286 The Histo7y of the Destruction
may have overpowered him, for the thought of love neither law nor reason can keep out, still less love for the Queen, whose beauty is so marvellous that even the saints (?)^ wonder at her. But I cannot believe that he has passed from thought to deed."
1 8. Agravan answered, — "This being so, I pray thee, uncle, do thou now dismiss this thing entirely from thee, and think no more about Lane." The King said, — "What is it now thy wish that I should do.-*" Agravan answered, — " I wish that we should try in every way possible to take them by surprise when they shall be in close intimacy, for then thou wilt know the truth, and thou wilt believe me another time." The King said, — " I will do as thou desirest, only to fulfil thy wish, but I know that it will never happen as thou sayest." Agravan answered, — " I am content with what thou hast said." The King was musing the whole night over it, how far it might be true or not, inclining always to think it im- possible, so much did he believe in the honour and chivalry of Lane.
The next morning the King ordered his knights to start for Wincestre. The Queen entreated the King to be allowed to come with him to the tournament, for she wished to see the great gathering of knighthood. But the King did not listen to her, for he wished to prove what Agravan had said. The King and the knights started, and on their way they were speaking of Lane's illness, and expressing their sorrow that he could not come to the tournament.
19. They had just left the town when Lane rose from his bed, and got ready to leave privily for the tournament, so that he should not be recognized by any- one there. He went first to the Queen, and said to her, — " Dear lady, if it be agreeable unto thee, I will go to the tournament with thy permission." The Queen answered,
^ The Hebrew word here is corrupt.
