"Go
to the youth that is in the upper chamber, and offer to become his wife,
or the lady of his love, if it seem well to him." "That were indeed
unfitting," said she. "Hitherto I have not been the lady love of any
knight, and to make him such an offer before I am wooed by him, that,
truly, can I not do." "By our confession to Heaven, unless thou actest
thus, we will leave thee here to thy enemies, to do as they will with
thee." And through fear of this, the maiden went forth; and shedding
tears, she proceeded to the chamber. And with the noise of the door
opening, Peredur awoke; and the maiden was weeping and lamenting. "Tell
me, my sister," said Peredur, "wherefore dost thou weep?" "I will tell
thee, lord," said she, "my father possessed these dominions as their
chief, and this palace was his, and with it he held the best earldom in
the kingdom; then the son of another earl sought me of my father, and I
was not willing to be given unto him, and my father would not give me
against my will, either to him or any earl in the world. And my father
had no child except myself. And after my father's death, these dominions
came into my own hands, and then was I less willing to accept him than
before. So he made war upon me, and conquered all my possessions except
this one house. And through the valour of the men whom thou hast seen,
who are my foster brothers, and the strength of the house, it can never
be taken while food and drink remain. And now our provisions are
exhausted; but as thou hast seen, we have been fed by the nuns, to whom
the country is free. And at length they also are without supply of food
or liquor. And at no later date than to-morrow, the earl will come
against this place with all his forces; and if I fall into his power, my
fate will be no better than to be given over to the grooms of his horses.
Therefore, lord, I am come to offer to place myself in thy hands, that
thou mayest succour me, either by taking me hence, or by defending me
here, whichever may seem best unto thee." "Go, my sister," said he, "and
sleep; nor will I depart from thee until I do that which thou requirest,
or prove whether I can assist thee or not." The maiden went again to
rest; and the next morning she came to Peredur, and saluted him. "Heaven
prosper thee, my soul, and what tidings dost thou bring?" "None other,
than that the earl and all his forces have alighted at the gate, and I
never beheld any place so covered w