Nobody will ever know . ' And to this Geirald readily consented . Whether Geirald was right or not in thinking that the so-called page was really a well-proved knight , it is certain that Rosald 's task was a very hard one . Three times they came together with a crash which made their horses reel ; once Rosald knocked the helmet off his foe , and received in return such a blow that he staggered in his saddle . Shouts went up from the lookers-on , as first one and then the other seemed gaining the victory ; but at length Rosald planted his spear in the armour which covered his adversary 's breast and bore him steadily backward . ` Unhorsed ! unhorsed ! ' cried the people ; and Rosald then himself dismounted and helped his adversary to rise . In the confusion that followed it was easy for Rosald to slip away and return Geirald his proper clothes . And in these , torn and dusty with the fight , Geirald answered the king 's summons to come before him . ` You have done what I expected you to do , ' said he , ` and now , choose your reward . ' ` Grant me , sire , the hand of the queen , your niece , ' replied the young man , bowing low , ` and I will defend her kingdom against all her enemies . ' ` She could choose no better husband , ' said the king , ` and if she consents I do . ' And he turned towards the queen , who had not been present during the fight , but had just slipped into a seat by his right hand . Now the queen 's eyes were very sharp , and it seemed to her that the man who stood before her , tall and handsome though he might be , was different in many slight ways , and in one in particular , from the man who had fought the tourney . How there could be any trickery she could not understand , and why the real victor should be willing to give up his prize to another was still stranger ; but something in her heart warned her to be careful . She answered : ` You may be satisfied , uncle , but I am not . One more proof I must have ; let the two young men now fight against each other . The man I marry must be the man who killed the robbers and the giant , and overcame my page . ' Geirald 's face grew pale as he heard these words .
He knew there was no escape XXXXX him now , though he did not doubt for one moment that Rosald would keep his compact loyally to the last .
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