ClassicNovels

Albrecht guide

Arlo Bates, 1890 · Begin reading

Summary

Albrecht, a kobold appearing as Baron von Waldstein, comes to Castle Rittenberg and wins Countess Erna’s love. He hopes marriage to a human woman will give him a soul, but conceals his origin. Erna is deeply attracted to him despite unsettling signs of his familiarity with forest spirits. Her guardian, Lady Adelaide, approves their betrothal, and Father Christopher charges Erna with guiding Albrecht toward Christian faith.

Albrecht’s love makes him increasingly thoughtful, though he initially lacks Erna’s understanding of exclusive love and moral responsibility. His alarming foster-father, Herr von Zimmern, also called Herr Frederich, arrives for the wedding. Erna and Albrecht marry before the castle household. The following morning, Albrecht tells Father Christopher that he was a kobold and married to obtain a soul. The priest accepts that he has succeeded, baptizes him, and permits him to keep his origin secret temporarily. He warns Albrecht that he must protect Erna’s soul.

Their marriage changes them in opposite directions. Albrecht earnestly studies religion and grows ashamed of his former conduct, while Erna increasingly seeks hunting, entertainment, and admiration. She refuses to visit a dying charcoal-burner’s daughter whom she previously cared about. Albrecht fears that gaining his own soul has endangered hers.

Count Stephen, Erna’s cousin, returns and encourages her dissatisfaction with Albrecht’s religious pursuits. Albrecht believes an angry kobold ruler has brought Stephen to the castle. Stephen sings in praise of love that disregards marriage vows and pursues Erna. She remains drawn to her husband, but also struggles with her attraction to Stephen. During a hawking expedition undertaken against Albrecht’s wishes, Stephen embraces and kisses her. She breaks free and rides away weeping.

Frederich taunts Albrecht about Erna’s attraction to a human lover. Albrecht attacks him, then stops when reminded that his father maimed Frederich. He asks forgiveness for his family’s wrongs and orders Frederich never to appear before him again. Returning home, Albrecht resists the forest spirits and struggles with jealousy. Erna seeks his comfort but conceals what happened. Tormented by guilt, she privately requests confession with Father Christopher.

Meanwhile, Stephen encounters Frederich in the forest and kills him, justifying the act to himself by Frederich’s plan to bring the Huns into the country. Stephen then prepares to leave Rittenberg, hoping a farewell will disclose Erna’s feelings.

The decisive reconciliation comes after Father Christopher explains that Albrecht awakened desires in Erna just as she gave him a soul. He urges Albrecht to tell her the truth and trust that they can help each other. Albrecht and Erna disclose their secrets and forgive one another. When Stephen sends word that he will leave unless Erna asks him to stay, she tells Albrecht she wants him gone.

Albrecht kisses Erna, affirms their mutual support, and goes downstairs to receive Stephen’s farewell. Erna watches the courtyard lights in peace and joy. Stephen’s actual departure is not shown. Frederich is dead; Father Christopher remains their spiritual guide, and Lady Adelaide remains at the castle, with no further outcome specified.

The ending

Albrecht reveals his kobold origin, Erna reveals her wrongdoing with Stephen, and they forgive each other. Erna chooses her husband and asks that Stephen leave. Albrecht goes downstairs to receive Stephen’s farewell while Erna watches the courtyard lights, peaceful and happy; the novel ends before the farewell or departure is shown.

Characters

Also appearing

  • God
  • Saint Cuthbert
  • The Wild Huntsman
  • Frank Myrick

Chapter by chapter

Dedication

The author acknowledges that Undine influenced Albrecht while denying any attempt to imitate or rival it. The foreword explains that historical accuracy and moral instruction are not the story's aims. It leaves readers with the promise of a romance that presents a significant problem in human life without claiming to solve it.

Chapter 1

Erna watches a departing knight leave Castle Rittenberg and wonders why his handsome appearance repelled rather than attracted her. A piercing horn call from the Schwarzwald interrupts her doubts and stirs an unfamiliar excitement mixed with fear. Erna looks down into the valley to discover who is approaching.

Chapter 2

Erna welcomes Baron von Waldstein, a striking stranger who arrives at Castle Rittenberg with his attendants. His appearance and attentive gaze awaken an attraction that distracts her from her religious reading. Erna retreats to her chamber and dreams about the knight despite knowing almost nothing about him.

Chapter 3

Lady Adelaide asks Elsa to investigate Baron von Waldstein, but his attendants reveal little, and his charm soon captivates the household. Father Christopher challenges the suggestion that lacking a soul might spare a kobold a heavy responsibility, while Erna defends the stranger's intentions. Erna withdraws remembering Albrecht's longing gaze, leaving him with Father Christopher.

Chapter 4

Albrecht prolongs his stay at Rittenberg, and he and Erna increasingly influence one another. Erna takes up activities that please him, while her character makes him more thoughtful and earnest. During a ride, Erna admires the distant Alps, but Albrecht remarks that appreciating them requires a soul before abruptly turning to a cheerful song.

Chapter 5

Albrecht kisses Elsa as a reward for her singing, and Erna reproaches him when he sees no reason for shame. Their discussion of kisses leads Erna to explain exclusive love, and their exchanged looks reveal their feelings for each other. Albrecht then warns Erna away from a ford because of an angry nix, leaving her privately unsettled by his apparent knowledge of woodland beings.

Chapter 6

Countess Erna and Baron Albrecht recognize their love and pledge themselves to each other. Lady Adelaide surprises them by accepting their betrothal instead of scolding them. She blesses Erna and Albrecht and leaves them alone together.

