morack still
slept.

[Sidenote: _Sir Percival leaveth Sir Lamorack asleep._]

Then Sir Percival bethought him that he must again depart in quest of
Sir Launcelot and that his brother, Sir Lamorack, was not upon that
quest. So he rose very softly and he went aside and donned his armor so
quietly that he did not disturb his brother's slumbers. After he had
thus donned his armor, he took horse and rode alone into the forest,
leaving Sir Lamorack still asleep where he lay.

And Sir Percival traversed that woodland for a long while, not knowing
whither he went, but trusting ever to God to bring him out thence all in
good time. So as he journeyed he came about the prime of day to a
certain open place where there was a crossroad and a wayside shrine and
a little chapel. And as Sir Percival drew nigh to this place, he beheld
that a knight in shining armor was kneeling at that wayside shrine,
reciting his orisons.

[Sidenote: _Sir Percival meets with Sir Ector de Maris._]

Beside the kneeling knight there stood a noble dapple-gray war-horse,
and the spear of the knight leaned against the bole of a near-by oak
tree, and the shield of the knight hung suspended to the spear. And the
knight wore neither helm nor bascinet, wherefore Sir Percival could see
his face and so could know who he was. And Sir Percival knew that the
knight who kneeled there was Sir Ector de Maris, the brother of Sir
Launcelot of the Lake.

Now though Sir Ector heard the sound of the footsteps of the horse as
Sir Percival drew nigh, yet he neither ceased his orisons nor turned his
head, but ever continued very steadfastly to recite his prayers. And so
Sir Percival drew rein at a little distance and waited until Sir Ector
was done his prayers, nor did he disturb the kneeling knight in any wise
until he had crossed himself and arisen to his feet.

Then Sir Percival said, "This is well met, Sir Ector," and because the
umbril of Sir Percival's helmet was uplifted, Sir Ector knew him and so
he said, giving him greeting, "Well met indeed, Sir Percival."

Therewith Sir Percival dismounted from his horse, and he came to Sir
Ector and clasped Sir Ector in his arms, and each kissed the other upon
the cheek as though they had been brothers.

After that they went a little to one side and sat them down in the soft
long grass of the wayside and beneath the shadow of a wide-spreading
tree.

Then Sir Percival said to Sir Ector: "Sir, hast thou any news of thy
bro