tle,' said the maiden.

Then she left Owen, and after a while went into the chamber of her
mistress, and spoke to her, but the countess answered her nothing.

'What aileth thee, mistress?' inquired the maiden.

'Why hast thou kept far from me in my grief, Luned?' answered the
countess, and in her turn the damsel asked:

'Is it well for thee to mourn so bitterly for the dead, or for anything
that is gone from thee?'

'There is no man in the world equal to him,' replied the countess,
her cheeks growing red with anger. 'I would fain banish thee for such
words.'

'Be not angry, lady,' said Luned, 'but listen to my counsel. Thou
knowest well that alone thou canst not preserve thy lands, therefore
seek some one to help thee.'

'And how can I do that?' asked the countess.

'I will tell thee,' answered Luned. 'Unless thou canst defend the
fountain all will be lost, and none can defend the fountain except a
knight of Arthur's court. There will I go to seek him, and woe betide me
if I return without a warrior that can guard the fountain, as well as he
who kept it before.'

'Go then,' said the countess, 'and make proof of that which thou hast
promised.'

So Luned set out, riding on a white palfrey, on pretence of journeying
to King Arthur's court, but instead of doing that she hid herself for as
many days as it would have taken her to go and come, and then she left
her hiding-place, and went into the countess.

'What news from the court?' asked her mistress, when she had given Luned
a warm greeting.

'The best of news,' answered the maiden, 'for I have gained the object
of my mission. When wilt thou that I present to thee the knight who has
returned with me?'

'To-morrow at midday,' said the countess, 'and I will cause all the
people in the town to come together.'

Therefore the next day at noon Owen put on his coat of mail, and over it
he wore a splendid mantle, while on his feet were leather shoes fastened
with clasps of gold. And he followed Luned to the chamber of her
mistress.

Right glad was the countess to see them, but she looked closely at Owen
and said:

'Luned, this knight has scarcely the air of a traveller.'

'What harm is there in that, lady?' answered Luned.

'I am persuaded,' said the countess, 'that this man and no other chased
the soul from the body of my lord.'

'Had he not been stronger than thy lord,' replied the damsel, 'he could
not have taken his life, and for that, and for all thi