"I cannot easily forgive thee this; it is sad for me to have wasted
seven-score pounds' worth of precious ointment upon a stranger whom I
know not. However, maiden, wait thou upon him, until he is quite
recovered."

And the maiden did so, and furnished him with meat and drink, and
fire, and lodging, and medicaments, until he was well again. And in
three months he was restored to his former guise, and became even
more comely than he had ever been before.

One day Owain heard a great tumult, and a sound of arms in the
Castle, and he inquired of the maiden the cause thereof. "The Earl,"
said she, "whom I mentioned to thee, has come before the Castle, with
a numerous army, to subdue the Countess." And Owain inquired of her
whether the Countess had a horse and arms in her possession. "She
has the best in the world," said the maiden. "Wilt thou go and
request the loan of a horse and arms for me," said Owain, "that I may
go and look at this army?" "I will," said the maiden.

And she came to the Countess, and told her what Owain had said. And
the Countess laughed. "Truly," said she, "I will even give him a
horse and arms for ever; such a horse and such arms had he never yet,
and I am glad that they should be taken by him to-day, lest my
enemies should have them against my will to-morrow. Yet I know not
what he would do with them."

The Countess bade them bring out a beautiful black steed, upon which
was a beechen saddle, and a suit of armour, for man and horse. And
Owain armed himself, and mounted the horse, and went forth, attended
by two pages completely equipped, with horses and arms. And when