Her hair was so very long and thick that she had to push it aside, to sit down, and in doing so a mesh flew out and touched his face; and the Crow, who was watching the whole drama intently, noticed that he shivered and, if possible, grew more pale. So he turned to his own servant, behind his chair, who with some of the other valets, was helping to wait, and whispered to him, "Go and see that Lord Tancred is handed brandy, at once, before the soup." And so the feast began. On Zara's other hand sat the Duke, and on Tristram's, Brangaine--for so she and Ethelrida had arranged for their later plan; and after the brandy, which Tristram dimly wondered why he should have been handed, he pulled himself together, and tried to talk; and Zara busied herself with the Duke. She quite came out of her usual silence, and laughed, and looked so divinely attractive that the splendid old gentleman felt it all going to his head; and his thoughts wondered bluntly, how soon, if he were his nephew, he would take her away after dinner and make love to her all to himself! But these modern young fellows had not half the mettle that he had had! So at last dessert-time came, with its toasts for the _Queen Guinevere_. And the bridal pair had spoken together never a word; and Lady Anningford, who was watching them, began to fear for the success of her plan. However, there was no use turning back now. So, amidst jests of all sorts in keeping with the spirit of Camelot and the Table Round, at last _Brangaine_ rose and, taking the gold cup in front of her, said, "I, _Brangaine_, commissioned by her Lady Mother, to conduct the _Lady Isolt_ safely to _King Mark_, under the knightly protection of the _Lord Tristram_, do now propose to drink their health, and ye must all do likewise, Lords and Ladies of Arthur's court." And she sipped her own glass, while she handed the gold cup to the Duke, who passed it on to the pair; and Tristram, because all eyes were upon him, forced himself to continue the jest. So he rose and, taking Zara's hand, while he bowed to the company, gave her the cup to drink, and then took it himself, while he drained the measure. And every one cried, amidst great excitement, "The health and happiness of _Tristram_ and _Isolt_!" Then, when the tumult had subsided a little, _Brangaine_ gave a pretended shriek. "Mercy me! I am undone!" she cried. "They have quaffed of the wrong cup! That gold goblet contained a love-potion distilled from rare plants by the Queen, and destined for the wedding wine of _Isolt_ and _King Mark_! And now the _Lord Tristram_ and she have drunk it together, by misadventure, and can never be parted more! Oh, misery me! What have I done!" And amidst shouts of delighted laughter led by the Crow--in frozen silence, Tristram held his wife's hand.