When the maiden had listened demurely to her father’s commandment, there was no gayer lady than she.  She rose lightly to her feet, and taking the knight a little from the others, seated him at her side.  They remained silent, because of the greatness of their love.  She did not dare to speak the first, and to him the maid was more dreadful than a knight in mail.  At the end Eliduc thanked her courteously for the gifts she had sent him; never was grace so precious and so kind.  The maiden made answer to the knight, that very dear to her was the use he had found for her ring, and the girdle with which he had belted his body.  She loved him so fondly that she wished him for her husband.  If she might not have her wish, one thing she knew well, that she would take no living man, but would die unwed.  She trusted he would not deny her hope.

“Lady,” answered the knight, “I have great joy in your love, and thank you humbly for the goodwill you bear me.  I ought indeed to be a happy man, since you deign to show me at what price you value our friendship.  Have you remembered that I may not remain always in your realm?  I covenanted with the King to serve him as his man for the space of one year.  Perchance I may stay longer in his service, for I would not leave him till his quarrel be ended.  Then I shall return to my own land; so, fair lady, you permit me to say farewell.”

The maiden made answer to her knight, “Fair friend, right sweetly I thank you for your courteous speech.  So apt a clerk will know, without more words, that he may have of me just what he would.  It becomes my love to give faith to all you say.”

The two lovers spoke together no further; each was well assured of what was in the other’s heart.  Eliduc rode back to his lodging, right joyous and content.  Often he had speech with his friend, and passing great was the love which grew between the twain.

Eliduc pressed on the war so fiercely that in the end he took captive the King who troubled his lord, and had delivered the land from its foes.  He was greatly praised of all as a crafty captain in the field, and a hardy comrade with the spear.  The poor and the minstrel counted him a generous knight.  About this time that King, who had bidden Eliduc avoid his realm, sought diligently to find him.  He had sent three messengers beyond the seas to seek his ancient Seneschal.  A strong enemy had wrought him much grief and loss.  All his castles were taken from him, and all his country was a spoil to the foe.  Often and sorely he repented him of the evil counsel to which he had given ear.  He mourned the absence of his mightiest knight, and drove from his councils those false lords who, for malice and envy, had defamed him.  These he outlawed for ever from his realm.  The King wrote letters to Eliduc, conjuring him by the loving friendship that was once between them, and summoning him as a vassal is required of his lord, to hasten to his aid, in that his bitter need.  When Eliduc heard these