When the knight had made this answer in a clear and manly voice, which
was heard all over the audience chamber, there was much flutter and
commotion among all the women present, and many were at first inclined
to gainsay him. But Queen Guinevere questioned all thoroughly, and
gave fair judgment, and at the end declared that the knight had solved
the question, and there was no woman there who did not confess that he
spoke aright.

On this Ulric received his life freely, and was preparing to go out in
great joy, when suddenly as he turned to go, he saw in his way the
little old woman to whom he owed the answer which had bought his life.
At sight of her, more hideous than ever, among the beauty of the court
ladies, who looked at her in horror of her ugliness, the knight's heart
sank again. Before he could speak she demanded of him her boon.

"What would you ask of me?" said Ulric, fearfully.

"My boon is only this," answered the hag, "that in return for thy life,
which my wit has preserved to thee, thou shalt make me thy true and
loving wife."

Sir Ulric was filled with horror, and would gladly have given all his
goods and his lands to escape such a union. But not anything would the
old crone take in exchange for his fair self; and the queen and all the
court agreeing that she had the right to enforce her request, which he
had promised on his knightly honor, he was at last obliged to yield and
make her his wife.

Never in all King Arthur's court were sadder nuptials than these. No