ound breath to answer him.

"You are but a poor hand at riddles," she said at length, "if you
cannot guess what is so simple. Let me but whisper two words in your
ear, and you shall be able to tell the queen what neither she nor her
ladies nor any woman in all the kingdom shall be able to deny. But I
give my aid on one condition,--that if I be right in what I tell, you
shall grant me one boon, whatever I ask, if the same be in your power."

The knight gladly consented, and on this the old hag whispered in his
ear two little words, which caused him to leap upon his horse with
great joy and set out directly for the queen's court.

When he had arrived there, and given notice of his readiness to answer
her, Guinevere held a great meeting in her chief hall, of all the
ladies in the kingdom. Thither came old and young, wife, maid and
widow, to decide if Sir Ulric answered aright.

The queen was placed on a high throne as judge if what he said be the
truth, and all present waited eagerly for his time to speak. When,
therefore, it was demanded of him what he had to say, all ears
stretched to hear his answer.

"Noble lady," said the knight, when he saw all eyes and ears intent
upon him, "I have sought far and wide the answer you desired. And I
find that the thing of all the world which pleaseth women best, is to
have their own way in all things."

When the knight had made this answer in a clear and manly voice, which
was heard all over the audience chamber, there was much flutter and
commotion among all the women present, and many were at first inclined
to gainsay him. But Queen Guinevere questioned all thoroughly, and
gave fair judgment, and at the end declared that the knight had solved
the question, and there was no woman there who did not confess that he
spoke aright.

On this Ulric received his life freely, and was preparing to go out in
great joy, when suddenly as he turned to go, he saw in his way the
little old woman to whom he owed the answer which had bought his life.
At sight of her, more hideous than ever, among the beauty of the court
ladies, who looked at her in horror of her ugliness, the knight's heart
sank again. Before he could speak she demanded of him her boon.

"What would you ask of me?" said Ulric, fearfully.

"My boon is only this," answered the hag, "that in return for thy life,
which my wit has preserved to thee, thou shalt make me thy true and
loving wife."

Sir Ulric was filled with