“Thou mayest count on me to-morrow,” said the Magician.

They went to bed, and Aurelius slept soundly and well; because of the hope he had that the Magician would make the rocks vanish.

Next morning they rose early.  It was Christmas time, and the air was cold and frosty as they rode away.  The very sunlight was pale, and the trees were bare.  When they reached home the neighbors gathered round and wished them a Merry Christmas.  “Noel, Noel,” they said, but they would not have done so had they known what sorrow the riders brought to their beautiful lady Dorigen.

For many days the Magician worked with his maps and figures.  Aurelius waited impatiently.  There was nothing for him to do except to make the Magician as comfortable as he could, and to show him as much kindness as possible.

One morning Aurelius looked from his window towards the sea.  He saw the Magician standing on the shore.  As Aurelius gazed out to sea, the rocks vanished from north to south.  His heart stood still.  Then he rushed out and away to the edge of the cliffs for fear some rocks might still lie close to the land.  But no, there was not one.

He went to meet the Magician and fell at his feet with the words, “Thanks to thee, my lord, thanks to thee, my cares are gone!”

After he had thanked the Wise Man, he hurried away to meet Dorigen.  When he saw her he trembled.  She was so pure and beautiful.  His heart sank.  Then he looked out to sea and saw the smooth surface of the water, and he grew selfish again.

Dorigen came quietly on.  She had not noticed that the rocks had vanished, for Arviragus was safe on land, and she did not fear the sea any more.  She had almost forgotten Aurelius and his selfish, greedy words.  It was more than two years since she had seen him, and she had not heard of him since then.

She started back when he greeted her.  Before she had time to speak he said, “My lady, give me thy jewel.”

He saw Dorigen’s face grow cold and angry, and said, “Think well lest thou break thy word, for, madam, thou knowest well what thou didst say.  In yonder garden in the month of May thou didst promise to give me thy jewel when I should move the rocks.  I speak to save thine honor.  I have done as thou didst command me.  Go thou and see if thou wilt, but well I know the rocks are vanished.”

He left her then.  She stood still, white and sick.  She had never dreamt that such a trap as this could close on her.

“Alas,” she said, “that such a thing could happen!  I never thought a thing so strange and unheard-of could come to pass!”

Home she went in sadness and dismay.  She was so weak with fear that she could scarcely walk.  She had to suffer her sorrow alone for three days, for Arviragus was away, and she would tell no one but him.  Her ladies saw her distress, but they could not comfort her.  To herself she moaned, “Alas, O Fortune, I lay the blame on thee; thou hast so bound me in thy chain, that I see no help nor escape save only in death.”