to what had befallen him
and where he was, and how it fared with him and who was cherishing him
in his sickness and his pain. Yea, even, she wondered whether he was
living or whether he was dead. Wherefore it was she knew not what passed
about her, but sat silent with her spirit remote and afar off from all
those who made merry and laughed and talked and jested so nigh to her.

For the soul in such times of trouble and anxiety is oftentimes very
solitary and silent; ever wrapped in its own broody thoughts like to a
spirit wrapped in a cloud of darkness that shutteth out from its sight
all the bright world of gayety and rejoicing that lieth around about it.
And so it was with the Lady Elaine at this season.

* * * * *

Now, when the morning had come, Sir Gawaine departed from that place to
return to the King's court which was still at Astolat, there to bring
them news that it was Sir Launcelot who had fought in that battle and
that it was he who had been wounded.

[Sidenote: _Queen Guinevere is angered._]

But when that news came to Queen Guinevere she was filled full of a
great passion of anger and of indignation against Sir Launcelot and
against the Lady Elaine. For it is to be remembered that Sir Launcelot
had vowed his vows of service unto Queen Guinevere, and she upon her
part had accepted those vows and acknowledged him as her
knight-champion. Wherefore it was that finding he had worn the favor of
another lady in that wise, she was filled with a most consuming passion
of anger. At first she would not believe that it was true that Sir
Launcelot had worn the sleeve, and when she was convinced that it was
true she withdrew herself from the sight of all, and went and locked
herself into her chamber--and how it was with her in that place no one
could tell.

[Sidenote: _Queen Guinevere bespeaketh Sir Bors._]

Then, after a while, she sent for Sir Bors de Ganis, who was the nighest
of kin to Sir Launcelot of all those then at court. And the Queen said
to Sir Bors: "What is this your kinsman hath done, Messire? He hath
forsworn himself and is shamed of his knighthood in my sight and in the
sight of all. For who ever heard of any knight of worship who would
swear his faith to one lady and yet wear the favor of another? So I say
this knight is forsworn and is no true knight."

Quoth Sir Bors: "Lady, there is no man in all the world who would dare
to say to me that Sir Launcelot is sha