gleams of our northern lights; so that it were no wonder if even the most heroic heart, who comes hither for the first time, should begin to beat rather faster than usual.” “Hear then, for example,” said Sir Otto, pointing upwards to the dusky blue vault of heaven; whence again was audible the same music, and again the same troops, in their dazzling white garments, seemed to pass vehemently along. “Is this all that has disturbed you?” answered the sea-monarch: “it is nothing more, in truth, than the flocks of snow-white swans, (whose voices are indeed like clarionets and trumpets,) which in the autumn pass out of our northern climes to seek the warmer regions of the south. From this you may freely draw diversion and pleasure, without any evil mixture of awe or apprehension. Mark now, how pleasant are their voices, and how their numbers gleam snow-white in the moonbeams!” But as Sir Otto’s looks, according to the directions of his friend, followed their flight through the blue sky, his eyes happened to light for a moment on the old moss-grown watch-tower, when in a moment his whole mood of mind was changed, and his looks must have betrayed his emotion; for Sir Arinbiorn said, “Now indeed, Sir Otto, I believe that you may have met with somewhat in this valley which might appal the stoutest heart; for there stands the mysterious tower of which I spoke with you on our sea-voyage; and there, in its upper chambers, I beheld the form and features of Blanchefleur in the mirror.”--“Shall we go thither then?” said Sir Otto; “shall we at once resolve to tear the veil from those mysteries which terrify and perplex us? Methinks the doubtful shroud itself may be more frightful than all which it conceals.” Sir Arinbiorn reflected for a moment, then answered, “Night and darkness, my brave friend, are powerful auxiliaries of the foes whom you would now combat. At this hour, therefore, it were better that we should not go to the watch-tower. Yet, after all, if you are resolved on the undertaking----.” He paused, and they were both silent. In Otto’s mind there arose all sorts of strange phantasms. Especially it seemed to him, as if perchance, when they had entered that mysterious mansion, his horrible double-goer might be found sitting at the end of a long table, and reading in a book diabolical and cabalistic characters. The sea-monarch perhaps observed his friend’s apprehensions, and said, “We have besides a long way to go before we can reach our camp.” Thereupon both knights began to walk hastily down the steep hill, and oftentimes Sir Arinbiorn blew loudly warning notes on his great battle-horn. This he did, according to his own words, in order that the other knights, who were also in search of Sir Otto, might know that he had succeeded; or, it might be rather, that by such cheering music he wished to banish from his own and his friend’s heart the fearful phantasms of that mysterious valley.