ths in great happiness and diversion.

At last, when King Arthur prepared to depart, he went to the countess
and besought her to permit Owen to go with him for the space of three
months, that he might renew his friendships at the court at Caerleon.
And though it made the countess sorrowful to lose the man she loved
best in all the world, she consented, and Owen promised to return even
before the time appointed.

So King Arthur returned to Caerleon with Sir Owen, and there was much
feasting and diversion to welcome him. And his kindred and friends
tried to make Owen forget the countess and his earldom, but they could
not. For she was the lady he loved best in the world, and he would
liefer be with her, to guard and cherish her, than in any other place
on the surface of the earth.

One night, as the court sat after dinner over the mead cups, a juggler
came into the hall and performed many tricks, and there was much
laughter and gaiety at his merry quips and jests. And he craved that he
might search the hands of each lord and lady present, so that he could
tell them if they would be happy in love.

He began with Sir Kay, and so along the board, uttering merry thoughts
on all, but speaking with serious and solemn looks, until he came to
Sir Owen. And he looked long and earnestly at the marks in that
knight's palm, and then said, in a croaking voice:

'A night and a day, a night and a day!
Thou'lt grieve for thy love for ever and aye.'

None knew what this might mean, and they marvelled to see how pale went
the face of Sir Owen.

For he had suddenly remembered the words of Decet the troll-man, who
had said, 'Beware thee of leaving the side of her that shall love thee
for more than a night and a day, or long woe shall find thee.'

Instantly Sir Owen rose from the board and went out. Going to his own
abode he made preparations, and at dawn he arose and mounted his horse,
and set forth swiftly to go to the dominions of the countess. Great was
his fear that some evil had befallen her in consequence of his leaving
her unprotected from the evil powers of Sir Dewin.

He rode hard and fast northwards through the wild and desolate
mountains, until he saw the sea like burnished lead lying on his left
hand.

Then he turned his horse's head away and rode far into the deep heart
of the land. But though he knew the way passing well, he could not find
the road now, and wandered up and down the lonely moorlands and the