they can arrive, beseeching you by the tears which I now am shedding and do perpetually shed, that you will in goodness intreat the King my father to have pity on me, and consider the service of God more than the glories and honours of this world, and not put his own fortunes upon hazard, for he knows better than any other, the great force and injustice that he has done to me, nothing deserving it. Having read this letter the Queen told Durin not to return till she gave him an answer, but that she must first speak to the King. And Durin then told her that the Princesses and Dames and Damsels who were in her Lady's company, all sent to kiss her hands. Brisena then sent to request the King to come alone to her chamber, that she might speak with him. So soon as he entered she fell on her knees before him, weeping, and said, Sir, read this letter which your daughter Oriana has sent, and have mercy upon her and upon me. The King raised her up by the hand; and took the letter and read it, and then that he might give her some contentment he said, since Oriana writes that these Knights are about to send Embassadors to me, peradventure the Embassy may be such as to satisfy for the wrong received. If it should prove otherwise, you must consider that it is better to support our honour with danger, than by avoiding danger, to suffer that it should be tarnished. He then entreated her to put her trust in God and cease to afflict herself, and having said this, left the apartment. The Queen then called for Durin, and said to him, friend Durin go tell my daughter that till these Knights arrive and their embassy be known, I can give no answer, for the King her father can come to no resolution, but if any means of peace can be found out, I will with all my power labour to procure it, and greet her lovingly from me; and greet from me likewise all her Dames and Damsels. Tell her also, that now is the time when she must show what she is, chiefly by regarding her own good fame, without which nothing to be valued would be left her, and also by enduring affliction as becomes one of her high rank; for where God hath bestowed rank there also hath he allotted cares and troubles proportionately greater. I pray God to protect her, and restore her to me with honour. So Durin kissed her hand and departed; but little profit came of this journey, nor did Oriana receive any hope from her mother's message.