Chapter 9 - Page 2

the Lady of Shalott had ere this completely
acquitted Launcelot in the queen's mind of all suspicion of his
fidelity, and she lamented most grievously her foolish quarrel with
him, which now, at her time of need, deprived her of her most
efficient champion.
As the day appointed by Sir Mador was fast approaching, it became
necessary that she should procure a champion for her defence; and
she successively adjured Sir Hector, Sir Lionel, Sir Bohort, and Sir
Gawain to undertake the battle. She fell on her knees before them,
called Heaven to witness her innocence of the crime alleged against
her, but was sternly answered by all that they could not fight to
maintain the innocence of one whose act, and the fatal consequences of
it, they had seen with their own eyes. She retired, therefore,
dejected and disconsolate; but the sight of the fatal pile on which,
if guilty, she was doomed to be burned, exciting her to fresh
effort, she again repaired to Sir Bohort, threw herself at his feet,
and, piteously calling on him for mercy, fell into a swoon. The
brave knight was not proof against this. He raised her up, and hastily
promised that he would undertake her cause, if no other or better
champion should present himself. He then summoned his friends, and
told them his resolution; and as a mortal combat with Sir Mador was
a most fearful enterprise, they agreed to accompany him in the morning
to the hermitage in the forest, where he proposed to receive
absolution from the hermit, and to make his peace with Heaven,
before he entered the lists. As they approached the hermitage, they
espied a knight riding in the forest, whom they at once recognized
as Sir Launcelot. Overjoyed at the meeting, they quickly, in answer to
his questions, confirmed the news of the queen's imminent danger,
and received his instructions to return to court, to comfort her as
well as they could, but to say nothing of his intention of undertaking
her defence, which he meant to do in the character of an unknown
adventurer.
On their return to the castle they found that mass was finished, and
had scarcely time to speak to the queen before they were summoned into
the hall to dinner. A general gloom was spread over the countenances
of all the guests. Arthur himself was unable to conceal his dejection,
and the wretched Guenever, motionless and bathed in tears, sat in
trembling expectation of Sir Mador's appearance. Nor was it long ere
he stalked into the hall, and with a voice of thunder, rendered more
impressive by the general silence, demanded instant justice on the
guilty party. Arthur replied with dignity, that little of the day
was yet spent, and that perhaps a champion might yet be found
capable of satisfying his thirst for battle. Sir Bohort