“Accordingly, since I came thither, the noble Count Archimbald of Waldeck has sworn that he will be my champion and defender of my rights; so that I have scarcely any farther anxiety, as he is so renowned a warrior, and has yet never been subdued in any rencontre. Consequently, also, I wear the blue and gold colours of the Montfaucon family, in order to indicate the claims which the ring gives me over their property. Houses and lands, however, I shall willingly leave in their power, provided I can still retain my beloved and wonderful ring. Perhaps the frightful Folko has by this time given up thoughts of it; for since our parting in Wales I have not seen him; so that I may applaud my own artifice and resolution, thus affording me an opportunity of becoming gradually acquainted with the wonderful properties of the jewel, which hitherto I had known only by dark and mysterious rumours.” Otto and Bertha expressed in courteous and well-chosen words their gratitude to the noble lady for her interesting story. Bertha then said, in a low timid voice,--“This ring must surely be very beautiful.”--“I shall shew it to you most willingly,” said the smiling Gabrielle, thereupon drawing it, suspended on a gold chain, from her snow-white bosom. It was fashioned as follows: Two serpents of the purest gold were intertwined with each other, on whose heads were crowns of rubies; on the circle were engraved characters such as Otto could not read; but he remembered having seen such before on very old weapons in his father’s armoury. He knew also, that they were called Runic letters, and had their origin in distant countries of the north. Over and between the serpents’ crowns was a bright green stone, which in colour might be compared to the waters of the Danube, but Gabrielle said that its hues were exactly like those of the sea. While the young people were thus admiring the jewel, and wondering at the strange characters, (the tent being now brightly illuminated,) the curtain at the entrance was drawn aside, and Sir Archimbald entered, followed by another knight. CHAPTER III. How this Knight was challenged by Sir Folko de Montfaucon, and of a fearful combat fought by torch-light in the lists.