“Lady,” he replied, “you ask rightly.  For nothing that man can give would I have you doubt my faith and affiance.  I believe truly in God, the Maker of all, who redeemed us from the woe brought on us by our father Adam, in the eating of that bitter fruit.  This God is and was and ever shall be the life and light of us poor sinful men.  If you still give no credence to my word, ask for your chaplain; tell him that since you are sick you greatly desire to hear the Service appointed by God to heal the sinner of his wound.  I will take your semblance, and receive the Body of the Lord.  You will thus be certified of my faith, and never have reason to mistrust me more.”

When the sister of that ancient lord returned from her prayers to the chamber, she found that the lady was awake.  She told her that since it was time to get her from bed, she would make ready her vesture.  The lady made answer that she was sick, and begged her to warn the chaplain, for greatly she feared that she might die.  The aged dame replied,

“You must endure as best you may, for my lord has gone to the woods, and none will enter in the tower, save me.”

Right distressed was the lady to hear these words.  She called a woman’s wiles to her aid, and made seeming to swoon upon her bed.  This was seen by the sister of her lord, and much was she dismayed.  She set wide the doors of the chamber, and summoned the priest.  The chaplain came as quickly as he was able, carrying with him the Lord’s Body.  The knight received the Gift, and drank of the Wine of that chalice; then the priest went his way, and the old woman made fast the door behind him.

The knight and the lady were greatly at their ease; a comelier and a blither pair were never seen.  They had much to tell one to the other, but the hours passed till it was time for the knight to go again to his own realm.  He prayed the dame to give him leave to depart, and she sweetly granted his prayer, yet so only that he promised to return often to her side.

“Lady,” he made answer, “so you please to require me at any hour, you may be sure that I shall hasten at your pleasure.  But I beg you to observe such measure in the matter, that none may do us wrong.  This old woman will spy upon us night and day, and if she observes our friendship, will certainly show it to her lord.  Should this evil come upon us, for both it means separation, and for me, most surely, death.”

The knight returned to his realm, leaving behind him the happiest lady in the land.  On the morrow she rose sound and well, and went lightly through the week.  She took such heed to her person, that her former beauty came to her again.  The tower that she was wont to hate as her prison, became to her now as a pleasant lodging, that she would not leave for any abode and garden on earth.  There she could see her friend at will, when once her lord had gone forth from the chamber.  Early and late, at morn and eve, the lovers met together.  God grant her joy was long, against the evil day that came.