"i am the daughter of a rich count. my parents died when i was still in my tender youth, and recommended me in their last will to my elder brother, by whom i was brought up. we loved each other so tenderly, and were so alike in our way of thinking and our inclinations, that we both embraced the resolution never to marry, but to stay together to the end of our lives. in our house there was no lack of company; neighbors and friends visited us often, and we showed the greatest hospitality to every one. so it came to pass one evening that a stranger came riding to our castle, and, under pretext of not being able to get on to the next place, begged for shelter for the night. we granted his request with ready courtesy, and he entertained us in the most agreeable manner during supper by conversation intermingled with stories. my brother liked the stranger so much that he begged him to spend a couple of days with us, to which, after some hesitation, he consented. we did not rise from table until late in the night, the stranger was shown to room, and i hastened, as i was tired, to lay my limbs in my soft bed. hardly had i slept for a short time, when the sound of faint and delightful music awoke me. as i could not conceive from whence it came, i wanted to summon my waiting-maid who slept in the next room, but to my astonishment i found that speech was taken away from me by an unknown force. i felt as if a mountain were weighing down my breast, and was unable to make the very slightest sound. in the meantime, by the light of my night-lamp, i saw the stranger enter my room through two doors which were fast bolted. he came to me and said, that by magic arts which were at his command, he had caused the lovely music to sound in order to awaken me, and that he now forced his way through all fastenings with the intention of offering me his hand and heart. my repugnance to his magic arts was, however, so great, that i vouchsafed him no answer. he remained for a time standing without moving, apparently with the idea of waiting for a favorable decision, but as i continued to keep silence, he angrily declared he would revenge himself and find means to punish my pride, and left the room. i passed the night in the greatest disquietude, and only fell asleep towards morning. when i awoke, i hurried to my brother, but did not find him in his room, and the attendants told me that he had ridden forth with the stranger to the chase by daybreak.