"Now we can go where we will; and may joy go with King Arthur," she said, with a laugh of triumph to her knights. "Did you note him?" "Yes," they replied. "And his countenance was so warlike that had we not been stone we could scarce have stood before him." "I believe you," said Morgan. "He would have made sad havoc among us but for my spells." They now rode onward, and soon afterwards met a knight who bore before him on his horse another knight, who was unarmed, blindfolded, and bound hand and foot. "What are you about to do with that knight?" asked Morgan. "To drown him in yonder fountain," was the reply. "He has caused my wife to prove false to me, and only his death will avenge my honor." "Is this the truth?" she asked the bound knight. "It is false," he replied. "He is a villain to whom I have done no wrong. He took me unawares or I should not have been in such a state." "Who are you, and of what country?" "My name is Manassen. I am of the court of King Arthur, and cousin to Accolan of Gaul." "Then for the love I bore your cousin you shall be delivered, and this villain be put in your plight." By her orders Manassen was loosed from his bonds and the other knight bound. Manassen took from him his armor and horse, and riding with him to the fountain, flung him remorselessly in, where he met the fate which he had devised for his late prisoner. Then Manassen rode back to Morgan, and asked her if she had any word to send King Arthur. "Tell him," she answered, "that I rescued you not for love of him, but of Accolan; and that I fear him not while I can turn myself and my knights into stones. Let him know that you saw us riding in good flesh and blood, and laughing him to scorn. Tell him, moreover, that I can do stranger things than that if the need should come." Bidding Manassen to return with this message, she rode with her train into the country of Gore, where she was well received, and in the might of whose castles and towns she felt secure from Arthur's wrath, for much she feared his vengeance should she fall into his hands. Meantime the king rode back to Camelot, where he was gladly received by his queen and his knights, to whom he told in full the story of Morgan le Fay's treason. They were all angry at this, and many knights declared that she should be burned. "Stone will not burn," said Arthur. "But God has punished her." But as they thus conversed, Manassen came to the court and told the king of his adventure, delivering to him Morgan's message. "Then the witch has tricked me!" cried the king, in a tone of vexation. "I might have known it, had I been wise. A kind sister she is, indeed! But my turn will come. Treachery and magic may succeed for a time, but honor must win in the end."