Then, without once looking at me, she rose, gathered her skirts in her hand, and glided out of the doorway in which she had stood.
When she was quite gone her father reached a bony hand across to me.
"That is a great fate which she has read for you--never have I seen her so moved, nor yet her vision so clear and unmistakable.

Surely the sooner you seek the service of the Prince of Plassenburg the better." "But," said I, "how do I know that he will accept me?
He may not wish to retain in his service the son of the Red Axe of the Wolf mark." Master von Sturm smiled subtly at me.
"I cannot tell," he said, "why it is that I have an interest in you.

But I desire to see you other than that which you are.

I have, strange as it may seem in one of such humble degree here in the city of Thorn, whom all may consult without fee or reward, a certain influence and place in the councils of the reigning Prince of Plassenburg.

If, therefore, you will take service with him, I can give you such an introduction as will guarantee you a place, not as man-at-arms, but as officer, so that your way may lie before you clear from the first.