ed after the bier, and he saw that her hair was hanging loose
and that she was in great disarray. But maugre that, it appeared to him
that she was the most beautiful lady his eyes had ever looked upon. Then
Sir Ewaine said to Elose, who was looking out of the window beside him,
"What fair lady is that who followeth the bier of the dead knight?" To
the which she made answer: "That is the lady of this castle, and she is
making sorrow for the knight her champion who is slain."

Then Sir Ewaine gazed and gazed at that lady for as long as he could see
her, and when she had gone by, he said: "Elose, certes that lady is the
most beautiful dame that ever mine eyes looked upon. Now I tell thee
truly that I do not wonder that your knight-champion was willing for to
serve her for a whole year with faithfulness; for I would willingly
serve for even a longer time than that to win her good regard."

At this Elose laughed with great good will. "Is it so with you, Sir
Knight?" quoth she, "and do you then find that your heart is inclined
toward this lady?" And Sir Ewaine said, "Yea, it is even so with me."
Elose said: "And wouldst thou be pleased, Sir Ewaine, if I could devise
it in such wise that the lady of this castle should look kindly upon
thee?" And again Sir Ewaine said, "Yea."

Then Elose smiled very cheerfully upon Sir Ewaine and she said: "Well,
Messire, let be till to-morrow and then we shall see what that day shall
bring forth."

[Sidenote: _The damsel Elose serveth Sir Ewaine in the morning._]

So when the next morning had come, Sir Ewaine arose greatly refreshed,
and by and by Elose came to him with food with which to break his fast.
And after he had broken his fast she brought a bowl of ivory with tepid
water, and she brought a razor with a heft of ivory studded with gold,
and she hung a fine linen towel upon her shoulder and she shaved Sir
Ewaine so that his face was both fresh and clean. After that she brought
him fine raiment--an undervest of soft cambric linen and a surcoat and
hose of azure silk embroidered with silver, and a cloak with a clasp of
gold, and with pears of silver hanging from the corners thereof. And she
brought a circlet of gold for his head, such as became the son of a
king. Then she looked upon Sir Ewaine and he was very comely.

After all this had been done in that wise, Elose left Sir Ewaine and
went to where was the Lady Lesolie, and the lady sat alone in her bower
in great sorrow that her k