shepherd, in order that, tempted by them, he might adjudge the apple
to her. But as fair women charmed him more than anything else in the
world, he said that the third was the most beautiful--her name was
Venus. The two others departed in great displeasure; but Venus bid
him put on his knightly armour and his helmet adorned with waving
feathers, and then she led him to a famous city called Sparta, where
ruled the noble Duke Menelaus. His young Duchess Helen was the
loveliest woman on earth, and the sorceress offered her to Paris in
return for the golden apple. He was most ready to have her and
wished for nothing better; but he asked how he was to gain possession
of her."

"Paris must have been a sorry knight," interrupted Sintram. "Such
things are easily settled. The husband is challenged to a single
combat, and he that is victorious carries off the wife."

"But Duke Menelaus was the host of the young knight," said the
narrator.

"Listen to me, little Master," cried Sintram; "he might have asked
the sorceress for some other beautiful woman, and then have mounted
his horse, or weighed anchor, and departed."

"Yes, yes; it is very easy to say so," replied the old man. "But if
you only knew how bewitchingly lovely this Duchess Helen was, no room
was left for change." And then he began a glowing description of the
charms of this wondrously beautiful woman, but likening the image to
Gabrielle so closely, feature for feature, that Sintram, tottering,
was forced to lean against a tree. The little Master stood opposite
to him grinning, and asked, "Well now, could you have advised that