At these words, which were spoken with a bitter coldness, that strangely contrasted with the knight’s usual manner, all eyes were turned upon him; and, as if one had suddenly come to a district of country which before used to present only rich gardens and pleasant villas, but where one now finds only ruin and devastation, without knowing whence that fearful change has proceeded, all of them now remained in silent astonishment, till at length the Lady Minnatrost addressed him,--“In God’s name! young hero, what new misfortune hast thou encountered?” “Nothing--nothing,” answered Sir Otto, with the same frightful coldness; “only my bride has proved unfaithful, and my father is now dead; so that for the future I am alone in the world. More I have not to tell.” Thereupon, when Sir Heerdegen and the sea-monarch started up, and in their sympathy ran with open arms to embrace him, suddenly, with a changed and faltering voice, he said,--“Do not afflict yourselves, noble comrades, for these events are past, and cannot be retrieved. Truly you have proved yourselves faithful and loving friends, yet not the less I feel, that I am from henceforth alone; for unless with the inmost heart of man be entwined some bond of affection towards father, mother, brothers, and sisters, or, more than all, to wife and child, then is this world but a desolate wilderness, and life is but like a shadow that at evening glides over the lonely meadow.--Good night!” With these words he gently, but resolutely, disengaged himself from the arms of his friends, and walked in his affliction sternly and proudly towards the door. Then the Lady Minnatrost rose from the table, and came forward. With noiseless steps, and as if floating along like a spirit, she placed herself beside the Knight of Trautwangen. Like a mist-wreath dispersed by the pale gentle moonbeams, her veil was now uplifted. The mild light of her pensive eyes shone upon him; she embraced the youth with many tears, and said,--“No; thou art not a shadow that floats and perishes on the meadow,--nor art thou left alone in the world;--for thou art my son, and I am Hildiridur, the loving and faithful wife of the stern Sir Hugur!” CHAPTER XXVI. The Story of Hildiridur.