At the first glance, the ladies had recognised the Chevalier de Montfaucon. Though he now wore an artificial beard on his upper-lip, another of great length descending from his chin, and a turban of sky-blue silk round his richly-curled hair, Gabrielle and Blanchefleur would have distinguished him from among an hundred other champions. At the same time the noble falcon played round his master, oftentimes whirling and fluttering before him, as if he had sought to point out to the damsels the knight whom they already so well knew. Meanwhile the Prince Mutza never once discovered in the merchant the conqueror whom he had so shamefully deceived. On the contrary, he came quite tranquilly and unconcerned out of his palace to meet the strangers, inquired what goods they had to sell, approved what they offered, and at last invited the merchant to dine with him in his banquet-hall. Sir Folko, however, excused himself from accepting this invitation. He feared that the ladies by their emotion might have betrayed who he really was; and besides, if he wished to communicate any message, his falcon would serve him as the most faithful ambassador. Accordingly, through the next week, that swift and trustworthy servant was often employed; and by the frequent interchange of the rose-coloured parchment, it was brought about that the Chevalier de Montfaucon became aware of the plan already formed by Theobaldo, the Count de Vinciguerra, and the minstrel Aleard, with whom, of course, he entered into a bond of friendship. It was only needful to wait for Don Hernandez, (who had agreed with the Chevalier de Montfaucon to attend in the harbour of Carthagena,) ere their great adventure was to be tried and carried through with triumph.