth ! " cried one of the men. And they 
 were all instantly beside him. He breathed feebly, and 
 after a little opened his eyes. 
 
 " Schadow ! " cried Bock, " dost thou hear? Canst thou 
 speak ? Who hath done this ? " 
 
 With great difficulty Schadow gasped, " Rudolf von 
 Dorstadt, Albrecht von Bodenteich, Albert von Semmen- 
 stedt — " 
 
 "Only three?" 
 
 " And their men. Is Count — " 
 
 " Dead, Schadow ; dead ! " cried Bock. 
 
 " Then I '11 not live ! " 
 
 The four rough men, familiar with death as they were, 
 stood looking on with dim eyes. Bock kneeled beside his 
 master's form, unconscious of aught else, and the tears 
 trickled down his weather-beaten cheeks. 
 
 At last Notlmagel touched his shoulder, saying, " We 
 must bring them home." 
 
 Bock nodded his head slowly, and answered, "Go, 
 get a wain ! " 
 
 Then rising, and turning toward Regenstein, he mut- 
 tered, " T was here the templar looked on New-Year's 
 night. He saw it all." 
 
 The men did not understand him. Three of them went 
 to the village, and returned soon with a rough farm wain, 
 in which they first laid the body of Count Albrecht. 
 When they raised Schadow, they saw that he, likewise, 
 
322 THE ROBBER CO TXT. 
 
 was dead. Then the mournful train slowly took its way 
 to Regen stein. Bock rode in front, the four others behind. 
 When they reached the castle, at noon, they almost ex- 
 pected to see the rocks crumble beneath their feet. Soon 
 the news was told, and nothing was heard but cries and 
 lamentation. Countess Oda at once fell into a death-like 
 swoon; and during the terrible hours which followed, a 
 son was born to her. Ursula and Eilika nursed them with 
 tender devotion, and she and the child both lived. 
 
 Three days later, Count Albrecht's remains lay beside 
 those of his brother Siegfried in the cloister of Michael- 
 stein. A storm of indignation swept through the country 
 at the news of this atrocious deed. The Count von Regen 
 stein dead! The sturdy oak fallen, which had shadowed 
 the land and sheltered the oppressed ! From all parts of 
 the Hartz, from Hackel and Huy, from the cities and vil- 
 lages, men looked toward Regenstein as if to assure them- 
 selves that its proud rocks still soared aloft, that it shared 
 not in its lord's downfall. Fingers were pointed at the 
 murderers, though all knew they were but the bishop's 
 tools. 
 
 Two days after the deed, it was known he had left 
 PetiTshof for one of his cast'es, probably Falkenstein. 
 Vainly he protested his innocence. No one believed him ; 
 moreover, he retained the murderers in his service. 
 
 On the evening of the fatal day, a messenger appeared 
 at the castle of Quedlinburg with a letter for the abbess. 
 It contained these words in Latin: "What thou hast 
 desired, is done ; I await my reward." 
 
 A triumphant light burned in Jutta's dark eyes. 
 
 " Dead, and she a widow ; I am avenged ! " 
 
 But in the night, as she tossed about, now in fitful 
 Bleep, now in long hours of wakefulness, conscience-stricken 
 and oppressed, she was beset b}* dreams and visions. 
 