Chapter 7

Erna and Albrecht prepare for a speedy wedding while their happiness spreads through Rittenberg. Reports of strange activity in the forest trouble the servants, and Father Christopher charges Erna with guiding Albrecht toward Christian faith. Erna promises to work for Albrecht's salvation and rides with him to visit a sick charcoal-burner's daughter.

Erna's concern for the charcoal-burner's daughter makes Albrecht question whether he had the right to seek her love. Erna dismisses his doubts, although his changing moods leave her aware of a possible secret. Albrecht sends for his wedding gift and foster-father, Herr von Zimmern, and his squire returns the day before the wedding.

Chapter 8

Herr von Zimmern arrives, frightening Erna and the servants with his appearance and manner. He warmly supports the marriage, while some servants suspect that he is a forest demon. Albrecht ends the evening singing a passionate love song that draws Father Christopher's rebuke and leaves Erna absorbed in her attraction to him.

Chapter 9

Father Christopher prays anxiously about the marriage and prepares to hear Albrecht's confession. A distressed, delirious man-at-arms clings to Albrecht, and Father Christopher asks Albrecht to lead him away before the confession is completed. Albrecht denies having any sin beyond his desire for Erna's love, receives a blessing, and leaves to help the sick man.

Chapter 10

Erna insists on marrying Albrecht with only the castle household present, despite Lady Adelaide's objections. Erna and Albrecht marry, and the celebrations end with songs that embarrass Erna. Erna waits in the bridal chamber with mingled desire and fear, then embraces Albrecht in tears when he arrives.

Chapter 11

Albrecht leaves Erna at dawn and confesses to Father Christopher that he was a kobold who married her to gain a soul. Father Christopher accepts that Albrecht now has a soul and decides to help him become worthy of Erna. He refuses to separate the couple and insists that Albrecht be baptized immediately.

Father Christopher reassures Albrecht about prayer and baptizes him. Albrecht fears that Erna will reject him if she learns his origin, and the priest allows him to keep it secret for now. Father Christopher warns that Albrecht's salvation depends on protecting Erna's soul.

Chapter 12

Albrecht returns to Erna and presents her with a lavish wedding gift of jewels before the household. Herr Frederich's joke about their wedding night makes Albrecht feel new disgust and distrust toward his former teacher. Albrecht enjoys Erna's delight until her mention of the Madonna reminds him of his baptism and his responsibility for his soul.

Chapter 13

Father Christopher watches Albrecht and Erna closely as their married life changes them. Erna becomes more eager for worldly pleasures, while Albrecht increasingly seeks religious instruction. The chapter leaves Father Christopher wondering at Erna's wish to ride out while Albrecht prefers to continue reading Saint Cuthbert.

Chapter 14

Father Christopher worries about the forest spirits watching Rittenberg and Erna's growing devotion to hunting and entertainment. When a dying charcoal-burner's daughter asks to see her, Erna refuses despite Albrecht's appeal. Her callous answer leaves Father Christopher sorrowful and Albrecht filled with remorse and terror.

Chapter 15

Erna grows restless and resents Albrecht's refusal to take her to Charlemagne's court. Count Stephen returns, and Erna now enjoys his company and admiration. Stephen mocks Albrecht's studies with Father Christopher, but Albrecht's arrival leaves him astonished by his appearance.

Chapter 16

Count Stephen stays at Rittenberg and leads its pleasures, while Albrecht tells Father Christopher that an angry kobold ruler brought the count there. Stephen directs a song about love overriding marriage vows toward Erna. Erna leaves the hall hastily, Stephen looks triumphant, and Albrecht studies his new soul with the priest.

Chapter 17

Erna asks Albrecht why he kept the ring Herr von Zimmern offered her, and the castle party goes stag hunting. Albrecht breaks the stag's neck with his hands, filling Erna with admiration and fear. Erna kisses his hand, and her love for him briefly overcomes her attraction to Count Stephen.

Chapter 18

Albrecht regrets his violence at the hunt, while Count Stephen encourages Erna's dissatisfaction with her husband's spiritual studies. Erna shows Stephen an illustrated Ovid scroll, then snatches it back in embarrassment just as Albrecht and Herr von Zimmern enter. Albrecht raises a tower repair proposal, but Frederich's pointed remarks about the scroll make Stephen suspect his malice.

Chapter 19

Albrecht and Erna discuss their changing lives, with Erna praising pleasure and Albrecht urging care for the soul. Albrecht warns that the wood-folk can lead people toward forbidden pleasures, but Erna dismisses his concern. Erna leaves him to ask Count Stephen to sing.

Chapter 20

Erna goes hawking with Count Stephen against Albrecht's wishes and struggles with her attraction to her cousin. Stephen rides beside her on a narrow forest path and embraces and kisses her. Erna tears herself free and rides toward the castle, weeping.

Chapter 21

Herr Frederich takes Albrecht into the forest and taunts him about Erna turning to a human lover. Albrecht attacks him but stops when Frederich reminds him that Albrecht's father maimed him. Albrecht asks Frederich's forgiveness for his family's wrongs, warns him never to appear before him again, and rides away.

Chapter 22

Albrecht rides back to Rittenberg, struggling with jealousy and resisting the wood-folk. Erna seeks comfort in his arms but finds his tenderness does not satisfy her longing. Erna gives a false explanation for her distress and leaves Albrecht fearing that she no longer loves him.

