r Lichtenstein; and his impatience was
inflamed into anger, that the fifer of Hardt, otherwise a cautious and
clever man, should just at this moment remain so long absent.

The maiden guessed his thoughts: "I plainly see you long to be
away--oh, were but my father here to shew you the way to Lichtenstein!
It would be imprudent in you to go alone, for there would be no
difficulty in detecting your not being a Wuertemberger by your speech.
Do you know what? I'll run to meet my father, and hurry him home."

"You go to meet him?" said, Albert touched by the proposal of the
good-hearted girl; "do you know whether he be in the neighbourhood? he
may be still some distance from home; and it will be dark in an hour."

"And were it so dark, that I should be obliged to grope my way
blindfolded to Lichtenstein, I'll wager you could not go faster to
your----." Blushing, she cast her eyes down; for although her good
heart induced her to proffer her services as a messenger of love, she
felt confused when she touched upon the tender subject, which had been
made so clear to her this day, and which confirmed her in her former
suspicions.

"But if you volunteer to go to Lichtenstein out of regard for me, there
is no reason why I should not accompany you, rather than remain behind,
to await the arrival of your father. I'll saddle my horse immediately,
and ride by your side; you can shew me the way until I am far enough
not to mistake the rest of it."

The girl of Hardt scarcely knew which way to look, when Albert made
this proposal; and playing with the ends of her long plaits of hair,
said, almost in a whisper, "But it will be so soon dark."

"Well, what does that signify? So much the better, because I shall then
be able to arrive in Lichtenstein by cock-crow," answered Albert; "you
yourself proposed finding the way through the darkness."

"Yes, to be sure, so I could," replied Barbelle, without looking up;
"but you are not strong enough yet to undertake the journey; and he who
has just risen from a sick bed, must not think of travelling six hours
in the night."

"I cannot pay any more attention to that," said Albert; "my wounds are
all healed, and I feel as well as ever I was; so get ready, my good
girl, we will start immediately; I'll go and saddle my horse." He took
the bridle, which hung on a nail on the wall, and went to the door.

"But, sir! hear me, good sir!" cried the girl, in a beseeching tone,
after him: "pray do not