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"I would rather borrow from thee than from any other," replied Ingo; "but thou knowest a warrior does not go to battle without gold. What Berthar handed over to me on that day when I lost him, that I still conceal in my dress, in order that my body should not lie lonely on the heath; for any one finding the gold on me would in gratitude esteem me worthy of honorable burial."

"Then, Hero, think also prudently of the living; and if I may venture to advise thee, give of it to the maiden Frida; for they whisper in the house, that she tore off a silver bell for thee in order to please her mistress; and bestow something on Wolf, thy chamberlain, that he may not be despised by the others because he serves a poor master. Do not be angry that I speak to thee as a trusty friend; but he who is accustomed to receive favor knows well how to win it."

Ingo reached his hand to him, laughing. "It is only to thee that I offer nothing," he said; "for I willingly remain in thy debt."

"And I in thine, so long as I breathe," said Volkmar; then greeting him, respectfully bowed as he left the threshold.

Ingo followed the advice of his trusty friend. As he placed two gold pieces, on which the picture of the great Roman emperor Constantine was to be seen, in the hands of his chamberlain, he observed, by the happy face of the man and his warm thanks, how valuable such a thing was among the forest folk. After the repast, he, in the presence of all, stepped up to Irmgard, and said:

"Thy companion Frida, has, with the silver she gave to the juggler, procured for me good tidings; gladly would I show my gratitude toher, and I beg of thee, noble maiden, to give back by these coins her gift."

Then the foreign gold passed from hand to hand among the women; the Prince and all those who had a kindly feeling for him rejoiced that the guest had comported himself as became his dignity, and Ingo remarked, from the sudden zeal of the men, that their goodwill became more activesince they could hope for something good for themselves.

But Ingo sought for a gift for her who was dear to him. As Irmgard was standing under the elder bush near the court, he stepped hastily toward her; she heard his steps, but did not turn round, so that no one could perceive the joy on her countenance. Thus, turned away from the others, their eyes met; and this time neither of them heard the night songstress, which upon a branch was mournfully telling her children of her departure. Ingo began speaking in a low tone.

"Once upon a time, Schwanhild, the ancestress of my family, flew in the feather dress of a swan over the earth; since then the last wing-feathers of the swan have been the holy token which the men and women of my race bear on their helmets and frontlets, when they are festively adorned. We endeavor to rob living birds of their feathers; for to kill a swan is a crime among my people. Today I have succeeded in gaining this ornament. To thee, friend, I offer it, if thou wilt accept and keep it. On the quill I have scratched the mark whereby I denote what is mine."

Irmgard was frightened; she guessed that he offered her through the feathers what he dared not say in words, and she asked uncertainly, "How shall that be mine which is thine?"

The man answered with deep emotion, "I only love life because I know a noble maiden who will at some time bear this token on her head before all the world." And he again held the ornament to her. Then Irmgard took the feather, and concealed it in her dress. His hand just slightly touched hers, but she felt the touch in her inmost heart.

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