While they were now all happily seated round the table, fragrant with the richest viands and rarest wines, there was heard at the gate a loud and terrific blast from a warhorn, or trumpet. In a few moments thereafter, a gigantic man, completely equipt in a heavy rattling coat of mail, with a great towering halbert in his hand, made his appearance in the hall, looked round inquiringly for some time at the astonished party, and then with a courteous bow drew near to the Chevalier de Montfaucon. “Noble sir,” said he, “I have been sent hither by the great sea-monarch, Arinbiorn, your friend and cousin. He is now waiting before your gates, and has travelled thus far into the land for the sole purpose of visiting you. He now wishes to learn, whether it may be your will and pleasure to receive him at this time within your castle, along with some noble damsels and giants by whom he is accompanied. Be it known to you also, that one of these damsels is in conduct and character somewhat mysterious.” “If I had still the right of commanding here,” answered Sir Folko, “the wound by which I now suffer would scarcely prevent me from coming to the gate, to welcome your royal master. Yet now,”----Gabrielle here interrupted him, kindly counterfeiting a tone of anger: “Noble Chevalier,” said she, “if you should not here conduct yourself as the lord and owner of the mansion, it follows, that we and our guests must immediately take our departure.”--“That indeed must be listened to,” said Sir Folko, turning to the stranger: “Go then, and tell the king that he and all his train are heartily welcome. I too shall come forth to receive him.”--Hereupon he endeavoured to rise from his couch; but, reading fear and anxiety in the beautiful eyes of Blanchefleur, the gigantic messenger interposed. “In the name of King Arinbiorn,” said he, “I forbid you to leave this apartment. Though indeed a powerful champion might not die of such exertion, yet it is enough that the beautiful damsel beside you would feel terror for your sake,--and a valiant knight should never inflict pain on a female heart. Therefore, so truly as I know and respect my royal master’s will, so earnestly do I beg that you will remain here. He will come to you forthwith.” Then he shook the knight’s right hand heartily, like an old friend, and with a courtly salutation retired. “The sea-monarch, Arinbiorn,” said Sir Folko, “is a brave Norman, who now represents that family tree, from which, in old times, the branch to which I myself belong was divided, and removed from Norway’s frozen hills to plant itself in these fertile fields under the warm sun of France. The ties of relationship have ever since then been acknowledged as unbroken betwixt us, and our friendship has been proved in many stern and warlike encounters against mutual foes, wherein the sea-monarch has rendered us no little service. This title has been given to such of the northern heroes as have perchance few or no