He rode to the barbican of the castle and called to the porter, praying him in courteous language to let him in from the storm.
"Go thy way," cried the porter, surlily; "thou gettest no lodging here."
"Say not so, fair sir. I am a knight of King Arthur's, and pray the lord or lady of this castle to give me harbor for love of the king."
Then the porter went to the duchess, and told her that a knight of King Arthur's sought shelter.
"I will see him," said the duchess; "for King Arthur's sake he shall not go harborless."
Then she went up into a tower over the gate, with great torch-light, that she might behold the storm-stayed wayfarer. When Gareth saw the light, he cried loudly,—
"Whether thou be lord or lady, giant or champion, I pray for harbor this night. If it be that I must fight for my lodging, spare me that till morning, when I have rested, for I and my horse are both weary."
"Sir knight," said the lady, "you speak like a bold knight errant. This you must know, that the lord of this castle loves not King Arthur nor any of his court. Therefore, it were better for you not to enter here. If you come in it must be under this contract, that wherever you meet my lord, by road, by lane, or by street, you shall yield to him as his prisoner."
"Madam," asked Gareth, "what is your lord's name?"
"He is the Duke de la Rowse," she answered.