CHAPTER III.

I had forgotten my fears and gloomy forebodings by the time I climbed
into bed in my darkened chamber. Sleep forthwith closed my eyes, and I
lay without even a dream till Cousin Maud waked me. I turned over by
reason that I was still heavy with slumber; yet she stood by my bed, and
scarce half a quarter of an hour after, lo, again I felt her hand on my
shoulder and woke up quaking, with a cold sweat on my brow. I had
dreamed that I was riding out in the Lorenzer-wald with Hans and my
grand-uncle and other some; but we went slowly and softly, by reason that
all our horses fell lame. And it fell that on the very spot where Ann
had flown into Herdegen's arms I beheld a high, yellow grave-stone, and
on it was written in great black letters: "HANS HALLER."

Hereupon I had started up with a loud cry, and it was long or ever my
brain was clear as to the world about me. Cousin Maud laughed to see me
so drunk asleep, as was not my wont; yet could she not deny that my dream
boded no good. Nevertheless, quoth she, it was small marvel that such a
heathen Turkish turmoil as we had been living in should beget monstrous
fancies in a young maid's brain. She would of set purpose have left me
to sleep the day through, to give me strength; howbeit Herdegen had twice
come to ask for me, and so likewise had Ann and Hans, and it wanted but
an hour and a half of noon. This made me laugh; nevertheless I minded me
then and there of all that had befallen last night at Pernhart's house-
door and in the school of arms, and, moreover, that we were bidden this
day to eat with the Tetzels; also that they, and eke my grand-uncle, were
still in the belief that Herdegen's betrothal to Ursula might be at once