_How Sir Gareth, otherwise called Beaumains, came to the presence of
his lady, and how they took acquaintance, and of their love._
And then came forth dame Liones arrayed like a princess, and there she
made him passing good cheer, and he her again. And they had goodly
language and lovely countenance together. And Sir Gareth thought many
times, Would that the lady of the castle perilous were so fair as she
was. There were all manner of games and plays of dancing and singing.
And ever the more Sir Gareth beheld that lady, the more he loved her,
and so he burned in love that he was past himself in his reason. And
forth toward night they went unto supper, and Sir Gareth might not eat
for his love was so hot, that he wist not where he was. All these looks
espied Sir Gringamore, and then after supper he called his sister dame
Liones unto a chamber and said, Fair sister, I have well espied your
countenance between you and this knight, and I will, sister, that ye
wit he is a full noble knight, and if ye can make him to abide here I
will do to him all the pleasure that I can, for and ye were better than
ye are, ye were well bestowed upon him. Fair brother, said dame Liones,
I understand well that the knight is good, and come he is of a noble
house. Notwithstanding I will assay him better, how be it I am most
beholding to him of any earthly man, for he hath had great labour for
my love, and passed many a dangerous passage. Right so Sir Gringamore
went unto Sir Gareth and said, Sir, make ye good cheer, for ye shall
have none other cause, for this lady my sister is yours at all times,
her worship saved, for wit ye well she loveth you as well as ye do her,
and better if better may be. And I wist that, said Sir Gareth, there
lived not a gladder man than I would be. Upon my worship, said Sir
Gringamore, trust unto my promise; and as long as it liketh you ye
shall sojourn with me, and this lady shall be with us daily and nightly
to make you all the cheer that she can. I will well, said Sir Gareth,
for I have promised to be nigh this country this twelvemonth. And well
I am sure king Arthur and other noble knights will find me where that I
am within this twelvemonth. For I shall be sought and found, if that I
be on live. And then the noble knight Sir Gareth went unto the dame
Liones, which he then much loved, and kissed her many times, and either
made great joy of other. And there she promised him her love, certainly
to love him and none other the days of her life. Then this lady, dame
Liones, by the assent of her brother, told Sir Gareth all the truth
what she was, and how she was the same lady that he did battle for, and
how she was lady of the castle perilous. And there she told him how she
caused her brother to take away his dwarf.