THE IK > HUE 11 COUNT. 323 
 
 Count Albrecht came to her in the pride of manly beauty, 
 and stretching out his hand, said, " Come, my beloved! 
 Thou art mine ! " But when she seized it, behold, it was 
 icy cold ; blood trickled through his chain mail, and his 
 freezing glance pierced her soul, as he said, "Thou hast 
 torn me from the arms of my wife ; thou host slain me by 
 the hand of thy lover ; before God's throne will I accuse 
 thee.'* She awoke, trembling, and lay staring into the 
 darkness, with wide-open eyes. Then again, in half- 
 slumber, the bishop's youthful figure stood before her in 
 the princely dress of the high-born page at the Wartburg. 
 lie looked at her eagerly, and whispered, " What thou 
 hast wished, is done ; grant me my reward ; thou hast 
 given me thy word." Then he took her in his arms and 
 bore her away, and they seemed to float upon clouds, till 
 suddenly she fell lost in a fearful abyss, and again awoke 
 with a cry. Her head burned, and she seemed to feel it 
 throb with each pulsation of the blood ; wild, despairing 
 thoughts chased one another through her brain. It 
 seemed as if she would never sleep again. When morning 
 at last dawned, her resolution was taken ; after a bitter 
 struggle, she had determined upon her coarse. Yesterday 
 she was another woman. The nobly formed features now 
 wore an air of sternness; no smile hovered about the full 
 lips, and in her eyes was only an expression of rigid 
 determination. She had clothed herself in black. Alone 
 in her room, she wrote two letters: one to the bishop of 
 Halberstadt and one to the abbess of the Walbeck con- 
 vent, which belonged to that of (Juedlinburg, and was in 
 the earldom of Arnstein. Before she had finished the 
 second, the canoness entered the room, horror in every 
 feature of her face. 
 
 " Jutta ! " she exclaimed, ''prepare thyself to hear 
 frightful tidings ! Count Albrecht is slain ! " 
 
324 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 "I know it, Adelheid," answered the abbess, apathet- 
 ically. 
 
 " Tkouknowest it already?" said the other, in surprise. 
 k ' Ah ! I see ; thou wearest Mack, but whence — " 
 
 " Listen to me ; seek not to g .insay me ; it would be in 
 vain," said Jutta, calmly. " I am going away ; ask me not 
 whither. To the others, I shall say, ' To the Wartburjr, 
 where I have promised to visit the Landgravine.' Hedwig 
 will accompany me." 
 
 "But the escort—" 
 
 " I shall journey with an escort from the bishop, which 
 I look for in two days. Thou alone shalt know now that 
 I am not to return. 
 
 " Jutta ! What meanest thou ? " 
 
 ' ; It mcaneth — nay, not yet ! Leave me, Adelheid ! I 
 will not go without bidding thee farewell. Send Hedwig 
 to me ; I will see no one else." 
 
 The canoness cast a troubled look upon her friend, and 
 left the room. 
 
 Two days later the abbess and Hedwig von Hakeborn 
 left the castle with the bishop's men, but the road they 
 travelled did not lead to Thuringia. 
 
 Two or three weeks later Hedwig returned alone, telling 
 no one where she had been with the abbess, but brought with 
 her a letter from the latter, stating that Countess Jutta von 
 Kranichfeld resigned her office of abbess of Quedlinburg and 
 bade farewell to the chapter, having entered the convent of 
 Walbeck, there to pass the remainder of her days in prayer 
 and penance. She recommended, as her successor, the 
 Countess Luitgard von Stolberg, who was soon after 
 chosen abbess. With a natural desire for revenge, Al- 
 brecht's brothers, under Bernhard's lead, took up arms 
 against the bishop, having been promised the aid of the 
 Count of Mansfield. But their adversary was as strong 
 
THE ROBBER COUNT. 325 
 
 as they, and Count Albrecht was no longer at their head. 
 The bishop had pr longed his misleading negotiations and 
 avoided an open rupture, planning meanwhile to be rid of 
 the only man whom he feared. Now, therefore, he ven- 
 tured upon what he had never dared to do while Count 
 Albrecht lived : he gave up acting on the defensive, and 
 boldly attacked the Regensteins at every point. He took 
 Castle Gersdorf by storm ; invaded the earldom of Mans- 
 feld, and laid it waste with fire and sword ; marched north- 
 ward, seizing Emersleben and Schwanebeck, and at 
 length the hitherto impregnable fortress of Crottorf. 
 Then he demanded a cessation of hostilities. He had 
 attained his end, and acquired sovereign authority in 
 the Hartz country. No one dared to question it ; all 
 bowed before him, now that their chief and champion, 
 Albrecht von Regenstein, had departed. From the Oker 
 to the Bode and far into Swabia his rule extended, and 
 the principality of Halberstadt, founded by this wily and 
 warlike prelate, maintained its independence for three 
 centuries. 
 
