‘What do they do now without their Queen? Besides once before the cherished Owl has defeated this man and he may do it again. If he does not, no power on earth could save me from death, for the army is being gradually defeated.’
‘But your Majesty could send the Owl in a cage against the enemy.’
‘I promised my father never to go out of its sight—no, I must go.’
‘I beseech you then, your Majesty, to allow me to accompany you, for the road to the camp is full of danger.’
‘But your horse is tired, and even if he were not he could never keep up with me.’
‘But if you will excuse the contradiction, I think I shall.’
‘Well then, have your own way, but mark me, if you lag behind I shall not stop. However, we are losing time. Let us go.’
And they set off—the Princess ignoring the entreaties of the ladies that she should not go.
The Princess immediately started at the full speed of her horse, expecting that the knight would soon fall behind; but no, he galloped at her side as if the speed were not more than usual, and his great black charger seemed to enjoy the exercise as though he had not already galloped over a hundred miles that morning.