` 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 countess , ` and I will cause all the people in the town to come together . ' Therefore the next day at noon Owen put on his coat of mail , and over it he wore a splendid mantle , while on his feet were leather shoes fastened with clasps of gold . And he followed Luned to the chamber of her mistress . Right glad was the countess to see them , but she looked closely at Owen and said : ` Luned , this knight has scarcely the air of a traveller . ' ` What harm is there in that , lady ? ' answered Luned . ' I am persuaded , ' said the countess , ` that this man and no other chased the soul from the body of my lord . ' ` Had he not been stronger than thy lord , ' replied the damsel , ` he could not have taken his life , and for that , and for all things that are past , there is no remedy . ' ` Leave me , both of you , ' said the countess , ` and I will take counsel . ' Then they went out . The next morning the countess summoned her subjects to meet in the courtyard of the castle , and told them that now that her husband was dead there was none to defend her lands . ` So choose you which it shall be , ' she said . ` Either let one of you take me for a wife , or give me your consent to take a new lord for myself , that my lands be not without a master . ' At her words the chief men of the city withdrew into one corner and took counsel together , and after a while the leader came forward and said that they had decided that it was best , for the peace and safety of all , that she should choose a husband for herself . Thereupon Owen was summoned to her presence , and he accepted with joy the hand that she offered him , and they were married forthwith , and the men of the earldom did him homage . From that day Owen defended the fountain as the earl before him had done , and every knight that came by was overthrown by him , and his ransom divided among his barons .
In this way three years passed , and no man in the world was more beloved XXXXX Owen .
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