CHAPTER II.

How two Strangers (a Lady and a Knight) suddenly arrived, and how the Lady told a marvellous Story of a Ring.

There were indeed many horses, from which had alighted a number of well-dressed squires, (or serving-men at arms,) who were already busily employed in pitching on the meadow handsome ornamental tents, coloured red, blue, green, and yellow. Then there came a most beautiful lady, with a train of female attendants, all on horseback, and a knight in full armour was waiting to receive her, by whom she was lifted from her white palfrey with great respect and attention. Thereafter it was a pleasure to see how the lady and knight walked backwards and forwards for pastime on the green level plain; the former dressed in sky-blue velvet, with a border of rich gold embroidery; the latter in a black coat of mail, yet finely burnished and inlaid with many emblematic devices in bright silver. His appearance altogether was not a little strange and mysterious, the fashion of his accoutrements being such as Bertha and Otto had till now never beheld. His demeanour, though courteous, was grave and solemn; yet, as he wore no helmet, they perceived that he was a young man of very agreeable and sprightly features.

The two strangers, in the course of their walk, came very near the spot where Otto and Bertha were stationed, who of course greeted them with a respectful salutation. The lady returned this compliment, and her looks seemed irresistibly attracted by the tall graceful figures of the young people. She made a signal that they should approach nearer, and began a conversation, from which she learned at once the whole history of their peaceful, regular, and happy life. Their narrative, indeed, was so short and simple, and had so few adventures, that more words would have been superfluous. With a melancholy smile then the lady turned to her companion; “Count Archimbald,” said she, “if we were called on to narrate our history, could the task have been so easily accomplished? And yet,” said she, turning to the young couple, “it seems to me as if I had incurred a debt which I must compensate, by telling you the strange events of my pilgrimage. You will no doubt find some entertainment therein; and methinks it is only your modesty and polite behaviour that prevent you from asking who we are, and what has brought us hither? But since you have spoken so kindly and confidently to me, I should be very ungrateful if I wrapt myself any longer under the veil of mystery. Come then with us.”

With these words, Otto and Bertha were led by the stranger into one of the tents, which were by this time already spread. The lady seated herself on a sofa, and made them take their places beside her. Count Archimbald went out to make divers arrangements as to his little camp, and, in a few minutes, the lady began the following narration:--

“My name is Gabrielle, and I am descended from the ancient race of Portamour.--Being from my earliest infancy an orphan, I yet frequently heard from the people to whom I was given in charge, that I ought to be one of the noblest and richest ladies in all France, were it not for the absence of a certain ring, which a countess of the Norman family Montfaucon had contrived to get into her possession; and which had been inherited by her daughter, who was about the same age with myself. So the ring was constantly held out to me as the most desirable and important of all worldly possessions;--whether waking or asleep, I thought and dreamed but of this alone, knowing that this wonderful gem would not only convey to me some extensive territories, but, what was far more important in my estimation, would bring along with it the knowledge of several magical spells, and even a commanding influence over the world of spirits. Judge what were my feelings, when one evening at the King’s court, where I had just then made my first appearance, a young lady was introduced, by name Blanchefleur de Montfaucon, on whose beautiful hand (for she was indeed very beautiful) I directly recognized the ring, which, from the frequent descriptions that I had heard of it, was perfectly known to me! To get this treasure into my own possession was, for the first time, an easy task; for, during the festival, we were to pass the night in the same chamber, and Blanchefleur having carelessly taken it from her finger, I seized on my own family-property as soon as she fell asleep. Next morning she scarcely seemed to regret her loss; but, after searching for a few moments in vain, she went away gayly to attend the tournament, which had just then begun. Thither I followed her, and soon after we had taken our places, a graceful and warlike knight rode up towards her, who, as I understand, was her brother, Sir Folko de Montfaucon. His bright falconlike eyes had, in a moment, observed the absence of the ring on her finger, and its appearance on mine. After having interchanged a few words with his sister, he came to me with looks respectful indeed, but grave and determined; then, pointing his lance to the ground, ‘Lady,’ said he, ‘may it please you to select a champion, with whom I may try my fortune in the lists, and from whom I may win back that ring which now shines on your beautiful hand, but which belongs to my sister, Blanchefleur?’ Of course I did according as he desired; but, in consequence of this agreement, one of the most renowned and skilful knights in France, whom I had chosen for my defender, was thrown prostrate on the sand, so quickly and decisively, that, according to the rules of the combat, I had no alternative left, but must immediately restore to him the family-jewel, which I had possessed for so short a while,--to be given back to his admired sister, Blanchefleur.

