"Elsa," said the knight, "will you be my wife if I win from the Duke Frederic?"
"Yes," she answered.
"Then promise me three things. Never ask my name, my race, nor whence I came."
Elsa was about to speak, but the knight begged her to think again before she promised. "I promise," said the maiden.
Then the battle took place. With a few swift strokes the swan knight defeated the duke. However, in his kindness of heart, he spared Frederic's life. Then a great shout rose from the people. "The Princess Elsa is innocent," they cried. "Our good princess has done no wrong!"
Before Ortrud married Duke Frederic, she had lived in a castle in a dark wood. People said that she could use magic. Indeed, some said that she could change people into whatever shape she chose.
It was into the same dark wood, in which Ortrud had lived, that Elsa and her brother had gone, laughing and singing. And it was from the same dark wood that Elsa had returned alone. However, Ortrud had gone to the wood before the young princess and her brother. Had any one noticed, when she returned, late that afternoon, he would have seen an evil light in her dark eyes, and a cruel smile upon her lips.
(Lohengrin.) (Wedding Song.)
The day after the battle was the day set for the wedding of Elsa and the swan knight. Many people had gathered to see the beautiful princess walk from the palace to the church. First came Elsa's ladies, two by two. Their long trailing gowns were rich and costly. They formed an aisle and waited for the princess to pass through.