The dawn had almost appeared, when Rolf, who had been asleep, was awakened by low singing; and as he looked round, he perceived, with surprise, that the sounds came from the lips of the castellan, who said, as if in explanation, "So does Sir Weigand sing at the convent-gates, and they are kindly opened to him." Upon which, old Rolf fell asleep again, uncertain whether what had passed had been a dream or a reality.After a while the bright sunshine awoke him again; and when he rose up, he saw the countenance of the castellan wonderfully illuminated by the red morning rays; and altogether those features, once so fearful, were shining with a soft, nay almost child-like mildness.The mysterious man seemed to be the while listening to the motionless air, as if he were hearing a most pleasant discourse or lofty music; and as Rolf was about to speak, he made him a sign of entreaty to remain quiet, and continued in his eager listening attitude.
At length he sank slowly and contentedly back in his seat, whispering, "God be praised! She has granted his last prayer; he will be laid in the burial-ground of the convent, and now he has forgiven me in the depths of his heart.I can assure you that he finds a peaceful end."Rolf did not dare ask a question, or awake his lord; he felt as if one already departed had spoken to him.
The castellan long remained still, always smiling brightly.At last he raised himself a little, again listened, and said, "It is over.
The sound of the bells is very sweet.We have overcome.Oh, how soft and easy does the good God make it to us!" And so it came to pass.He stretched himself back as if weary, and his soul was freed from his care-worn body.
Rolf now gently awoke his young knight, and pointed to the smiling dead.And Sintram smiled too; he and his good esquire fell on their knees, and prayed to God for the departed spirit.Then they rose up, and bore the cold body to the vaulted hall, and watched by it with holy candles until the return of the chaplain.That the pilgrim would not come back again, they very well knew.
Accordingly towards mid-day the chaplain returned alone.He could scarcely do more than confirm what was already known to them.He only added a comforting and hopeful greeting from Sintram's mother to her son, and told that the blissful Weigand had fallen asleep like a tired child, whilst Verena, with calm tenderness, held a crucifix before him.
"And in eternal peace our penance end!"
sang Sintram, gently to himself: and they prepared a last resting place for the now peaceful castellan, and laid him therein with all the due solemn rites.
The chaplain was obliged soon afterwards to depart; but bidding Sintram farewell, he again said kindly to him, "Thy dear mother assuredly knows how gentle and calm and good thou art now!"
