Presently, as she waited, there came riding by the gallant knight, Geraint of Devon.  He was arrayed neither for the chase nor for the fight, but wore a surcoat of white satin and about him a loose scarf of purple, with a golden apple at each corner.  And when the Queen had answered his salutation, she said:  “How is it, Prince, that ye be not ridden with the hunters?” “Madam,” answered he, “with shame I say it; I slept too late.”  Smiling, the Queen said:  “Then are we both in the same case, for I also arose too late.  But tarry with me, and soon ye will hear the baying of the hounds; for often I have known them break covert here.”

Then as they waited on the little woodland knoll, there came riding past a knight full armed, a lady with him, and behind them a dwarf, misshapen and evil-looking, and they passed without word or salutation to the Queen.

Then said Guenevere to Geraint:  “Prince, know ye yonder knight?” “Nay, madam,” said he; “his arms I know not, and his face I might not see.”  Thereupon the Queen turned to her attendant and said:  “Ride after them quickly and ask the dwarf his master’s name.”  So the maiden did as she was bidden; but when she inquired of the dwarf, he answered her roughly:  “I will not tell thee my master’s name.”  “Since thou art so churlish,” said she, “I will even ask him himself.”  “That thou shalt not,” he cried, and struck her across the face with his whip.  So the maiden, alarmed and angered, rode back to the Queen and told her all that had happened.  “Madam,” cried Geraint, “the churl has wronged your maiden and insulted your person.  I pray you, suffer me to do your errand myself.”  With the word, he put spurs to his horse and rode after the three.  And when he had come up with the dwarf, he asked the knight’s name as the maiden had done, and the dwarf answered him as he had answered the Queen’s lady.  “I will speak with thy master himself,” said Geraint.  “Thou shalt not, by my faith!” said the dwarf.  “Thou art not honourable enough to speak with my lord.”  “I have spoken with men of as good rank as he,” answered Geraint, and would have turned his horse’s head that he might ride after the knight; but the dwarf struck him across the face such a blow that the blood spurted forth over his purple scarf.  Then, in his wrath, Geraint clapped hand to sword, and would have slain the churl, but that he bethought him how powerless was such a misshapen thing.  So refraining himself, he rode back to the Queen and said:  “Madam, for the time the knight has escaped me.  But, with your leave, I will ride after him, and require of him satisfaction for the wrong done to yourself and to your maiden.  It must be that I shall come presently to a town where I may obtain armour.  Farewell; if I live, ye shall have tidings of me by next even.”  “Farewell,” said the Queen; “I shall ever hold your good service in remembrance.”