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"But thou also, Hero, wouldst rather ride into the trap which the King prepares for us than endure to hear any longer this grinding of the millstone by which a hostile woman wounds our honor. Yet I am held here fast as by an iron band. For this grievance I will beg for redress from the Prince, but I will not leave the district before I know something which I most eagerly wish and hope for."

When Answald, the next morning, was sitting at breakfast with his companions, without the stranger, the door opened, and Irmgard stood on the threshold; behind her Frida was carrying a sack of flour. "Forgive me, my lord," began Irmgard, "if I venture to offer thee what the hand of thy daughter has helped to grind at the millstone." The noble maiden placed the sack at the feet of the Prince. The Prince looked at it in astonishment.

"What does this powdery gift mean? Is it to be a cake-offering to the gods, because the hands of a noble maiden have turned the stone?"

"Not as an offering," replied Irmgard, "but as an expiation for wounded duties of hospitality our free hands ground the corn. I beg that thou, my lord, if it seems right to thee, wilt send this flour to thy guests; for I hear that thy household refuse them both the flour for broth and bread, and the noble guests are obliged, under thy roof itself, to do the work themselves, like serving-maids."

Then the veins in the Prince's forehead swelled, and, rising, he called in a loud voice, "Who has done me this dishonor? Speak, Hildebrand, for thou hast charge of the repasts of the guests."

Hildebrand, embarrassed, bowed before the anger of his Prince. "The maidens were embittered by the unseemly conduct of the Vandals, and wept over the hard work, and the Princess thought that they had ground of complaint."

"How couldst thou retaliate the unseemly conduct of a few by imposing heavy suffering upon all? Thou hast dishonored thy lord before his guests, and caused evil reports among the people. Take the sack at once, and carry it to the lodgings of the guests; and I advise thee, old man, to go with it, and make them such excuses as they may be willing to accept. But to the maidens I say, if in future they should ever complain, a hard hand will cause them greater sobbing."

"Be not angry with the maidens, my lord," said Irmgard; "they are usually willing, and would have borne the increased work; but there is one in thy house who has the audacity to order about the servants like a master: this is thy swordbearer, Theodulf. Many fear his hard nature, and are anxious, either now or in the future, to gain his favor. He forbids the maidens, at his pleasure, to work for the guests, and also to dance with them. No one ventures to complain to thee; but I as thy daughter can not bear that in my father's house one who is a servant should injure our honor."

When the Prince learned this, he bethought him that his child was right, and yet felt a secret anxiety, because the maiden who now stood so angrily before him, spoke with such contempt of the man whom he secretly had destined for her husband. He therefore became wild with anger against all and exclaimed to his daughter, "Not in vain hast thou turned the mill; with hard stone do thy words grind the character of thy cousin. Yet I do not blame thy gift, for it may perhaps atone for a heavy injury. But thou," he exclaimed, raising his hand threateningly against Theodulf, "forget not that I am sole master in this house as long as I live, so that I may not forget that the mistress of the houses wishes thee well. If any of you dare to use hostile language or secret malice against the guests, this house and his skin will become too narrow for him."

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