Chapter 23

Erna returns from Count Stephen feeling guilty for listening to his advances and receiving his kiss. She longs for Albrecht's forgiveness but fears confessing and believes the servants know her shame. Erna asks Lady Adelaide to bring Father Christopher privately so she can confess.

Chapter 24

Count Stephen searches the forest for Erna and meets Herr Frederich. Stephen kills Frederich and justifies the killing by thinking of Frederich's plan to bring the Huns into the land. Stephen returns to Rittenberg and prepares to leave, hoping a farewell meeting will reveal Erna's feelings.

Chapter 25

Albrecht fears that his origins among the wood-folk threaten both his soul and Erna's salvation. Father Christopher summons Albrecht and explains that Albrecht has awakened desires in Erna just as she has given him a soul. Father Christopher encourages Albrecht to trust his capacity to help them both and tell Erna his secret.

Chapter 26

Albrecht comes to Erna, and they reveal their secrets and forgive each other. Count Stephen sends word that he will leave unless Erna asks him to stay. Erna tells Albrecht she wants Stephen gone and asks Albrecht to receive his farewell.

Albrecht kisses Erna and says they will help each other now that they have forgiven each other. Albrecht goes downstairs to meet Count Stephen. Erna watches the courtyard lights with peace and joy, and the novel ends.

Storylines

  • Stephen's reported accusation of emotional coldness unsettles Erna's understanding of herself, leading her to question whether she differs from other maidens.

    • Erna experiences unsolicited affection, anticipated grief, admiration and pleasure, providing evidence against Stephen's accusation of emotional coldness; she does not explicitly settle her earlier self-questioning.

  • Adelaide seeks to marry Erna to Stephen to perpetuate the family name, but their mutual aversion and Stephen's decision against pursuing the match defeat the immediate scheme.

    • Erna's absorbing attraction to Albrecht introduces a further obstacle to Adelaide's intended match with Stephen, although Adelaide has not abandoned that goal.
    • Adelaide abandons her hope of marrying Erna to Stephen and welcomes Albrecht as Erna's intended husband.

  • Adelaide's pressure on Erna to favor Stephen strains their affectionate relationship: Erna resists, while Adelaide takes offense and remains aggrieved.

    • Adelaide accepts Erna's chosen match and gives her affectionate blessing, ending the immediate dispute over favoring Stephen.

  • Erna and Stephen find each other repellent; Stephen believes her standards would continually rebuke his way of life and abandons courtship.

    • Their former aversion gives way to Stephen's admiration and Erna's pleasure in his company. She dresses to impress him and enjoys his apparent approval.
    • Stephen's former aversion reverses into attraction and regret over rejecting Erna; he believes she responds to him.

  • Adelaide seeks to preserve another opportunity for the match by securing Erna's promise to invite Stephen back and arranging for their farewell to occur alone.

    • Adelaide's abandonment of the Stephen match and approval of Albrecht supersede her plan to preserve another opportunity for Stephen.

  • Christopher undertakes to combat rumors that Adelaide possesses a secret for preserving her vigor.

  • Erna seeks the source of a horn call that gives her an unprecedented thrill and an uneasy sense of the forest's mysteries.

  • Erna develops a powerful attraction to Albrecht, admires his apparent fearlessness and takes pleasure in his attention; his feelings remain unknown.

    • Erna's captivation deepens until her former life seems dull. She suspects, then denies, that Albrecht means to interest her, is confused by his attention to her wishes, and recalls his intense look when she defended him. His feelings remain unconfirmed.
    • Erna takes exceptional pleasure in Albrecht's company and shapes her pursuits around him. His regard for her approaches reverence, and her influence makes him more earnest and introduces an unfamiliar sadness. She notices his transformation without understanding its meaning.
    • Erna abandons her intention to leave him, feels tenderness for his motherless childhood, and reaches mutually acknowledged romantic affection with him, making his feelings known.
    • Their love becomes mutually understood and explicitly declared, culminating in a reciprocated embrace, kiss and betrothal.
    • Erna's new gayety accompanies their attachment, and Albrecht's declaration that her kisses surpass all others supplies evidence of his reciprocal attraction.
    • Their shared merriment and increasing affinity deepen the attachment; Albrecht's concern about having won Erna's love also reveals his emotional investment.
    • Erna catches Albrecht's gaiety and becomes unusually playful, showing his continuing emotional influence.
    • Erna's attraction acquires an unsettling sensual intensity; she recognizes Albrecht's footsteps and embraces him tearfully in the bridal chamber.
    • Albrecht's feelings become explicit as exclusive, reverent love for Erna.
    • Albrecht's ardor and pleasure in Erna make his reciprocal attraction explicit, and their intimacy continues after the marriage.
    • Their increasing marital closeness develops Erna's attachment into a reciprocated bond.
    • The marriage loses mutual sympathy. Albrecht becomes jealous, while Erna resents both Stephen's ridicule and her husband's conduct that invites it.
    • Albrecht's extraordinary feat inspires pride and fearful admiration in Erna; his subsequent attention renews her wholehearted love for him.
    • Albrecht's prowess at the hunt briefly renews Erna's ardent love.

  • Albrecht seeks shelter and medical help at Rittenberg for his strangely ill retainer, whose condition has prevented further travel and whom he fears may die.

    • The retainer receives medical care and partially recovers, but still requires two days' rest.
    • The retainer suffers renewed fever and delirium. His agitation lessens on leaving the chapel, but recovery remains unachieved.

