“Lady,” said Sir Launcelot, “I may not do that, though it grieveth me much to refuse you.”

Then Queen Morgana looked at Sir Launcelot awhile with a very angry countenance, but she perceived that she was not to have her will with him, wherefore she presently turned very quickly and went out of the room, leaving Sir Launcelot much perturbed in spirit.  For he knew how great were the arts of Queen Morgana le Fay, and he could not tell what harm she might seek to work upon him by those arts.  But he ever bore in mind how that the ring which he wore was sovereign against such malignant arts as she practised, wherefore he took what comfort he could from that circumstance.

Nevertheless, he abode in that chamber in great uncertainty for all that day, and when night came he was afraid to let himself slumber, lest they of the castle should come whilst he slept and work him some secret ill; wherefore he remained awake whilst all the rest of the castle slept.  Now at the middle of the night, and about the time of the first cock-crow, he was aware of a sound without and a light that fell through the crack of the door.  Then, in a little, the door was opened and there entered that young damsel who had served him with his supper the night before, and she bare a lighted taper in her hand.

[Sidenote:  The damsel cometh again to Sir Launcelot] When Sir Launcelot perceived that damsel he said:  “Maiden, do you come hither with good intent or with evil intent?” “Sir,” she said, “I come with good intent, for I take great pity to see you in such a sorry case as this.  I am a King’s daughter in attendance upon Queen Morgana le Fay, but she is so powerful an enchantress that, in good sooth, I am in great fear lest she some time do me an ill-hap.  So to-morrow I leave her service and return unto my father’s castle.  Meantime, I am of a mind to help you in your adversity.  For Queen Morgana trusts me, and I have knowledge of this castle and I have all the keys thereof, wherefore I can set you free.  And I will set you free if you will, upon your part, serve me in a way that you can very easily do.”

“Well,” said Sir Launcelot, “provided I may serve you in a way fitting my knightly honor, I shall be glad to do so under any condition.  Now I pray you tell me what it is you would have of me.”

[Sidenote:  The damsel speaketh to Sir Launcelot of her father, King Bagdemagus] “Sir,” said the damsel, “my father hath made a tournament betwixt him and the King of North Wales upon Tuesday next, and that is just a fortnight from this day.  Now, already my father hath lost one such a tournament, for he hath no very great array of knights upon his side, and the King of North Wales hath three knights of King Arthur’s Round Table to aid his party.  Because of the great help of these knights of the Round Table, the King of North Wales won the last tournament and my father lost it, and now he feareth to lose the tournament that is to be.  Now if you will enter upon my father’s side upon the day of the tournament, I doubt not that he shall win that tournament; for all men say that you are the greatest knight in the world at this time.  So if you will promise to help my father and will seal that promise with your knightly word, then will I set you free of this castle of enchantment.”