Two years will it be next month when the Duke of Gascony with fiftyknights went forth on a quest that would take them to far Easternlands. Of these fifty, Sir Vilard, my husband, was one.
"He left with me, my son Ambrose, my daughter Helene and twoservitors, old men who could not go with him. It was in a good andholy cause so I had no tears for him to see. Rather did I bid himGodspeed and a safe and quick return.
"You see me alone now. Two years, and I have neither son, nordaughter, nor husband. Did I know they were dead, bitter would be mywoe yet would I count God's mercies many, His ways strange, but notfor any mortal to question. But I do not know that. They would have mebelieve my husband dead. Ambrose went forth one day and I have had noword of him since then. And my daughter is lodged within prison wallswaiting the whim of Sir Dolphus who holds her in his power.
"They tell me that my husband perished with the Duke and all but threeof the knights that went forth with him. And that before he died hesent word that it was his wish that I permit Sir Dolphus to marry ourdaughter. Yet do I know that Sir Dolphus is already lawfully wedded toa wife whom he would discard. Knowing my husband as I do, I could notbelieve such to be his message. So I withstood the pleadings of thisknight until his pleadings turned to bitter threats.
"He would make himself Duke of Gascony. And when I would not listen tohim, his pleadings or threats, he came here one day with two otherknights and professed to abide by such decision as I had made. Theydined with us. Ambrose, my son, was away that day.
"Enough to say that they stole my daughter from me. This old man yousee and the other, Albert, were clubbed to earth, the one to death. Itried so hard to resist them but my hand was weak.
"When Ambrose returned, I could not keep him. He went forth to rescuehis sister. Poor lad, I have had no word from him since then. Is hedead? Did they kill him? I have sent for word, have begged that theytell me what fate has befallen him but they profess not to know.
"I have heard that the Church will not sanction his marriage toHelene. Nor will it permit Sir Dolphus to annul the marriage with hiswife. A good priest also tells me that Sir Dolphus has set his blackheart upon marrying my poor Helene so that he can then lawfully ownall this land and estate that belongs to us. It will be small matterto rid himself of me and I fain would not wish to live were it notthat I still have hope.
"My lord, I have hoped so much. Until my very hope turned black fornever was there any one so helpless against the power of this wickedman. I dread the coming of each day and yet mixed with my dread therestill is ever present that one small hope which will not be killed.
"I think I would have died but for this small hope," she addedwistfully. She paused now and seemed lost in the dark thoughts thatpossessed her.
"All of them gone. Not one of them to remain with me."
"Sir Galahad," she turned to him. "It is not a pretty story. I seem tobe encompassed with tragedy. I would not include you in my woes, youhave other missions, other work ahead. And though you have the valorand strength of ten, it would count for so little."
"My lady," the knight replied. "What use would such valor be, if I hadit, if I did not but use it for its full worth? Could I be a trueknight and not heed the call your sorrow brings? I can but try to helpyou. And that, I swear, I will."
A light shone in the lady's eye. "I was not wrong to hope. Even now Ifeel that succor must come. Your words, dear knight, give me strength.Surely then, the storm has brought me some ray of that hope I speakof."
"I shall devise some plan," Sir Galahad said, "wherein we can makerescue of your daughter, and find out the fate of your son."
The Knight's thoughts were deep for many minutes. "Did this SirDolphus say where your husband met his death?"
"Near Lombardy," she replied.
"If I succeed here, my lady, I shall continue my way to Rome. Fromthere I shall journey north and seek news of your husband. It may bethat he is not dead. Dead or alive, you at least will know.
"Tomorrow, if the day clears, we shall turn to the work before us. Itseems a hard task but as I have said, we can but try. In the meantime,my Lady Jeanne, have courage and keep your patience."
So Galahad left her. But Walker stayed.
"Lady, I would but add my humble word of cheer. In all of England, ofall the Knights of the Round Table, there is none who equals my masterin skill and bravery. I tell you this so that you may know how worthyyour champion is. Would that he had but one other with him and Iwould not care what odds were against him."
"And who, my man, is that other?"
"Sir Launcelot," Walker made reply.
"I thank you for telling me of Sir Galahad. It adds to the hope I haveand the courage he bids me possess."