  • Erna undertakes to secure the castle leech's care for the sick retainer and orders protection, rest and refreshment for the visitors; their provision and the retainer's recovery remain unconfirmed.

    • The leech's treatment confirms that medical help has been secured. He reports that the illness is not contagious, but full recovery remains pending.
    • The renewed illness defeats any assumption that shelter and arranged care have secured the retainer's recovery; treatment remains unconfirmed.

  • Adelaide seeks to learn about the remarkable visitor, inferring his importance from his jewel, but leaves Erna with her curiosity unsatisfied.

    • Adelaide commissions Elsa to investigate and learns that Albrecht travels southward, but his purpose remains unknown. Her renewed intention to question him closely dissolves under the charm of his presence and conversation.

  • Albrecht becomes captivated by Christopher and subsequently gains new respect and interest in him.

    • Christopher now feels attached to Albrecht, making their relationship reciprocal.

  • Erna conceals the valuable Ovid volume after recognizing its profane pictures and considering destroying it.

    • Erna brings the stored Ovid scroll into Stephen's possession, exposing its explicit illustrations to him, then takes it back after discovering the picture he is viewing.
    • Erna hands the Ovid scroll to Stephen, recognizes its indecent illustrations and perceives him taking greater liberties afterward; her earlier concealment now has consequences for their intimacy.

  • Erna's objection to risking lives and making innocent animals suffer for amusement surprises Albrecht; Adelaide interrupts his questioning to prevent offence or an unfavorable impression of Erna.

    • Their differing moral outlooks emerge again through the convent legend and discussion of pity and souls. Erna interprets Albrecht's apparent moral incomprehension as teasing, leaving the difference unresolved.
    • Albrecht disregards Erna's plea to spare the heron and delights in its killing, but subsequently recognizes the hardship of killing it for pleasure and accepts that her criticism is right.
    • Their influence runs both ways: Erna loses her former conviction against dangerous courtly pastimes, while Albrecht newly considers the suffering of hunted animals.
    • Erna adopts enthusiasm for hunting and loses her former reluctance to cause defenseless animals pain, removing her earlier objection.

  • Albrecht's praise of the kobold and confident supernatural remarks disturb the company, and his speculation about lacking a soul provokes Adelaide's scandal and Christopher's grief and disapproval.

    • The question of soulless spirits becomes personally charged in Albrecht's conversation with Erna. He learns Christopher rejects salvation through marriage to a mortal, abandons a related question, and later links appreciation of beauty to possessing a soul, leaving Erna puzzled.
    • Albrecht's claimed knowledge of the nix's dangerous mood alarms Erna and changes their route; his supernatural confidence now influences her actions and inspires partly pleasurable awe.
    • Albrecht's sensual song and defense of it renew the clash with the household's moral expectations: Christopher is pained and reproves him, while Adelaide is scandalized.

  • Albrecht seeks to prolong his stay at Rittenberg, eventually remaining simply because he wishes to stay.

  • Christopher doubts the changes in Erna as she adopts pursuits pleasing to Albrecht.

    • Christopher recognizes an unfamiliar change in Erna's outlook without understanding it, as her resistance to frivolous impressions gives way to enthusiasm for courtly pleasures.
    • Erna's former pensive and pious demeanor gives way to gayety. Christopher feels forebodings about the marriage, although he consents in hope of her spiritual influence.
    • Christopher recognizes Erna's changed pursuits and sees her urging pleasure while Albrecht seeks religious reading.
    • Christopher increasingly recognizes Erna's absorption in sensual pleasure, doubts the couple's spiritual likeness, and feels deep sorrow when she refuses the dying child's request.

  • Adelaide discreetly encourages Albrecht's influence on Erna, welcoming Erna's adoption of worldly pursuits.

    • Erna adopts an interest in court festivities and tournaments under Albrecht's influence, and Adelaide openly welcomes their union.
    • Adelaide welcomes Erna's willingness to hear gossip and credits Albrecht with making her sociable.

  • Albrecht leaves unexplained his personal concern with souls and the belief that marriage to a mortal can give a spirit a soul; he abandons a conditional question, while Erna remains uncertain about his meaning.

    • Albrecht's doubt and recurring troubled moods deepen the unresolved mystery around him. Erna senses concealment but immediately rejects the possibility of a dark deed; the underlying explanation remains undisclosed.
    • Albrecht explains his concern with souls to Christopher: he is a kobold, Frederich taught him that marriage could give him a soul, and he wooed Erna for that purpose. Erna remains uninformed.

  • Albrecht's kiss of Elsa exposes a conflict between his conduct and Erna's understanding of love; he acknowledges her objection and learns her principle that true love excludes other people's caresses.

    • Albrecht now understands Erna's objection to his kissing another woman and acquires exclusive love for her.

  • Erna leaves the correction of Albrecht's conduct to Father Christopher.

    • Christopher directly undertakes moral correction by reproving Albrecht's song as unworthy of a virtuous Northern knight.
    • Albrecht seeks Christopher's guidance, and Christopher undertakes his spiritual correction, beginning with a requirement for baptism.

  • Albrecht offers to joust on Erna's behalf if she attends; Erna now desires the court festivities and the opportunity to watch him compete.

  • Erna and Albrecht commit to marriage; Albrecht vows to keep Erna against all opposition, and Adelaide blesses their union.