“I wept bitterly, and retired to my chamber, where I would not listen to the messages of my friends and youthful companions, who wished me to join with them in the amusements appointed for that afternoon and evening. I spoke harshly too with my attendant, when she brought into the room a finely-made fishing-rod, inlaid with mother-of-pearl, with a golden line and silver hook, which I was to have used on the following day at a gay party on the water. But of what consequence were to me such diversions now that I had lost my ring! The girl, discontentedly, set the fishing-rod in the window-corner, and, as I would not notice her, left me alone to weep. Towards evening I became more tranquil, and the loud laughing of my young companions, who were playing at ball in the garden, induced me at last to look through the window. Then I observed that Blanchefleur, feeling that her ring was inconvenient, took it from her finger, laid it on a moss-covered seat under my window, and thoughtlessly ran back to her game. With a beating heart and anxious wishes, I drew open the lattice, upon which motion the fishing-rod, as if offering its services, fell into my arms. I immediately made a trial,--found that the golden line reached down to the ring, which, on the first touch, as if I had been assisted by magic, attached itself to the hook, and was drawn up and received by me with a thousand kisses.

“My triumph, however, was again but short-lived. No sooner had the childish Blanchefleur complained to her brother, and the ring been observed on my finger, (for I was too proud to conceal what I supposed to be my own property,) than he again requested that I would appoint a champion to defend my cause. And how could any one resist the giant strength of Sir Folko? My new warrior was overthrown like his predecessor; and this time Blanchefleur gave the ring into her brother’s care, so that I had less hope than ever of regaining it. However, I did not fail to keep constantly in view an object which was so dear to me; and one day, when, after a hunting-party, we were resting beneath a tree almost without branches, some one said, that it would be quite impossible to climb to the top of it. Then, in a tone of mockery, I challenged Sir Folko de Montfaucon to make a trial of his hitherto invincible powers in this adventure. Just as I had hoped, his ambition and excessive delight in all knightly exercises made him quite lose sight of every other consideration. Consequently he laid the ring, which he generally wore always on his finger, on the grass, because it hindered him in climbing, then began his endeavours. I understood afterwards, that, after many vain attempts, he succeeded in reaching the top of the tree; but meanwhile, I had, unobserved, availed myself of the opportunity to seize on my treasure, and was on my way to England, in order that, in the court of King Richard Cœur de Lion, I might find out a knight able to maintain my rights against the frightfully victorious Folko de Montfaucon.

“The great King Richard received me with all the courtesy which was to be expected from that mirror of knighthood; and when I besought him to grant me a protector, he made his most chosen favourite, and brother in the battle-field, be introduced, commanding him to kneel down, and beg for the honour of devoting his life to my service. How proud then was I, and with what indifferent and cold looks did I soon afterwards see Folko de Montfaucon enter the English court in order to renew the combat for the ring! Alas! my hopes were then vain. I should have known that the English champions, however brave and steadfast, are yet inferior to the French in the sports of the tournament. Indeed, my valiant defender, conscious of this, had insisted, as a condition of the fight, that it was not to be decided by the lance only, but that the vanquished party might maintain his rights afterwards with the sword. In consequence of that precaution, Folko’s victory was more laborious and more honourable, but by no means less certain or less decisive. My champion was carried insensible, with three sword wounds, out of the lists, and Folko at the same moment kneeled before me, requesting that I would give him back the ring. The generous King Richard addressed him, saying, that he should be satisfied with having thus maintained and supported his pretensions in the combat, but as for the ring, he should leave it in the hands of the fair lady to whom the possession of it was evidently so very dear. ‘Most noble king and pattern of all Christian knights,’ said Folko, ‘if it depended on myself alone, this beautiful lady should most certainly remain in undisturbed possession of the ring; nay, my life should be sacrificed if it would offer any compensation for the tears with which her bright eyes are now clouded; but the jewel is the property of my sister, Blanchefleur de Montfaucon, as whose champion I have now the honour of appearing here; and, as your majesty best knows, a knight dare not give away the rights of her for whom he has fought in the lists.’

