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Theodulf, a proud man of the Prince's retinue, pushed his hands stiffly among the rushes, and said over his shoulder to the stranger: "He who is wont to beg for a stranger's dress shold not stand idle when better men are using their hands."

Ingo looked frowningly at the speaker, a tall soldier-like figure, broad-chested, with a long scar on his cheek, who returned the look of the stranger with equal defiance. At the eyes of the one was kindled the anger of the other, till the looks of both opponents darted flames at one another. But Ingo, with great self-control, restrained his wrath, and turning his back, answered: "If thou hadst spoken kindly, I should willingly have followed thy suggestion."

But the watchman whispered to him: "Take care not to irritate him; he is a cross-grained fellow, who gladly gets into a quarrel; he is related to the Princess, and he does not serve as we do, for he is of noble race, has only engaged himself for a time, and will some day succeed to the rich inheritance of his father. No wonder that the rushes prick him when he is obliged to carry them."

"He who serves must carry," replied Ingo, moodily.

The maidens also took notice of the festal dress of the stranger.

"See, my lady, how proudly the stranger steps in the doublet bestowed upon him by the Princess," said Frida to Irmgard.

"A gallant spirit ennobles the meanest dress," replied Irmgard.

"Mean!" exclaimed Frida; "the jacket is of the best cloth from our chest; I must know it, for I myself stitched it. It is singular that the Princess should have bestowed it upon a traveler!"

"But he is truly no common man," answered Irmgard.

"That I think also," assented Frida inquisitively, "for I observed a little while ago the Princess accosting him in the house when he came in her way; on both sides it was a princely greeting. She smiled on him, and laid her hand on his dress, as if he were an intimate member of her kindred."

"When the stranger yesterday evening approached the hearth round which the men were assembled," replied Irmgard, "my father, who before had been carelessly joking with the menials, on seeing the stranger, changed his demeanor, and rose from his seat as if to meet him, though he did not, however, do it; yet from that moment his manner was stately, and the meal as quiet as if a messenger from the King's court were sitting at the Princes's table."

"The stranger also," continued Frida, eagerly, "walked with dignity up to the Prince, as though he would take his place by the seat of honor, and one of the boys had to draw him back by the jacket to his place, that he might not be forgetful of proper respect."

"I saw it," added Irmgard, with a nod; "he smiled at it;" and she smiled herself at the recollection.

"Yet he sits quite low down on the bench," exclaimed Frida; "and now that witty Wolf has begun again to stir his great tongue, he has to listen to all the wisdom of the boys."

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