Three months came and went, and still Guta heard nothing of her absent lover. She grew paler and sadder as time advanced, not because she doubted the honour of her knight, but because she feared he had been slain in battle. It was indeed a time of wars and dissensions. On the death of Conrad IV several claimants to the imperial throne of Germany made their appearance, of whom the principal were Adolph, Duke of Holland, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, brother to the English king Henry III, and Alfonso X, King of Castile. Of these three the most popular was Richard of Cornwall, who was finally chosen by the Electors, more on account of his knightly qualities than because of his fabulous wealth. Among his most ardent followers was Philip of Falkenstein, who was naturally much elated at his master’s success. Now, however, the conflict was over, and Philip had returned to Caub.
One morning, about six months after the departure of Guta’s lover, a gay cavalcade appeared at the gates of Caub, and a herald demanded admission for Richard, Emperor of Germany. Philip himself, scarcely concealing his joy and pride at the honour done him by his sovereign, ran out to greet him, and the castle was full of stir and bustle. The Emperor praised Philip heartily for his part in the recent wars, yet he seemed absent and uneasy.
“Sir Philip,” he said at length, “I have come hither to beg the hand of thy fair sister; why is she not with us?” Falkenstein was filled with amazement.
“Sire,” he stammered, “I fear me thou wilt find my sister an unwilling bride. She has refused many nobles of high estate, and I doubt whether even a crown will tempt her. However, I will plead with her for thy sake.”
He left the room to seek Guta’s bower, but soon returned with dejected mien. “It is as I thought, sire,” he said. “She will not be moved. Methinks some heedless knight hath stolen her heart, for she hath grown pale and drooping as a gathered blossom.”
Richard raised his visor.
“Knowest thou me, sir knight?” he said.
“Thou art—the knight of the tourney,” cried Philip in amaze.
“The same,” answered Richard, smiling. “And I am the knight who has won thy fair sister’s heart. We plighted our troth after the tourney of Cologne. State affairs of the gravest import have kept me from her side, where I would fain have been these six months past. Take this token”—drawing from his breast the glove Guta had given him—“and tell her that a poor knight in Richard’s train sends her this.”
In a little while Philip returned with his sister. The maiden looked pale and agitated, but when she beheld Richard she rushed to him and was clasped in his arms.