that she would then be answered by her own voice,--that she would behold her own form enter, pale, dishevelled, and bleeding,--that the horrid spectre would stretch out its arms to seize upon her! Half delirious, she rushed out of the hall, ran along the corridor down stairs, and through the court, till she found herself on the banks of the lake, which, instead of being serene and still as before, now heaved and raged with waves like those of a stormy sea! All was indeed changed around her; most of the white flowers had grown blood-red, and waved downwards like flames from the ramparts, as if threatening and angrily against her. How was her terror augmented, however, when, on gaining the opposite bank of the lake, she remembered that she had not brought the keys of the gate! Should she now return to that scene of horrors? Such attempt would have been vain, as she felt that utter madness would ensue. So she ran onward, calling aloud on her brother, though she might have well known, that within these walls he could not render her assistance. But the gates stood wide open, while their ponderous wings moved as if agitated by a hurricane, threatening to close and crush to death any one who would venture beyond the portal. However, the damsel took courage, and rushed forwards. Scarcely was she on the other side, when the gates closed with a horrible crash; so that, perceiving how narrowly she had escaped with life, she fled, swift as an arrow, down the hill, and when arrived in the plain beneath, sunk down on the ground, exhausted and motionless. She heard on all sides the murmuring of voices, and confused clashing of armour and weapons, and on half recovering her self-possession, perceived that she was carried in her brother’s arms, and that he said, as if communing with himself, “We must bring her into the boat, and cross over to the island, for the people here are mad with terror at the horrid sights on the castle ramparts.” Then Bertha, remembering the prospect which she had seen from the window, faintly whispered, “Oh yes! let us go to that beloved island!” But thereafter she again closed her eyes, wearied and insensible. CHAPTER XVI. Of a fearful combat betwixt Sir Heerdegen and the Knight of the Sea.