lady jeanne's story
two years will it be next month when the duke of gascony with fifty knights went forth on a quest that would take them to far eastern lands. of these fifty, sir vilard, my husband, was one.
"he left with me, my son ambrose, my daughter helene and two servitors, old men who could not go with him. it was in a good and holy cause so i had no tears for him to see. rather did i bid him godspeed and a safe and quick return.
"you see me alone now. two years, and i have neither son, nor daughter, nor husband. did i know they were dead, bitter would be my woe yet would i count god's mercies many, his ways strange, but not for any mortal to question. but i do not know that. they would have me believe my husband dead. ambrose went forth one day and i have had no word of him since then. and my daughter is lodged within prison walls waiting the whim of sir dolphus who holds her in his power.
"they tell me that my husband perished with the duke and all but three of the knights that went forth with him. and that before he died he sent word that it was his wish that i permit sir dolphus to marry our daughter. yet do i know that sir dolphus is already lawfully wedded to a wife whom he would discard. knowing my husband as i do, i could not believe such to be his message. so i withstood the pleadings of this knight until his pleadings turned to bitter threats.
"he would make himself duke of gascony. and when i would not listen to him, his pleadings or threats, he came here one day with two other knights and professed to abide by such decision as i had made. they dined with us. ambrose, my son, was away that day.
"enough to say that they stole my daughter from me. this old man you see and the other, albert, were clubbed to earth, the one to death. i tried so hard to resist them but my hand was weak.
"when ambrose returned, i could not keep him. he went forth to rescue his sister. poor lad, i have had no word from him since then. is he dead? did they kill him? i have sent for word, have begged that they tell me what fate has befallen him but they profess not to know.
"i have heard that the church will not sanction his marriage to helene. nor will it permit sir dolphus to annul the marriage with his wife. a good priest also tells me that sir dolphus has set his black heart upon marrying my poor helene so that he can then lawfully own all this land and estate that belongs to us. it will be small matter to rid himself of me and i fain would not wish to live were it not that i still have hope.
"my lord, i have hoped so much. until my very hope turned black for never was there any one so helpless against the power of this wicked man. i dread the coming of each day and yet mixed with my dread there still is ever present that one small hope which will not be killed.
"i think i would have died but for this small hope," she added wistfully. she paused now and seemed lost in the dark thoughts that possessed her.
"all of them gone. not one of them to remain with me."
"sir galahad," she turned to him. "it is not a pretty story. i seem to be encompassed with tragedy. i would not include you in my woes, you have other missions, other work ahead. and though you have the valor and strength of ten, it would count for so little."
"my lady," the knight replied. "what use would such valor be, if i had it, if i did not but use it for its full worth? could i be a true knight and not heed the call your sorrow brings? i can but try to help you. and that, i swear, i will."
a light shone in the lady's eye. "i was not wrong to hope. even now i feel that succor must come. your words, dear knight, give me strength. surely then, the storm has brought me some ray of that hope i speak of."
"i shall devise some plan," sir galahad said, "wherein we can make rescue of your daughter, and find out the fate of your son."
the knight's thoughts were deep for many minutes. "did this sir dolphus say where your husband met his death?"
"near lombardy," she replied.
"if i succeed here, my lady, i shall continue my way to rome. from there i shall journey north and seek news of your husband. it may be that he is not dead. dead or alive, you at least will know.
"tomorrow, if the day clears, we shall turn to the work before us. it seems a hard task but as i have said, we can but try. in the meantime, my lady jeanne, have courage and keep your patience."
so galahad left her. but walker stayed.
"lady, i would but add my humble word of cheer. in all of england, of all the knights of the round table, there is none who equals my master in skill and bravery. i tell you this so that you may know how worthy your champion is. would that he had but one other with him and i would not care what odds were against him."
"and who, my man, is that other?"
"sir launcelot," walker made reply.
"i thank you for telling me of sir galahad. it adds to the hope i have and the courage he bids me possess."
