I was sorry to see the princess in the pavilion, because I knew that if an untoward fate should befall Max, a demonstration would surely follow in the ducal gallery.
At the gate of the true lists, Max was met by a priest, who heard his oath, and by a herald, who read the laws and the agreement relating to the combat.

A court of heraldry had decided that three lances should be broken, after which the champions, if both alive, should dismount and continue the fight with battle-axes of whatever weight they might choose.

If either knight should be disabled, it was the other's right to kill him.
After Max had entered the true lists the gates were closed, and Hymbercourt, myself, and our squires stood outside the barrier at the north end of the false lists,--the north being Max's station on the course.
Max sat his charger, lance in rest; Calli waited in the south, and these two faced each other with death between them.
When all was ready the heralds raised their banners, and the duke gave the word of battle.

There was a moment of deep silence, broken by the thunder of tramping hoofs, as horses and men rushed upon each other.
Calli and Max met in mid-course, and the din of their contact was like the report of a cannon.

Each horse fell back upon its haunches; each rider bent back upon his horse.