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Berthar clasped him by the hand. "Thou speakest like a gallant man; thou hast always pleased me, for thou wast faithful in service, and kind-hearted to my comrades. Now I will take care, so far as I can, that thou dost not repent thee of thy choice. Go at present away from us to the Hero Isanbart that he may protect thee, and help thee by his intercession to be released from the oath which binds thee to the Chief, then return to us. The gods have denied me a son; I will consider thee as of mine own blood, will share my last drink with thee, and my last sword-stroke shall be by thy side. Welcome among us, to wander over the earth, to gain booty, and to make a happy end in battle!"

Irmgard also felt the disturbance of this morning. "Where is my daughter, that she may help her mother with her medical skill?" exclaimed the Prince, by the bedside of the wounded man.

In a low tone, that no one might hear her words, the angry Princess answered: "She has disobediently refused to approach his bed."

Answald went impetuously to Irmgard's room. The cheeks of the noble maiden were pallid, but her eyes did not shun the angry look of her father. "By the bedside of thy betrothed is thy place, thou cold-hearted one," he exclaimed to her.

"I should have hated myself if I had vowed my life to yonder man," answered Irmgard.

"Thy father has done it for thee; and had I not done it, yet he is of thy family, and my companion in arms. Dost thou respect so little what our customs require of thee?"

"I think also, my father, of what becomes thy child. He who lies there, struck by a well-deserved blow, set the hounds upon our friend and guest. Therefore, as a child of this house, he is henceforth to me a stranger and an enemy."

"Thou speakest like a mad woman. I know well the bad wish which befools thy heart: too long have I indulgently borne with what is intolerable." He raised his hand against his daughter.

"Kill me, my father," cried out Irmgard; "thou hast power; but I will never go upon my feet to the bedside of the bad man."

"If thou hast so decided," exclaimed the Prince, beside himself, "yet shalt thou bend to compulsion. I go to turn off the source which brings this trouble into my house; and thou shalt live apart as a prisoner, till thy insolent spirit becomes more pliant." He left the room, threatening, and walked across the court to his hearth-seat. There his district companions collected, and there also Ingo was conducted by two chiefs of the people.

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