chieftain," said the maiden, "if thou wilt do as I counsel thee, thou
wilt shut the door, lest the man should have a plot against thee."
Upon that Gwalchmai arose, and when he came near unto the door, the
man, with sixty others, fully armed, were ascending the tower. And
Gwalchmai defended the door with a chessboard, that none might enter
until the man should return from the chase. And thereupon, behold
the Earl arrived. "What is all this?" asked he. "It is a sad
thing," said the hoary-headed man; "the young girl yonder has been
sitting and eating with him who slew your father. He is Gwalchmai,
the son of Gwyar." "Hold thy peace, then," said the Earl, "I will go
in." And the Earl was joyful concerning Gwalchmai. "Ha! chieftain,"
said he, "it was wrong of thee to come to my court, when thou knewest
that thou didst slay my father; and though we cannot avenge him,
Heaven will avenge him upon thee." "My soul," said Gwalchmai, "thus
it is: I came not here either to acknowledge or to deny having slain
thy father; but I am on a message from Arthur, and therefore do I
crave the space of a year until I shall return from my embassy, and
then, upon my faith, I will come back unto this palace, and do one of
two things, either acknowledge it, or deny it." And the time was
granted him willingly; and he remained there that night. And the
next morning he rode forth. And the story relates nothing further of
Gwalchmai respecting this adventure.

And Peredur rode forward. And he wandered over the whole island,
seeking tidings of the black maiden, and he could meet with none.
And he came to an unknown land, in the centre of a valley, watered by
a river. And as he traversed the valley he beheld a horseman coming
towards him, and wearing the garments of a priest; and he besought
his blessing. "Wretched man," said he, "thou meritest no blessing,
and thou wouldest not be profited by one, seeing that thou art clad