or not, he of the sun raised his sword aloft, and giving
forth a great roar as of wrath and grief mingled together, rushed on
his foe and smote so fiercely that he fell to the earth before him, and
the big man fell upon him as he fell, and let knee and sword-pommel and
fist follow the stroke, and there they wallowed on the earth together.

Straightway Ralph came forth from the bushes with his drawn sword in
his hand, and even therewith what with the two knights being both low
upon the earth, what with the woman herself coming from out the shadow
of the oak boughs, and turning her toward Ralph, he saw her clearly,
and stood staring and amazed--for lo! it was the Lady whom he had
delivered at the want-ways. His heart well nigh stood still with joy,
yet was he shamefaced also: for though now she was no longer clad in
that scanty raiment, yet did he seem to see her body through that which
covered it. But now her attire was but simple; a green gown, thin and
short, and thereover a cote-hardy of black cloth with orphreys of gold
and colours: but on her neck was a collar that seemed to him like to
that which Dame Katherine had given him; and the long tresses of her
hair, which he had erst seen floating loose about her, were wound as a
garland around her head. She looked with a flushed and joyous face on
Ralph, and seemed as if she heeded nought the battle of the knights,
but saw him only: but he feared her, and his love for her and stood
still, and durst not move forward to go to her.

Thus they abode for about the space of one minute: and meanwhile the
big man rose up on one knee and steadied him with his sword for a
moment of time, and the blade was bloody from the point half way up to
the hilt; but the black knight lay still and made no sign of life.
Then the Knight of the Sun rose up slowly and stood on his feet and
faced the Lady and seemed not to see Ralph, for his back was towards
him. He came slowly toward the Lady, scowling, and his face white as
chalk; then he spake to her coldly and sternly, stretching out his
bloody sword before her.

"I have done thy bidding, and slain my very earthly friend of friends
for thy sake. Wherewith wilt thou reward me?"

Then once more Ralph heard the voice, which he remembered so sweet
amidst peril and battle aforetime, as she said as coldly as the Knight:
"I bade thee not: thine own heart bade thee to strive with him because
thou deemedst that he loved me. Be content! thou