The Recovery of Owain.
"Truly," said the maiden, "a widowed countess owns yonder castle. At the death of her husband he left her two earldoms; but at this day she has [only] this one dwelling that has not been wrested from her by a young earl who is her neighbor, because she refused to become his wife."
"That is pity," said Owain.
And he and the maiden proceeded to the castle. And he alighted there; and the maiden conducted him to a pleasant chamber, and kindled a fire, and left him.
And the maiden came to the countess, and gave the flask into her hand.
"Ha, maiden!" said the countess, "where is all the balsam?"
"Have I not used it all?" said she.
"Oh, maiden!" said the countess, "I cannot easily forgive thee this. It is sad for me to have wasted sevenscore pounds' worth of precious ointment upon a stranger whom I know not. However, maiden, wait thou upon him until he is quite recovered."
And the maiden did so, and furnished him with meat and drink and fire and lodging and medicaments until he was well again. And in three months he was restored to his former guise, and became even more comely than he had ever been before.