ong," said the Earl; "if I slay the man yonder, I can
keep thee with me as long as I choose; and when thou no longer pleasest
me, I can turn thee away. But if thou goest with me by thy own good
will, I protest that our union shall continue eternal and undivided as
long as I remain alive." Then she pondered these words of his, and she
considered that it was advisable to encourage him in his request.
"Behold, then, chieftain, this is most expedient for thee to do to save
me any needless imputation; come here to-morrow, and take me away as
though I knew nothing thereof." "I will do so," said he. So he arose,
and took his leave, and went forth with his attendants. And she told not
then to Geraint any of the conversation which she had had with the Earl,
lest it should rouse his anger, and cause him uneasiness and care.

And at the usual hour they went to sleep. And at the beginning of the
night Enid slept a little; and at midnight she arose, and placed all
Geraint's armour together, so that it might be ready to put on. And
although fearful of her errand, she came to the side of Geraint's bed;
and she spoke to him softly and gently, saying, "My Lord, arise, and
clothe thyself, for these were the words of the Earl to me, and his
intention concerning me." So she told Geraint all that had passed. And
although he was wroth with her, he took warning, and clothed himself. And
she lighted a candle, that he might have light to do so. "Leave there
the candle," said he, "and desire the man of the house to come here."
Then she went, and the man of the house came to him. "Dost thou know how
much I owe thee?" asked Geraint. "I think thou owest but little." "Take
the eleven horses and the eleven suits of armour." "Heaven reward thee,
Lord," said he, "but I spent not the value of one suit of armour upon
thee." "For that reason," said he, "thou wilt be the richer. And now
wilt thou come to guide me out of the town?" "I will, gladly," said he,
"and in which direction dost thou intend to go?" "I wish to leave the
town by a different way from that by which I entered it." So the man of
the lodgings accompanied him as far as he desired. Then he bade the
maiden to go on before him; and she did so, and went straight forward,
and his host returned home. And he had only just reached his house,
when, behold, the greatest tumult approached that was ever heard. And
when he looked out he saw fourscore knights in complete armour aroun