"Your heart throbbed faster with grateful joy, for you saw the desire of your soul fulfilled.

A hunter, and one of the noblest of them all, risked his life in the pursuit of your love.
O Countess Cordula, I remember that knight well, and if the dark-blue sleeve which he wore on his helm in the tournament was yours--" "I believe it was," Cordula interrupted indifferently.

"But, what was of more importance, when I opened my eyes again the cow was standing outside, licking her recovered calf." "And the knight ?" asked Els.

"Whoever so heroically risks his life for his lady's wish should be sure of her gratitude." "Boemund can rely on that," said Cordula positively.

"At least, what he did this time for my sake weighs more heavily in the scale than the lances he has broken, his love songs, or the mute language of his longing eyes.