"He used often to say that it was entirely my doing that he revived his old plan, and added, 'I know more about Arthur than any other man in England, and I think you know next most.' It would amuse you to see in what intimate detail he used to consult with me--and often with my little book in front of us--over the various tales, and when I wrote an article (in the shape of a long letter) in the _Spectator_ of January 1870 he asked to reprint it, and published it with the collected Idylls. "For years, while his boys were at school and college, I acted as his confidential friend in business and many other matters, and I suppose he told me more about himself and his life than any other man now living knows." ISABEL KNOWLES. CONTENTS CHAPTER I The Finding of Merlin--The Fight of the Dragons--The Giants' Dance--The Prophecies of Merlin and the Birth of Arthur--Uther attacks the Saxons--The Death of Uther CHAPTER II Merlin's Advice to the Archbishop--The Miracle of the Sword and Stone--The Coronation of King Arthur--The Opposition of the Six Kings--The Sword Excalibur--The Defeat of the Six Kings--The War with the Eleven Kings CHAPTER III The Adventure of the Questing Beast--The Siege of York--The Battles of Celidon Forest and Badon Hill--King Arthur drives the Saxons from the Realm--The Embassy from Rome--The King rescues Merlin--The Knight of the Fountain CHAPTER IV King Arthur conquers Ireland and Norway--Slays the Giant of St. Michael's Mount and conquers Gaul--King Ryence's Insolent Message--The Damsel and the Sword--The Lady of the Lake--The Adventures of Sir Balin CHAPTER V Sir Balin kills Sir Lancear--The Sullen Knight--The Knight Invisible is killed--Sir Balin smites the Dolorous Stroke, and fights with his brother Sir Balan CHAPTER VI The Marriage of King Arthur and Guinevere--The Coronation of the Queen--The Founding of the Round Table--The Quest of the White Hart--The Adventures of Sir Gawain--The Quest of the White Hound--Sir Tor kills Abellius--The Adventures of Sir Pellinore--The Death of Sir Hantzlake--Merlin saves King Arthur CHAPTER VII King Arthur and Sir Accolon of Gaul are entrapped by Sir Damas--They fight each other through Enchantment of Queen Morgan le Fay--Sir Damas is compelled to surrender all his Lands to Sir Outzlake his Brother their Rightful Owner--Queen Morgan essays to kill King Arthur with a Magic Garment--Her Damsel is compelled to wear it and is thereby burned to Cinders CHAPTER VIII A Second Embassy from Rome--King Arthur's Answer--The Emperor assembles his Armies--King Arthur slays the Emperor--Sir Gawain and Sir Prianius--The Lombards are defeated--King Arthur crowned at Rome CHAPTER IX