That was clear enough and sounded so peremptory that further remonstrance was impossible.  Hartmut bowed without speaking, and stepped at once into the water, his high hunting boots serving him good purpose.

He was right enough, the water was deep and swift, and the stones were so slippery that he found it difficult enough to set his foot firmly on them.  He had a slight sneer on his lips as he stepped upon the opposite bank and turned to wait for the girl whom he was so anxious to protect, but who rejected all his advances so proudly.  Would she venture or would the first step terrify her and force her to call him back?  No, she had gathered up her skirts and followed without hesitation, notwithstanding the fact that her silk stockings and thin low shoes afforded no protection whatever.  She stepped slowly and carefully on the stones over which he had just gone, until she came to the middle of the stream.  Here, while the strong man’s foot had been able to find a safe resting place, the woman’s smaller one sought in vain for a secure support on the slimy stones.  Her high heels were as much in her way as her gown, the edges of which were already thoroughly drenched.  Her courage forsook her for the moment, she made several false steps, then stood perfectly quiet and cast an involuntary glance toward the opposite bank, where Hartmut stood watching her in silence, resolved to raise no hand toward her assistance until requested to do so.  Perhaps she read this in his eyes and it gave her back her strength.  With a look of decision on her face she gave up all further search for a secure stepping stone, and planted her foot firmly on the pebbly bottom of the stream, and a second later, thoroughly wet now, she clutched the low bough of a tree in preference to Hartmut’s outstretched hand, and drew herself up on the further bank.  Then turning with dripping garments, to her guide, said: 

“We will go on, if you please.  We cannot be very far from Fuerstenstein.”

Hartmut gave no syllable of reply, but a feeling akin to hate rose within him as he looked at this woman who preferred such great discomfort rather than come into closer contact with him even for a moment.

This proud, spoiled man whose dazzling personality won all hearts, felt the humiliation which had been forced upon him most keenly, and execrated within himself the chance which had brought about this meeting.

They went on as rapidly as possible now, and Hartmut cast a glance, from time to time, at the slender, silent figure with its heavy bedraggled skirts, the drippings from which marked their course by a long line of moisture.  He kept an attentive eye on the woods on either side; this dark forest road must come to an end some time.

His course had been the right one after all, which at least was some slight satisfaction to him.  After a few minutes he came to an elevation which afforded him a view of the region round about.  Yonder, across a sea of forest trees, rose the towers of Fuerstenstein, and at the foot of the hill on which he stood a broad carriage road was plainly visible, and this road, winding through a part of the forest, led directly to the foot of the castle hill.