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 countess . ' I will tell thee , ' answered Luned . ` Unless thou canst defend the fountain all will be lost , and none can defend the fountain except a knight of Arthur 's court . There will I go to seek him , and woe betide me if I return without a warrior that can guard the fountain , as well as he who kept it before . ' ` Go then , ' said the countess , ` and make proof of that which thou hast promised . ' So Luned set out , riding on a white palfrey , on pretence of journeying to King Arthur 's court , but instead of doing that she hid herself for as many days as it would have taken her to go and come , and then she left her hiding-place , and went into the countess . ` What news from the court ? ' asked her mistress , when she had given Luned a warm greeting . ` The best of news , ' answered the maiden , ` for I have gained the object of my mission . When wilt thou that I present to thee the knight who has returned with me ? '
` To-morrow at midday , ' said the XXXXX , ` and I will cause all the people in the town to come together . '
Arthur Luned Owen countess court damsel days hiding-place lands left