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Chapter XI
Butonacertainday,whilehewasbathing,camethequeenwithLaBelleIsaultbychanceintohischamber,andsawhisswordlienakedonthebed:anonshedrewitfromthescabbardandlookedatitalongwhile,andboththoughtitapassingfairsword;butwithinafootandahalfoftheendtherewasagreatpiecebrokenout,andwhilethequeenwaslookingatthegap,shesuddenlyrememberedthepieceofsword-bladethatwasfoundinthebrain-panofherbrotherSirMarhaus.
Therewithsheturnedandcried,“Bymyfaith,thisisthefelonknightwhoslewthyuncle!”AndrunningtoherchambershesoughtinhercasketforthepieceofironfromSirMarhaus’headandbroughtitback,andfitteditinTristram’ssword;andsurelydiditfitthereinascloselyasithadbeenbutyesterdaybrokeout.
Thenthequeencaughttheswordupfiercelyinherhand,andranintotheroomwhereSirTristramwasyetinhisbath,andmakingstraightforhim,hadrunhimthroughthebody,hadnothissquire,SirHebes,gotherinhisarms,andpulledtheswordawayfromher.
Thenranshetotheking,andfelluponherkneesbeforehim,saying,“Lordandhusband,thouhasthereinthyhousethatfelonknightwhoslewmybrotherMarhaus!”
“Whoisit?”saidtheking.
“ItisSirTristram!”saidshe,“whomIsaulthathhealed.”
“Alas!”repliedtheking,“Iamfullgrievedthereat,forheisagoodknightaseverIhaveseeninanyfield;butIchargetheeleavethouhim,andletmedealwithhim.
