amsel Lynette had been observing all this from afar, and from
that distance she could hear naught of what one champion said to the
other, and she beheld what they did with very great wonderment and
perplexity. Anon came Sir Launcelot and Sir Gareth to where she was, and
when they were come near she said to Sir Launcelot, "Know you, Messire,
who is this with whom you walk?" And Sir Launcelot said, "Yea, damsel,
methinks I should know him." Lynette said: "I believe that you do not
know him, for I am well assured that he is a kitchen knave of King
Arthur's court. He hath followed me hither against my will, clad in
armor which I believe he hath no entitlement to wear, and I cannot drive
him from me."

Then Sir Launcelot laughed and he said: "Damsel, you know not what you
say. Peace! Be still, or else you will bring shame upon yourself."

Then Lynette regarded Sir Launcelot for a while very seriously and anon
she said, "Messire, I pray you tell me who you are who take me thus to
task." And at that Sir Launcelot laughed again and said: "Damsel, I will
not tell you my name, but mayhap if you ask my name of this worthy
gentleman who is with you, he will tell you what it is."

[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot leaveth Sir Gareth._]

Then Sir Launcelot turned him to Sir Gareth and he said: "Friend, here I
must leave you, for I have business that taketh me in another direction.
So God save you and fare you well until we shall meet again. And if you
will keep upon yonder path and follow it, it will bring you by and by to
a fair priory of the forest, and there you and your damsel may have
lodging for the night."

Thereupon Sir Launcelot bowed in courtesy both to Sir Gareth and to the
damsel Lynette and so took his departure, wending his way whither he was
minded to go and so in a little was lost to sight.

Then Lynette and Sir Gareth and the dwarf also went their way, taking
that path that led to the priory of which Sir Launcelot had spoken; and
there they found lodgment for the night--the damsel at one place, Sir
Gareth at another.

* * * * *

And now if you would hear more concerning Sir Gareth and Lynette and of
what befell them, I pray you read further, for these things shall there
be duly set forth for your entertainment.

[Illustration: Sir Gareth doeth Battle with the Knight of the River
Ford.]

[Illustration]

Chapter Third

_How Sir Gareth and Lynette travelled farther upon their