Oberwoerth

In the middle of the Rhine, a little above Coblentz, lies the island of Oberwoerth, where at one time stood a famous nunnery.  Included in the traditional lore of the neighbourhood is a tragic tale of the beautiful Ida, daughter of the Freiherr von Metternich, who died within its walls in the fourteenth century.

Von Metternich, who dwelt at Coblentz, was a wealthy and powerful noble, exceedingly proud of his fair daughter, and firmly convinced that none but the highest in the land was fit mate for her.  But Ida had other views, and had already bestowed her heart on a young squire in her father’s train.  It is true that Gerbert was a high-born youth, of stainless life, pleasing appearance, and gentle manners, and, moreover, one who was likely at no distant date to win his spurs.  Nevertheless the lovers instinctively concealed their mutual affection from von Metternich, and plighted their troth in secret.

But so ardent an affection could not long remain hidden.

The time came when the nobleman discovered how matters stood between his daughter and Gerbert, and with angry frowns and muttered oaths he resolved to exercise his paternal authority.  “My daughter shall go to a nunnery,” he said to himself.  “And as for that jackanapes, he must be got rid of at once.”  He pondered how he might conveniently rid himself of the audacious squire.

That night he dispatched Gerbert on a mission to the grand prior of the Knights-Templars, who had his abode at the neighbouring castle of Lahneck.  The unsuspecting squire took the sealed missive and set out, thinking as he rode along how rich he was in possessing so sweet a love as Ida, and dreaming of the time when his valour and prowess should have made their marriage possible.  But his dreams would have been rudely disturbed had he seen what was passing at Coblentz.  For his betrothed, in spite of her tears and pleadings, was being secretly conveyed to the nunnery of Oberwoerth, there to remain until she should have forgotten her lover—­as though the stone walls of a convent could shut out the imaginings of a maid!  However, Gerbert knew nothing of this, and he rode along in leisurely fashion, until at length he came to the Schloss Lahneck, where he was at once conducted into the presence of the grand prior of the Knights-Templars.

The grand prior was a man of middle age, with an expression of settled melancholy on his swarthy features.  Gerbert approached him with becoming reverence, bent his knee, and presented the missive.

The prior turned his gaze so earnestly on the young man’s face that Gerbert dropped his eyes in confusion.  A moment later the prior broke the seal and hastily scanned the letter.

“Who mayest thou be, youth?” he asked abruptly.

“Gerbert von Isenburg, sir.”

“And thy mother?”

“Guba von Isenburg,” was the astonished Gerbert’s reply.

The prior seemed to be struggling with deep emotion.