With a wild stare he looked around him, as if he saw ghosts everywhere. Manna held his hand more firmly; he became more tranquil; nay, he even smiled thankfully.
Griffin came bounding along just at this moment; he was overjoyed to see his young master once more, and jumped up on him again and again. Roland caressed him and said:—
"Yes, dear Griffin, when I had lost and forgotten you, then you found your way home. Ah, dear Griffin, don't you know a way home for me now? I am not your master, I am nothing."
The dog seemed to understand Roland's sad looks and words; he looked up at him so affectionately, as if he wanted to say:—Ah! do not pine thy young life away.
Brother and sister stood side by side on the bank of the Rhine. Roland exclaimed,—
"I see my face in the water, sister, there is no brand upon my forehead—no brand—and still-—-"
He wept bitterly, for the first time.
"Come, let us go on," said Manna consolingly.
"On, on! Yes, our path is long, unendingly long," rejoined Roland, as he allowed himself to be led away by his sister.
They entered the courtyard of the villa. The servants were slowly leading away the horses with their blankets on.