Gringamore then went to Gareth and said,—
"Sir, I welcome you gladly to my house, for I can see that you dearly love my sister, and that she loves you as well. With my will she is yours if you wish her."
"If she will accept me," answered Gareth, "there will be no happier man on earth."
"Trust me for that," said Gringamore.
"I fancied I loved the Lady Lioness," said Gareth, "and promised for her sake to return to this country in a twelvemonth. But since I have seen your sister I fear my love for her is gone."
"It was too sudden to be deep," said Gringamore. "She will be consoled, doubt not. Now let me take you to my sister."
Then he led Gareth to his sister and left them together, where they told each other their love, and Gareth kissed her many times, and their hearts were filled with joy.
"But how is it with the Lady Lioness, to whom you vowed your love?" she asked.
"Promised; not vowed," he answered. "And she was not ready to accept it, but gave me a twelvemonth's probation. Moreover, I saw but her face at a window, and that was little to base love upon."
"Did she look like me?"