an altar of
sacrifice to Gotthard and Rudlieb. He was already completely armed,
and merely saying, 'I am he,' he followed me to the forest. But when
he stood alone at the place of combat, he flung away his shield down
a giddy precipice, then his sword was hurled after it, and next with
gigantic strength he tore off his coat of mail, and said, 'Now fall
on, thou minister of vengeance; for I am a heavy sinner, and I dare
not fight with thee.' How could I then attack him? A strange truce
was agreed on between us. He is half as my vassal, and yet I solemnly
forgave him in my own name and in that of my friends. He was contrite,
and yet no tear was in his eye, no gentle word on his lips. He is only
kept under by the power with which I am endued by having right on my
side, and it is on that tenure that Biorn is my vassal. I know not,
lady, whether you can bear to see us together on these terms; if not, I
will ask for hospitality in some other castle; there are none in Norway
which would not receive us joyfully and honourably, and this wild
autumnal storm may put off our voyage for many a day. Only this I think,
that if we depart directly and in such a manner, the heart of this
savage man will break."

"Where my noble lord remains, there I also remain joyfully under his
protection," replied Gabrielle; and again her heart glowed with rapture
at the greatness of her knight.

CHAPTER 15

The noble lady had just unbuckled her knight's armour with her own
fair hands,--on the field of battle alone were pages or esquires bidden
handle Montfaucon's armour,--and now she was throwing over his shoulders
his mantle of blue velvet embroidered with gold, when the door opened
gently, and Sintram entered the room, humbly greeting them. Gabrielle
received him kindly, as she was wont, but suddenly turning pale, she
looked away and said:

"O Sintram, what has happened to you? And how can one single night have
so fearfully altered you?"

Sintram stood still, thunderstruck, and feeling as if he himself did
not know what had befallen him. Then Folko took him by the hand, led him
towards a bright polished shield, and said very earnestly, "Look here at
yourself, young knight!"

At the first glance Sintram drew back horrified. He fancied that he saw
the little Master before him with that single upright feather sticking
out of his cap; but he at length perceived that the mirror was only
showing him his own image and none other, and th