"It did seem to me that I heard the gallop of two horses—"
"My sister wished to run ahead of me; but I struck her horse on the head with my whip. The frightened animal bolted to one side, carrying Hildrude along. She was angry and uttered a cry of rage."
"Perhaps she runs some danger!"
"No, my sister will be able to master her horse. But as the mist is very thick, she will not be able to meet us again. I am so happy about that!"
Vortigern felt on the rack. Nevertheless, an ineffable sense of joy mingled with his agony. Anew the two children remained silent, and again the daughter of the Emperor of the Franks was the one to break the silence:
"Thou dost not speak—art thou annoyed that I have joined thee?"
"Oh, no, lovely princess—"
"Perhaps thou thinkest me wicked because I struck my sister's horse? When I saw her striving to pass me, I no longer could control myself."
"I hope that no ill may have befallen your sister."