In the middle of the night he woke hearing a great outcry , and he jumped up and clothed himself and went into the hall , where the maiden was standing . ` What is it ? ' he asked , and she answered that the knight who owned the castle was dead , and they were bearing his body to the church . Never had Owen beheld such vast crowds , and following the dead knight was the most beautiful lady in the world , whose cry was louder than the shout of the men , or the braying of the trumpets . And Owen looked on her and loved her . ` Who is she ? ' he asked the damsel . ` That is my mistress , the countess of the fountain , and the wife of him whom thou didst slay yesterday . ' ` Verily , ' said Owen , ` she is the woman that I love best . ' ` She shall also love thee not a little , ' said the maiden . Then she left Owen , and after a while went into the chamber of her mistress , and spoke to her , but the countess answered her nothing . ` What aileth thee , mistress ? ' inquired the maiden . ` Why hast thou kept far from me in my grief , Luned ? ' answered the countess , and in her turn the damsel asked : ` Is it well for thee to mourn so bitterly for the dead , or for anything that is gone from thee ? ' ` There is no man in the world equal to him , ' replied the countess , her cheeks growing red with anger . ' I would fain banish thee for such words . ' ` Be not angry , lady , ' said Luned , ` but listen to my counsel . Thou knowest well that alone thou canst not preserve thy lands , therefore seek some one to help thee . ' ` And how can I do that ? '
asked the XXXXX . '
Luned Owen anger church countess lands middle night shout slay