the moment of seeing
him has stood in a heavenly trance, answers this with no discreet
and grudging acquiescence; she falls upon her knees at the feet
of this her deliverer and hero, and with innocent impetuousness
offers him, not assurance of confidence in his arm, or gratitude
for his succour, but the whole of herself, made up solely of such
confidence and gratitude. "Will you," asks the Knight, while a divine
warmth of tenderness invests voice and face, "if I am victorious in
combat for you, will you that I become your husband?"--"As I lie
here at your feet," the girl replies with passionate humility, "I
give over unto you body and soul!" Full of responsive love as is his
face, bent upon so much beauty and innocence and adoration, he does
not at once gather her up from her knees to his arms. Strangely, he
stops to make conditions. "Elsa, if I am to be called your husband,
if I am to defend your land and people, if nothing is ever to tear
me from your side, one thing you must promise me: Never will you
ask me, nor be concerned to know, from whence I came to you, nor
what my name and race."--"Never, my lord, shall the question rise
to my lips!" She has spoken too readily, too easily, as if she
scarcely considered. "Elsa, have you perfectly understood?" he
asks earnestly, and repeats his injunction more impressively still:
"Never shall you ask me, nor be concerned to know, from whence
I came to you, nor what my name and race!" But she, how should
she in this moment not promise whatever he asked or do whatever
be required? There is no question of pondering any demand of this
exquisite dream made flesh, this angelic being come in the darkest
hour to make all the difference to her between life and death.
As he has asked more earnestly, she replies more emphatically.
"My defender, my angel, my deliverer, who firmly believes in my
innocence! Could any doubt be more culpable than that which should
disturb my faith in you? Even as you will protect me in my need,
even so will I faithfully obey your command!" He lifts her then
to his breast with looks of radiant love, uttering the words which
confirm his action and make him her affianced. The people around
them gaze in moved wonder, confessing an emotion at sight of the
_wonnigliche Mann_ beyond natural, suggesting magic.

The Silver Knight steps into the midst of the circle about the
Justice-Oak, and declares: "Hear me! To you nobles and people I
proclaim it: Free from all gu