But, now behold! there drew near, two female forms, that came in their beauty like gleams of sunlight amid the raging and tumultuous assemblage. These were Blanchefleur and Gabrielle, who, in the confusion that now prevailed in the palace, had been deserted by the slaves appointed to watch them, and had escaped from their confinement. They threw themselves down by the lifeless remains of Sir Folko,--wept and kissed his pale lips in their despair, and prayed to Heaven, that, since in this world they had no longer either hope or joy, their lives also might in mercy be taken from them. For a while the slaves and armed men stood gazing at them, as if they had beheld some supernatural apparition; but ere long their thirst of revenge and bloodshed was renewed, and first in confused murmurs, then with loud shouts of rage, they began to demand, that, as an atonement for the death of their prince, these Christian enchantresses, who, by their wicked attractions, had brought him into danger, should now be sacrificed. Blinded by their tears, and awake only to their excessive grief, the damsels saw not the threatening gestures of those who were now around them, and would soon have been put to death, had not a champion come to their aid, who was in truth more like a demi-god than a man, at whose appearance the mob became submissive and respectful. This was the grand emir, Nurreddin. “These damsels,” said he, “are under my protection;” and no sooner had these words, though pronounced quietly, without anger or effort, escaped his lips, than the crowd retired, without daring even to murmur their disapprobation. Thereupon the emir contrived, by gentle persuasions, and, as if with paternal care and affection, to remove them from the dead body of Sir Folko; and they were placed in a magnificent palanquin, with orders that they should immediately be carried to the best apartments of his palace. Then he turned his attention to the fallen champions. As to Prince Mutza, death was visibly imprinted on his distorted features, and his nearest relations bore him away with tears and lamentations. The wisest physicians too, who had been summoned to the fatal spot, declared that the Chevalier de Montfaucon was irrecoverably lost, inasmuch as even one only of the many wounds that he had received would have been enough to destroy the most powerful warrior. Thereupon the grand emir commanded that his body should be placed in a neighbouring tomb, which was appropriated for the cemetery of princes and others of the highest rank. The faithful falcon then followed the procession, and the slow heavy motion of his wings betokened his grief. When the strong iron gate of the vault was closed, he seated himself thereon, clung to the iron bars with his talons, and pecked vehemently at them; thereafter, as if in wild despair, he mounted aloft, and fled across the seas into the boundless realms of distance. CHAPTER XXIV.