came a high and mighty seigneur into the midst of all this poverty. And he took the girl in his arms—as you did—and travelled far, far away with her
Ulfheim.
Was she so anxious to be with him?
Maia.
Yes, for she was stupid, you see.
Ulfheim.
And he, no doubt, was a brilliant and beautiful personage?
Maia.
Oh no, he wasn't so superlatively beautiful either. But he pretended that he would take her with him to the top of the highest of mountains, where there were light and sunshine without end.
Ulfheim.
So he was a mountaineer, was he, that man?
Maia.
Yes, he was—in his way.
Ulfheim.
And then he took the girl up with him?
Maia.
[With a toss of the head.] Took her up with him finely, you may be sure! Oh no! he beguiled her into a cold, clammy cage, where—as it seemed to her—there was neither sunlight
