,
like the maiden in the fairy tale, and with glittering golden hair just
like my Wawerl's. The old woman with whom she lived--her aunt or
some other relative--had long practised the healing of all sorts of
infirmities, and when a young Spanish count, who had come here with the
Emperor Charles to the Reichstag in the year '31, fell under his horse
in leaping a ditch, his limbs were injured so that he could not use
them. As he did not recover under the care of the Knights of St. John,
who first nursed him, he went to the herb doctress, and she took charge
of him, and cured him, too, although the skill of the most famous
doctors and surgeons had failed to help him.

"But, to make amends, Satan, who probably had the largest share in the
miracle, visited him with the sorest evil, for 'beautiful Susel,' who
was the old woman's assistant, had so bewitched the young count that
he not only fell in love with her, but actually desired to make her his
wife.

"Then all the noble relatives at home interfered. The Holy Inquisition
commanded the investigation of the case, and sent a stern vicar
general to direct the proceedings of the Dominicans, who had seized the
temptress. Then it came to light that 'beautiful Susel' had bewitched
the luckless young count and robbed him of reason by her wicked arts.

"The old woman, whom they had also examined, escaped her just punishment
because she died of the plague, which was raging here at that time, but
'beautiful Susel' was burned, and I looked on while it was done.

"When the Dominicans had led her to the stake, she turned toward the
people who had flocked here from all quarters. Many doubtless pitied her
on account of her marvellous beauty, and because the devil had given her
the mask of the most touching kindness of heart; but she gazed directly
into my face with her large, blue eyes as I stood close by, and for
years I saw the witch's look distinctly before me. Yet what do we not at
last forget? And now it must happen that what reminded me of her
again is my own innocent child! Wawerl just looked into my eyes as if
'beautiful Susel' had risen from her grave. It was not long, yet it
seemed as if she shrank in terror from me, her own clear father. She
gazed up at me in helpless despair, as if she feared God and the world.

"I have learned little about shivering, but a chill ran down my spine.
Of course, I did not let her notice anything. Poor child! after the
honour bestowed yesterday