r.

"Because," replied Dyvorer, "the princess not only favors you, but, I
think, from what my sister Zanthe has said, that the king has taken this
mode of giving her to you at her instance."

Ranier knew that the Lady Zanthe was the favorite maiden of the
princess, and, as we are easily persuaded in the way our inclinations
run, he took heart and determined to act upon Dyvorer's counsel.

About a week afterward, as the king was walking in the court-yard of his
palace, as he did at times, he met with Ranier.

"You have never asked of me the favor I promised, good baron," said King
Dagobert.

"It is true, your majesty," said Ranier; "but it was because I feared to
ask what I most desired."

[Illustration: THE COMBAT WITH SIR PAUL.]

"Speak," said the king, "and fear not."

Therefore Ranier preferred his request for the hand of the princess.

"Baron," replied the king, frowning, "some crafty enemy has prompted you
to this. The daughter of a king should only wed with the son of a king.
Nevertheless, there is an ancient law, never fulfilled, since the
conditions are impossible, which says that any one of noble birth, who
has saved the king's life, vanquished the king's enemies in battle, and
built a castle forty cubits high in a single night, may wed the king's
daughter. Though you have saved my life and vanquished my enemies, yet
you are not of noble birth, nor, were you so, could you build such a
castle in such a space of time."

"I am of noble blood, nevertheless," said Ranier, proudly, "although I
have been a wood-chopper. My father, who died in banishment, was the
Duke of Manylands, falsely accused of having conspired against the late
king, your august father; and I can produce the record of my birth. Our
line is as noble as any in your realm, sire, and nobler than most."

"If that be true, and I doubt it not," answered King Dagobert, "the law
holds good for you. But you must first build a palace where we stand,
and that in a single night. So your suit is hopeless."

The king turned and entered the palace, leaving Ranier in deep sorrow,
for he thought the condition impossible. As he stood thus, the fairy,
Rougevert, appeared.

"Be not downcast," she said; "but build that castle to-night."

"Alas!" cried Ranier, "it cannot be done."

"Look at your ax," returned the fairy. "Do you not see that the back of
the blade is shaped like a hammer?"

So she taught Ranier what words to use, and vanished.

When