o the lady of the castle."

Quoth Sir Ewaine: "Fair youth, you are to know that I am a knight of
King Arthur's court, and that I am a fellow of the Round Table. My name
is Sir Ewaine, and I am King Uriens' son of Gore, my mother being Queen
Morgana le Fay. As for your lady, I know very well who she is, and that
she is none other than the Enchantress Vivien. Moreover, I know that she
is not at all above devising mischief against me because I am a knight
of King Arthur and of his Round Table. Yet I will that you bring me
before this lady, for I would fain have speech with her."

Upon this, so boldly said by Sir Ewaine, those two fair youths were
adoubt, wherefore they withdrew a little to one side and held
consultation together. Then he who had before spoken to Sir Ewaine spake
again, saying: "Messire, I trust you have it not in your mind to do any
ill to the lady of this castle, for unless we are well assured upon that
point we will not bring you to her."

"Rest ye easy," quoth Sir Ewaine; "I am a true knight, and mean no ill
to any lady, be she evil or good. Only I would have speech with her as
presently as may be."

Then the youth who was the speaker for the two said, "Sir, I will take
you to her."

[Sidenote: _Sir Ewaine cometh to the Lady Vivien._]

So forthwith that youth led the way into the enchanted castle and Sir
Ewaine followed closely after him. And after they had come unto the
castle and after Sir Ewaine had dismounted from his horse and after they
had traversed various spaces, the youth brought Sir Ewaine to where the
Lady Vivien was. And she was in her own fair bower with her eleven
damsels gathered about her.

[Sidenote: _The Lady Vivien giveth welcome to Sir Ewaine._]

Now the news of the coming of Sir Ewaine had gone before him, so that
when he came to the Lady Vivien she arose from her seat and went forward
to meet him and received him with her face all wreathed with smiles. And
she said: "Welcome! Welcome! Thrice welcome, Sir Ewaine! Now I pray you
to let my attendants conduct you to a fair room where you may bathe and
refresh yourself, for we would fain have you stay with us at this place
for a day or two or three if so be you will favor us so greatly."

But Sir Ewaine neither smiled nor made acknowledgment of any sort;
otherwise he spake with great sternness, saying: "Fair Lady, I know you
well, and I know that you have no very good will toward us who are of
King Arthur's court. I know that