, indeed, came the funeral train, with the message that Arthur had
sent. Then sorrow and terror together filled her heart till it
threatened to break, for she had loved Accolan with all her soul, and
his fate wounded her almost to death. But she dared not let this grief
be seen upon her countenance, lest the secret of her love should be
discovered; and she was forced to wear a cheerful aspect above a
bleeding heart. And this she knew, besides, that if she should remain in
Camelot until Arthur's return, all the gold in the realm would not buy
her life.

She went, therefore, unto Queen Guenever and asked leave to ride into
the country.

"Why not remain to greet your brother on his return? He sends word that
he will soon be here."

"I should much like to, Guenever, but hasty tidings have come which
require that I should make no delay."

"If that be so," answered Guenever, "let me not stay you. You may depart
when you will."

On the next morning, before daybreak, Morgan took horse, and rode all
that day and the greater part of the night. On the following day by
noon she came to the abbey where Arthur lay. Here she asked the nuns
where he was, and they answered that he was sleeping in his chamber, for
he had had but little rest during the three nights past.

"Then see that none of you waken him," she said. "I will go visit him in
his chamber. I am his sister, Morgan le Fay."

Saying this, she sprang from her horse and entered the abbey, going
straight to Arthur's chamber. None dare hinder her, and she suffered no
one to accompany her. Reaching the chamber she found her brother asleep
in bed, with the sword Excalibur clasped with a vigorous grip in his
right hand.

When she saw this her heart sank, for it was to steal that sword she
came, and she knew her treacherous purpose was at an end. She could not
take the sword from his hand without wakening him, and that might be the
warrant for her instant death. But the scabbard lay on a chair by the
bedside. This she took and left the chamber, concealing it under her
mantle as she went. Mounting her horse again, she rode hastily away with
her train.

Not long afterwards Arthur woke, and at once missed his scabbard.
Calling his attendants in a loud voice, he angrily asked who had been
there, and who had dared remove the missing scabbard. They told him that
it was his sister, Morgan le Fay, and that she had put it under her
mantle and ridden away with it.

"Then have yo