At length he heard a voice, which he recognised to be that of Gabrielle. “Will he then yet live?” said she; and thereafter she was answered by one of the wise minstrels who had been at the banquet of the former day. “I can pledge my life, noble lady,” said he, “that all needful duties have here been fulfilled, so that he no longer requires our care. It is not by his wound that he is now held insensible; for the blow was broken partly by his own sword, and partly by the thick barret-cap on his head. It is but the fatigue after that frightful conflict, when he was possessed by the devil, and wholly given up to his infernal power, which thus weighs upon him.” With each of these last words it seemed as if a sharp dagger had been thrust into Sir Otto’s heart. The horrors of the preceding day were all renewed in his mind; and, from the weakness of his body, became the more insupportable. Yet sometimes a low suppressed voice of lamentation was heard near him, and he could distinguish the words, “Alas! poor Otto, poor lost deluded youth!” These accents were like balm to his wounded heart; but it seemed to him that they were but an echo from the far-distant and happy years of his childhood; that it was his mother who thus lamented; while, in the living world, there was no one that knew or loved him. Again he heard the voice of Gabrielle: “I have given back the ring,” said she, “to the Lady Blanchefleur de Montfaucon, who will keep it until another combat restores it to my possession. By means of this frightful slave of Satan, who now lies here, it were impossible to believe that I could be reinstated in my rights; and I must thank Heaven that the mask fell from his visage before I was united at the holy altar to such a wicked sorcerer.” “Ay, ay,” said a male voice; “we perceived that his victory was unfairly won; for otherwise, how would it have been possible for such a youth to have overcome the stern and hitherto invincible Sir Folko de Montfaucon?” “Alas! it is yet to be heavily deplored,” answered Gabrielle; “for he was so beautiful!--when one looked into his bright blue eyes, what damsel would not have intrusted herself and all the world to his disposal?” “Beware then lest you should still be in his power,” said a female voice; and at the same moment the door opened, and several squires came into the room, announcing that the horses were ready for departure. With a heavy sigh, the lady Gabrielle forced herself away, and withdrew, followed by all the rest. Otto still could not open his eyes, nor move a limb; but he heard plainly how all his happiness in love, and reputation as a knight, were thus taken from him. So he was left alone, melancholy and neglected. Yet, no! He was not quite alone; for ever and anon he heard the same voice of lamentation, and he felt the same soft hand and cooling leaves applied to his burning wound. Many times, too, it seemed as if the same light hand coursed timidly over his cheeks.