r fate
with proud dignity.

In a few moments the door opened and the arras was pushed aside, and
the groom of the chambers announced with a shout:

'The Knight of the Mound, victorious in the joust, craves leave to
greet our lady the countess.'

The lady bowed assent, trembling in every limb. Then the groom stepped
aside, and into the chamber came a comely gentleman, clad in purple
tunic, rich with chains and jewelled belt.

But it was not the knight whom the countess had expected, but a
stranger, with a courtly and gentle manner and a winning smile.

Then from behind him came Elined, full of smiles, with a look of
triumph in her eyes.

'My lady,' she said, bowing low, 'this is the knight, Sir Owen of
Wales, from the court of King Arthur, whom I have brought to protect
you and wed you. He hath just proved himself the doughtiest among a
hundred.'

The terror of the countess was changed instantly into joy, and she put
forth her hand, and Sir Owen bent and kissed it, and she led him to the
window seat, and commanded Elined to sit with them. And they spoke full
joyously together, for the countess was much taken with the noble and
gentle bearing of Sir Owen, and admired him because he had proved
himself the best man of all her wooers.

In a few days she sent for the bishops and priests, and her nuptials
with Sir Owen were celebrated with such feasting that all the country
was full of merriment and joy. And the men of the earldom came and did
homage to Owen, and he became the Earl of the Fountain.

In a little while thereafter Sir Owen told his lady that it was he who
had chased the soul from the body of her former lord. But the countess
was not vexed by the knowledge, for Sir Owen loved her greatly, and
with all tenderness and honour, and never had the countess been so
happy with Earl Cadoc as she was with Owen.

Thereafter Earl Owen defended the fountain with lance and sword against
all who ventured to challenge him in his earldom. And the knights who
were thus conquered he held to ransom, and the money he thus obtained
he divided equally among his barons and knights. Never had they had so
generous a lord, nor one of such prowess and knightly worth. And all
his subjects loved Earl Owen passing well.

Thus for three years in all happiness and quiet did Owen and the
countess dwell. Sir Dewin of Castle Cower had not power to hurt them,
nor did any other evil light upon them.

But at the end of this space, towar