the friendship I bear to you, I should be deeply grieved if you meet with any injury. But how can that be avoided, since you have probably never yet been accustomed to the use of the sword or lance?” Theobaldo looked at him with a good-humoured half-ironical smile, then turned round, and opened the door into a neighbouring cabinet, wherein was visible a great collection of shirts of mail, helmets, crossbows, targets, and battle-axes. “These are but the accoutrements of simple horsemen, not of knights,” said Theobaldo; “but such weapons I am well able to wield and use to good purpose.” Thereupon he took from the wall a handsome cross-bow, bent it with great skill and strength, and laid an arrow in the rest; then, opening the window, “Mark,” said he, “the knotted branch in yonder oak-tree!” Scarcely allowing himself a moment to take aim, he sent his arrow with such force and unerring accuracy, that it not only struck the branch, but penetrated so far into the tree, that only the trembling feathers were now visible. Thereafter Theobaldo took up a heavy battle-axe, and exercised himself with it against a strong shirt of mail, exhibiting such power and rapidity of arm, that Otto could not help expressing his admiration. “Are you now willing that I should go with you?” said the merchant, with a confident smile. “Ay, truly,” answered the knight; “and from my heart I can affirm, that you are well able to maintain, by your deeds as a soldier, all that you have before alleged in words. Where in all the world could I find a better companion? But, alas! Theobaldo, since you are not of knightly birth, how can we venture to speak of your wearing golden spurs? and if you are never to become a knight, why should you needlessly subject yourself to the humiliation of being a squire to such a humble unpractised warrior as I am?” At these words, a dark shade passed for a moment over Theobaldo’s countenance; but he answered firmly,--“Let us speak no farther of the difference of ranks. I wear arms, ride a good horse, and am content to follow you. Young men of knightly birth strive for golden spurs. Young citizens aim but at the wreath of victory. When in your society I have obtained skill and experience in warfare, I may yet lead on the banners of my native city, Milan, to the battle-field, and then golden spurs will be forgotten!” “I had no thought of offending you,” said Otto, somewhat surprised; but immediately thereafter the dark shade passed away from Theobaldo’s features, and his looks were again gay and smiling as the vernal sky that shone above them. He now accompanied the knight to a luxurious breakfast, which was prepared in the banquet-hall. Indeed the whole day was spent in feasting and music; though as the merchant was often called away on matters of importance, on which he seemed to bestow great attention, Otto began almost to believe, that, as to his riding out like a knight-errant, he had only been in jest. Yet at night, when