Earnestly he listened through the stillness of the night, whilst Hildegardis hardly dared to draw her breath.

Then was heard the tramp of an armed man, coming ever nearer and nearer, and now close to the entrance of the cave.

In vain did Froda strive to free himself from the trembling maiden.

Already the branches before the entrance were cracking and breaking, and Froda sighed deeply.

"Must I, then, fall like a lurking fugitive, entangled in a woman's garments?
It is a base death to die.