Count Herman von Filsen, whose estates lay on the right bank of the Rhine, between Oslerspey {293}and Brauback, was about to marry the rich heiress of the castle of Rheins, on the other bank. His messenger had started to carry the letters of invitation to all the guests, but a sudden rise of the waters had nearly prevented his crossing a small stream. In trying to get over, his horse stumbled, and was drowned. The messenger, however, did not lose courage, but went on his way on foot. Everywhere he found the brooks swollen into streams, and the torrent seemed to press him more and more closely, describing curves and zigzags, with countless cataracts, barring him the way on all sides and making the usual path impassable. By the aid of a huge stick and jumping from rock to rock, the poor, half bewildered man kept on, walking well-nigh at hap-hazard, till he found himself near the Rhine, into which the swollen torrent, rushing after him with sudden fury, seemed determined to push him. Fortunately a small boat was lying quite near the shore: he loosened it, took the oars, and returned to Filsen. When he reached the castle he said to the Count: “Sir, a Nix has barred me the way.” The Count did not believe in Nixen. He sent out another messenger. But the same adventure befell him. The wedding day had been fixed and the Count {294}went on, although he feared his friends and followers would be few in number. One morning, as he crossed the river from the right bank to the left, in order to pay a visit to his lady love, a sudden tempest broke out. He thought he saw a pale form arise from the waters, bending over the bow of the boat and trying to draw it down into the abyss beneath the waters. Thereupon he became thoughtful, sent for his steward, and ordered him to find out what had become of a certain girl of the neighborhood, Gott-friede from Braubach. [Illustration: 314] {295} “I met her a few days ago,” replied the steward, “as she was going to St. Marks Chapel, and I offered her holy water. Gottfriede asked me about your approaching wedding. She was very well, and seemed to be in good spirits.” “Go and see if you can find her,” said the Count, “and bring me word.” [Illustration: 315] During the wedding feast Hermann von Filsen appeared joyous and attentive to his bride, the new Countess, but the effort to appear so caused his perspiration to break out profusely, especially when all of a sudden a small woman’s foot, white and delicate, appeared to his eyes, and to his only, on the ceiling of the dinner-hall. He felt a chill in all his limbs. He rose suddenly {296}and fled to another room, followed by his wife, his mother, and all the guests, who thought he had been seized with sudden illness. In this room he saw, and he alone again saw, a white hand raise a curtain and with the forefinger beckon him to follow.