The lady was wedded to the knight who had cherished her for so long a space.  More than a year had passed since Bisclavaret disappeared.  Then it chanced that the King would hunt in that self-same wood where the Were-Wolf lurked.  When the hounds were unleashed they ran this way and that, and swiftly came upon his scent.  At the view the huntsman winded on his horn, and the whole pack were at his heels.  They followed him from morn to eve, till he was torn and bleeding, and was all adread lest they should pull him down.  Now the King was very close to the quarry, and when Bisclavaret looked upon his master, he ran to him for pity and for grace.  He took the stirrup within his paws, and fawned upon the prince’s foot.  The King was very fearful at this sight, but presently he called his courtiers to his aid.

“Lords,” cried he, “hasten hither, and see this marvellous thing.  Here is a beast who has the sense of man.  He abases himself before his foe, and cries for mercy, although he cannot speak.  Beat off the hounds, and let no man do him harm.  We will hunt no more to-day, but return to our own place, with the wonderful quarry we have taken.”

The King turned him about, and rode to his hall, Bisclavaret following at his side.  Very near to his master the Were-Wolf went, like any dog, and had no care to seek again the wood.  When the King had brought him safely to his own castle, he rejoiced greatly, for the beast was fair and strong, no mightier had any man seen.  Much pride had the King in his marvellous beast.  He held him so dear, that he bade all those who wished for his love, to cross the Wolf in naught, neither to strike him with a rod, but ever to see that he was richly fed and kennelled warm.  This commandment the Court observed willingly.  So all the day the Wolf sported with the lords, and at night he lay within the chamber of the King.  There was not a man who did not make much of the beast, so frank was he and debonair.  None had reason to do him wrong, for ever was he about his master, and for his part did evil to none.  Every day were these two companions together, and all perceived that the King loved him as his friend.

Hearken now to that which chanced.

The King held a high Court, and bade his great vassals and barons, and all the lords of his venery to the feast.  Never was there a goodlier feast, nor one set forth with sweeter show and pomp.  Amongst those who were bidden, came that same knight who had the wife of Bisclavaret for dame.  He came to the castle, richly gowned, with a fair company, but little he deemed whom he would find so near.  Bisclavaret marked his foe the moment he stood within the hall.  He ran towards him, and seized him with his fangs, in the King’s very presence, and to the view of all.  Doubtless he would have done him much mischief, had not the King called and chidden him, and threatened him with a rod.  Once, and twice, again, the Wolf set upon the knight in the very light