o wear and
after that there was feasting and rejoicing beyond measure.

Thereafter day followed day in great cheer and mirth and there were many
joustings and tournaments held in honor of these two royal knights who
had come thither.

* * * * *

[Sidenote: _Sir Ector bespeaketh Sir Launcelot._]

Now one day Sir Launcelot and Sir Ector were walking together in the
garden of that fair castle and they were alone, no attendants being with
them at that time. Anon Sir Ector said to Sir Launcelot, "My brother, I
pray ye read me a riddle." Quoth Sir Launcelot, "What is your riddle?"
"It is this," said Sir Ector: "What should one do if a messenger came to
him with command from a queen to whom he had sworn duty--that command
being that he should show himself at court? Should that one neglect the
command that his queen had transmitted to him, or should he obey that
command."

Then Sir Launcelot turned his face aside so that Sir Ector might not
read his eyes, and after a little he said, "I will not return to court."

"Why will ye not do so?" said Sir Ector, and Sir Launcelot made reply:
"Because a duty that is greater than any queen's command keeps me here
with this lady unto whom I have pledged all my truth and all my faith."

After that Sir Ector was silent for a little, and then after a little
while he said: "Sir, you know very well that I would do naught to advise
you against that which I believe to be your duty and your honor. But are
you so doubtful of yourself that you fear to perform one duty lest you
should fail in another duty? Now we are commanded by that queen whom you
swore to serve to search you out and to find you and to tell you that it
is her command unto you that you return to the court of the Great King
and make your peace with her. Are you then so doubtful of your truth to
the Lady Elaine that you fear to obey the command of the Queen?"

Then Sir Launcelot cried out, "Say no more to me of this!" and so Sir
Ector said no more. So, shortly afterward they parted company.

After that they had so parted Sir Launcelot went to a certain chamber of
the castle where he was alone and there he communed with his spirit, and
these communings were very bitter and sad. Anon came the Lady Elaine to
that place and knocked upon the door and demanded entrance, but for a
while Sir Launcelot denied her. But ever she knocked, and so after a
while he opened the door a little and admitted her int