Sir Folko began to totter, with difficulty supporting himself on his sword, and ere the Knight of Trautwangen could catch him in his arms, fell to the ground. Then Sir Otto kneeled down beside him, after such manner, that the by-standers at first believed he too was wounded, and could not support himself; but ere long they perceived that he was busily employed in loosening the helmet, corslet, and cuirass, of his fallen adversary. Blanchefleur soon hastened from the balcony to assist in the same services, knelt on the other side beside her brother, and wept bitterly. Otto perceiving this, looked at her kindly. “God be praised,” said he, “your brother yet lives; and the wound, though on the left side, has not reached his heart!” At this moment Sir Folko opened his eyes, and the Lady Blanchefleur held her hand across to his opponent, with a smile of thanks for the kind words that he had spoken. Having respectfully kissed the beautiful hand thus offered him, Sir Otto at length arose, and went to the Count de Vinciguerra to receive the casket with the ring. Thereafter, when he made his appearance under the green leaves of the balcony,--when Gabrielle, with a sweet smile, came forward to meet him,--when the trumpets flourished, and all the people called out “Long live Sir Otto von Trautwangen!” the knight, as if lost in a fairy dream, knelt down, and in this attitude he placed the ring on the snow-white finger of the Lady Gabrielle; while, at the same moment, the too happy youth felt a soft kiss breathed on his forehead. CHAPTER XXIV. How Theobaldo departed, and a messenger announced the coming of the sea-monarch, Arinbiorn.