"Ho, ho! you are somewhat hasty, Sir Drost!" answered Palle, "who thinks of insulting the pretty maidens? what though they may have scoured the country round, without stockings and shoes, they should not be thought the less of for that; they are now going to be led, according to their rank, to an honourable state prison. I perceive the fair prisoners have already captured our chivalrous Drost, by way of reprisal." Drost Aage coloured deeply at this jeering speech. "By your leave, Sir Palle!" he said, with suppressed wrath, "here lies the road to Kallundborg; it is long and broad enough for us all, and we need not be troublesome to each other; if ye will ride on before or follow behind, we will accommodate ourselves accordingly; but if you desire to honour us any longer with your company, you must behave courteously, or you understand me----." He struck on the hilt of his sword, and was silent. "Well, well, either before or behind, or courteously in the middle--or fighting? These, are indeed four pleasant alternatives," answered Palle. "With your permission, I choose the third, as the happy medium, and purpose, in all peace and courtesy, to remain in such fair company. I have hardly seen the ladies as yet;" so saying, he rode up between the sisters, whom he greeted with a bold and scrutinizing stare. "What in all the world is this?" he suddenly exclaimed, in the greatest astonishment, as he looked at the youngest sister; "Gundelille! do I see _you_ here? Mean you to befool the Drost also? Would you now give yourself out to be Marsk Stig's daughter? The other day you were but the farmer's daughter at Hedegaard." "Yes, I was so _then_," answered Ulrica, laughing; "Gundelille is my name still in the ballad of 'Sir Palle wooing the driver.' Perhaps you have not heard it, Sir Palle? I will gladly sing it you; it is vastly entertaining." If any part of Sir Palle's visage was before wanting in a crimson hue, the deficiency was now fully remedied; he seemed highly enraged; but the sight of Ulrica's arch little face appeared to produce such an effect upon him that he could not give vent to his anger. He spurred his horse, and had nearly pushed the ladies into the ditch, as he suddenly dashed past them. "Know ye this knight, noble lady?" asked Aage, in surprise. "Oh yes! tolerably well," answered Ulrica, laughing. "I once played off a little joke upon him." "It was indeed a daring frolic of my sister's, Sir Knight!" interrupted Margaretha. "Sir Palle had long plagued her, and she thought she could not in any other way get rid of his importunity; but it was wrong, no doubt; he became a laughing stock, and an object of general ridicule in consequence; and if you do not now prevent it, he bids fair to avenge himself."