As they emerged into the morning air, Gilbert caught a glimpse of the graceful figure of the young lady entering the church.

But his attention was soon arrested by a strange, wild-looking being upon the church steps.

She was apparently not over forty, tall, slightly built, and evidently the victim of insanity.

Her long black hair hung in thick masses over her pale face and deathly-white neck; her arms swung to and fro with a restless motion, and she sang at intervals snatches from the ballads for which Suabia is so renowned.

As Gilbert passed her, she bent her large wild eyes upon him with an expression of such fearful meaning, that brave as was the youth in battle, he recoiled from their ferocious glare.