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many lands, slaying many hideous monsters, terrible wild beasts, and
frightful giants, combating in many tournaments, and paying his devoirs
to many fair princesses, as well as other maidens of high and low
degree, in which latter employment he was closely imitated by his
admiring Squire, who jocosely spoke of his master as "that gay young
Knight who laughs and rides away." At length he reached a magnificent
castle in Asia, surrounded by a forest of trees of every conceivable
hue, and bearing fruits tempting to the eye and luscious to the taste.

"If the outside is so attractive, what must the inside be!" quoth he to
Le Crapeau. "Marbleu! but we'll knock and see."

Thereupon the Squire blew the horn which hung at the iron gate; but
instead of its being opened by a burly porter, or by a steel-clad
warrior, a troop of fair damsels appeared, who, with sweet smiles,
invited the Knight to enter, and told him that they would conduct him to
their mistress. Joyfully he followed them, when, in a superb hall, he
beheld, seated on an ivory throne, glittering with diamonds of the
purest water, a lady of beauty more radiant than possessed by any of the
many he counted among his acquaintance. With agile steps, and many a
bow and flourish of his helmet, followed nimbly by Le Crapeau, he
approached the lady, and knelt at her feet.

"Rise, rise, brave Knight! I have heard of your fame and the gallant
deeds you have done, and gladly I welcome you to my humble castle," said
the lady, with a smile so sweet that it went right through the tender
heart of Saint Denis. He bowed, as did his Squire, and assured the lady
that she was in no way deceived by the reports which had reached her
ears, but that what they had done was as nothing compared with what they
purposed to do, and would do most assuredly.

A magnificent banquet then suddenly appeared, spread out in the hall
across which they had lately passed, and strains of softest music broke
forth to give notice that the feast was ready. The lady, led by the
Knight, approached the table, and he took his seat by her side, while Le
Crapeau stood behind his chair, as in duty bound, to serve him.

"We should have guests to meet you," said the lady, "but I live alone,
and your arrival was somewhat sudden, though not unexpected. I have
sent forth to summon some to appear at a ball by-and-bye, as I fancy it
is an entertainment in which your countrymen delight."

"Oui, Madam," cried Le