290 The History of the Destruction
it herself on his helmet, and commanded him to do valiantly at the tournament for the sake of her love, so that all those present should say "how favoured and blessed is that sleeve and the mistress of it." " Thou mayest also know, sir, that thou art the first knight with whom I have ever been in love ; nor would I love thee were it not for my knowledge of thee and thy valour." Lan9 answered that he would do it all for the love of her, " so that none should be able to find fault with him."
26. When the sun went down Lane took leave of the Vavassor and of his wife, the lady, and recommended them to the protection of God, and he bowed down before the maiden. He left his shield and armour in one room, and buckled on the red armour spoken of above. Both he and Adelfot rode away, and their servants after them. They rode the whole night, till early in the morn- ing, in order not to be recognized by anybody. Coming within a mile from Wingestre before the dawn of the morning. Lane asked Adelfot, his companion, if there was not any place of rest, for he said, — " I should not like, of my own accord, to enter the town now in daylight, if I can rest here outside somewhere." Adelfot answered, — "Thou art quite right, we will go to a place which will please thee well." So they went to a village near by the town, where an aunt of Adelfot was living. The lady was right pleased and received them with exceeding cordiality. They stopped there for a whole day, eating and feasting royally. The lady asked her nephew con- cerning his companion, — who he was. He said, — " I do not know anything about him, but he seems to be a very worthy knight, and I therefore chose him for a companion to go together to the tournament in Wingestre."
27. Lang sent his squire to the town to see how many knights had arrived and where they were lodging, inside and outside the town, and to see what the strength was of those inside and of those outside, and also where
