The king's brows met in a stern frown.
"That we shall soon see, woman," he said. "Liutrad, put this hag from the hearth."
"I, lord king!" muttered the young giant, and his ruddy face whitened. But then, crossing himself, he advanced resolutely upon the dreaded alruna. None the less, his relief was plain to be seen when the Wend woman rose and withdrew to the far end of the hut, without waiting to be forced.
Then at last, as the shivering guests crowded about the fire, Fastrada found her tongue. Springing forward, she threw herself at Hildegarde's feet, and loudly protested her delight: "My gracious dame--sweet queen! You're safe! safe! and the bairns and the little maiden--all alike have escaped the cruel--the cruel storm!"
"And the wolf-pack!" rejoined Pepin, proudly.
"Holy Mother!--wolves?"
"Nor was aid sent us, maiden," said Karl, sternly.
Fastrada half rose, and flung out her hands.
"Forgive me, sire!" she murmured. "I, too, was lost; I, too, wandered in the storm. Only a little while since I came upon this unholy den. Blessed be the saints who brought you to end my fears!"
"Why fears, maiden? Should any mother, however much a witch, harm her own child?"