The pious work had lasted long; and when the deacon took off Ekkehard's stole, the cold sweat-drops stood on his brow; as he had never before heard such impressive words. Just when all was over, the tramping of horses' feet was heard. It was the Duchess, accompanied by one servant only. Ekkehard went out to meet her; and the deacon directed his steps homewards. "You were so long away, that I had to come hither myself, to see how you had settled everything," graciously called out the Duchess. The two wood-cutters had in the meanwhile finished their job, and made their retreat by the back of the hill. They stood in awe of the Duchess. Ekkehard then told her about the life and doings of the woman of the wood, and how he had driven her away. "You are very severe," said Dame Hadwig. "I thought I was very mild," replied Ekkehard. "Well, we approve of that which you have done. What do you intend to do with the deserted hut," casting a hasty look at the stone walls. "The power of the evil spirits has been banished and exorcised," said Ekkehard. "I mean to consecrate it as a chapel to St. Hadwig." The Duchess looked at him with a well pleased expression. "How did you hit upon that idea?" "The thought struck me just now, ... the oak I have had cut down." "We will examine that spot; and I think that we shall approve also, of the felling of the oak." She climbed the steep path, leading up to the top of the Hohenkrähen, accompanied by Ekkehard. There lay the oak on the ground; its mighty branches almost preventing their further ascent. A flat stone, but a few paces in circumference, crowned the top of the strangely shaped hill. They were standing on the rocks, which formed a declivitous wall beneath their feet. It was a giddy height, on which was neither stone nor tree for support, and the two figures stood out picturesquely, against the blue sky; the monk in his dark garment and the Duchess, wrapped up in her bright coloured mantle. Silently they stood thus; looking at the splendid view before them. In the depth below, the plain lay stretched out before them, through the green meadows of which, the river Aach ran in serpentine lines. The roofs and gables of the houses in the valley, looked like tiny dots on a map. Opposite rose darkly, the proud, well-known peak of the Hohentwiel; blue, flat mountain-ridges rising like walls, behind the mighty one; hiding the Rhine after its escape from the Bodensee. The Untersee with the island of Reichenau lay bathed in light; and in the far off distance, the faint outlines of gigantic mountains were visible, through transparent clouds. They became clearer and clearer as the sun sank down, a golden glow surrounding them like a halo of glory ... the landscape becoming softer, shadows and glittering lights melting into each other ...