“To this King Richard could not make any reply; and I was obliged to leave the court once more deprived of my ring, and in deep melancholy. Yet I lingered for some time in that country, hoping that, as Sir Folko had been always so fortunate in arms, I might yet get the better of him by stratagem and artifice. Accordingly I learned that he intended making a journey into Wales, in order to behold with his own eyes the fortresses and ruined castles where, in old times, King Arthur, and his knights of the round table, had fought and banquetted. Determined to brave all dangers, I ventured before him among the Welsh mountains, and, disguising myself in an old rusty coat of mail and helmet, with the visor down, I waited for him in a retired valley, through which I knew that he must of necessity pass. He came up in due time, and in a deep rough voice, which my closed visor helped me to disguise, I challenged him to an immediate and mortal combat. He demanded to know my name, and the cause of my challenge, but I declined giving that information, and affected to think that he only sought a pretext to evade our engagement. Furiously incensed, he then leaped from his horse, (as I was on foot), with his armour and weapons rattling and glancing, so that I had almost fainted from terror. I recovered myself, however, and said to him, that I would not fight with him till he had taken his enchanted ring from his finger, as it was well known that this alone made him invincible, and that without such aid he was weak and cowardly as a child. With an exclamation of anger and contempt, he then pulled off his iron glove, threw the ring down on the grass, which I directly seized upon, at the same moment throwing off my visor’d helmet, and saying,--‘Now, perhaps, Sir Folko de Montfaucon will recognize Gabrielle de Portamour, and he will doubtless have too much generosity to take the ring from a young damsel who has here no protector, or even to delay her intended journey.’ He bowed, and was silent. After a pause, however, he said, ‘I shall have the honour, lady, to meet you again in inhabited places, where you will doubtless find a choice of defenders.’ Thereupon I directly made my escape, and having my attendants in waiting with my horses, I rode away as fast as possible to the sea-shore, where I was lucky enough to find a ship that brought me over in safety, and with favourable winds, to Germany, which country I now preferred to France, because I had heard that it was the very temple and chief resort of brave and generous knights.

“Accordingly, since I came thither, the noble Count Archimbald of Waldeck has sworn that he will be my champion and defender of my rights; so that I have scarcely any farther anxiety, as he is so renowned a warrior, and has yet never been subdued in any rencontre. Consequently, also, I wear the blue and gold colours of the Montfaucon family, in order to indicate the claims which the ring gives me over their property. Houses and lands, however, I shall willingly leave in their power, provided I can still retain my beloved and wonderful ring. Perhaps the frightful Folko has by this time given up thoughts of it; for since our parting in Wales I have not seen him; so that I may applaud my own artifice and resolution, thus affording me an opportunity of becoming gradually acquainted with the wonderful properties of the jewel, which hitherto I had known only by dark and mysterious rumours.”

Otto and Bertha expressed in courteous and well-chosen words their gratitude to the noble lady for her interesting story. Bertha then said, in a low timid voice,--“This ring must surely be very beautiful.”--“I shall shew it to you most willingly,” said the smiling Gabrielle, thereupon drawing it, suspended on a gold chain, from her snow-white bosom. It was fashioned as follows: Two serpents of the purest gold were intertwined with each other, on whose heads were crowns of rubies; on the circle were engraved characters such as Otto could not read; but he remembered having seen such before on very old weapons in his father’s armoury. He knew also, that they were called Runic letters, and had their origin in distant countries of the north. Over and between the serpents’ crowns was a bright green stone, which in colour might be compared to the waters of the Danube, but Gabrielle said that its hues were exactly like those of the sea.

While the young people were thus admiring the jewel, and wondering at the strange characters, (the tent being now brightly illuminated,) the curtain at the entrance was drawn aside, and Sir Archimbald entered, followed by another knight.