w when Queen Morgan le Fay knew that her plot had miscarried and
that her treachery was discovered, she feared to abide the return
of the King to Camelot; and so she went to Queen Guenevere, and
said: "Madam, of your courtesy, grant me leave, I pray you, to
depart." "Nay," said the Queen, "that were pity, for I have news of
my lord the King, that soon he will return to Camelot. Will ye not
then await his return, that ye may see your kinsman before ye
depart?" "Alas! madam," said Morgan le Fay, "that may not be, for
I have ill news that requires that immediately I get to my own
country." "Then shall ye depart when ye will," said the Queen.

So before the next day had dawned, Morgan le Fay arose and, taking
her horse, departed unattended from Camelot. All that day and most
of the night she rode fast, and ere noon the next day, she was come
to a nunnery where, as she knew, King Arthur lay. Entering into the
house, she made herself known to the nuns, who received her
courteously and gave her of their best to eat and to drink. When
she was refreshed, she asked if any other had sought shelter with
them that day; and they told her that King Arthur lay in an inner
chamber and slept, for he had rested little for three nights. "Ah!
my dear lord!" exclaimed the false sorceress; "gladly would I speak
with him, but I will not that ye awaken him, and long I may not
tarry here; wherefore surfer me at least to look upon him as he
sleeps, and then will I continue my journey." And the nuns,
suspecting no treachery, showed Queen Morgan le Fay the room where
King Arthur slept, and let her enter it alone.

So Morgan le Fay had her will and stood beside the sleeping King;
but again it seemed as if she must fail of her purpose, and her
heart was filled with rage and despair. For she saw that the King
grasped in his hand the hilt of the naked brand, that none might
take it without awakening him. While she mused, suddenly she espied
the scabbard where it hung at the foot of the bed, and her heart
rejoiced to know that something she might gain by her bold
venture. She snatched up the empty sheath, and wrapping it in a
fold of her garment, left the chamber. Brief were her farewells to
the holy nuns, and in haste she got to horse and rode away.

Scarcely had she set forth, when the King awoke, and rising from
his couch, saw at once that the scabbard of his sword was gone.
Then summoned he the whole household to his presence and inquired
who ha