lances and your shields?"

"Sire," they said, "we have counselled you loyal counsel as lieges and
to your honour; henceforward we hold our peace. Put aside your anger
and give us your safe-guard."

But Mark stood up in the stirrup and cried:

"Out of my land, and out of my peace, all of you! Tristan I exiled for
you, and now go you in turn, out of my land!"

But they answered:

"Sire, it is well. Our keeps are strong and fenced, and stand on rocks
not easy for men to climb."

And they rode off without a salutation.

But the King (not tarrying for huntsman or for hound but straight
away) spurred his horse to Tintagel; and as he sprang up the stairs
the Queen heard the jangle of his spurs upon the stones.

She rose to meet him and took his sword as she was wont, and bowed
before him, as it was also her wont to do; but Mark raised her,
holding her hands; and when Iseult looked up she saw his noble face in
just that wrath she had seen before the faggot fire.

She thought that Tristan was found, and her heart grew cold, and
without a word she fell at the King's feet.

He took her in his arms and kissed her gently till she could speak
again, and then he said:

"Friend, friend, what evil tries you?"

"Sire, I am afraid, for I have seen your anger.

"Yes, I was angered at the hunt."

"My lord, should one take so deeply the mischances of a game?"

Mark smiled and said:

"No, friend; no chance of hunting vexed me, but those three felons
whom you know; and I have driven them forth from my land."

"Sire, what did they say, or dare to say of me?"

"What matter? I have driven them forth."

"Sire, all living have this right: to say the word they have
conceived. And I would ask a question, but from whom shall I learn
save from you? I am alone in a foreign land, and have no one else to
defend me."

"They would have it that you should quit yourself by solemn oath and
by the ordeal of iron, saying 'that God was a true judge, and that as
the Queen was innocent, she herself should seek such judgment as would
clear her for ever.' This was their clamour and their demand
incessantly. But let us leave it. I tell you, I have driven them
forth."

Iseult trembled, but looking straight at the King, she said:

"Sire, call them back; I will clear myself by oath. But I bargain
this: that on the appointed day you call King Arthur and Lord Gawain,
Girflet, Kay the Seneschal, and a hundred of his knights to ride to
the Sandy