“Think not to thwart me always,” resumed Sir Sandrit.  “I have too long permitted your interference.  Again and again have you thrust yourself between me and the objects of my wrath!  You have ever sided with my inferiors—­protected my serfs, and insulted their master.”

“I have sided with mercy and with your better nature.  You are a demon now—­and seek what, if obtained, would make you even loathe yourself, and would, in the pure eye of God—­”

A shrill blast of a bugle sounded at the castle gate.

“The duke! the duke!” exclaimed the Lady Margaret, throwing her arms around her father’s neck.

The mace was still uplifted, the priest was still before it, Gilbert was still pinioned by the men of Stramen, and all was silent as the tomb, when Rodolph and Henry entered the room.

“Did you listen to that minion, Margaret?” said the baron to his daughter, without seeming to notice the presence of the duke.

“It is because she gave me no hope,” interposed Gilbert, “that I am indifferent to your anger.”

Rodolph, perceiving the difficulty at a glance, put his arm in his angry baron’s and led him aside, while Henry advanced to his sister.  After a long and vehement discussion, the King of Arles left the knight standing with his arms folded on his breast and his back to the group, and released Gilbert from the close grasp of his captors.

“Come with me,” he said, in a whisper.

“Where?” inquired Gilbert.

“To the other side of the drawbridge?”

“But—­I cannot leave Humbert,” said the youth, pointing to the frightened minnesinger.

“He shall go with you—­they care not for him.”

At a beck from the duke, Humbert was at his side.  “Follow me,” said Rodolph.

But Gilbert lingered a moment to press Father Omehr’s hand to his lips, and then the three passed silently, out of the apartment.  They soon gained the terrace, where, to his surprise, Gilbert found his own horses that had been tied in the ravine.  Bertha had brought them there.  The two adventurers were conducted by the duke beyond the castle bounds.  The clouds had passed away, and the moon and stars shone brightly.

“Away now!” cried the hero of Hohenburg.

Bidding the noble duke an affectionate farewell, Gilbert and his follower sprang to the saddle and galloped off.  But the adventures of the night were not yet over.  Hardly had they passed the ravine, before Humbert’s quick ear detected the tramp of a horse behind them.

“Faster!” said Gilbert, putting spurs to the somewhat jaded animal he rode.

Faster they went, but the sound came nearer and nearer.  Again Gilbert urged on his horse, and again the galled creature bounded forward, but the pursuing sound came faster than they.  Humbert looked behind, and by the bright moonlight saw a solitary horseman advancing at a furious pace.

“It is but one man,” said he.