the pommel of his
saddle into the hands of the lady, and afterward that wicked knight was
bound with many securities and hostages to good behavior, and so he
tormented that lady no more from that time forth unto the end of her
life.

* * * * *

[Sidenote: _Sir Ewaine departeth from the castle as a pilgrim._]

Now when the next day was come Sir Ewaine appeared before the lady of
the castle and besought her that she would take back the armor she had
given him and that in place of that armor she would purvey him the dress
of a pilgrim. So that lady did as she was asked, and when she had done
so Sir Ewaine clad himself as a pilgrim and departed from the castle of
that chatelaine.

And Sir Ewaine wandered hither and thither as a pilgrim for several
weeks; and after much journeying he came at last to that valley where
dwelt the Lady of the Fountain. For ever his will led him thitherward,
and so it came about that at last he beheld that town and castle once
more. And when he beheld that place and when he brought to mind all that
had befallen him of good and of ill thereat the tears arose into his
eyes so that all things that he beheld swam as in a flood of water.

[Sidenote: _Sir Ewaine returneth to the Castle of the Fountain._]

Then by and by he went toward that Castle of the Fountain and when he
had come thereunto, he knocked upon the postern door and besought those
who opened to him that he might have speech with the lady of the castle.
So anon he was shown into the apartment where the lady was, and Elose
was with her, and several others of the damsels of her court.

Now the hood of the cloak that Sir Ewaine wore, and the pilgrim's hat,
so concealed his face that no one who was there knew who he was.
Wherefore the Lady Lesolie, speaking as to a stranger, said, "Sir, what
wouldst thou have of me?" And Sir Ewaine answered saying: "Lady, I come
hither to bear to you a message from one who has unwittingly done you a
great injury."

Upon this the lady cried out very vehemently: "Sir, if you come from
that recreant knight, Sir Ewaine, then you may return unto him again
who hath sent you hither." To which Sir Ewaine said, "Lady, I cannot
return unto him, for it would be impossible."

At these words the Lady Lesolie's countenance fell, and for a while she
spake not. Then after a while she said, "Dost thou bring ill news of
him?" And Sir Ewaine said: "I know not whether the news be ill unto