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In her chamber stood Gundrun, the Princess, holding both halves of the gold piece together. "Here are two ears from one stalk," she exclaimed to her husband; "what thou sentest me is King Ingbert's token."

"And he who kneels to thee, Princess," said the stranger, "is Ingo, son of King Ingbert."

A long silence followed this declaration. The lady looked shyly at the proud warrior, and on the noble countenance of the princely form, and bending low, greeted him, but the Prince exclaimed anxiously:

"Often have I wished to see the countenance of the hospitable friend, the illustrious hero of the race of the gods; my father has told me of the costly household and the powerful followers in shining armor. But far otherwise have the higher powers ordained our meeting. In the dress of a wanderer as a stranger suing for hospitality, I behold the great King, and fear is in my heart. The hour in which I behold thy face portends good. Yet methinks I show thee most honorably my trust."

"I do not come to thee and the Princess as a fortunate one," said Ingo, seriously; "I am a fugitive, and I will not by concealing my fate creep under thy protection. I am driven from my father's home by my own uncle, who, after my father's death, took the throne from his boy. Trusty friends carefully concealed me till I grew to man's estate; danger is my lot; the King's messengers have followed me from nation to nation; they offer presents, and demand my person. With a small body of faithful followers I fought with the Allemanns; their great kings were gracious to me; on the day of battle I led a troop of their people. Now Cæsar, proud of victory, seeks for him who would not submit barefooted. His power reaches to the castles of kings. I saw the messengers of thy neighbors, the Catts, riding to the Rhine, with tokens of peace, and I have therefore gone secretly six days and nights along the path of the wolves through their country: it was marvelous that I escaped them. It was fitting that thou shouldst know this before thou sayest, 'Be welcome, Ingo.'"

The host looked uncertain, and sought the eyes of his wife, who sat in her chair looking down. "What is honorable, and what my oath demands of me, that will I do," said Prince Answald at last, and the clouds passed from his brow. "Be welcome, Ingo, son of a king."

"Thou displayest a noble mind, Hero," began the Princess, "since thou dreadest to bring danger to the dwelling of thy hospitable friend. But it befits us to consider how we can at the same time show fidelity to thee, and guard our dwellings from danger. Far sounds the name of a king through the country, and many enemies lurk round a hero that is bereft of a crown; thou thyself hast painfully experienced it. Therefore I think that only caution can help thee and us to safety. And if I may venture to give thee my husband an honest opinion, it appears to me it would be well that thy guest should remain unknown in thy house, and that none should be made aware of his arrival but thou and I alone."

"Shall I conceal a worthy guest in my own house?" exclaimed the host, displeased; "I am no servant of the Cæsars nor of the Catts."

"But the King of Thuringia also likes to eat his repast from the golden dishes which have been prepared by Roman art," continued his wife; "beware of awakening the King's suspicions."

The guest stood immovable, and in vain did the Princess try to ascertain his opinion.

"It is difficult to conceal noble blood in a servitor's dress," objected Prince Answald.

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