"Gabrielle!" cried the knight, as he dexterously parried the heavy
blow which was descending, and with one powerful sword-thrust he laid
the youth prostrate on the ground; then placing his knee on Sintram's
breast, he drew forth a flashing dagger, and held it before his eyes
as he lay astonished. All at once the men-at-arms stood round like
walls. Sintram felt that no hope remained for him. He determined to
die as it became a bold warrior; and without giving one sign of
emotion, he looked on the fatal weapon with a steady gaze.

As he lay with his eyes cast upwards, he fancied that there appeared
suddenly from heaven a wondrously beautiful female form in a bright
attire of blue and gold. "Our ancestors told truly of the Valkyrias,"
murmured he. "Strike, then, thou unknown conqueror."

But with this the knight did not comply, neither was it a Valkyria
who had so suddenly appeared, but the beautiful wife of the stranger,
who, having advanced to the high edge of the vessel, had thus met the
upraised look of Sintram.

"Folko," cried she, in the softest tone, "thou knight without
reproach! I know that thou sparest the vanquished."

The knight sprang up, and with courtly grace stretched out his hand
to the conquered youth, saying, "Thank the noble lady of Montfaucon
for your life and liberty. But if you are so totally devoid of all
goodness as to wish to resume the combat, here am I; let it be yours
to begin."

Sintram sank, deeply ashamed, on his knees, and wept; for he had
often heard speak of the high renown of the French knight Folko of