Knight's attention for the moment from his rein. Montreal, drawing the
curb too tightly in the suddenness of his recovery, the horse reared
on end; and, receiving at that instant, full upon his breastplate, the
sharp horn and mailed crest of Adrian's charger--fell back over its
rider upon the sward. Montreal disencumbered himself in great rage and
shame, as a faint cry from his pavilion reached his ear, and redoubled
his mortification. He rose with a lightness which astonished the
beholders; for so heavy was the armour worn at that day, that few
knights once stretched upon the ground could rise without assistance;
and drawing his sword, cried out fiercely--"On foot, on foot!--the fall
was not mine, but this accursed beast's, that I must needs for my sins
raise to the rank of a charger. Come on--"

"Nay, Sir Knight," said Adrian, drawing off his gauntlets and unbuckling
his helmet, which he threw on the ground, "I come to thee a guest and
a friend; but to fight on foot is the encounter of mortal foes. Did I
accept thy offer, my defeat would but stain thy knighthood."

Montreal, whose passion had beguiled him for the moment, sullenly
acquiesced in this reasoning. Adrian hastened to soothe his antagonist.
"For the rest," said he, "I cannot pretend to the prize. Your lance lost
me my stirrups--mine left you unshaken. You say right; the defeat, if
any, was that of your steed."

"We may meet again when I am more equally horsed," said Montreal, still
chafing.

"Now, our Lady forbid!" exclaimed Adrian, with so devout an earnestness
that the bystanders could not refrain from laughing; and even Montreal
grimly and half-reluctantly, joined in the merriment. The courtesy of