“I have confessed to you, noble ladies, that I am a merchant, and such a person will seldom devote his time willingly to the service of those who do not promise him some fitting reward. Now, the Lady Gabrielle bears about her a wonderful ring, to which I am of opinion, since I renewed my visits to a certain tomb in Italy, that I myself have just claims and pretensions. These claims, however, are not yet fully clear, even to myself; but whoever should confer on me this ring, would for evermore secure my services and gratitude; and this much I can affirm, that, whither as a squire or comrade on the field of danger, I am both active and trustworthy. Nay, perchance at this moment, where we are so far from Christian people, my assistance is indispensably required, especially when an adventure has to be carried through so difficult as that which we now propose.” On his countenance, when he pronounced these words, there appeared such a mixture of resolute energy,--of friendly good intentions, and yet of conscious power,--that Blanchefleur eagerly whispered to her companion,--“Give him, then, I beseech you, that unhappy ring. Has it ever brought to either of us peace of mind or good fortune?”--Gabrielle, however, considered long and deeply what she ought to do. At last she had determined, and with her own hands drew from her snow-white bosom the golden chain, with the ring, of which the history and the virtues remained even to that day a mystery to herself. She disengaged it from the chain, and gave it to the merchant, saying,--“There, you have the gift which you desire from me. But beware of the consequence; for you may find too late, that it is a dangerous toy to play with.”--Theobaldo’s eyes sparkled as he looked at the sparkling jewels;--at length he exclaimed,--“Welcome--welcome to my hands thou sacred, and to me yet mysterious gem!--But, methinks, we shall soon be better acquainted. Ha! even within these first moments, seems it not as if all were already bright and clear as the noonday sun?”--Thereafter, turning to the ladies, he said,--“Your safety is now secured, noble damsels;--you shall be rescued;--and the Lady of Portamour has lost but little, while on me she has conferred so much. Yet, as long as I live in this world, I shall praise your kindness and condescension, nor shall time ever set any bounds to my gratitude and exertions in your service.”--So greeting them respectfully, he retired into the thickets.