 The ascendency of the house of Regenstein was de- 
 stroyed forever, but considerable possessions yet remained 
 to it, wisely and peacefully governed by Bernhard till the 
 majority of Albrecht's son. In him Countess Oda found 
 her great and only consolation. She never regained her 
 rightful inheritance of Falkenstein. Bock and Eilika 
 were faithful to her, and all the young count's instructions 
 in riding and handling his weapons were received from the 
 loyal old knight. 
 
 A long line of brave and vigorous men did honor to the 
 memory of their famous ancestor, Count Albrecht the Sec- 
 ond, who was called by his enemies " The Robber Count." 
 By this name he is known to this day in the speech and 
 tradition of his native land, and the traveller who visits 
 
326 THE ROBBER COUNT. 
 
 the castle of King Heinrich the Fowler, and looks thence 
 over the country, sees in the distance the precipitous 
 Regenstein, where yet stands the remains of the mighty 
 fortress, and directly beneath him is the old town of 
 Quedlinburg, upon whose walls stand the towers which 
 Count Albrecht was forced to build at his own cost. The 
 convent he protected was in existence at the beginning of 
 this century, until destroyed by Napoleon in 1803. It has 
 been ruled over by thirt} T -six abbesses and one provost, 
 Aurora von Konigsmark. The last abbess, Princess So- 
 phie Albertine, of Sweden, died in 1829, and an ancestor 
 of the writer of this historic tale held the same oil ice 
 under her that Master Willekin held during the sway of 
 the beautiful Jutta. 
 
 If the traveller passes out from the burying-place of 
 King Heinrich, his wife, and grand-daughter, the Abbess 
 Mathilde, through Jutta's portal, and descends the hill 
 over the "Fowler's Ground," he will soon come to the 
 stately old Town House. Here he is shown to-day " The 
 Robber Count's" prison cage, as well as his weapons, 
 hunting- pouch, spurs, and some of his letters ; and if he 
 should ask a Quedliuburg school-boy, " Can you tell me 
 who Albrecht von Regenstein was?" he would probably 
 be answered, with a smile, " Do you not know? Why, he 
 was « The Robber Count.' " 
 
The Salt Master of Luneburg 
 
 From the German of Julius Wolff. By \V. Henry and Elizabeth R. 
 Winslow. i2ino, cloth, $1.50. 
 
 In these days, so rife with labor troubles and the strained relations of employer 
 and employed, it is interesting to go back to the time when there was a complete 
 and complicated system of guilds, embracing nearly all trades, and carrying with it 
 the hierarchy of masters and apprentices. To such a period are we transported 
 by Julius Wolff's great novel Der Siil/meister, or " The Salt Master of Luneburg." 
 
 The scene is laid in the famous city of Luneburg, about the middle of the 
 fifteenth century, during the reign of Frederick III. The book overflows with 
 fascinating descriptions of the customs of the mediaeval city, of the Coopers and 
 Vintners, and Furriers and Shoemakers Guilds; through the whole run the silver 
 and golden threads of a double romance. There are many delightfully humorous 
 incidents, and here and there occur the lyric gems for which the author is noted. 
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS: 
 
 '•The mutual jealousies of the nobles and the burghers, and the encroachments 
 of the Papal Church are portrayed skilfully, while the picture of the common 
 daily habits and manners of various sorts of people is drawn with a realistic 
 vivacity and completeness worthy of high praise. High moral ideals are held up 
 also." — Boston Congregational ist. 
 
 "The characters are admirably drawn, and the novel altogether is full of 
 interest." — Charleston Sunday Neivs. 
 
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 book is the historical novel entitled ' The Salt Master.' " — Boston Home Journal. 
 
 " Of all the numerous novels that have recently been translated from the German 
 there is no one perhaps that deserves a wider circle of readers than • The Salt Master 
 of Luneburg.' " — Columbus State Journal. 
 
