However you look at it, the shame is mine. But if you escape me
now, you will see no joke in this." When Lancelot hears his
wrath, he puts forth every effort to make peace and adjust
matters; when his efforts have met with success, the king takes
him away to see the Queen. This time the Queen did not lower her
eyes to the ground, but she went to meet him cheerfully,
honouring him all she could, and making him sit down by her side.
Then they talked together at length of all that was upon their
hearts, and love furnished them with so much to say that topics
did not lack. And when Lancelot sees how well he stands, and
that all he says finds favour with the Queen, he says to her in
confidence: "Lady, I marvel greatly why you received me with such
a countenance when you saw me the day before yesterday, and why
you would not speak a word to me: I almost died of the blow you
gave me, and I had not the courage to dare to question you about
it, as I now venture to do. I am ready now, lady, to make
amends, when you have told me what has been the crime which has
caused me such distress." Then the Queen replies: "What? Did
you not hesitate for shame to mount the cart? You showed you
were loath to get in, when you hesitated for two whole steps.
That is the reason why I would neither address nor look at you.
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