"Of course not! The prince commanded me to guard them. Not one hair shall fall from their heads until they reach Ciechanow." "Suppose I challenge them? Perhaps they would desire to fight with me?" "Then you would be obliged to fight with me first, because I will not permit you to fight with them while I live." Zbyszko looked at the young nobleman in a friendly way, and said: "You understand what knightly honor is. I shall not fight with you, because I am your friend; but in Ciechanow, God will help me to find some pretext for a challenge to the Germans." "In Ciechanow you can do what you please. I am sure there will be tournaments; then you can fight, if the prince and the _comthurs_ give permission." "I have a board on which is written a challenge for anyone who will not affirm that _Panna_ Danuta Jurandowna is the most virtuous and the most beautiful girl in the world; but everywhere the people shrugged their shoulders and laughed." "Because it is a foreign custom; and speaking frankly, a stupid one which is not known in our country, except near the boundaries. That Lotaringer tried to pick a quarrel with some noblemen, asking them to praise some lady of his; but nobody could understand him, and I would not let them fight." "What? He wanted to praise his lady? For God's sake!" He looked closely at the foreign knight, and saw that his young face was full of sadness, he also perceived with astonishment that the knight had a rope made of hairs round his neck. "Why does he wear that rope?" asked Zbyszko. "I could not find out, because they do not understand our language, Brother Rotgier can say a few words, but not very well either. But I think that this young knight has made a vow to wear that rope until he has accomplished some knightly deed. During the day, he wears it outside of his armor, but during the night, on the bare flesh." "Sanderus!" called Zbyszko, suddenly "At your service," answered the German, approaching "Ask this knight, who is the most virtuous and the most beautiful girl in the world." Sanderus repeated the question in German. "Ulryka von Elner!" answered Fulko de Lorche. Then he raised his eyes and began to sigh. Zbyszko hearing this answer, was indignant, and reined in his stallion; but before he could reply, Jendrek of Kropiwnica, pushed his horse between him and the foreigner, and said: "You shall not quarrel here!" Zbyszko turned to Sanderus and said: "Tell him that I say that he is in love with an owl." "Noble knight, my master says that you are in love with an owl!" repeated Sanderus, like an echo. At this Sir de Lorche dropped his reins, drew the iron gauntlet from his right hand and threw it in the snow in front of Zbyszko, who motioned to the Czech to lift it with the point of his spear. Jendrek of Kropiwnica, turned toward Zbyszko with a threatening face, and said: "You shall not fight; I shall permit neither of you." "I did not challenge him; he challenged me."