The duke hurried through the business of the morning, and then turned toward Max, signifying that his time had come.  Max stepped before the ducal throne, made his obeisance, and said:—­

“May it please Your Highness to recall a wage of battle given by me some weeks ago, in this hall and in this august presence, to one who calls himself Count Calli?  The cause of my complaint against the said Calli I need not here rehearse.  I have waited to repeat my defiance until such time as Count Calli’s arm should mend.  I am told that he is now strong; and, most gracious Lord Charles, Duke of Burgundy, I again offer my wage of battle against this said knight and demand the trial by combat.”

Thereupon he drew an iron gauntlet from his girdle and threw it clanking on the stone floor.  The gauntlet lay untouched for the space of a minute or two; and the duke turned toward Calli and Campo-Basso, who stood surrounded by their Italian friends at the right of the throne.  After a long pause Charles said:—­

“Will Count Calli lift the gage, or shall we appoint a court of heraldry to determine whether or no the combat shall take place?”

There was a whispered conversation among the Italians, after which Campo-Basso addressed the duke.

“My most gracious lord,” said he, “the noble Count Calli is loath to lift the gage of an unknown man, and would make bold to say that he will not do so until he is satisfied that he who so boastingly offers it is worthy in blood, station, and knighthood to stand before him.”

“For all that I will stand surety,” said Hymbercourt, turning to the duke and to Campo-Basso.

“The Lord d’Hymbercourt’s honor is beyond reproach,” replied the Italian, “but Count Calli must have other proof.”

Hymbercourt was about to make an angry reply, but he was silenced by the duke’s uplifted hand.

“We will ourself be surety for this knight,” said Charles.

“We cannot gainsay Your Lordship’s surety, most gracious duke,” returned Campo-Basso; “but with all meekness and humility we would suggest, with Your Grace’s permission, that when a man jeopards his life against another he feels it his right to know at least his foe’s name.”

“Count Calli must content himself with knowing that the knight’s name is Sir Maximilian du Guelph.  If Count Calli is right and his cause just, God will give him victory, and the whole world shall know of his deed.  If he is in the wrong and his cause unjust, may God have mercy on his soul.”

A long pause ensued during which Max stood before the duke, a noble figure of manly beauty worthy the chisel of a Greek sculptor.  The shutter in the ladies’ gallery was ajar and I caught a glimpse of Yolanda’s pale, tear-stained face as she looked down upon the man she loved, who was to put his life in peril to avenge her wrong.