to them all had vanished save a hideous old hag sitting on the
ground. "This way lies no road," said she, "but come, tell me your
business. It may profit you, for old folks are oft-times wise." Then
he told her of the question he must answer and begged her to give him
an answer if she knew one. The old dame was ready enough to do so.
"But," she said, "in return you must promise that you will grant me
the first thing I ask of you after you are pardoned." The knight
pledged his word, and when things were thus concluded between them,
they rode their way together to the court of King Arthur.

All the chief ladies of the realm were assembled, and the queen
herself was sitting as judge. The knight did not hesitate for his
answer, but boldly said, "In all cases, what a woman most desires is
to have the full trust and faithful love of her husband. Let any of
you deny it who can." Then thro' the hall there was silence, and no
wife or widow of all those assembled there dare deny that this was
what she most desired, but all admitted that the knight had answered
truly and deserved his life.

Then up rose the old woman. "Lady," she said, "I taught the knight
this answer, and in return he promised to grant my first request if
it lay in his power. Now I ask him to take me for his wife. Have I
not deserved it by saving his life?" The knight was aghast and prayed
the old woman to take his gold or land if only she would not make him
her husband. But prayers were of no avail, and whether he would or
no, the knight must wed her and take her to his home. Yet he put no
good face upon the wedding, but with sighs and gloomy looks he went
through the ceremony.

When they were alone together his wife chid him. "Is this the