"How much is it, madam?"
The lady, not knowing how little he valued riches and fearing he thought the gift too small, said hastily—
"My lord, there are only twenty-five hundred ducats; but we will strive to make up the sum that thou desirest, if thou wilt mention it."
"Thou didst not understand me, lady," replied the knight. "Thou hast already paid me many times over, in kindnesses such as money cannot purchase. Keep thy gold; and remember that I am forever thy debtor, thy champion, and thy friend."
The lady, much pleased and astonished at this unexpected reply, begged him again to accept her gift.
"I shall be, indeed, a most unhappy woman," she declared, "if thou refuse it."
Bayard was too gallant to withstand a woman's pleadings, so he said—
"Since thou desirest it so much, lady, I yield." Then he requested her to send her daughters in.
The lady went to call the two damsels; and while she was gone, Bayard divided the money into three lots,—two of one thousand ducats each and one of five hundred.
In a little while the young girls came, and threw themselves on their knees before the knight; but he at once made them rise and be seated near him. Then they too strove to express their gratitude to him, and promised to pray to God for him so long as they should live.