The hair was hidden by the helmet, whose
raised visor showed keen, finely-cut features, and a pair of dark
brown eyes, of somewhat grave and sad expression.
"Have a care, Lucas," he presently said; "I fear me you are
chiselling away too much. It must be a softer, more rounded face
than mine has become; and, above all, let it not catch any saddened
look. Keep that air of solemn waiting in glad hope, as though he saw
the dawn through his closed eyelids, and were about to take up his
song again!"
"Verily, Herr Freiherr, now the likeness is so far forward, the
actual sight of you may lead me to mar it rather than mend."
"So is it well that this should be the last sitting. I am to set
forth for Genoa in another week. If I cannot get letters from the
Kaisar, I shall go in search of him, that he may see that my lameness
is no more an impediment."
The pilgrim passed his hand over his face, as though to dissipate a
bewildering dream; and just then the little girl, all flushed and
dabbled, flew rushing up from the stream, but came to a sudden
standstill at sight of the stranger, who at length addressed her.
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