    • Albrecht gains household support and seeks a speedy marriage; Christopher agrees to officiate. These events advance the match without confirming that the marriage occurs.
    • Concrete wedding preparations proceed: Erna welcomes Albrecht's foster-father, and the squire departs to fetch the morning gift and returns. Neither the gift's arrival nor the foster-father's presence is confirmed.
    • The intended marriage receives a token from Frederich, and Albrecht places his own ruby ring on Erna's finger.
    • Christopher reaffirms his consent and, when the confession is interrupted, permits the marriage to proceed without it and gives Albrecht his blessing. The marriage itself is not yet recorded.
    • Christopher marries Erna and Albrecht, fulfilling their commitment to marriage; Albrecht subsequently enters the bridal chamber.

  • Reports of portents and agitated forest beings spread among the servants, sustaining their terror despite the household's festive joy.

    • Household supernatural fears acquire a specific target in Frederich, rumored to be a demon seeking Albrecht's soul; Adelaide attempts to suppress the gossip.
    • The chapel disturbance gathers servants and renews their fear of an ill omen for the wedding.
    • Servants hear the Wild Huntsman and glimpse apparent watchers around Rittenberg; their reports reach Christopher.

  • Erna promises to work and pray for Albrecht's salvation; Christopher consents to their marriage so that she may guide him spiritually.

    • The marriage through which Erna is to guide Albrecht spiritually takes place. Christopher notices Albrecht's reverence, while Erna dimly senses that the union may save or wreck souls; salvation remains unconfirmed.
    • Albrecht attributes his newly acquired soul to Erna; Christopher provisionally accepts this and undertakes to save it while preserving their marriage. Baptism remains required.
    • Erna furthers Albrecht's spiritual understanding through shared reading and discussion.
    • Albrecht proposes mutual spiritual help, and Erna regains her spiritual aspirations through their reconciliation.

  • Albrecht doubts his right to have made Erna love him, introducing unease into their commitment despite their shared happiness.

    • Albrecht recognizes his wrong toward Erna and reveals his original purpose in courting her. Christopher reassures him that he will not require their separation, but this does not establish that Albrecht's moral unease is settled.

  • Albrecht sends his squire to fetch the wedding morning gift from Castle Waldstein and seeks to have his foster-father accompany the return; Erna welcomes the proposed guest.

    • The squire returns with Frederich, fulfilling the proposed visit by Albrecht's foster-father; delivery of the wedding morning gift is not confirmed.
    • Frederich is present and the Waldstein retainers deliver the three caskets that Albrecht bestows on Erna as her morning gift.

  • Erna dreads Frederich and attributes Albrecht's spiritual ignorance to his upbringing with him, but tries to welcome him warmly for Albrecht's sake.

    • Frederich arranges entertainment that unsettles Erna, who suspects he is secretly watching her. His purpose remains unknown.
    • Albrecht's account establishes Frederich's role in directing his pursuit of a soul and obstructing confession, adding substance to the concern about his influence. Erna does not learn these facts.

  • Adelaide seeks to keep the rumor that Frederich is a demon seeking Albrecht's soul from reaching Erna, rejecting it and threatening punishment for its repetition.

  • Frederich wins Adelaide's liking through flattery.

  • Albrecht prevents Erna from wearing Frederich's carbuncle marriage token and substitutes his own ruby ring, provoking a flash of rage in Frederich that Christopher alone notices.

    • Albrecht again prevents Erna from retaining Frederich's ring, but her questions trouble him and his explanation intensifies her desire for it.
    • Frederich reveals that the ring distinguishes kobolds from humans and that envy of Albrecht's bridal happiness prompted his attempt to prevent the marriage.

  • The sick retainer's renewed fever and fear interrupt Albrecht's confession and force Christopher to waive it so Albrecht can lead him away before the wedding.

    • The interrupted confession is revealed as Frederich's deliberate intervention. Albrecht returns to seek guidance, but completion of confession is not recorded.

  • Adelaide wants neighboring nobles invited to the wedding, while Erna wants family friends excluded; Adelaide abandons the dispute.

  • Adelaide seeks to send a messenger to Aix-la-Chapelle to announce the marriage and tender Albrecht's homage; Frederich refuses the proposed mission.

  • Albrecht promises Frederich freedom on his wedding day; Frederich helps hasten the marriage, but fulfillment of the promise remains unconfirmed.

    • The account reveals Frederich's capture, attempted escape, mutilation and subsequent service under Albrecht, clarifying the captivity behind the promised freedom. His release remains unconfirmed.
    • Albrecht's promise to free Frederich is confirmed as fulfilled.
    • The account confirms that Albrecht fulfilled his promise and freed Frederich.

  • Adelaide suspects Frederich conceals displeasure about the marriage despite helping hasten it, but abandons investigation of his contradictory manner.

    • Frederich explains his contradictory conduct: marriage served his scheme of spiritual revenge, but envy briefly drove him to sabotage it. Albrecht learns the explanation; Adelaide is not shown learning it.

  • The wedding entertainment produces unfamiliar sensual agitation in Erna, drawing her toward Albrecht while also provoking embarrassment and recoil; she decides to stop watching.

  • Frederich's deliberate prevention of Albrecht's confession obstructs his spiritual care; Christopher initially interprets Albrecht's participation as knowing mockery of the sacrament.

  • Erna notices Albrecht's profound change without knowing its cause; Albrecht reveals to Christopher that he is a kobold who courted her to obtain a soul.

    • Albrecht fears losing Erna's love, and Christopher permits him to postpone disclosure while working to become spiritually worthy of her; the secret remains concealed from Erna.
    • Seeing Albrecht's extraordinary strength leads Erna to suspect a more-than-human nature, although she still does not know his identity.
    • Christopher now urges Albrecht to end Erna's ignorance through complete disclosure; the disclosure itself remains unconfirmed.
    • Erna learns and accepts Albrecht's former kobold nature and the cause of his transformation.

