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The proud stranger begged Guta for her love and swore to be hers; he told her he must at once return to his country where urgent duty called him, but that he would come back to claim her in three months' time. Then he would publicly sue for her hand and declare his name, which circumstances compelled him to keep secret for the time being.
Its ancient name of Caub, or Chaube, still clings to the town above which it towers majestically. In the thirteenth century Caub was the habitation of Sir Philip of Falkenstein and his sister Guta, the latter justly acclaimed as the most beautiful woman in Germany.
When he was gone Guta flung herself into her fathers arms and declared that she could never marry the aged swain. My dear, said the clockmaker soothingly, you shall do as you please. Heed not his threats, for when I have finished my great work we shall be as rich and powerful as he.
Take this token drawing from his breast the glove Guta had given him and tell her that a poor knight in Richards train sends her this. In a little while Philip returned with his sister. The maiden looked pale and agitated, but when she beheld Richard she rushed to him and was clasped in his arms. My own Guta, he whispered fondly. And wouldst thou refuse an emperor to marry me?
The blushing looks of Guta showed that she was not indifferent to the gallantry of the noble stranger, and, truly, in her heart she wished him well. With clasped hands she watched the combatants couch their lances and charge. Ah! victory had fallen to the unknown knight.
Scarcely was he gone ere a handsome youth entered the room and looked with some surprise at the disturbed appearance of Guta and her father. When he heard the story he was most indignant; later, when the clockmaker had left the young people alone, Guta confessed that the attentions of the magistrate were loathsome to her, and burst into tears.
Three months came and went, and still Guta heard nothing of her absent lover. She grew paler and sadder as time advanced, not because she doubted the honour of her knight, but because she feared he had been slain in battle. It was indeed a time of wars and dissensions.
Behold my handiwork! cried the blind clockmaker. Behold my revenge! His assistant approached and led him gently away. Henceforward he lived happily with Guta and her husband, whose affectionate care compensated in part for the loss of his eyesight and his enforced inability to practise his beloved art.
Dearest Guta, said the knight, I may not yet reveal to thee my name, but if thou wilt await my coming, in three months I shall return to claim my bride, and thou shalt know all. I will be true to thee, exclaimed Guta passionately. Though a king should woo me, I will be true to thee. And with that assurance from his betrothed the knight rode away.
Love will make any sacrifice; Guta accepted her lover's pledge willingly, and thus they parted under the assurance that they would soon meet again. Five months had passed. That terrible time ensued when Germany became the battle-field of the party-struggles over the election of the emperor. Conrad IV., the last of the house of Hohenstaufen, had died in Italy.
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