at Rauthgundis
was still leaning against the half"door, the axe in her hand, her eyes
fixed upon the door of the passage.

"Let me strike a light, mistress, and kindle the chips upon the hearth.
Share the evening meal with me. Come, you wait here in vain."

"No, no light, no fire! I can see better what happens in the court
without, for it is moonlight."

"Well, at least come in here and rest yourself. Here is bread and
meat."

"Shall I eat while he hungers?"

"You will be exhausted! Of what are you thinking the whole evening?"

"Of what am I thinking?" repeated Rauthgundis, still looking out. "I am
thinking how often we have sat in the colonnade before our beautiful
house, when the fountain splashed in the garden and the cicalas chirped
in the trees. The cool night-breeze fanned his beloved face, and I
nestled against his shoulder, and we did not speak one word, and above
us was the silent march of the stars. And we listened to the deep and
peaceful breathing of our child, who had fallen asleep upon my lap, his
little hands, like soft white fetters, clasping the arm of his father.
Alas! his arm now wears other fetters! Iron fetters--that pain----"

And she pressed her forehead against the iron grating, until she, too,
felt pain.

"Mistress, why do you torment yourself thus? We cannot help it!"

"'But we will help it! I must save him and----Dromon! look there! What
is that?" she whispered, and pointed at something in the court.

The old man hastened noiselessly to her side.

In the court was a tall white figure, which seemed to glide stealthily
along the wall.

At brief intervals, but sharp and clear, the moonlight fell upon it.

"It is a Lemure! The ghost of some one who has been murdered here!"
said the old man, trembling. "God and all the saints protect us!"

He crossed himself and covered his head with his mantle.

"No," said Rauthgundis, "the dead do not return from the other world!
Now it has disappeared--all is dark. Ha! the moon breaks through
once--more there it is again! It moves towards the passage-door. What
is that shining red in the white light? Ha! it is the Queen--that is
her red hair? She stops at the door! She opens it! She is going to
murder him in his sleep!"

"God knows, it is the Queen! But _she_ murder him! How could she?"

"_She_ could! But, as I live, she shall not! Follow her! A miracle
opens the door to us. But softly, softly!"

And she went out on tiptoe into the court, t