d a famous nunnery. Included in the
traditional lore of the neighbourhood is a tragic tale of the beautiful
Ida, daughter of the Freiherr von Metternich, who died within its walls
in the fourteenth century.

Von Metternich, who dwelt at Coblentz, was a wealthy and powerful noble,
exceedingly proud of his fair daughter, and firmly convinced that none
but the highest in the land was fit mate for her. But Ida had other
views, and had already bestowed her heart on a young squire in her
father's train. It is true that Gerbert was a high-born youth, of
stainless life, pleasing appearance, and gentle manners, and, moreover,
one who was likely at no distant date to win his spurs. Nevertheless
the lovers instinctively concealed their mutual affection from von
Metternich, and plighted their troth in secret.

But so ardent an affection could not long remain hidden.

The time came when the nobleman discovered how matters stood between
his daughter and Gerbert, and with angry frowns and muttered oaths he
resolved to exercise his paternal authority. "My daughter shall go to
a nunnery," he said to himself. "And as for that jackanapes, he must be
got rid of at once." He pondered how he might conveniently rid himself
of the audacious squire.

That night he dispatched Gerbert on a mission to the grand prior of
the Knights-Templars, who had his abode at the neighbouring castle of
Lahneck. The unsuspecting squire took the sealed missive and set out,
thinking as he rode along how rich he was in possessing so sweet a love
as Ida, and dreaming of the time when his valour and prowess should
have made their marriage possible. But his dreams would have been rudely
disturbed had he seen what was passing at Coblentz. For his betrothed,
in spite of her tears and pleadings, was being secretly conveyed to the
nunnery of Oberwoerth, there to remain until she should have forgotten
her lover--as though the stone walls of a convent could shut out the
imaginings of a maid! However, Gerbert knew nothing of this, and he
rode along in leisurely fashion, until at length he came to the Schloss
Lahneck, where he was at once conducted into the presence of the grand
prior of the Knights-Templars.

The grand prior was a man of middle age, with an expression of settled
melancholy on his swarthy features. Gerbert approached him with becoming
reverence, bent his knee, and presented the missive.

The prior turned his gaze so earnestly on the young man's face tha