At length we reached the Galgenberg, where stands the hangman's hut, and a few moments' climb brought us near the door.
'There she lives,' said the girl, pointing to the hut, through the windows of which shone the yellow light of a tallow candle; 'go warn her. The hangman is ill and unable to protect his daughter, even if he dared. You'd better take her away—take her to the Alpfeld on the Gцll, where my father has a house. They will not look for her up there.'
With that she left me and vanished in the darkness.
13
Looking in at the window of the hut, I saw the hangman sitting in a chair, with his daughter beside him, her hand upon his shoulder. I could hear him cough and groan, and knew that she was trying to soothe him in his pain. A world of love and sorrow was in her face, which was more beautiful than ever.
Nor did I fail to observe how clean and tidy were the room and all in it. The humble dwelling looked, indeed, like a place blessed by the peace of God. Yet these blameless persons are treated as accurst and hated like mortal sin! What greatly pleased me was an image of the Blessed Virgin on the wall opposite the window at which I stood. The frame was decorated with flowers of the field, and the mantle of the Holy Mother festooned with edelweiss.
I knocked at the door, calling out at the same time: 'Do not fear; it is I—Brother Ambrosius.'
It seemed to me that, on hearing my voice and name, Benedicta showed a sudden joy in her face, but perhaps it was only surprise—may the saints preserve me from the sin of pride. She came to the window and opened it.
'Benedicta,' said I, hastily, after returning her greeting, 'wild and drunken boys are on their way hither to take you to the dance.