“That night, as soon as it was really dark, I was again at the prison.  I easily found the window, for I had noted that it was so many paces from a corner of the building; but there was no light in the narrow slit, and although I waited some time, I heard no voice.  I did not dare to call, for the prisoner might not be alone, and I might do great mischief.

“My eyes were accustomed to the darkness, and it was starlight.  I walked along the side of the building, examining it carefully, and I soon found a little door in the wall.  As I stood for a few moments before this door, it suddenly opened, and in front of me stood a big soldier.  He wore a wide hat and a little sword, and evidently was not surprised to see me.  I thought it well, however, to speak, and I said:  ’Could you give a mouthful of supper to a—­’

“He did not allow me to finish my sentence, but putting his hand upon my shoulder, said gruffly:  ’Come in.  Don’t you waste your breath talking about supper.’  I entered, and the door was closed behind me.  I followed this man through a stone passageway, and he took me to a little stone room.  ‘’Wait here!’ he said, and he shut me in.  I was in pitch-darkness, and had no idea what was going to happen next.  After a little time I saw a streak of light coming through a keyhole; then an inner door opened, and a young woman with a lamp came into the room.”

“Now does the love-story begin?” asked his wife.

“Not yet,” said Mr. Crowder.  “The young woman looked at me, and I looked at her.  She was a pretty girl with black eyes.  I did not express my opinion of her, but she was not so reticent.  ’You look like a good old man,’ she said.  ‘I think you may be trusted.  Come!’ Her speech was provincial, and she was plainly a servant.  I followed her.  ’Now for the mistress,’ said I to myself.”

“Thee may have looked like an old man,” remarked Mrs. Crowder, “but thee did not think like one.”

Her husband laughed.  “I mounted some stone steps, and was soon shown into a room where stood a lady waiting for me.  As the light of the lamp carried by the maid fell upon her face, I thought I had never seen a more beautiful woman.  Her dress, her carriage, and her speech showed her to be a lady of rank.  She was very young, scarcely twenty, I thought.

“This lady immediately began to ask me questions.  She had perceived that I was a stranger, and she wanted to know where I came from, what was my business, and as much as I could tell her of myself.  ’I knew you were a scholar,’ she said, ‘because of your book, and I believe in scholars.’  Then briefly she told me her story and what she wanted of me.

“She was the young Queen Adelheid, the widow of King Lothar, who had recently died, and she was then suffering a series of harsh persecutions from the present king, Berengar II, who in this way was endeavoring to force her to marry his son Adalbert.  She hated this young man, and positively refused to have anything to do with him.