oot."

"By my head," saith the dwarf, "that will I, for, please God, he shall
not escape us again, save he be dead."

The damsel was of passing great beauty and was clad right seemingly,
but right treacherous was she of heart, nor no marvel was it thereof,
for she came of the lineage of robbers and was nurtured on theft and
robbery, and she herself had helped to murder many a knight. She is
come upon the way, so that Lancelot hath to pass her, without her
kerchief. She meeteth Lancelot and saluteth him and maketh him right
great joy, of semblant.

"Sir," saith she, "Follow this path that goeth into the forest, and you
will find a hold that my forefathers stablished for harbouring of such
knights as might be passing through the forest. The night is dark
already, and if you pass on further no hold will you find nearer than a
score leagues Welsh."

"Damsel," saith Lancelot, "Gramercy heartily of this that it pleaseth
you to say, for right gladly will I harbour me here, for it is more
than time to take lodging, and with you more willingly than another."

III.

On this wise they go their way talking, as far as the hold. There was
none therewithin save only the dwarf, for the five robber knights were
in their hold at the lower end of the forest. The dwarf took Lancelot's
horse, and stabled him, then went up into the hall above, and gave
himself up wholly to serving him.

"Sir," saith the damsel, "Allow yourself to be disarmed, and have full
assurance of safety."

"Damsel," saith he, "Small trouble is it for me to wear mine arms, and
lightly may I abide it."

"Sir," saith she, "Please God, you shall nor lie armed within yonder.
Never yet did knight so that harboured therein."

But the more the damsel presseth him to disarm, the more it misliketh
him, for the place seemeth him right dark and foul-seeming, wherefore
will he not disarm nor disgarnish himself.

"Sir," saith she, "Meseemeth you are suspicious of something, but no
call have you to misdoubt of aught here within, for the place is quite
safe. I know not whether you have enemies?"

"Damsel," saith Lancelot, "Never yet knew I knight that was loved of
everybody, yet sometimes might none tell the reason thereof."

IV.

Lancelot, so saith the story, would not disarm him, wherefore he made
the table be set, and sate thereat beside the damsel at meat. He made
his shield and his helmet and spear be brought into the hall. He leant
back upon a rich c