that she hath in the
world.

"So my lady is in a great pass and knoweth not what to do, having no
knight for to defend her; for all those who should defend her, fall away
from her in this time of trouble for fear of the anger of that lord who
seeks her hand."

"Certes, this is a sad story which thou tellest me," said Sir Ewaine,
"and indeed I will do what I may to help thy lady, who hath been so kind
to me."

Thus talking together, they two approached the castle, and the lady of
the castle, beholding them coming from a distance, was greatly surprised
to see the damsel conversing in that wise with the wounded man whom she
had been sent to succor.

Then when they were come to her the lady said to the damsel, "Didst thou
use that balm as I told thee to do?" And the damsel said, "Yea." The
lady said, "How much didst thou use thereof?" And the damsel said, "I
used it all."

[Sidenote: _The lady of the castle is affronted at the maiden._]

Then the lady when she heard how that the damsel had poured all of that
balm at one time upon Sir Ewaine, was much affronted and very angry with
her, and she said: "What is this that thou hast done? I cannot easily
forgive thee this, for thou hast wasted several score pounds worth of
the precious ointment upon a stranger whom we know not and who hath no
appearance of worship."

Unto her the maiden made reply: "Lady, be not offended at this, for wit
you that this stranger is of far greater worth than all the balm you
could pour upon him."

At these words the lady was much surprised, wherefore she said, "Who is
he that is of such great worth as thou sayst?" and the damsel replied:
"Lady, this is none other than Sir Ewaine, Knight of the Round Table and
nephew of King Arthur."

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

Then the lady of the castle cried out with astonishment and said, "Is
this true that I hear?" And Sir Ewaine said, "Yea, Lady." Then the lady
of the castle came to Sir Ewaine and took him by the hand, and said:
"Welcome, welcome, Sir Ewaine! Now this is a great honor that hath
befallen us at this place to have given aid and succor to a knight so
famous in chivalry as thou art."

"Lady," quoth Sir Ewaine, "you do me honor beyond my worth, and so you
put me under still greater obligations than I rested under afore this.
Now I am most desirous of repaying you in some measure for all the
kindness that you have visited upon me, wherefore, if it be sooth as