But the adventures of the night were not yet over.

Hardly had they passed the ravine, before Humbert's quick ear detected the tramp of a horse behind them.
"Faster!" said Gilbert, putting spurs to the somewhat jaded animal he rode.
Faster they went, but the sound came nearer and nearer.

Again Gilbert urged on his horse, and again the galled creature bounded forward, but the pursuing sound came faster than they.

Humbert looked behind, and by the bright moonlight saw a solitary horseman advancing at a furious pace.
"It is but one man," said he.
"So much the worse!" replied the youth, without checking his speed.
"He must overtake us!" continued Humbert; "he gains at every leap!" It was true.

The horseman was almost on them.
"Fly not so fast, gentlemen!" he cried as he came up.
"I knew it was he," muttered Gilbert, halting.
"You have given me some trouble to overtake you!" said Henry of Stramen, with a bitter sneer, as he wheeled his swift horse, which had darted ahead, and confronted them.
"Had I been well mounted," answered Gilbert, "you should have had your trouble in vain!" "I conjectured as much, from your determined flight," returned Henry.
Gilbert was stung to the quick, but he constrained himself to reply: "With your permission, sir, we will ride on." "My permission can only be obtained in one way, and that way should already have been embraced by a Suabian noble." Saying this, the young knight leaped to the ground, and drew his sword.
"You will dismount, I trust!" he continued, as Gilbert sat steadily in his saddle.
"No! Let me pass, I entreat you!" said Gilbert, putting his horse in motion.