e, "if you will not do as I bid you, then I tell you this; that
I will straightway take a path that will lead you into such dangers as
you have no thought of, and from which you will be not at all likely to
escape with your life."

To this Beaumains replied, speaking still very calmly and with great
courtesy: "Lady, that shall be altogether as you ordain. And I venture
to say to you that no matter into what dangers you may bring me, still I
have great hope that I shall bring you out thence with safety and so be
of service to you and your lady sister. Wherefore, whithersoever you
lead, thither will I follow you."

Then Lynette was still more angry that Beaumains should be so calm and
courteous to her who was so angry and uncourteous to him, wherefore she
hardened her heart toward him and said: "Sirrah, since I cannot rid me
of you, I bid you ride upon the other side of the way, for methinks you
smell very strongly of the kitchen in which you have dwelt."

To these words Beaumains bowed his head with great dignity and said,
"Lady, it shall be as you command." And therewith he drew rein to the
other side of the highway to that upon which she rode. Then Lynette
laughed, and she said: "Ride a little farther behind me, for still
methinks I smell the savor of the kitchen." And Beaumains did as she
commanded and withdrew him still farther away from her.

* * * * *

[Sidenote: _Sir Kay followeth Beaumains._]

Now some while after Beaumains had ridden after Lynette as aforetold,
Sir Kay said to certain of those who were nigh him: "I am of a mind to
ride after our kitchen knave and to have a fall of him, for it would be
a very good thing to teach him such a lesson as he needs." So according
to that saying, Sir Kay went to his inn and donned his armor. And he
chose him a good stout spear and he took horse and rode away after
Beaumains with intent to do as he had said. So he rode at a good pace
and for a long time and by and by he beheld Lynette and Beaumains and
the dwarf where they rode along the highway at some distance before him.
Then Sir Kay called out in a great voice, saying: "Stay, Beaumains, turn
thou thitherward. For I am come to overthrow thee and to take that
damsel away from thee."

Then Lynette turned her head and beheld Sir Kay where he came, and with
that she pointed and said: "Look, thou kitchen knave, yonder cometh a
right knight in pursuit of thee. Now haply thou hadst best f