farewell, till she is put in holy ground with such pomp and rite as befit the obsequies of the daughter of a King.”  His comrades answered him never a word, for they were all bemused by reason of what had befallen.  Eliduc, therefore, considered within himself to what place he should carry the lady.  His own home was so near the haven where he had come, that very easily they could ride there before evening.  He called to mind that in his realm there was a certain great forest, both long and deep.  Within this wood there was a little chapel, served by a holy hermit for forty years, with whom Eliduc had oftimes spoken.

“To this holy man,” he said, “I will bear my lady.  In his chapel he shall bury her sweet body.  I will endow him so richly of my lands, that upon her chantry shall be founded a mighty abbey.  There some convent of monks or nuns or canons shall ever hold her in remembrance, praying God to grant her mercy in His day.”

Eliduc got to horse, but first took oath of his comrades that never, by them, should be discovered, that which they should see.  He set his friend before him on the palfrey, and thus the living and the dead rode together, till they had entered the wood, and come before the chapel.  The squires called and beat upon the door, but it remained fast, and none was found to give them any answer.  Eliduc bade that one should climb through a window, and open the door from within.  When they had come within the chapel they found a new made tomb, and writ thereon, that the holy hermit having finished his course, was made perfect, eight days before Passing sad was Eliduc, and esmayed.  His companions would have digged a second grave, and set therein, his friend; but the knight would in no wise consent, for—­he said—­he purposed to take counsel of the priests of his country, as to building some church or abbey above her tomb.  “At this hour we will but lay her body before the altar, and commend her to God His holy keeping.”  He commanded them to bring their mantles and make a bed upon the altar-pace.  Thereon they laid the maiden, and having wrapped her close in her lover’s cloak, left her alone.  When the moment came for Eliduc to take farewell of his lady, he deemed that his own last hour had come.  He kissed her eyes and her face.

“Fair friend,” said he, “if it be pleasing to God, never will I bear sword or lance again, or seek the pleasures of this mortal world.  Fair friend, in an ill hour you saw me!  Sweet lady, in a bitter hour you followed me to death!  Fairest, now were you a queen, were it not for the pure and loyal love you set upon me?  Passing sad of heart am I for you, my friend.  The hour that I have seen you in your shroud, I will take the habit of some holy order, and every day, upon your tomb, I will tell over the chaplet of my sorrow.”