though this was not enough to condemn her.

Then Telramund seized his sword, crying out that God Himself should be
the judge, and that a duel should decide the matter. So a duel was
arranged to take place three days later.

Elsa cast her eyes around the circle of nobles, but saw no one grasp his
sword in defense of her Innocence. Fear of the mighty warrior Telramund
filled them all.

Remembering the little bell, she drew it forth from her pocket and rang
it. The clear tones broke the stillness, grew louder and louder until
they reached even the distant mountains.

"My champion will appear in the contest," she said; where-upon the
count let forth such a mocking laugh that the hearts of all were filled
with intense fear.

The day of the contest was at hand. The king sat on his high throne and
watched the majestic river that sent its mighty waters through the
valley. Princes and brave knights were gathered together. Before them
stood Telramund, clad in armor, and at his side the accused Elsa,
adorned with every grace that Nature can bestow.

Three times the mighty hero challenged some one to come forward as a
champion for the accused girl, but no one stirred. Then arose from the
Rhine the sound of sweet music; something silvery gleamed in the
distance, and as it came nearer it was plain that it was a swan with
silver feathers. With a silver chain he was pulling a small ship, in
which lay sleeping a knight clad in bright armor.

When the bark landed, the knight awoke, rose, and blew three times on a
golden horn. This was the signal that he took up the challenge. Quickly
he strode into the lists.

"Your name and descent?" cried the herald.

"My name is Lohengrin," answered the stranger, "my origin royal: more it
is not necessary to tell."

"Enough," broke in the king, "nobility is written on your brow."

Trumpets gave the signal for the fight to begin. Telramund's strokes
fell thick as hail, but suddenly the stranger knight rose and with one
fearful stroke split the count's helmet and cut his head.

"God has decided," cried the king. "His judgment is right; but you,
noble knight, will help us in the campaign against the barbarian hordes
and will be the leader of the detachment which the fair duchess will
send from Brabant."

Gladly Lohengrin consented, and amid cries of delight from the assembled
people he rode over to Elsa, who greeted him as her deliverer.

Lohengrin escorted Elsa back to Brabant, and on