"Well said," answered the king. "It shall be done as you advise."
Then he returned to the messenger and said,—
"Damsel, I wish to see the mantle you have brought me tried upon yourself."
"A king's garment on me, sir! That would not be seemly."
"Seemly or not, I command it. By my head, you shall wear it before it come on my back, or that of any man here."
The damsel drew back, quivering with fear and growing pale as death. But the king commanded those about him to put it on her. Then was seen a marvellous and fearful thing. For no sooner had the enchanted robe been clasped around her form than flames burst out from its every thread, and in a minute she fell to the floor dead, while her body was burnt to a coal.
The king's anger burst out fiercely at this, and his face flamed with the fire of rage. He turned to King Uriens and his son, who stood among the knights.
"My sister, your wife, is doing her utmost to destroy me," he said, in burning wrath. "Are you and my nephew, your son, joined with her in this work of treachery? Yet I suspect not you, King Uriens, for Accolan confessed to me that she would have slain you as well as me. But as for your son, Uwaine, I hold him suspected, and banish him from my court. I can have no traitors about me."
When these words had been spoken, Gawaine rose in anger, and said,—
"Whoever banishes my cousin banishes me. When and where Uwaine goes I go also."