The stars shone bright above the opposite hills and sparkled in the river below. A little breeze whispered in the branches of the poplars; it was as though the trees talked together. A strange feeling of expectation was in the air; could it be only that he was looking upon this spot for the last time? Something moved beside him in the shadow—he turned, and saw that a tall white figure stood beneath the poplar-trees. He strained his eyes through the dark—surely he could not be mistaken, it was the maiden he loved and was leaving for ever.
“Adelheid,” he called almost in spite of himself, “is it thou? Then bid me farewell.”
Yet even now she would sometimes draw apart from her young companions, as they paced the gardens or terrace together.
The figure moved, as though making a sign of assent, and beckoning with her hand, glided on under the trees. He followed, scarcely knowing what he did. Onward along the winding paths the figure hurried, and now came out upon the open space before the castle, where stood the old well, overshadowed by a spreading lime-tree. Here the light from the windows fell in patches upon the flags; and before Bernhard had time to reach the fleeting white form, he saw it cross the streaks of light, and with a quick movement, spring upon the worn stone margin of the well. He dashed forward, but too late. With a despairing wave of the white hands, the figure had plunged into the deeps below.
Bernhard stood for an instant motionless with horror; then he roused himself and rushed toward the castle, raising an alarm. “Help, help!” he cried; “the Lady Adelheid ... the well!” His tongue refused to utter anything more; he stood gasping, and clinging to the pillars of the gateway, while a horrible sense of remorse and hopeless desolation began to stir in his heart. In the castle all was dismay and confusion; in an instant the knights and serving-men flocked out with torches, ropes, and ladders. The cries of Adelheid’s mother rose above the shouts of the men, and from the woods beyond the terrace came trooping the band of white-robed maidens.
“What is it?” asked one and another as they hurried along.
“Adelheid,” was the answer, “Adelheid has fallen down the well.”
“Adelheid!” repeated the maidens in astonishment. “Nay, she has been with us, yonder; she does but linger behind.”