  • Albrecht seeks Christopher's guidance after gaining a soul leaves him frightened and bewildered; Christopher undertakes to save him and make him worthy of Erna while preserving their marriage, requiring immediate baptism.

    • Christopher instructs and baptizes Albrecht, fulfilling the immediate baptism requirement, but his spiritual formation and salvation remain unfinished and tied to preserving Erna's soul.
    • Albrecht receives the required baptism, but his subsequent absorption in treasure and pleasure troubles Christopher; spiritual guidance remains necessary.
    • Albrecht's transformation brings spiritual awareness and high aspirations, cultivated through shared study and expressed in his preference for pious reading.
    • Albrecht increasingly pursues spiritual study, tenderly cares for an injured hound, and urges Erna to answer the dying child's request.
    • Albrecht receives reassurance about his soul's immunity to forest beings and further instruction concerning its immortality.
    • Albrecht gives practical expression to his moral obligations through concern for his dependants' welfare and conduct.
    • Albrecht answers Christopher's summons, and Christopher gives him a concrete course toward their spiritual rescue: full disclosure to Erna, supported by reassurance about his capacity to save them.

  • Christopher overcomes his horror at Albrecht's identity and comes to pity him, committing himself to his spiritual welfare.

    • Christopher puts his commitment into practice through reassurance, instruction, baptism and further spiritual guidance; Albrecht finds comfort in his kindness.
    • Despite continuing bewilderment at Albrecht's nature, Christopher develops growing love, respect and near reverence for him.

  • Albrecht acutely fears losing Erna's love while facing the obligation to become spiritually worthy of her and preserve her soul.

    • Stephen's familiarities provoke Albrecht's jealousy as the couple's estrangement makes the threatened loss of Erna's love more concrete.
    • Albrecht dreads losing Erna and believes prayer has enabled him to place spiritual good above his love for her, yet her averted gaze renews his pain over her possible estrangement.
    • Albrecht fears that gaining his soul may bring Erna eternal death and hears a possible threat to her love in Christopher's reassurance. Christopher counters his fear by affirming his ability to save them.
    • Erna accepts Albrecht's disclosed identity, affirms her love and renews their marital trust.

  • Albrecht's new religious earnestness competes with desire, greed and worldly pleasure; Christopher sees the jewels and Erna's delight drawing him away from reverence, while reminders of baptism renew his spiritual burden.

    • Albrecht's spiritual aspirations gain practical expression: he abandons familiar caresses with Elsa and reckless behavior, and chooses religious reading over an outing.
    • Albrecht becomes less devoted to pleasure and more devoted to spiritual study; Christopher believes he is increasingly weary of the performances.
    • Albrecht's efforts at patience and compassion repeatedly give way to violent rage; recognition of his family's wrongs finally makes him abandon the assault.
    • Regret for acquiring a soul and longing for his former life provoke renewed resistance and prayer. His recovered spiritual firmness is tested immediately by jealousy, but he again determines to resist temptation.

  • Albrecht first distrusts Frederich and recoils from him as evil after his public wedding-night jest, rebuking his teacher and recognizing marital intimacy as sacred.

    • Distrust becomes open enmity as Frederich confesses his revenge and Albrecht attacks him, then spares him while demanding permanent separation.

  • Christopher fears evil connected with the marriage and expects forest spirits to contest Albrecht's possession of a soul.

    • Reports of supernatural watchers make Christopher fear the wood-folk intend Albrecht harm, while Frederich's continuing involvement and possible revenge deepen his apprehension.
    • The kobold ruler's anger, dealings with Frederich and intervention in Stephen's arrival give concrete grounds for the priest's mounting uneasiness and vigilance.
    • Forest beings actively aid Frederich's interference in the marriage, confirming the threat Christopher anticipated, though Christopher is not shown learning of it.

  • Erna's growing pursuit of worldly pleasure begins to conflict with Albrecht's spiritual aspirations: she urges an outing while he prefers to resume pious reading.

    • Erna's growing eagerness for entertainment diverges from Albrecht's spiritual turn. Her refusal to visit the dying child prompts his persuasion, remorse and terror.
    • Erna's demand for fresh pleasures produces a concrete disagreement over visiting court. She leaves Albrecht nearly angry and attributes his refusal to his studies with Christopher.
    • Stephen takes increasing command of castle entertainments while the spouses lose sympathy and Albrecht's habits become targets of ridicule.
    • Erna desires the ring despite its unhallowed powers and wounds Albrecht by taunting his newfound virtue; she subsequently feels remorse and suspects her taunt prompted his dangerous feat.
    • Erna privately resents and despises Albrecht's scruples, and their divergent desires deepen their estrangement.
    • Their disagreement becomes explicit: Erna identifies life with present bodily enjoyment and fears wasting her youth, while Albrecht urges spiritual cultivation. Her brief admiration gives way to impatience with his warning and a proposal to hear Stephen sing.
    • Erna insists on hunting against Albrecht's wishes, resents his failure to restrain her and blames Christopher for his religious absorption.
    • The spouses regain shared spiritual purpose through mutual forgiveness and a commitment to help each other.

  • Frederich announces an intention to visit his family, while performers he sends or indirectly directs continue arriving at Rittenberg.

    • Frederich returns from the announced family visit and reports finding his relatives dead.

