"Robert," said the knight, "this matter concerns none of them. Hold, I give thee my glove, and I invest thee with four hundred pounds of my land, and this is my warrant for the delivery thereof."
"Sir," said Robert, "I will not refuse so goodly a gift, since it is given with so true a heart."
"Robert," replied the knight, "the grant is sealed."
So the knight granted him his glove, and invested him with rights in that fair maiden and her land.
Thus they passed upon their ways until it fortuned that this knight returned to his own house. When he was entered therein, his wife—that comely dame—received him right sweetly, and said—
"Husband, for the love of God, give thought at this time to the marriage of our maid."
"Dame," said her lord, "thou hast spoken so often of this matter that I have trothed her already."
"Sir," inquired the lady, "to whom?"
"Certes, dame, I have pledged her to a man who will ever be loyal and true. I have given her to Robert, my squire."