Yet, though he appeared so steadfast, he was like one who was brokenhearted, for he wist that in going away from that place he was leaving behind him all that he held dear in the world, wherefore he was like one who rode forth from a pleasant garden into an empty wilderness of sorrow and repining.

[Sidenote:  Gouvernail finds Sir Tristram in the forest] Then, some little while after Sir Tristram had gone, Gouvernail also took horse and rode into the forest, and he searched for a long while in the forest without finding his master.  But after a while he came upon Sir Tristram seated under a tree with his head hanging down upon his breast.  And Houdaine lay beside Sir Tristram and licked his hand, but Sir Tristram paid no heed to him, being so deeply sunk in his sorrow that he was unaware that Houdaine licked his hand in that wise.

Then Gouvernail dismounted from his horse and came to where Sir Tristram was, and Gouvernail wept at beholding the sorrow of Sir Tristram.  And Gouvernail said:  “Messire, look up and take cheer, for there must yet be joy for thee in the world.”

Then Sir Tristram raised his eyes very slowly (for they were heavy and dull like lead) and he looked at Gouvernail for some while as though not seeing him.  Then by and by he said:  “Gouvernail, what evil have I done that I should have so heavy a curse laid upon me?” Gouvernail said, still weeping:  “Lord, thou hast done no ill, but art in all wise a very noble, honorable gentleman.”  “Alas!” quoth Sir Tristram, “I must unwittingly have done some great evil in God’s sight, for certes the hand of God lieth grievously heavy upon me.”  Gouvernail said:  “Lord, take heart, and tell me whither shall we go now?” And Sir Tristram said, “I know not.”

Then Gouvernail said:  “Lord, let us go hence, I care not where, for I reckon nothing of storm or rain or snow or hail if it so be that I am with you.”

[Sidenote:  Sir Tristram bids Gouvernail return to Tintagel] Then Sir Tristram looked upon Gouvernail and smiled, and he said:  “Gouvernail, it is great joy to me that you should love me so greatly as you do.  But this time you may not go with me whither I go, for the Lady Belle Isoult hath few friends at the court of Cornwall, and many enemies, wherefore I would have you return unto her for my sake, so that you may befriend her and cherish her when that I am no longer by her for to stand her friend in her hour of need.  And take this dog Houdaine with you and bid the Lady Belle Isoult for to keep him by her to remind her of my faithfulness unto her.  For even as this creature is faithful unto me under all circumstances, so am I faithful unto her whether she be glad or sorry, or in good or evil case.  So return to Tintagel as I bid thee, and see that thou pay thy duty unto that lady even as thou payst it unto me.  For she is so singularly dear unto me that, even as a man’s heart is the life of his body, so is her happiness the life of my life.”