Ganis, that
is called a good knight, and we be sister's children unto my lord Sir
Launcelot du Lake, that we call one of the best knights of the world.
That is truth, said Sir Tristram, Sir Launcelot is called peerless of
courtesy and of knighthood; and for his sake, said Sir Tristram, I will
not with my good will fight no more with you, for the great love I have
to Sir Launcelot du Lake. In good faith, said Bleoberis, as for me I
will be loath to fight with you; but sithen ye follow me here to have
this lady, I shall proffer you kindness, courtesy, and gentleness right
here upon this ground. This lady shall be betwixt us both, and to whom
that she will go, let him have her in peace. I will well, said Tristram,
for, as I deem, she will leave you and come to me. Ye shall prove it
anon, said Bleoberis.

CHAPTER XVIII. How the lady forsook Sir Tristram and abode with Sir
Bleoberis, and how she desired to go to her husband.

So when she was set betwixt them both she said these words unto Sir
Tristram: Wit ye well, Sir Tristram de Liones, that but late thou wast
the man in the world that I most loved and trusted, and I weened thou
hadst loved me again above all ladies; but when thou sawest this knight
lead me away thou madest no cheer to rescue me, but suffered my lord
Segwarides ride after me; but until that time I weened thou haddest
loved me, and therefore now I will leave thee, and never love thee more.
And therewithal she went unto Sir Bleoberis.

When Sir Tristram saw her do so he was wonderly wroth with that lady,
and ashamed to come to the court. Sir Tristram, said Sir Bleoberis, ye
are in the default, for I hear by this lady's words she before this
day trusted you above all earthly knights, and, as she saith, ye have
deceived her, therefore wit ye well, there may no man hold that will
away; and rather than ye should be heartily displeased with me I would
ye had her, an she would abide with you. Nay, said the lady, so God me
help I will never go with him; for he that I loved most I weened he had
loved me. And therefore, Sir Tristram, she said, ride as thou came, for
though thou haddest overcome this knight, as ye was likely, with thee
never would I have gone. And I shall pray this knight so fair of his
knighthood, that or ever he pass this country, that he will lead me
to the abbey where my lord Sir Segwarides lieth. So God me help, said
Bleoberis, I let you wit, good knight Sir Tristram, because King Mark
ga