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The Queen made answer that if she had not passed unto her her royal word she would easily have found a way to get out of that labyrinth, but that she would neither break her promise with her nor yet defraud Ricaredo of his hopes for all the interest of the world.

This answer the lady of the bedchamber gave her son, who flying instantly from his mother, frying in the flames of love and jealousy, armed himself at all points, and being mounted upon a fair and strong-limbed horse, presented himself before the house of Clotaldo, and with a loud voice requested that Ricaredo would come to the window that he might speak a word with him. He at that instant was all in his gallantry, like a bridegroom, and was even upon the point of going to Court with such company as such a solemnity required. But having heard a loud call, and being told who he was that called unto him, and in what kind of fashion he came, being somewhat troubled with it, he came to the window; whom as soon as Arnesto saw, he said unto him:

“Ricaredo, hearken well unto that which I shall now tell thee. My mistress the Queen commanded thee to go forth in her service, and to do such noble exploits as should make thee worthy of deserving the not-to-be-paralleled, incomparable Isabella. Thou didst go, and returnedst with thy ships laden with gold, wherewith thou thinkst that thou hast bought and deserved Isabella. And albeit the Queen my mistress hath promised her unto thee, it was as being persuaded that there was not any one in Court that hath done her better service, not any that with better title may deserve Isabella, and herein it may very well be that she was deceived. And therefore leaning to this opinion, which I hold for an approved truth, I tell thee that thou hast neither done such things as may make thee to deserve Isabella, neither canst thou do any which may be able to raise thee to so great a height of happiness. And therefore in regard that thou nor dost nor canst deserve her, if thou shalt avouch the contrary, I challenge thee the field, and defy thee to the death.”

And here the Earl ended his speech, and Ricaredo made answer thereunto after this manner:

“This challenge, my lord, doth in no manner of wise concern me, for I confess that I not only do not deserve Isabella, but that there is not that man now living in the world that doth deserve her. So that I confessing that to be true which you say, this your challenge no way toucheth me; yet notwithstanding I accept of it for that your insolence and indiscretion which you have shown in this your challenging of me.”

And with this he withdrew himself from the window, and called in all haste for his arms. This unexpected cross accident much troubled his parents, and all those that were come to Clotaldo’s house to accompany Ricaredo to the Court.

Amongst those many that had seen the Earl Arnesto armed, and had heard the challenge he had made, there were not some wanting who acquainted the Queen therewith, who commanded the captain of her guard that he should go presently and apprehend the Earl. The captain made such good haste that he came just in the very nick whenas Ricaredo was going out of his house, armed with those arms wherein he disembarked, being mounted on a goodly horse.

When the Earl saw the captain of the guard, he forthwith imagined the cause of his coming, and determined (if possibly he could avoid it) not to be apprehended; and speaking aloud to Ricaredo, said: