But while they were yet blinking, a band of maidens came and
unbuckled their arms and cast a shining cloak upon each; which was
hardly done when a lady came towards them out of the throng, and
though she was truly the Queen Morgan le Fay, they knew her not at
all, for by her necromancy she had altered her countenance.

"Come, dance," said she, "for in an instant the musicians will
begin."

The other three knights tarried awhile, being weary with riding; but
Sir Dinar stepped forward and caught the hand of a damsel, and she,
as she gave it, looked in his eyes and laughed. She was dressed all
in scarlet, with scarlet shoes, and her hair lay on her shoulders
like waves of burnished gold. As Sir Dinar set his arm about her,
with a crash the merry music began; and floating out with him into
the dance, her scarlet shoes twinkling and her tossed hair shaking
spices under his nostrils, she leaned back a little on his arm and
laughed again.

Sir Galhaltin was leaning by the doorway, and he heard her laugh and
saw her feet twinkle like blood-red moths, and he called to Sir
Dinar. But Sir Dinar heard only the brassy music, nor did any of the
dancers turn their heads, though Sir Galhaltin called a second time
and more loudly. Then Sir Sentrail and Sir Ozanna also began to
call, fearing they knew not what for their comrade. But the guests
still drifted by as they were clouds, and Sir Dinar, with the red
blood showing beneath the down on his cheeks, smiled always and
whirled with the woman upon his arm.

By and by he began to pant, and would have rested: but she denied