r.

'Nay, that I will not!' said Beaumains, for his heart was hot with
shame and anger. 'If I were but a churl, I should reckon myself a
nobler man than the recreant knight from whom I have rescued you and
your sister. But since he was a knight, it seems ye would reckon him as
of greater honour than the brave churl that slew him for his evil
deeds.'

'Nay, nay, it is not so!' came a sweet voice crying in tears, and Sir
Beaumains saw the tender face of the Lady Lyones at the window where
Sir Gringamor had been. 'My brave knight, think not ill of me, for this
is none of my will, for I am mocked and my pleasure denied in my own
castle by this my over-careful brother. I love thee, sir knight,
whatsoever thou art, for I feel that thou art gentle and brave, and as
good a man as any lady might love. And I beg you go not far from me,
for I will have my will erelong, and I tell you now that I trust you,
and I shall be true to you, and unto my death I shall love you and no
other. And whenever I may come to you I will, in spite of this my
brother.'

Saying these words, the lady sobbed as if her heart would break, and
hiding her face in her hands she was led away by her women.

With that Beaumains' heart smote him, and he was resolved to reveal his
name and lineage for the sake of the dear lady who loved him. But even
as he thought this, he was aware of a party of knights coming towards
him from the plain, and soon he recognised that they were of the
company of King Arthur's Round Table.

And the foremost knight, who bore his helm in his hand, rode forward to
him, crying:

'O Gareth, Gareth, my brother, how hast thou deceived us all!'

Then did Sir Beaumains clasp the other's hand right warmly, for this
was his own brother, Sir Gaheris, sent from King Arthur to bring him
home.

When Sir Gringamor knew of the coming of these knights, quickly he bade
the drawbridge to be lowered, and in a little while the knights were
being welcomed in the hall.

'Sir Gringamor,' said Sir Gaheris, 'I find that I come at a lucky
chance for the happiness of my brother. Already the fame of his brave
deeds has reached King Arthur, for the knights he hath overcome have
put themselves in the mercy of the king.'

'Sir Knight of the Round Table,' said Sir Gringamor, 'tell me who is
this brave knight that will not say his name?'

'He is Sir Gareth, my brother, the youngest son of the King of Orkney,'
replied Sir Gaheris, 'and fit for the highes