“Because,” answered Sir Folko, “it is not for the holy war only that soldiers are required. Our king demands the services of his barons for the protection of our own blooming land. He indeed is himself gone to the crusades, and for that reason has enjoined me and others of my rank to remain at home, in order to guard the terrestrial paradise of France until his return from Palestine. The Moors of Spain are here not so far remote that we can feel in security, nor are we divided from them by any arm of the sea. If the valiant champions of Castile do their utmost to keep off those assailants, we too must lend our aid to that brave nation, or appear even in our own estimation like abject cowards. I think, in the next place, to ride into Spain, in company with the valiant Don Hernandez, and perhaps also with you, provided I should fall, and yet survive our combat; for in that event you are doubtless aware that you become a vassal of France.” Otto looked at him inquiringly, and the chevalier continued:--“I thought you must have known that the beautiful Gabrielle has promised to bestow herself, as well as all her possessions, on the knight who is so fortunate as to win back her ring. How your eyes now gleam with hope and anticipated triumph!” In truth, Sir Otto’s whole mind was lighted up by a joy such as he had never before felt; and yet, when he had time for reflection, he could not help being more than ever agitated by doubts, whether he should win the victory,--or (so overpowering was his emotion) whether he should even live to see the day when he might try his fortune in a combat so glorious. Sir Folko meanwhile seemed delighted by the mood of mind into which he had brought his companion; and then, after a space, he looked on him with a changed and melancholy aspect, perchance, because he remembered that Sir Otto’s courage and joy of heart might lead him on to destruction, dealt out by that arm which had already sent so many adversaries to the grave. Thereafter both of them endeavoured, by a change of discourse, to forget mutually, that they were shortly to engage with each other in a mortal combat. Among various questions, Sir Otto inquired of De Montfaucon, what he had actually learned of the Magic Ring’s wonderful history and virtues; whereupon the chevalier answered him as follows:--