Having travelled about three-quarters of a league, they found Don Quixote clothed, though still unarmed, sitting amidst the rocks. No sooner did Sancho tell Dorothea that this was his Master than she whipped up her palfrey, closely followed by the well-bearded Barber, who jumped from his mule, and ran to help his lady alight.
Quickly dismounting, she threw herself on her knees before Don Quixote, and refusing his efforts to raise her, spoke as follows: 'Never will I rise from this position, most valiant and invincible Knight, until you grant me a boon which will not only add to your honour and renown, but also assist the most injured and unfortunate damsel that ever the sun beheld. And if the valour of your mighty arm be equal to what I have heard of your immortal fame, you can indeed render aid to a miserable being who comes from a far-distant land to seek your help.'
'Beauteous lady,' replied Don Quixote, 'I will not answer one word, nor hear a jot of your affairs, until you rise from the ground.'
'I will not rise, my Lord,' answered the unfortunate maiden, 'until I have obtained from you the boon I beg.'
'Dear Lady,' replied Don Quixote, 'it is granted, so that it be not anything that touches my duty to my King, my country, or the chosen Queen of my heart.'
'Your kindness shall in no way affect them,' replied Dorothea.
At this moment Sancho came up and whispered softly in his Master's ear: 'Sir, you may very well grant the request she asketh, for it is a mere nothing; it is only to kill a monstrous Giant, and she that demands it is the Princess Micomicona, Queen of the great Kingdom of Micomicon in Ethiopia.'
'Let her be what she will,' said Don Quixote, 'I will do my duty towards her.' And then turning to the damsel, he said: 'Rise, most beautiful Lady, for I grant you any boon you shall please to ask of me.'
'Why, then,' said Dorothea, 'what I ask of you is, that you will at once come away with me to the place where I shall guide you, and that you promise me not to undertake any new adventure, until you have revenged me on a traitor who has driven me out of my Kingdom.'
'I grant your request,' said Don Quixote, 'and therefore, Lady, you may cast away from this day forward all the melancholy that troubles you, for this mighty arm shall restore you to your Kingdom.'