But I was not really frightened although I knew I was lost. The wise thing was to stay where I was and call. So I did.

I looked at my watch. Half an hour had passed. I was frantic. But at least they would be searching for me.

I waited. I called. I abandoned my decision to remain where I was and began to walk frantically in several directions. An hour had passed since the time for our rendezvous.

It must have been half an hour after that. I had called until I was hoarse; and then I was alert, for the sound of a displaced stone rolling and the crackle of undergrowth indicated that someone was near.

“Cooee!” I called with relief.

“I’m here.”

He loomed up out of the mist like a hero of the forest on his big white horse. I went towards him. He sat for one second regarding me, then he said in English: “It was you who called. So you’re lost.”

I was too relieved to be surprised that he spoke in English. I began to talk quickly: “Have you seen the wagonette? And Schwester Maria and the girls? I must find them quickly.”

He smiled slowly.

“You’re from the Damenstift.”

“Why, yes, of course.”

He leaped down from his horse. He was tall, broad and immediately I was aware of what I could only describe then as authority. I was delighted. I wanted someone who could get me back to Schwester Maria with all speed and he gave an impression of invincibility.

“I’m lost,” I said.

“There was a picnic.”

“And you strayed away from the fold.” His eyes gleamed.

They were very bright topaz colour, I thought, but perhaps that was the strange light due to the mist. His mouth, which was firm and full, turned up at the corners; he had not taken his eyes from me and I was a little embarrassed by his scrutiny.

“Sheep who stray from the fold deserve to be lost,” he said.

“Yes, I suppose so, but I didn’`t exactly stray far. But for the mist I should have found them easily.”

“One must always expect mist at these heights,” he reproved.

“Well, yes, of course, but will you take me back to them? I’m sure they are still searching for me.”

“If you can tell me where they are, most certainly. But if you knew that important fact you would not need my help.”

“Couldn’'t we try and find them? They can’t be far.”

“How could we find anyone in this mist?”

“It’s more than an hour since I was supposed to be there.”

“Depend upon it. They`’ve gone back to the Damenstift.”

I looked at the horse.

“It’s five miles. Could you take me there?”

I was rather startled to be promptly lifted up and set sideways on the horse. He leaped into the saddle.

“Go on, Schlem,” he said in German.

The horse walked cautiously forward while the stranger kept one arm about me; he held the reins with the other. I could feel my heart beating very fast. I was so excited I had stopped worrying about Schwester Maria.

I said: “Anyone could get lost in the mist.”

“Anyone,” he agreed.

“You were lost, I suppose?” I asked.

“In a manner,” he said.

“Schlem -‘ he patted the horse ‘would always take me back.”

“You’re not English,” I said suddenly.

“I am betrayed,” he replied.

“Tell me what did it’ ” Your accent. It’s very faint, but there. “

“I was educated at Oxford.”

“How exciting! My home is there.”

“I believe I have risen somewhat in your estimation. Am I right?”

“Well, I hadn’`t started to make an estimation yet.”

“How wise of you. One never should on a very short acquaintance.”

“I’m Helena Trant, studying at the Damenstift near Liechtenkinn.”

I waited for him to introduce himself, but all he said was:

How interesting. “

I laughed.

“When you loomed out of the mist I thought you were Siegfried or somebody like that.”

“You are very complimentary.”

“It was the horse. Schlem. He’s magnificent. And you looked so tall and commanding seated up there, just as he must have looked Siegfried, I mean.

“You are well acquainted with our heroes?”

“Well, my mother comes from these parts. As a matter of fact, she was at the same Damenstift. That’s why I’m there.”

“How very fortunate.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because if your mother had not gone to this particular Damenstift you would not have come and you would never have been lost in the mist and I should never have had the pleasure of rescuing you.”

I laughed.

“So it is a pleasure?”

“It’s a great pleasure.”

“The horse keeps going. Where is he taking us?”

“He knows his way.”

