vi] THE RED BARON. 321

 

have told you that she was my light and life, and that
she loved the father who so worshipped the very
ground she trod on. Fancy if you can the agony
which racked my soul when I found that my presence
had now become hateful to her. . She constantly
shuddered at my approach, and fled, moaning and
wailing, into the’ farthest corner of the room, where
she would crouch down as if to get as far as possible
away from me. What pangs of anguish did I endure
at such moments! It was but too evident that, for
some inscrutable reason or other, I was associated in
her mind with the misfortune which had befallen
her, and had so become positively hateful to my
darling child. Often and often have I, the rough
soldier, the cruel victor, the Red Baron, crouched
like a whipped hound outside my daughter's door,
listening for some sound from her lips which might
not be one of sorrow or of terror. My punishment
was heavy indeed, and I see you think so by the look
of pity which comes over your countenance.

‘Well, the end came at last. - As J had ceased to
lead them on expeditions in which plunder, if not
honour, was to be gained, my followers began to fall
away from me, and I knew that I was spoken of in
terms the reverse of respectful even in my own castle.
Now and then I rallied for a while, swore a few great
oaths, and flogged or hung a rascal or two who
seemed insubordinate. But this state of things could
not continue. The men began to desert, and within
three months from the events I have been narrating
I had not above half the number of retainers at com-
mand which I could have summoned to my banner

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