n horseback through the
forest, but our flight was soon discovered--we were pursued and
overtaken. I remember nothing more till I awoke in my own room, ill with
a raging fever. When I recovered, I was sent to this nunnery and the
convent gates, clanging behind me, seemed to be those of a prison. But
all this was many years ago and now I am content and have found peace.

"I have told thee this tale," said the Abbess to Elsie, "for I feel
strangely drawn to thee. In thy young life there is too a tale of
mystery and pain, and, as my way has been made clear, so shall be
thine."

The next day Elsie and the Prince bade farewell to their kindly hosts
and traveled, as swiftly as horses could carry them, through Germany
and Switzerland. After leaving Lucerne they hired a trusty guide to lead
them through the mountain passes, which were steep and dangerous. On one
part of the journey they had to cross a single arch bridge, which
spanned a terrible abyss, and their guide told them the story of how it
came to be built.

[Illustration]

"For years and years people had tried in vain to make a bridge at this
point, but all their efforts had been fruitless, for whatever was built
by day the devil swept away at night. At last a holy abbot built this
one with a single arch and made a compact with the evil one that it
should be allowed to stand, on the condition that the first living
thing which crossed it should be surrendered into his clutches. When the
bridge was completed, the abbot, standing at one end, threw a loaf of
bread across, which a hungry dog sprang after, and the rocks re-echoed
with laughter to see the devil thus defeated."

"Defeated," sneered Lucifer, who was standing beneath the bridge. "It
was for journeys and crimes like this that I allowed the bridge to
stand!"

Unconscious that Lucifer was dogging their steps, the princely train
finished its journey through Italy in safety, took ship at Genoa, and
reached the town of Salerno, renowned for its learned doctors and its
schools.

Entering the town, Prince Henry inquired for Friar Angelo, and Lucifer,
appearing before him in fresh disguise, said: "He stands before you."

"You know, then, on what errand I have come," said the Prince. "I am
Prince Henry of Hoheneck and this is the maiden I spoke of in my
letters."

"This is a grave business, and we must not be over-hasty," answered the
crafty Lucifer. "Does the maiden consent to this of her own free will?"

"