“There you may see him,” said the king, pointing to the knight.
She went to Sir Launcelot and said, “Sir Launcelot, I salute you and require that you come with me.”
“What is your will with me?” asked Sir Launcelot.
“You shall soon know and understand,” she replied.
“Well,” said he, “I will gladly go with you.”
Sir Launcelot bade his squire saddle his horse and bring his armor.
The queen then came to Sir Launcelot and asked in surprise, “Will you leave us at the high feast?”
The gentlewoman answered for him: “Madam, he shall be with you again to-morrow at mid-day.”
So Sir Launcelot departed with the gentlewoman and rode into a great forest till he came to an abbey. When the squire opened the gates he entered and descended from his horse, and there met two of his cousins, Sir Bors and Sir Lionel, who were very glad to see him.
“Sir,” said Sir Bors, “what adventure brings you here? We thought to see you at Camelot to-morrow.”