mind of King Arthur and his
kinsmen against Sir Lancelot, and he advised them to join battle with
their enemy. Moreover, from the lands of his kingdom of Lothian, of
which Sir Gawaine was now king in the place of his dead father, King
Lot, a great body of young knights and men-at-arms came; and the king's
party began to recover their courage.

Many began daily to ride to the walls of Joyous Gard, and by insult and
evil names endeavoured to tempt forth the men of Sir Lancelot. Soon the
young knights clamoured to King Arthur and Sir Gawaine to permit them
to attack the walls, and reluctantly the king consented to call his
council for next day to devise some means of breaking down the castle.

Headstrong was the counsel given by the young knights at that meeting,
and greatly did King Arthur sorrow to feel that, for love of his
nephew, Sir Gawaine, he would be compelled to yield to their wild
demands for further battle.

Suddenly the door of the hall where sate the council was opened, and
the porter of the gate appeared and approached the king.

'My lord,' he said, 'the holy Bishop of London and King Geraint of
Devon crave audience of you.'

Some of the fierce young knights scowled at the names and uttered cries
of disgust.

The king's face brightened, and before any could advise him against his
will, he said:

'Bid them enter instantly.'

'The meddling priest and the petty king that knoweth not his mind!'
sneered Sir Gawaine, looking fiercely about the room. 'I pray thee,
uncle,' he said to the king, 'listen not to their womanish persuasions,
if thou lovest me.'

King Arthur did not answer, but looked towards the door impatiently.

Through this there came first three priests and three armed men, and
behind them stepped an old and reverend man, the hair beside his
tonsure white as driven snow, and falling over his white robe edged
with red, that showed his rank as bishop. Then, towering above him, a
noble knightly figure, came Geraint of Devon, grown nobler still since
those noble days when he had proved himself to be a strong leader
indeed, while men had thought him soft and foolish.

All rose to their feet in reverence to the bishop, and fondly did King
Arthur welcome Geraint, for this wise knight had from the first opposed
Sir Gawaine in this war, and had refused to fight against Sir Lancelot
and the queen, though he abated not his service to the king.

Dark was the look which Gawaine darted at Geraint, bu