Alfaleith.org

"Be silent, thou stubborn one," answered the mother, angrily; "too long has the Prince's will kept thee at home; it is time that thy haughty spirit should be controlled by marriage."

As the Princess left the room, Irmgard stood with looks transfixed, holding her hands clasped closely together.

"The Princess speaks harshly to the maidens," began Frida, entering; "in the milk-cellar the cream is turned."

"She is severe also against others," answered Irmgard, with difficulty striving for words. "Be thou true to me, for I have no one whom I can trust but thee, if thou hast courage to bear the displeasure of the Princess."

"I am a free woman; and I have promised to be a companion to thee, not to the mistress of the house; and for thy sake I remain in the Prince's house, although my father desires to have me at home. Many a time have we overcome the anger of the Princess, as, believe me, we shall also do now, concerning what afflicts thee."

"My mother has become angry with our guest, to whom at first she was so kindly disposed, and I fear he will not be properly cared for; as when the mistress does not gie directions the maidens are careless."

"Thou mayest be free from anxiety, as young Wolf is his chamberlain. If I gave the boy permission, he would tell me more of his master than we wish to hear."

"Let me hear everything," said Irmgard; "for it is well to know what guests need."

"And we shall learn easily from one to another," cried Frida, laughing. "Far better do I like the guest than the water-heron Theodulf, who carries his head so proudly. And this I say to thee --- when Theodulf's wooers come to the house, and assent is given to their coming, then shall they find a broom in front of the door at which they go out, that they may guess what we maidens think of their wooing."

After these bold words Irmgard concealed her face with her hands; tears ran through her fingers; her whole body shook with anguish.

Frida embraced the princely girl in her arms, and knelt down before her, giving her kisses and tender words.

It did not happen accidentally that, a short time after the conversation between mother and daughter, the Hero Sintram rode up to the house. In the room of the Princess he sat long with the host in confidential converse; he was conferring once again on the subject of the wooing of his relation, Theodulf; for so long as this nobleman was bound as a court attendant and by oath of service to the Prince, the formal wooing could not take place. But on the twelfth night of the New Year the Prince was to release him from his oath; then Theodulf would make his entrance as a free wooer, and the marriage might take place in the spring. All was determined --- even the bridal presents and dowry --- and the Princess advised that the men should renew to each other their old promise concerning this secret arrangement. Sintram smiled with pleasure as he again mounted his horse, and when the host led him out of the door, and there unobservedly took leave with a warm pressure of the hand, the departing guest altogether neglected the broom which the angry Frida had placed by the side of the door; Theodulf only, who had come up at the departure, gave the broom a kick with his foot that sent it a long way off, and cast on Frida in the court a look full of bitter hatred.

<< Previous Page | Back | Next Page >>