light of laughter played in the speaker's eyes.

"Yes," said Sir Launcelot, "let us return. It would be pity to send
this lad back after his long journey, without success. So then to our
horses and let us make haste. The hours are few and the miles many."




CHAPTER FIVE

Merlin's Message


Now as the sun, a flaming golden ball about which played the wondrous
softer colors of filmy clouds, began sinking in the western horizon,
the heralds announced everywhere that the time for assemblage had
come. Of those few who were not present, chiefest were Sir Launcelot
and Sir Gawaine. And for these two the herald of King Arthur was
searching the road in vain.

"Think you, Sir Percival, these two will come?" the herald, anxious of
tone, inquired. "Our King would have them present and I fancy not the
making of excuse for their not appearing."

"It is hard telling, Sir Herald. Far had the page to go and he is
young. Then too, it is a question whether should he meet with them,
these two have a mind to appear. For I know that their journey to
Cornwall is urgent."