But the dash of the cold water against him cleared away his doubt.

Marion had come to him.

She had saved him from death.

And now she was gone.
And she was not the king's wife! He staggered to his feet again and plunged into the lake until the water reached to his waist, calling her name, entreating her in weak, half choked cries to come back to him.

The water soaked through to his hot, numb body, restoring his reason and strength, and he buried his face in it and drank like one who had been near to dying of thirst.