In spite of the height of the topmost window of the steeple where she stood, her keen eyes showed her that Maximilian's seat was still vacant.

As it was hung with purple draperies and richly garlanded, the monarch was evidently expected.

This pleased her, and her heart throbbed faster as she saw on the stand all the nobles who were entitled to admittance to the lists of a tournament, and, in the front row, the man whose presence she most desired.

At Lienhard's right sat his dazzlingly beautiful wife, adorned with plumes and the most superb gold ornaments; at his left was a maiden of extremely peculiar charm.

According to years she was still a child, but her delicate, mobile features had a mature expression, which sometimes gave her a precocious air of superiority.