must needs obey, but if I do obey you
it shall be only to go for a little while and then to return after that
while." So for a little no more was said, but the Lady Elaine ever gazed
upon Sir Launcelot where he stood with his back to her, and after a
while she said, "Ah, Launcelot! Launcelot!" Upon that Sir Launcelot
turned him about and cried out, "Elaine, bid me stay and I will stay!"
But she said, "Nay, I bid thee not, I bid thee go."

Then Sir Launcelot went from that place with his head bowed down upon
his bosom, and after he had gone she wept in great measure, for it was
as though she had cut off her hope of happiness with her own hand, as
though it had been a part of her body.

[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot returneth to court._]

So the next day Sir Launcelot took horse and departed from Corbin,
betaking his way toward Camelot, where was the court of King Arthur, and
though he thought a very great deal of the Lady Elaine, yet he could not
but look forward with joy in coming back again to the court of the King
and of beholding the Queen and his knights companions once more.

* * * * *

[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot cometh to the Queen._]

Now when Sir Launcelot reached Camelot the news of his coming spread
like fire throughout the entire place and everywhere was heard the noise
of loud rejoicing and acclaim. But Sir Launcelot spake to nobody but
came straight to where Queen Guinevere was and he stood before the Queen
and his face was very gloomy and he said to her, "Lady, here am I."

Then Queen Guinevere gazed at him with great coldness and she said to
him, "Sir Knight, what brings thee hither?" Sir Launcelot said: "Lady,
it is thy command that brings me. For alas! I find it to be thus with me
that thy word hath power to bring me to thee whether it be from glory or
from happiness or from peace or from prosperity. Yea; all these things
would I sacrifice at thy behest."

Then Queen Guinevere gazed upon Sir Launcelot for a long while and her
soul was tossed and troubled with a great ferment of passion, and yet
she wist not whether that passion was of indignation or of grief or of
anger or of something else that was not like any of these. And first her
face had been very white when he stood before her, and anon it flamed
red like to fire, and she said: "Sir Knight, one time I sent my word to
thee by a messenger and thou heeded him not. Now it matters not that
thou comest, for thy coming