who well remembered that eventful meeting with Bertha on the banks of the Danube, embraced her kindly, and kissed her pale cheeks, while Sir Heerdegen gave his hand to the Knight of Trautwangen in token of friendly reconciliation. Now were the party again seated at the banquet, Bertha next to Gabrielle, Heerdegen to Sir Folko, Arinbiorn to Sir Otto, when the latter perceived, that, behind the sea-monarch’s chair, there stood a tall female figure, with luxuriant golden locks, and a long sword girded round her waist, beautiful indeed, but with a stern changeless aspect; and when the young knight started up, and offered her his place, she turned away as if in wrath, and in slow measured steps left the hall. “Nay, nay, think not of her;” said the sea-monarch, perceiving the astonishment of the guests; “be it known to you, however, it had been once intended in the north, that this warlike damsel should be my betrothed bride. Her name is Gerda, and she is far and wide renowned for her supernatural arts and resistless spells. Moreover, she is our relation. But from that marriage a visionary form withheld me,--a form so graceful, so peerless in beauty, that I had scarcely dared to hope I should ever behold it, after that first time in the magic mirror, and yet now it comes living and smiling before me!” The sea-monarch faltered and paused, lost, as it seemed, in strange and mysterious recollections. It was a pleasure to mark how a deep blush, like that of a young damsel, came over his stern warlike features. After a space, however, he recovered his composure, and proceeded as follows:-- “Suffice it, noble damsels and knights, we were never betrothed; and Gerda said,--‘If I cannot be thy wedded wife, I shall yet be thy guardian Valkyria; I shall twine for thee the garland of victory, and hold to thy lips the cheering cup of refreshment.’ Since that hour, she follows wheresoever I wend my way, oftentimes preparing for me unexpected good fortune; also now and then she brews for my behoof that wonderful drink well known among the northern heroes; after partaking of which, we remain for a long time invincible, only not against enchanted weapons. Many times I have considered it inconsistent with the honour of a true knight to use such means of defence; and therefore she has more than once given it to me against my own will and without my knowledge.” “The Chevalier de Montfaucon,” said Don Hernandez, “related to us, not long ago, a story regarding this magical drink.”