Very fair and happy the princess looked as she came slowly down the palace steps. When the people saw her, a glad cry of welcome arose. In her soft bridal robe and with her fair hair floating about her, she looked as beautiful as an angel.
At the door of the church Elsa was met by the knight, who was to lead her to the altar. As they moved slowly through the church, the wedding march was heard from the great organ.
When the marriage was over, the day was spent in feasting and merrymaking. It was not until twilight that Elsa and the knight were alone. By an open window they sat, talking in low tones. After some time Elsa grew sad and silent. She heeded not the words of the knight. She forgot the promise she had made and begged he would at least tell her his name.
"My name sounds so sweet from your lips," she said. "May I never have the pleasure of speaking yours?"
"Ah, Elsa," said the knight, sorrowfully, "speak not of this. Let us talk of other things."
"It is because you do not trust me, that you will not tell me," she said. "You think your secret would not be safe with me."
In vain the knight tried to soothe the troubled princess. He begged her to remember her promise, but she would not listen to his pleading.
Theodore Pixis
ORTRUD AND ELSA