"I am imprisoned," said she, "on account of the knight who came from Arthur's court and married the countess. And he staid a short time with her; but he afterwards departed for the court of Arthur, and has not returned since. And he was the friend I loved best in the world. And two of the pages in the countess' chamber traduced him, and called him a deceiver. And I told them that they two were not a match for him alone. So they imprisoned me in the stone vault, and said that I should be put to death unless he came himself to deliver me by a certain day; and that is no further off than the day after to-morrow. And I have no one to send to seek him for me. And his name is Owain, the son of Urien."
"And art thou certain that if that knight knew all this he would come to thy rescue?"
"I am most certain of it," said she.
When the collops were cooked, Owain divided them into two parts, between himself and the maiden; and after they had eaten they talked together until the day dawned. And the next morning Owain inquired of the damsel if there was any place where he could get food and entertainment for that night.
"There is, lord," said she. "Cross over yonder and go along the side of the river, and in a short time thou wilt see a great castle in which are many towers; and the earl who owns that castle is the most hospitable man in the world. There thou mayst spend the night."
Never did sentinel keep stricter watch over his lord than the lion that night over Owain.
And Owain accoutred his horse, and passed across by the ford, and came in sight of the castle. And he entered it, and was honorably received. And his horse was well cared for, and plenty of fodder was placed before him. Then the lion went and laid down in the horse's manger; so that none of the people of the castle dared to approach him. The treatment which Owain met with there was such as he had never known elsewhere; for every one was as sorrowful as though death had been upon him. And they went to meat; and the earl sat upon one side of Owain, and on the other side his only daughter. And Owain had never seen any more lovely than she. Then the lion came and placed himself between Owain's feet, and he fed him with every kind of food that he took himself. And he never saw any thing equal to the sadness of the people.
In the middle of the repast the earl began to bid Owain welcome.
Then said Owain, "Behold, it is time for thee to be cheerful."
"Heaven knows," said the earl, "that it is not thy coming that makes us sorrowful; but we have cause enough for sadness and care."