equal, and not unknown by deeds in arms. Still ye are silent--
well! be it as it may--by the laws of hospitality and chivalry ye
are masters under this roof: ye shall do your pleasure. But come,
give me a goblet of wine; ye will not refuse to pledge me to the
healths of your fair mistresses."

The principal Knight sighed and crossed himself, and was rising
from the board.

"Sir Knight," said Manfred, "what I said was but in sport. I shall
constrain you in nothing: use your good liking. Since mirth is
not your mood, let us be sad. Business may hit your fancies
better. Let us withdraw, and hear if what I have to unfold may be
better relished than the vain efforts I have made for your
pastime."

Manfred then conducting the three Knights into an inner chamber,
shut the door, and inviting them to be seated, began thus,
addressing himself to the chief personage:-

"You come, Sir Knight, as I understand, in the name of the Marquis
of Vicenza, to re-demand the Lady Isabella, his daughter, who has
been contracted in the face of Holy Church to my son, by the
consent of her legal guardians; and to require me to resign my
dominions to your Lord, who gives himself for the nearest of blood
to Prince Alfonso, whose soul God rest! I shall speak to the
latter article of your demands first. You must know, your Lord
knows, that I enjoy the principality of Otranto from my father, Don
Manuel, as he received it from his father, Don Ricardo. Alfonso,
their predecessor, dying childless in the Holy Land, bequeathed his