y hath
need enough of aid, but I do not believe that thou art one who may help
her in her trouble."

"Why dost thou think that?" quoth Sir Ewaine. "Thou shouldst not judge
of my ability from what thou seest, for I may be other than what I
appear to be."

[Sidenote: _Sir Ewaine declareth himself to the maiden._]

Then the damsel was greatly astonished at the dignity of manner with
which he spoke, for he spoke as one having authority and very calmly and
haughtily. So she began to misdoubt that this was some one else than she
had first thought him to be, wherefore she said, "I pray you, Sir, tell
me who you are?" To the which he replied: "I am Sir Ewaine of King
Arthur's court and of his Round Table, son to King Uriens of Gore and of
the Lady Queen Morgana surnamed le Fay."

At this proclamation the damsel was greatly astonished, wherefore she
cried out aloud: "Is it indeed possible that this is so, and that so
famous and so remarkable a knight should have come to such a pass as
that in which you were found?" and the damsel said: "Now the lady of
this castle will be very highly honored when she comes to know that she
hath lent succor to so noble and haughty a champion as you proclaim
yourself to be. Let us go to her so that you may tell her the story of
your misfortunes." And Sir Ewaine said: "So be it, and let us go."

So they both departed from that place and as they wended their way
thence Sir Ewaine said: "Now tell me, damsel, what is the need of help
that thy lady hath and concerning which thou didst speak to me anon?"

[Sidenote: _The damsel telleth Sir Ewaine concerning the lady of the
castle._]

The damsel said: "I will tell thee. The lady of this castle is a widow,
and at the death of her husband she had two very noble castles and two
great estates belonging to those castles. Those castles and that land
her lord bequeathed to her to have and to hold for her own. Now after
she was thus left a widow, it befell that a certain very proud and
haughty lord who was her neighbor, desired to make her his wife; but she
would not listen to his suit, having great love for that worthy knight
her husband who was dead. So she refused the knight who desired to wed
her and at that he was very angry. After that he came with a great array
of armed men, and he despoiled her of one of her estates by force. And
now, unless she should yield to him, he threatens to take away this
other estate whereon she dwelleth and which is all