 " Never has a better picture of old town life been given to the world, and seldom 
 has an exact historical portrait such vivid and sustained interest." — Boston Com- 
 mercial Bulletin. 
 
 "The translators have evidently enjoyed their work, and, being expert writers, 
 they have made a fluent and graceful version of a very delightful, historical, and 
 social romance. No trace of German idioms can be detected in the whole book." — 
 Philadelphia Evening Bulletin. 
 
 " Withal there is a strong element of the romantic in the book, which entitles it 
 to high rank among the few historic novels." — San Francisco Chronicle. 
 
 " Students of the labor question, if they will condescend to so frivolous an occu- 
 pation as novel reading, might also derive advantage from a perusal of this volume, 
 which, with unquestioned fidelity, sets forth the aspects of an era when traaes union- 
 ism had attained a perfection altogether unknown to the modern world."— The 
 Beacon. 
 
 THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO., 
 
 46 EAST FOURTEENTH STREET - - - NEW YORK 
 
Sister Saint Sulpice 
 
 From the Spanish of Don Armando Palacio Valdes, author of" Maximina," " Mar- 
 quis of Pefialta," etc. By Nathan Haskell Dole. i2mo, 
 with portrait of author, $1.50 
 
 This piquant and delightful novel, though written by an avowed "realist," is a 
 prose idyl. The scene is laid for the most part in Southern Spain, and in Seville, 
 the picturesque and poetic capital of Andalusia, so full of Moorish traditions. The 
 heroine is a fascinating nun, not bound, however, by perpetual vows. Vivacious, 
 beautiful, passionate, spontaneous, and true. The book is full of color, and abounds 
 in charming descriptions and vivid scenes of high and low life. The story is pre- 
 ceded by Sefior Valdes's remarkable prologue concerning the art of the novelist. 
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS: 
 
 " It is a lively book, . . . the very red pepper and moonshine of passion and 
 romance." — Buffalo Express. 
 
 "Anybody who has read 'Maximina' will be likely to welcome another book 
 by the same author, and in ' Sister Saint Sulpice ' it will be found that the vivacious 
 Spanish romancer, Don Armando Palacio Valdes, has not lost his charm. His ver- 
 satility, sprightliness, and photographic knack make exceedingly good company of 
 him. . . . We have exquisite love-making, some pathos, and no end of fun. . . . 
 The new story is admirably translated." — New York Sun. 
 
 " There is not an uninteresting page in the book." — San Francisco Morning 
 Call. 
 
 " The art of Valdes is derived from study of the best models. ... It is defined 
 importantly in an essay which forms a prologue to this story." — Boston Globe. 
 
 "There is a realistic power in his descriptions that is very fascinating, because 
 of their naturalness and their entire freedom from that brutal realism in which so 
 many of his French neighbors of the Zola School delight to revel. With his pic- 
 tures of social life so brightly and vivaciously drawn, the reader is, almost without 
 exception, attracted, instead of being repelled and often disgusted." — Boston 
 Home journal. 
 
 " The plot in itself is trifling, but it serves as a wall on which to hang a series 
 of wonderful pictures of daily life in the streets, the cigar factories, the tenements, 
 the palaces of old Spain." — Boston Commercial Bulletin. 
 
 " A capital story through the medium of Nathan Haskell Dole's clear, strong 
 translation." — Buffalo Express. 
 
 " One is never conscious of a paucity of incident, so incessant is the lively 
 dialogue and so vivid the glimpses of Spanish life." — Philadelphia Press. 
 
 "The story attains the very spirit of the pleasure-loving people of Seville. 
 The manners and customs of the people are transcribed as perfectly as their 
 actions in the course of the story. All is sunshine, love, and abandon." — Boston 
 Journal . 
 
 THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO., 
 46 EAST FOURTEENTH STREET - - - NEW YORK 
 
T. Y. CROW ELL & CO.'S N EW BOOKS. 
 
 1 THE FOUNDING OF THE GERMAN EMPIRE BY WILLIAM I. Translated 
 
 from the German of Heinrich von Sybel by Professor Marshall Living- 
 stone Perrin, of the Boston University. 5 volumes. Svo. Cloth, $10.00. 
 Half Morocco, $15.00. 
 
 This work, on the publication of the first volume, was instantly recognized by 
 the German critics as a masterpiece of historical writing; at the same time, its 
 genuine popularity was attested by the fact that an edition of fifty thousand 
 copies was almost immediately exhausted. It is a calm, but at the same time 
 brilliant and complete portrayal of the most portentous creation of modern 
 times. The present edition is translated by Professor Perrin, whose scholarly 
 accuracy and care are visible on every page. It is in five volumes, illustrated 
 with portraits of Wilhelm I., Bismarck, Von Moltke, Friedrich, and the present 
 Emperor. 
 
 2 JANE EYRE. By Charlotte Bronte. With 4S illustrations, engraved by 
 
 Andrew. Carefully printed from beautiful type on superior calendered paper. 
 2 volumes. i2mo. Cloth, gilt top, boxed, $5.00. Half calf, $9.00. Edition de 
 luxe, limited to 250 numbered copies, large paper, Japan proofs mounted, $10.00. 
 Jane Eyre is one of the books which seem destined to live. Its original and 
 vivid style, its life-like and powerful plot, its tremendous moral purport (once 
 misunderstood, but now recognized) make it one of the most absorbing novels 
 ever written. The present illustrated edition is as perfect as will ever be pro* 
 duced. Press-work, paper, illustrations, and binding combine into a whole thai 
 is a delight to the eye and a cynosure for a library. 
 
 3 THE PORTABLE COMMENTARY. By Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown. 
 
 2 volumes. Crown Svo. Cloth, $4.00. 
 
 This convenient manual has a world-wide reputation as the best book of its 
 kind in the English language. It is full, yet concise, easily understood, clear in 
 tvpe, convenient in size; a work that should be in the hands of every student of 
 tlie Bible. 
 
 4 THE NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN COIGNET, Soldier of the Empire, 1776- 
 
 1850. An autobiographical account of one of Napoleon's Body Guard, b ully 
 illustrated. i2mo. Half leather, $2.50. Half calf, $5.00. 
 
 The Recollections of Captain Coignet, perfectly authenticated, come to us like 
 a voice from those mighty masses who under Napoleon made Europe tremble 
 almost a hundred years ago. It is the record of the daily doings of a private 
 soldier, who fought in many great campaigns. They are marked by quaint frank- 
 ness and na'iveti, an honest noastfulness thoroughly Gallic, and a keen sense ol 
 the picturesque value of truth. Nothing like these memoirs has ever been pub- 
 lished. They are original, shrewd, clever, and they make the Napoleonic days 
 live again. 
 
 5 BRAMPTON SKETCHES of Old New-England Life. By Mrs. Mary B. 
 
 Claflin. Illustrated. i6mo. Unique binding. $1.25. 
 
 The old New England life is rapidly fading, not only from existence, but even 
 from the memory of people. It is therefore well that those who were in touch 
 with the best elements of this quaint and homely life should put to paper ami 
 perpetuate its traditions and half-forgotten memories. This Mrs. Claflin has 
 done for the town of Hopkinton, where her parents lived, and Brampton Sketches 
 stand out as a truthful record of a peculiarly interesting provincial town. 
 
 6 GOLD NAILS tO Hang Memories On. A rhyming review, under their Christian 
 
 names, of old acquaintances in history, literature, and friendship. By Eli/a- 
 uk rn A. Allen. Svo, gilt edges. $2.50. 
 
 This is the most original autograph book ever published. It aims to give a 
 history and record of the more or less familiar Christian names, and at the same 
 time to commemorate the most familiar and famous men and women who have 
 borne them. The book, therefore, has not only an interest ot its own, but is 
 distinctively educational. Spaces arc left on each page for autographs. 
 
