Now would Sir Baudoin have answered wrathfully, but Arthur plucked at
his skirt, and he yeasaid the lady's bidding, though somewhat
ungraciously; but that she heeded nought; she took Sir Baudoin by the
hand and led him up the stately perron, and thence came we into a
pillared hall, as fair as might be. And there on the dais was a
table dight with dainty meats and drinks, and the lady bade us
thereto, and we sat to it.

Thereat was the lady buxom and merry: Baudoin scowled across the
board; I was wary and silent; but Arthur was as blithe with the lady
as she with him; nor did I altogether marvel thereat, since I knew
him wise of wit.

But when we were done with the meal, the lady stood up and said:
Now, Sir Knights, I will give you leave; but this house is as your
own to roam through all its chambers and pleasure you with its
wonders and goodliness; and when ye are weary of the house, then is
the orchard and the garden free to you, and all the isle wheresoever
ye will go. And here in this hall is meat and drink for you whenso
ye will; but if ye would see me again to-day, then shall ye meet me
where ye first happened on me e'en now, at the foot of the great
perron.

Then she laid her hand on Arthur's shoulder, and said: Thy big
friend may search out every nook in this house, and every bush in the
whole island, and if he find there the maidens he spake of, one or
all of them, then are they a gift from me unto him.

Therewith she turned, and went out of the hall by a door in the side