In the midst of their important dialogue, however, the chevalier could not help fixing his eyes steadfastly on a golden chain which was visible over the slave’s frock worn by Theobaldo; and as the merchant spoke with vehement gestures, Gabrielle’s magic ring came at last fully into view.--“Whence hast thou obtained that gem?” inquired Sir Folko, in a severe tone, and with the deep flush of anger on his countenance.--“For such questions,” said the merchant, in a tone of calm defiance, with which it was his wont to answer whatever was addressed to him in an angry or commanding strain, “for such trifling questions, methinks, a fitter time might have been chosen than the present; but, as you consider it of such extreme importance to learn how I came by this ring, know then, that I received it from the fair hands of the lady to whom it lately belonged, and that she bestowed it on me as a bounty when I entered her service, in order that I might be true and faithful.”--“The bargain then is null and void,” said Sir Folko, scarcely repressing his anger: “too much noble blood has already been shed for the sake of this ring, to permit the thought that it should become yours, only because a helpless woman, in the hour of terror and distress, was not able to refuse your insolent request. Give it up to me then before we speak of aught else;--give up the ring directly!”--“You might as well demand my life,” answered Theobaldo; “and you may rest assured, that it is not by a few despotic and chevalier-like words that you will obtain either the one or the other. But moderate your anger;--I renounce all pretensions which the ring might give me to castles and lands. Solely for its own sake have I wished to obtain it as my property, and you must know that I am not without rightful pretensions to this magic gem.”--“It would be fitting and praiseworthy, forsooth,” answered the Knight of Montfaucon, “that I should thus bargain with the cunning merchant for that ring of which the worth is beyond all price or calculation. I shall now prove to you what force the words of a Chevalier de Montfaucon, which you so much despise, can carry along with them.”--Thereupon he seized the ring and chain, along with the collar of the Italian, so powerfully and rapidly, that the latter, in spite of his usual activity, stood for a space as if spell-bound and motionless; so that he would in another minute have been deprived of his ring, had not the Count Alessandro Vinciguerra entered, and, with a noble dignity of manner, which shone even through his present disguise, inquired,--“What have you to say against my squire, Sir Knight of Montfaucon?”--“Signor,” answered Sir Folko, letting Theobaldo go, “order him but to restore to me this ring, which I demand from him in the name of the Lady Gabrielle de Portamour; and if that be done, there is nothing in the world of which I can accuse him.”--“I had perhaps commanded him to do so,” answered the Count de