  • Christopher comes to dread Frederich, believing that his captivity and maiming will drive him to seek revenge; his continuing involvement at Rittenberg troubles Christopher.

    • Stephen recognizes Frederich's intense hatred of Albrecht, and Frederich actively assists the courtship that threatens Albrecht's marriage; Christopher's awareness of these developments is unconfirmed.
    • Christopher unsuccessfully wishes to prevent the outing; Frederich's subsequent disclosures confirm the revenge motive Christopher feared.

  • The dying charcoal-burner's daughter seeks a visit from Erna and Christopher; Erna refuses to go and assigns the visit to Christopher, while Albrecht tries to persuade her to visit before the performance.

  • Erna seeks continually renewed sensual diversions to relieve her ennui and restless dissatisfaction.

    • Erna uses reckless riding and demonstrative merriment to escape remorse and becomes intensely excited by the hunt.
    • Erna explicitly defends present pleasure against the prospect of wasted youth and acts on that preference by seeking Stephen and requesting a song.

  • Erna wants Albrecht to take her to court at Mayence, but he refuses because of its license and worldliness.

  • Stephen's scorn of Albrecht and the family's defenses angers Adelaide; meeting Albrecht subsequently unsettles Stephen's mocking expectations.

    • Stephen's ridicule continues and Adelaide now joins him, while Erna resents his mockery of her husband.

  • The kobold ruler intervenes in Albrecht's marriage by diverting Stephen to Rittenberg and communicating with Frederich; the intended outcome and the communication's contents remain unknown.

  • The priest undertakes to watch developments and pray for protection against the kobold ruler's involvement, wishing Stephen would leave.

  • Stephen becomes attracted to Erna, regrets rejecting their proposed marriage and interprets her small gestures as reciprocation; her feelings remain unconfirmed.

    • Erna feels guilty about her attraction and recognizes Stephen's pursuit, but ultimately loses that attraction and renews her fidelity to Albrecht.
    • Stephen's desire intensifies and he becomes increasingly confident that Erna favors him, although her reciprocation remains unconfirmed.
    • Stephen explicitly declares his love, and Erna shows excitement and divided desire. His kiss ends her fascination and prompts her flight, leaving mutual attachment unsettled.
    • Stephen's passionate kiss, declaration of enduring love and insistence on searching for Erna further establish his attachment; her remorse does not establish reciprocation.

  • Stephen resents Albrecht for possessing Erna, while Stephen's familiarities with her provoke Albrecht's jealous rage.

    • News of the arranged encounter between Erna and Stephen, followed by Frederich's taunts, drives Albrecht into jealous rage and violence.
    • Albrecht's jealousy escalates into temptation to have the wood-folk eliminate Stephen, which he resolves to resist.
    • Albrecht recognizes Stephen's pursuit of Erna and infers that an unusual encounter occurred in the wood, without learning its particulars.
    • Albrecht expresses trust instead of jealous resentment, and Erna chooses Stephen's departure; Stephen's resentment remains unaddressed.

  • Erna and Albrecht grow increasingly estranged, and Stephen recognizes the loss of sympathy between them.

    • Erna's taunt hurts Albrecht, and his extraordinary strength produces renewed estrangement alongside admiration; the chapter ends with a reversal toward wholehearted love and fidelity on her side.
    • The brief renewal of Erna's love gives way to further estrangement, which Stephen recognizes and deliberately increases through insinuations.
    • Erna attempts to soothe Albrecht and briefly responds to his earnestness, but her mockery saddens him; she subsequently conceals her irritation beneath gaiety and leaves to find Stephen.
    • Erna lowers her estimate of Albrecht and mistakes his calm for waning affection despite his declaration of exclusive desire. Seeing him sobers her; she briefly suspects surveillance, rejects that suspicion and watches him depart without joining her.
    • Erna seeks and finds safety in Albrecht's embrace, but mistakes his hard-won calm for an absence of passion. Her longing remains unmet, while he reads her averted gaze through his fear of estrangement.
    • Erna newly appreciates Albrecht's moral improvement, but cannot disclose the kiss and feels chilled by his apparent coldness. Her conviction that he is holy and she wicked deepens her sense of distance.
    • Mutual disclosure and forgiveness restore marital love and trust; Erna chooses Stephen's departure and asks for their former intimacy to return.
    • Mutual forgiveness and Albrecht's proposal of mutual help repair their estrangement; Erna experiences great peace and joy.

  • Adelaide and Stephen form an alliance in ridiculing Albrecht's habits.

  • Stephen seeks to draw Erna toward love outside her marriage through a suggestive tale, glance and song; he privately interprets her abrupt departure as a triumph.

    • Stephen continues seeking Erna's love and she recognizes his pursuit, but her renewed attachment to Albrecht defeats the immediate opportunity.
    • Stephen pursues a sustained strategy of increasing Erna's discontent while presenting his admiration as permissible cousinly devotion. Frederich supplies private access, and Stephen believes Albrecht remains unaware.
    • Stephen escalates his courtship through flattery, an explicit declaration and a kiss. Erna first limits his explanation, then breaks free and flees when the kiss dispels her fascination.
    • Although Stephen's courtship reached a kiss, Erna leaves him, repents of entertaining his advances and resolves to confess, obstructing his effort to draw her into love outside marriage.
    • Stephen renews his determination to win Erna, receives Frederich's interpretation of her flight as concealed desire, and devises a farewell encounter to test her feelings.
    • Erna renews her marriage and declines further intimacy with Stephen, asking Albrecht to receive his farewell.

