duke's daughter, and set the people in great
ease of heart.

And the next morning one came to Galahad and told him how Gawaine,
Gareth, and Uwaine had slain the seven brethren. "I am glad to hear
it," said Sir Galahad, and he took his armour, mounted his horse, and
commended the people of the Castle of Maidens unto God, and so rode
away.

CHAPTER XXVIII

SIR LAUNCELOT'S REPENTANCE

When Sir Galahad was departed from the Castle of Maidens, he rode till
he came to a waste forest, and there he met with Sir Launcelot and Sir
Percivale, but they knew him not, for he was new disguised. Right so,
Sir Launcelot dressed his spear, and brake it upon Sir Galahad; and Sir
Galahad smote him so again, that he smote down horse and man. Then he
drew his sword, and dressed him unto Sir Percivale, and smote him so on
the helm that, had not the sword swerved, Sir Percivale had been slain,
and with the stroke he fell out of his saddle.

This joust was done tofore the hermitage where a recluse dwelt, and,
when she saw Sir Galahad ride, she said, "God be with thee, best knight
of the world. Ah, verily, if yonder two knights had known thee as well
as I do, they would not have encountered with thee."

When Sir Galahad heard her say so, he was sore adread to be known.
Therefore he smote his horse with his spurs, and rode at a great pace
away from them. Then perceived they both that he was Galahad, and up
they gat on their horses, and rode fast after him, but in a while he
was out of their sight. Then they turned again with heavy cheer, and
Sir Percivale said, "Let us ask some tidings at yonder recluse."

"Do as ye list," said Sir Launcelot. So Sir Percivale turned back, but
Sir Launcelot rode on across and endlong in a wild forest, and held no
path, but as wild adventure led him. At last he came to a stone cross,
which pointed two ways, and by the cross was a stone that was of
marble; but it was so dark that he might not wit what it was.

Sir Launcelot looked about him, and saw an old chapel. There he
expected to find people, so he tied his horse, and took off his shield
and hung it upon a tree. Then he went to the chapel door, and found it
waste and broken. Within he saw a fair altar full richly arrayed with
cloth of clean silk, and there stood a fair clean candlestick of silver
which bare six great candles.

When Sir Launcelot saw this light, he had great will to enter into the
chapel, but he could find no place wh