“I will maintain it, certes,” then Jaufry said; “for I am he, the Jaufry whom you seek; but I must first conclude a matter here which before all things claims my every thought.”
The mourning lady wept and urged her suit, spite of the angry looks of Brunissende. Sir Jaufry would not yield, but to Montbrun with Melyan straight returned. The lady there, giving all cause to think that to her suzerain she bowed her will, was for long time entreated she her hand should give to Dovon's son; then they set out for Carlisle's gallant court, and in their train were twice twelve hundred maids, and full three thousand knights in brilliant arms.
The three first days of travel naught occurred; but on the fourth, having pitched their tents in a green mead, balmy with flowers, and shut in with trees, Jaufry and Melyan suddenly did hear a voice which help implored in piercing tone. The son of Dovon called for horse and arms, and would alone go seek this cause of wail. He thus arrived upon the borders of a pond of some extent and limpid water, where a damsel stood tearing her hair and robe, and, in her grief, her face.
“My lord,” she cried, as Jaufry hastened up, “have pity, for St. Mary's sake, upon a dame who in this pond is drowning; she was the best, the wisest of her sex.”
Jaufry advanced; and there, in truth, he saw, within the waters battling with death, a dame, who now appeared, now slid beneath the wave. He soon alighted, and his efforts used to save her with the butt-end of his lance; but whilst his arm was thus outstretched, and he stood by the brink, the damsel pushed him with such hearty will, at once he toppled in, which she perceiving, leapt in after him.
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Drawn downward by the great weight of his arms, Sir Jaufry disappeared with those two dames. The neighing and the rage of his good horse, which pawed the ground and madly bit the earth about the pond, announced this dire mischance to Melyan. He hastened there; and finding Jaufry drowned, he swooned away. 'Twas then the rest, 'mong whom the news had flown, galloped frill speed towards that fatal pond. Force was required to drag Lord Melyan off; for, when restored, he tried to drown himself; and, for fair Brunissende, she by her seneschal was barely saved, since, Jaufry lost, she would not him survive.