Reminiscences of hair-breadth escapes and of mutual services had created friendships of no ordinary strength.

For many days the different troops could be seen evacuating the city under their feudal chiefs, until at last scarce a soldier remained at Merseburg.
It was about the first of November that the barons of Hers and Stramen set out with the relics of their clans for their lordships in Suabia.
The face of Sandrit of Stramen was sterner than ever, and his son seemed to have caught a portion of his severity.

They rode along swiftly, and whenever they spoke it was about the Lady Margaret.

Father Omehr alone preserved his equanimity, and even he was now unusually absent and thoughtful.

Nor was the retinue of Albert of Hers more cheerful.