“Did the marriage turn out so badly?”
“No; I believe they lived happily ever after; but the ascent was so cliff-like that mountain sprites are supposed to have given their assistance.”
“How much farther is Assmannshausen?”
“Less than two leagues. We will stop there and refresh ourselves. Are you tired?”
“Oh no; not in the least. I merely wish the ordeal was past.”
“You are a brave girl, Hildegunde.”
“I am anything but that, Guardian. Still, do not fear I shall flinch.”
After partaking of the midday meal at Assmannshausen, the Countess proposed that they should leave their horses in the stable, and walk the short third of a league to Ehrenfels, and to this her guardian agreed.
He found more difficulty with the custodian than had been expected. The man objected, trembling. Without a written order from his master he dare not allow any one to visit the prisoner. He would be delighted to oblige his Lordship of Cologne, but he was merely a poor wretch who had no option in the matter.
“Very well,” said Cologne. “I have just come from your master, who is stopping with my brother Treves at Stolzenfels. If you persist I must then request lodgings from you until such time as a speedy messenger can bring your master hither. This journey may cause him great inconvenience, and should such be the case, I fear you will fare ill with him.”