 7 REAL HAPPENINGS. By Mrs. Mary B. Claflin. i2mo, booklet style. 30c. 
 
 Under the above attractive title, Mrs. Claflin has collected, into a little volume 
 of less than fifty pages, five simple unaffected stories from actual life. They are 
 all pleasantly told, and are filled with a warm feeling of love and humanity. 
 
 THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO,, Publishers, New York, 
 
NEW BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 
 
 1 TOM BROWN'S SCHOOL DAYS 
 
 By Thomas Hughes. With 53 illustrations engraved by Andrew, carefully 
 
 printed from _ beautiful type on calendered paper. i2mo, cloth, $2.00; full gilt, 
 
 $2.50. Edition de luxe, limited to 250 numbered copies, large paper, Japan 
 
 proofs mounted, $5.00. 
 
 Praise or comment on this classic would be a work of supererogation. Everv 
 
 parent sooner or later puts it in his children's hands. We can only say that the 
 
 present edition is by all odds the best that has ever been offered to the American 
 
 public. Printed from large type, well illustrated, and handsomely bound, it makes 
 
 a book worthy of any library. . 
 
 2 FAMOUS EUROPEAN ARTISTS. 
 
 By Mrs. Sarah K. Bolton, author of " Poor Boys Who Became Famous," 
 
 etc. With portraits of Raphael, Titian, Landseer, Reynolds, Rubens, Turner, 
 
 and others. 121110, $1.50. 
 
 In this Jiandsome volume, Mrs. Bolton relates sympathetically, and with her usual 
 
 skill in seizing upon salient points, the lives of Sir Joshua Reynolds, Turner, and 
 
 other artists, whose names are household words. The sketches are accompanied by 
 
 excellent portraits. 
 
 3 FAMOUS ENGLISH AUTHORS OF THE 19th 
 
 CENTURY. 
 
 By Mrs. Sarah K. Bolton, author of " Poor Boys Who Became Famous," 
 
 etc. With portraits of Scott, Burns, Carlyle, Dickens, Tennyson, Robert 
 
 Browning, etc. i2mo, $1.50. 
 
 During a recent visit abroad, Mrs. Bolton had the opportunity of visiting many of 
 
 the scenes made memorable by the residence or writings of the best known English 
 
 authors, and the incidents which she was thus enabled to invest with a personal 
 
 interest, she has woven into the sketches of Tennyson, Ruskin, Browning, and the 
 
 other authors of whom she writes. These two companion volumes are among the 
 
 best of the famous " Famous " Series. 
 
 4 GOSPEL STORIES. 
 
 Translated from the Russian of Count L. N. Tolstoi by Nathan Haskell 
 Dole. i2mo, $1.25. 
 Count Tolstoi's short sketches of Russian life, inspired generally by some pregnant 
 text of Scripture and written for the masses, perhaps even more than his longer 
 works show the man's real greatness. Sixteen of these, selected from various publi- 
 cations, arc here presented in a neat and attractive volume. 
 
 5 PHILIP, or What May Have Been 
 
 A story of the First Century. By Mary C. Cutler. i2mo, $1.25. 
 An ;ippreciative notice of this story contains the following words : — " Reverence, 
 accuracy, a chastened feeling of perfect sincerity, pervade this book. . . . We have 
 nail ii through, and can confidently recommend it as in every way fitted to give the 
 old familiar facts of the gospel history a new interest." 
 
 6 HALF A DOZEN BOYS. 
 
 Bv Annie Chapin Rav. i2mo, illustrated, $1.25. 
 This is a genuine story of boy life. The six heroes are capital fellows, such as 
 any healthy lad, or girl either for that matter, will feel heart warm toward. The 
 simple incidents and amusements of the village where they live are invested with 
 a peculiar charm through the hearty and sympathetic style in which the book is 
 written. It is a book quite worthy of Miss Alcott's pen. 
 
 For sale by all booksellers. 
 
 THOMAS Y. CEOWELL & CO., Publishers, New York, 
 
16 4 4 7 
 
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