t that will please him far more than lands or treasure, no less a
gift than the Table Round, which Uther Pendragon gave me, and around
which may be seated a hundred and fifty knights. As for myself, I have
but a hundred knights worthy to sit at the table, but these I will send
to Arthur, who must complete the tale himself."

And so, with Guenever, and the Round Table, and the hundred knights,
Merlin set out for London, where Arthur then was, and whither the noble
cavalcade rode in royal procession through the land.

When King Arthur heard of their coming his heart was filled with joy,
and he said to those around him,--

"This fair lady is very welcome to me, for I have loved her long. And
these knights with the Round Table please me more than if the greatest
riches had been sent, for I value worth and prowess far above wealth and
honors."

He ordered the marriage and coronation to be prepared for in royal pomp,
but with no needless delay.

"And, Merlin," he said, "I pray you to go and seek me out fifty knights
of the highest honor and valor, to complete the tale of my Round Table
Knights."

Merlin went, and in a short time brought twenty-eight knights whom he
deemed worthy of that high honor, but no more could he find.

Then the Archbishop of Canterbury was brought, and he blessed the seats
of the Round Table with great worship and ceremony, and placed the
twenty-eight knights in their chairs. When this was done Merlin said,--

[Illustration: Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England.

KING ARTHUR'S FAIR LOVE.]

"Fair sirs, you must all rise and come to King Arthur and do him homage.
For henceforth you are his chosen knights, and must so declare. And know
you well, that great shall be the future honor and fame of all who
worthily occupy these seats."

At this request the knights arose, and did homage to the king. And when
they had risen from their seats there appeared in each in letters of
gold the name of him who had sat therein. But two seats were wanting
from the full tale.

"What is the reason of this?" asked Arthur. "Why are there two seats
lacking?"

"Sir," answered Merlin, "no man shall occupy those places but the most
worshipful of knights. And in the Seat Perilous, which adjoins them, no
man shall sit but one, and if any one unworthy of this honor shall be so
hardy as to attempt it, he shall be destroyed. He that shall sit there
shall have no fellow."

Anon came young Gawaine, the son of