“What! To the Damenstift! ” I doubt he has ever been there. But he will take us to some shelter where we can make plans. “

I was contented. I suppose it was that air of authority which gave me the impression that whatever the proposition it would not be too difficult for him to solve it.

“You haven’t told me your name,” I said.

“You`’ve already named me,” he said.

“Siegfried.”

I burst out laughing.

“Is it really? Well, that is a coincidence.

Fancy my hitting on the name. I suppose you are real. You’re not a chimera or something? You’re not suddenly going to disappear. “

“Wait and see,” he said. He held me tightly against him, which aroused in me a strange emotion which I had never felt before and which should, of course, have been a warning.

We had been climbing a little and the horse suddenly changed direction. A house loomed out of the mist.

“Here we are,” said Siegfried.

He dismounted and lifted me down.

“Where are we?” I asked.

“This is not the Damenstift.”

“Never mind. We’ll find shelter here. The mist is chilling.”

He shouted: “Hansi’ and a man came running out from stables which I discerned at the side of the house. He did not seem in the least surprised to see me; calmly he took the reins which Siegfried threw at him and led the horse away.

Siegfried then slipped his arm through mine and drew me towards the stone steps which led up to the portico. We were facing a heavy iron-studded door which he pushed open and we stepped into a hall with a big fire roaring away in the grate; there were skins of animals in the form of rugs, over the polished boards of the floor.

“This is your home?” I asked.

“It’s my hunting lodge.”

A woman came into the hall.

“Master!” she cried and I saw the dismay in her face as she looked at me.

He spoke to her in rapid German explaining that he had found one of the young ladies from the Damenstift lost in the forest.

The woman seemed even more disturbed.

“Mein Gott! Mem Gott!’ she kept muttering.

“Don’t fret so. Garde,” he complained.

“Get us some food. The child is chilled. Find her a wrap or something so that she can get her damp clothes off.”

I spoke to her in her own language and she replied in a scolding voice, “We should get you back to the Damenstift soon.”

“We might let them know I’m safe,” I temporized, for I had no desire for my adventure to end so quickly.

“The mist is too thick,” said Siegfried.

“Wait awhile. As soon as we can get her back we will.”

The woman looked at him reproachfully and I wondered what that meant.

She bustled me up a wooden staircase into a room with a big white bed and a great many cupboards. She opened one of these and took from it a blue velvet robe lined with fur. I exclaimed with pleasure at the sight of it.

“Take off your blouse,” she said. Tt’s damp. Then you can wrap this round you. “

I did so and when I glanced at myself in the mirror I seemed transformed. The blue velvet was so magnificent. I had never seen anything like it.

Could I wash my hands and face, I asked. She looked at me almost fearfully. Then she nodded. After a while she came back with hot water. / “Come down when you’re ready,” she said.

I heard a clock strike seven. Seven o’clock! What would be happening back at the Damenstift. I felt sick with anxiety at the thought but even that could not curb the wild excitement which was possessing me.

I washed thoughtfully. My cheeks were pink; my eyes bright. I undid the plaits which Mutter insisted were worn and my hair fell about my shoulders; it was thick, dark and straight. Then I wrapped the blue velvet robe about me and fervently wished the girls in the convent could see me now.

There was a knock at the door and the woman entered. She gasped when she saw me. She seemed as though she were going to say something but refrained from doing so. It was a little mysterious, but so exciting.

She took me down the stairs to a small room where a table was set.

There was wine and cold chicken with fruit and cheeses and a big crusty co burg loaf.

Siegfried was standing by the fire.

His eyes sparkled as he looked at me. I was delighted. I knew it meant that the robe suited me as indeed it must suit anyone; and of course my hair was more becoming loose than in plaits.

“You like the transformation?” I said. I always talked too much when excited. I went on exuberantly: I look a more fitting companion for Siegfried now, than with my plaits and school blouse. “

“A very fitting companion,” he said.

“Are you hungry?”

Starving. “

“Then let us waste no time.”

He led me to a chair and very courteously held it while I sat down. I was unused to such attentions. He filled my glass with wine.