The Knight was growing anxious; he was afraid that something had gone wrong, when, one afternoon, a light waggon, the horses which drew it covered with foam, drove up to the gate of the Castle. Over the drawbridge it dashed, for the porter did not hesitate to admit it, and a venerable-looking old gentleman, habited as a merchant, descending, handed out two young girls in peasants’ dresses. The Knight caught sight of the waggon, and hurrying down, one of the girls was soon in his arms.
“My own Ava! My pet little bird, and you have escaped from your cage! Welcome—welcome home, and praised be God who has given me this great blessing!” he exclaimed, again and again kissing her cheek.
His child wept as she hung on the old man’s neck. While this was taking place, the other young lady looked about very much astonished and frightened, though there was nothing particularly to frighten her, and the grave merchant was doing his best to reassure her.
“Well done, Eric, my boy—well done, Albert von Otten!” exclaimed the Knight, when he could bring himself to turn his attention for a moment from his recovered daughter.
“Oh! thank Albert, father; it was he thought of the plan; he designed the whole of it. I merely acted the part he selected for me,” answered Eric.
“I thank him heartily, then; for very well done it has been, and you have both my eternal gratitude,” said the Knight. “And this young lady, I conclude that she helped you in the undertaking?”
“No; it was they helped me to run away, as Ava did not like to go alone, and she promised me an asylum under your roof.”
“And you shall have it, if the Pope and all the cardinals were to come and demand you. They shall pull the walls down before I will give you up. And now tell me who you are, my dear fraülein?”
“I am Beatrice von Reichenau, of Swabia. My father, Count von Reichenau, and my mother decline to receive me, and yet they love me, I am sure; but, alas! they little know the horrors of the life to which they had devoted me.”
“Better times will come, my sweet fraülein!” said the Knight, who just then saw everything in a bright light.