Then Gandalin went to Amadis and told him all that Oriana had said. Amadis after he had mused awhile replied; I will tell you how this may be brought about. Go to Agrayes, and tell him you have spoken with his sister Mabilia on account of your journey to Gaul, and that she hath said it would be well if he could bring the Knights to see and encourage Oriana, for her situation is so serious and so strange that she needs all encouragement. But tell me concerning her, did she seem sorrowful? Gandalin replied, You Sir, well know her fortitude, and that she will discover nothing but the virtue of her noble heart, yet certes doth her appearance savour more of sadness than of joy. Then Amadis, raising his hands to heaven, exclaimed, O Lord Almighty let it please thee that I may be able to serve this my Lady to her full honour, and for my death or life let that betide as it will. Take you no fear for that Sir, quoth Gandalin, for as God hath in all other adventures favoured you above any other Knight, so will he now in this which you with so great justice have undertaken. With that Gandalin repaired to Agrayes, and said to him as he had been directed. Agrayes replied, this which my sister says is reasonable, and shall be done; and if it has not been done before, it was only because these Knights knew it was the pleasure of Oriana to live in retirement for her honour's sake. We will go speak of it to my cousin Amadis. So he went to Amadis, who answered him as one that had known nothing of the business before. Agrayes then went to the Knights and represented to them that it would be well if they visited Oriana to encourage her, for in perils like these even the brave sometimes needed encouragement, how much more then would feeble women stand in need of such comfort? So they agreed that on the following evening they would clad themselves in goodly arms, and mount their palfreys; having their swords girded on all adorned with gold, and in this array proceed to the apartment of Oriana. Of this Agrayes sent intimation to Oriana, and she sent to Queen Sardamira and to Grasinda and for the other Dames and Damsels of her company, that they should make ready to receive them. _CHAPTER 12._