"Behold," said he, "I am the knight through whom thou art in trouble,
and he shall repent it, who has treated thee thus." Thereupon,
behold a knight rode up, and he inquired of Peredur, if he had seen a
knight such as he was seeking. "Hold thy peace," said Peredur, "I am
he whom thou seekest; and by my faith, thou deservest ill of thy
household for thy treatment of the maiden, for she is innocent
concerning me." So they encountered, and they were not long in
combat ere Peredur overthrew the knight, and he besought his mercy.
"Mercy thou shalt have," said Peredur, "so thou wilt return by the
way thou camest, and declare that thou holdest the maiden innocent,
and so that thou wilt acknowledge unto her the reverse thou hast
sustained at my hands." And the knight plighted him his faith
thereto.

Then Peredur rode forward. And above him he beheld a castle, and
thitherward he went. And he struck upon the gate with his lance, and
then, behold, a comely auburn-haired youth opened the gate, and he
had the stature of a warrior, and the years of a boy. And when
Peredur came into the hall, there was a tall and stately lady sitting
in a chair, and many handmaidens around her; and the lady rejoiced at
his coming. And when it was time, they went to meat. And after
their repast was finished, "It were well for thee, chieftain," said
she, "to go elsewhere to sleep." "Wherefore can I not sleep here?"
said Peredur. "Nine sorceresses are here, my soul, of the
sorceresses of Gloucester, and their father and their mother are with
them; and unless we can make our escape before daybreak, we shall be
slain; and already they have conquered and laid waste all the
country, except this one dwelling." "Behold," said Peredur, "I will
remain here to-night, and if you are in trouble, I will do you what
service I can; but harm shall you not receive from me." So they went