Now the approaching knight came up to them.

"Good Allan," he said still calling his friend by the name of his
boyhood. "I have traveled through a day of storm to catch up with you.
Until I am sure that this knave here is prepared to seek a master who
would be saner and more considerate."

"Not so," replied Gouvernail, "for I was no less the anxious."

"You come in good time, dear friend. For never were you more needed.
There is work ahead for us, serious work. This lady here needs our
help. She is sore distressed. But let her meet you."

So the Lady Jeanne met Sir Launcelot. And once again the tale of her
plight was revealed. And even as Sir Launcelot listened, the plan of
what to do came to Sir Galahad. But he kept his tongue until his
friend was fully informed and had in turn had time to question their
hostess.

Charles stood close to his master, whose arm encircled him as if it
would include him in all of it. A little in the background stood the
two squires who were close friends and old comrades. Gouvernail's
interest was keen.

So when the tale was done, Sir Galahad turned to his friend and said
"Know you perchance where Merlin is?"

"We left him behind us. His old bones could not risk yesterday's
storm. But he promised me that he would follow when it cleared and so