  • Erna seeks to recover Frederich's mysterious ring and test its powers; learning that its powers are unhallowed increases her desire to possess it.

  • Stephen sees Frederich as a potential ally against Albrecht, but subsequently distrusts his apparent friendship after detecting malice.

    • Stephen's distrust becomes explicit rejection when Frederich reveals the proposed attack and abduction. Stephen kills him, despite subsequently regretting the loss of his ally.

  • Frederich facilitates Stephen's courtship of Erna by drawing Albrecht away and directing Stephen to opportunities to find her alone.

    • Frederich draws Albrecht away while forest kobolds undertake to bring Erna and Stephen together alone. Fastrade's presence initially frustrates the opportunity; Frederich later confirms the beings' assistance without establishing the encounter's outcome.
    • Frederich's assistance includes purchased help from the wood-folk and serves his revenge against Albrecht; Stephen repudiates their alliance and kills him, ending his facilitation.

  • Albrecht undertakes to ensure his dependants have winter housing and to promote peace, justice and friendliness among them.

  • Albrecht seeks to persuade Erna to cultivate spiritual pleasures during her youth and resist the lure of forbidden pleasures; his earnestness briefly impresses her, but she turns toward Stephen's singing.

    • Erna rejects Albrecht's wishes, discounts his strength and nobility, and interprets his religious absorption as neglect, obstructing his effort to guide her toward spiritual pleasures.
    • Erna recognizes her failed spiritual aspirations, renews them and rejects Stephen's continued presence.

  • Erna fears woodland beings are watching her and aiding Stephen; her temporary sense of playful complicity gives way to terror that they obstruct her escape.

    • The forest kobolds' promise and Frederich's disclosure establish that woodland beings are deliberately helping arrange Stephen's access to Erna; Erna is not shown receiving this confirmation.
    • Erna seeks her husband's protection after her woodland fright and reports disturbing forest voices; Albrecht independently infers that she narrowly escaped danger from the wood-folk.
    • Frederich reports purchasing the wood-folk's assistance in arranging Stephen's opportunity with Erna, supporting her suspicion of their involvement; Erna does not receive this information.

  • Erna struggles between encouraging Stephen's courtship and escaping it; his kiss breaks her fascination, and she tears free and flees.

    • Erna's flight develops into sustained remorse and a decision to confess, though she remains unable to disclose the kiss to Albrecht.
    • Erna confesses her conduct, renews her commitment to Albrecht and decisively chooses to have Stephen leave.

  • Erna resents Christopher for encouraging the religious absorption she experiences as drawing Albrecht away from her.

  • Frederich cultivated Albrecht's desire for a human soul to expose him to eternal punishment, taking revenge for enslavement and maiming by Albrecht's father; finding his wife and children dead renewed his determination.

    • Frederich reveals that aiding Stephen serves revenge against Albrecht through Erna and proposes an attack enabling her abduction. Stephen kills him, ending his ability to pursue further revenge, though earlier consequences remain.

  • Albrecht demands permanent separation from Frederich and warns that returning will expose him to lethal violence.

    • Albrecht leaves Frederich in the wood and deliberately distances himself from his influence; permanent separation remains untested.
    • Frederich's death makes his separation from Albrecht permanent.

  • Erna withholds her encounter with Stephen from Albrecht, describing her separation from the hunt and fear of forest voices while worrying about what her husband may have witnessed.

    • Erna continues withholding the kiss from Albrecht and tries to conceal her agitation. Believing the attendants know of her dalliance intensifies her shame; she seeks a secret confession to Christopher, but no disclosure has yet occurred.
    • Erna's concealment remains incomplete: her agitation alerts Albrecht to an unexplained woodland incident, and he understands Stephen's intentions, but the kiss remains undisclosed.
    • Erna reveals her concealed conduct; Albrecht explains his prior awareness of Stephen's attempted entanglement, and they exchange forgiveness.

  • Erna seeks forgiveness for entertaining Stephen's courtship, recognizing Albrecht's moral improvement and grieving over her own perceived decline; shame prevents her from disclosing the kiss to him.

    • Erna overcomes her shame, confesses to Albrecht and receives forgiveness, finding peace.
    • Erna receives Albrecht's forgiveness and finds peace, though these events do not establish what she disclosed.

  • Erna resolves to confess and asks Adelaide to summon Christopher secretly and immediately to her oratory.

    • Erna has spoken with Christopher about her misconduct and received his consolation.

  • Frederich plans to guide the Huns to Rittenberg for its jewels and enable Erna's abduction; Stephen rejects the scheme and kills him, ending his intended execution of it.

  • Stephen plans to announce his departure to obtain a farewell meeting with Erna and test her feelings, and orders his men to prepare to leave immediately.

    • Stephen sends his departure announcement and makes staying conditional on Erna's insistence. She chooses his departure and delegates the farewell to Albrecht; the departure itself is unconfirmed.

  • Albrecht feels alienated from both his former woodland existence and his human life, though he shakes off the thought.

  • Christopher urges Albrecht to disclose his identity and history fully to Erna as a means of saving both their souls; Albrecht has not yet committed to the disclosure.

    • Albrecht discloses his origin, acquisition of a soul and Frederich's malice, then shares his remaining concealed matters.

  • Albrecht commits to helping Erna and proposes that they help one another.

  • Albrecht sets out to meet Stephen.

Places

Schwarzwald, Rittenberg, Strasburg, Neiderwasser valley, The Alps, Castle Waldstein, Mayence, Schaffhausen, The beech wood, Neiderwasser