Page:The Enchanted Knights; or The Chronicle of the Three Sisters.djvu/69

Rh his lands. I had flown in the meantime to my aunt, the countess of Vohburg, as my three brothers, all knights, were engaged in chivalrous errantry. The sorcerer could not long remain ignorant of my abode, and as soon as he had taken possession of my father’s lands, determined upon carrying me away, which, considering his magic power, was easy. My uncle, the count, was fond of the chase, and I used to accompany him: on such occasions all the knights of his court emulated in offering me the best caparisoned horse. One day an unknown equerry approached with a splendid grey palfrey, and, in the name of his master, begged me to mount, and receive it as a gift. I asked for the name of his master, but he replied that he could not answer any question before I had tried the horse, and had declared on my return from the chase that I would not disdain his present. I could not well refuse the offer, and the horse was so beautifully caparisoned, that it attracted the eyes of the whole court; gold, gems, and the richest embroideries were lavished on the saddle-cloth, a red silken bridle reached from the bit to the neck, and the stirrups were of solid gold, thickly studded with rubies. I mounted the horse, and had the vanity to be proud of my appearance in the cavalcade. The pace of the