ask for some assurance from him that the property descending to you from your ancestors shall not be molested; or perhaps, better still, with the same introduction, tell him the story of Father Ambrose.  Add that this has disquieted you:  demand the truth, hearken to what the youth says for himself, thank him, and withdraw.  It needs no long conversation, though I am prepared to hear that he wished to lengthen your stay.  I am certain that five minutes face to face with him will completely overturn all Father Ambrose has said to his disparagement, and a few simple words from him will probably dispel the whole mystery.  If someone is personating him in Frankfort it is more than likely he knows who it is.”

They traveled a generous furlong together in silence, the girl’s head bowed and her brow troubled.  At last, as if with an effort, she cleared doubt away, and raised her head.

“I will do it,” she said decisively.

The Archbishop heaved a deep sigh of relief.  He knew now he was out of the wood.

“Is this Assmannshausen we are coming to?” she asked, as if to hint that the subject on which they had talked so earnestly was finally done with.

“No; this is Lorch, and that is the Castle of Nollich standing above it.”

“I hope,” said the girl, with a sigh of weariness, “that no English Princess about to marry an Emperor lodged there, or no Englishman who was to become an Emperor—­”

The Archbishop interrupted the plaint with a hearty laugh, the first he had enjoyed for several days.

“The English seem an interfering race,” she went on.  “I wish they would attend to their own affairs.”

“Nollich is uncontaminated,” said the Archbishop, “though in olden days a reckless knight on horseback rode up to secure his lady-love, and I believe rode down again with her, and his route is still called the Devil’s Ladder.”

“Did the marriage turn out so badly?”

“No; I believe they lived happily ever after; but the ascent was so cliff-like that mountain sprites are supposed to have given their assistance.”

“How much farther is Assmannshausen?”

“Less than two leagues.  We will stop there and refresh ourselves.  Are you tired?”

“Oh no; not in the least.  I merely wish the ordeal was past.”

“You are a brave girl, Hildegunde.”

“I am anything but that, Guardian.  Still, do not fear I shall flinch.”

After partaking of the midday meal at Assmannshausen, the Countess proposed that they should leave their horses in the stable, and walk the short third of a league to Ehrenfels, and to this her guardian agreed.

He found more difficulty with the custodian than had been expected.  The man objected, trembling.  Without a written order from his master he dare not allow any one to visit the prisoner.  He would be delighted to oblige his Lordship of Cologne, but he was merely a poor wretch who had no option in the matter.