astle is in the midst of this forest,
that the Red Knight reft away from me long ago. I pray you now come
with me thither that I may be assured thereof in such sort as that I
may have it again wholly."

"Damsel," saith Perceval, "This have I no right to deny you."

They ride amidst the forest so long as that they come to the castle
where the damsel ought to be. It stood in the fairest place of all the
forest, and was enclosed of high Walls battlemented, and within were
fair-windowed halls. The tidings were come to the castle that their
lord was dead. Perceval and the damsel entered in. He made the damsel
be assured of them that were therein, and made them yield up her castle
that they well knew was hers of right inheritance. The damsel made the
head be buried that she had carried so long, and bade that every day
should mass be done within for the soul of him. When Perceval had
sojourned therein as long as pleased him, he departed thence. The
damsel thanked him much of the bounty he had done her as concerning the
castle that she had again by him, for never again should it be
reconquered of another, as well she knew.

IX.

Josephus telleth us in the scripture he recordeth for us, whereof this
history was drawn out of Latin into Romance, that none need be in doubt
that these adventures befell at that time in Great Britain and in all
the other kingdoms, and plenty enow more befell than I record, but
these were the most certain. The history saith that Perceval is come
into a hold, there where his sister was in the house of a vavasour that
was a right worshipful man. Each day the damsel made great dole of the
knight that was to take her, for the day was already drawing somewhat
nigh, and she knew not that he was dead. Full often lamented she the
Widow Lady her mother, that in like sort made great dole for her
daughter. The vavasour comforted the damsel right sweetly and longed
for her brother Perceval, but little thought he that he was so near
him. And Perceval is come to the hold all armed, and alighteth at the
mounting-stage before the hall. The vavasour cometh to meet him, and
marvelleth much who he is, for the more part believed that he was one
of Aristor's knights.

"Sir," saith the vavasour, "Welcome may you be!"

"Good adventure may you have, Sir!" saith Perceval. He holdeth
Aristor's head in his hand by the hair, whereof the vavasour marvelled
much that he should carry a knight's head in such-w