ath heard tell
how the knights of the Raving Castle are dead, and another knight that
hath conquered the castle hath made the damsel be baptized, wherefore
much she marvelleth how this may be. She is in much dread of losing
her land, for her brother Madeglant of Oriande is dead, so that she may
no longer look to none for succour, and she hath been told how the
knight that conquered the Raving Castle is the Best Knight of the
World, and that none may endure against him. For this doubtance and
fear of him she is minded to go to one of her own castles that is
somewhat stronger."

Perceval departeth from the squire and rideth until they that were at
the entrance of the gateway espied him. They saw the Red Cross that he
bare on his shield, and said to the Queen, "Lady, a Christian knight is
coming into this castle."

"Take heed," saith she, "that it be not he that is about to overthrow
our Law!"

Perceval cometh thither and alighteth, and cometh before the Queen all
armed. The Queen asketh what he seeketh.

XXIV.

"Lady," saith he, "Nought seek I save good only to yourself so you
hinder it not."

"You come," saith she, "from the Raving Castle, there where three
brothers are slain, whereof is great loss."

"Lady," saith he, "At that castle was I, and now fain would I that your
own were at the will of Jesus Christ, in like manner as is that."

"By my head," saith she, "And your Lord hath so great power as is said,
so will it be."

"Lady, His virtue and His puissance are far greater than they say."

"That would I fain know," saith she, "presently, and I am fain to pray
you that you depart not from me until that it hath been proven."

Perceval granteth it gladly. She returned into her castle and Perceval
with her. When he was alighted he went up into the hall. They that
were within marvelled them much that she should thus give consent, for
never, sithence that she had been blind, might she allow no knight of
the New Law to be so nigh her, and made slay all them that came into
her power, nor might she never see clear so long as she had one of them
before her. Now is her disposition altered in such sort as that she
would fain she might see clear him that hath come in, for she hath been
told that he is the comeliest knight of the world and well seemeth to
be as good as they witness of him.

XXV.

Perceval remained there gladly for that he saw the lady's cruelty was
somewhat slackened, and it seemed him