In the full clear light of the moon, Hildiridur now came up with them, threw back the green veil from her features, and said, “We have fortunately escaped from great and threatening danger, and for this you should humbly give thanks to the Giver of all Good.” At these words they all kneeled down upon the dewy grass, Sir Otto not excepted (for he had now become quite calm), and prayed earnestly, though without audible words, till at length Hildiridur rose, and turned solemnly towards the Knight of Trautwangen. “Shall I reproach you,” said she; “or shall I not rather be thankful that you have thus broken and destroyed my potent spells, and set me at variance for ever with those spirits who have hitherto proved but deceitful and treacherous servants? In truth, I do sincerely thank you, dearest Otto,” added she, embracing him; “you have acted but from impulses the most pure and virtuous; and if your mother is thereby rendered less powerful, yet she becomes only more surely and devotedly your loving parent. As to my powers, as an enchantress, they are now for ever at an end;--in order to regain them, I would have to climb up with indescribable toil and labour to a height whereon, but half an hour since, I stood quietly, wielding unresisted sway.” Hereupon Sir Otto and Sir Heerdegen of Lichtenried both expressed their contentment and joy; but the sea-monarch stood gloomy and lost in deep thought. At last, “Who then,” said he, “may in times to come hope to wield enchanted weapons against the golden-haired Gerda, with her fiery serpents? As for the javelins of her fierce Finlanders, we value them not, for we ourselves have swords and spears that are as powerful; but who will now protect us from her horrid ghosts and apparitions, at which the stoutest warrior feels his heart chilled within him?” “Be unconcerned,” answered Hildiridur; “so much of supernatural knowledge still remains to me, that I well know what has passed in Finland. The pagan rebels have submitted peaceably to remain, defeated as they were, in their present state, while Gerda, together with Ottur and Sir Kolbein, have, in their wild wrath, gone forth across the seas, in order to war against the Christians in foreign lands. You will find an embassy already despatched with this intelligence to your camp; and a free choice is before you, whether you will go with me to the ancient fortress of Trautwangen, whither I am attracted by an irresistible longing, or pursue your way on farther campaigns through the world. But, for the present, let us hasten on our flight farther from the watch-tower. Methinks I already see the enraged spirits stretching out their fiery tongues from every window and loop-hole.” Hereupon Sir Otto assisted Hildiridur to take her place behind him on his faithful steed, which neighed as if in joy and triumph, and henceforth moved along more softly and carefully than was his wont through the rocky valleys. After they had gone about a mile from the castle, a frightful