“Alas, my brother,” she said, “it is impossible for me to accept the Emperor’s love; mine belongs to another.”
When her reply was carried to the Emperor, he listened calmly, without the least sign of displeasure.
“May I,” he said, “have the pleasure of beholding the lady? Perhaps I may be able to win a more favorable answer.”
With vizor still lowered, and speaking in muffled tones, the Emperor addressed Guda.
“Why, fair lady, do you refuse the suit of your Emperor? Forget your former lover; he is either dead or faithless.”
“Sire,” she replied, “you do me the greatest honor in the world, yet can I not accept it. I must remain true to him to whom I have given my love. He may be dead, but I am sure he is not faithless.”
At this the Emperor threw up his vizor and clasped Guda in his arms. As she looked into his bright face, she recognized him who had won her love as a simple knight.
She no longer refused to listen to his suit. Soon afterward she married Richard Cornwall and became Empress of Germany.