much as he had been, inasmuch as he
desired to leave the garden. However disappointing it may be, no one can
prevent his going away, for the hour and the time have come. Therefore
the tears ran down her face from her eyes. Much more than I can say was
she grieving and distressed; nevertheless she sat up straight. But she
does not care so much for any of those who try to comfort her that she
ceases her moan. Enide salutes her kindly; but for a while the other
could not reply a word, being prevented by the sighs and sobs which
torment and distress her. Some time it was before the damsel returned
her salutation, and when she had looked at her and examined her for a
while, it seemed that she had seen and known her before. But not being
very certain of it, she was not slow to inquire from whence she was, of
what country, and where her lord was born; she inquires who they both
are. Enide replies briefly and tells her the truth, saying: "I am the
niece of the Count who holds sway over Lalut, the daughter of his own
sister; at Lalut I was born and brought up." The other cannot help
smiling, without hearing more, for she is so delighted that she forgets
her sorrow. Her heart leaps with joy which she cannot conceal. She runs
and embraces Enide, saying: "I am your cousin! This is the very truth,
and you are my father's niece; for he and your father are brothers. But
I suspect that you do not know and have never heard how I came into this
country. The Count, your uncle, was at war, and to him there came to
fight for pay knights of many lands. Thus, fair cousin, it came about,
that with these hireling knights there came one who was the nephew of
the king of Brandigan. He was with my father almost a year. That was, I
think, twelve years ago, and I was still but a little child. He was very
handsome and attractive. There we had an understanding between us that
pleased us both. I never had any wish but his, until at last he began to
love me and promised and swore to me that he would always be my lover,
and that he would bring me here; that pleased us both alike. He could
not wait, and I was longing to come hither with him; so we both came
away, and no one knew of it but ourselves. In those days you and I were
both young and little girls. I have told you the truth; so now tell me
in turn, as I have told you, all about your lover, and by what adventure
he won you." "Fair cousin, he married me in such a way that my father
knew all about it,