He fancied himself engaged in combat with many knights, whilst Hildegardis looked on smiling from a richly-adorned balcony; and just as he thought he had gained the victory the bleeding Edwald lay groaning beneath his horse's feet.

Then again it seemed as if Hildegardis stood by his side in a church, and they were about to receive the marriage-blessing.

He knew well that this was not right, and the "yes," which he was to utter, he pressed back with resolute effort into his heart, and forthwith his eyes were moistened with burning tears.

From yet stranger and more bewildering visions the voice of Edwald at last awoke him.

He raised himself up, and heard his young companion saying courteously, as he looked towards a neighbouring thicket, "Only return, noble maiden; I will surely help you if I can; and I had no wish to scare you away, but that the slumbers of my brother in arms might not be disturbed by you." A golden gleam shone through the branches as it vanished.
"For heaven's sake, my faithful comrade," cried Froda, "to whom are you speaking, and who has been here by me ?" "I cannot myself rightly understand," said Edwald.