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140 MOONFOLK.
Tonnerre's rein in the hand of the lady who stood trem
bling beside him.
" If you see me coming by the worst, fair lady, mount
my steed and save thyself.
He will take thee to Carnelot
before sunset, and there shalt thou find protection for
thyself and an avenger for me. Stay ;
I will place thee in
the saddle with the child in front of thee, lest
you might
be unable to mount alone. Put thy foot in my hand,
and so !
Now, little maid, it is thy turn ;
and lady, if
once you see me down, ride away,
and leave me to my
fate. Heaven keep thee."
" And Heaven keep thee, gentle knight, and send
thee victory
"
"
And am I to stand waiting until thou makest thy
last will, and sayest good-by to all thy lady-loves, thou
squire of dames
"
? demanded Sir Guy impatiently.
" Guard thyself, false knight, and God defend the
right!" exclaimed Sir Lancelot, whirling his sword
above his head, and springing lightly forward. The
other threw himself into position to receive the attack,
the two swords clashed together, and the fight began.
Never a knight of Arthur's court
could call himself the
superior of Sir Lancelot at any knightly exercise, and but
few had ever gained advantage of him ;
but this Sir Guy
du Fontaine was one of the most accomplished swordsmen
of France, and to-day he fought with fierce determination
for the victory
: while Sir Lancelot's mind
was disturbed by the feeling that the lady and Rhoda