They both sat down side by
side upon a soft white couch, where they chat with each other.
The Count makes him an offer and urges him to consent to accept
from him a guarantee for the payment of his expenses in the town.
But Erec does not deign to accept, saying he is well supplied
with money, and has no need to accept aught from him. They speak
long of many things, but the Count constantly glances about in
the other direction, where he caught sight of the lady. Because
of her manifest beauty, he fixed all his thought on her. He
looked at her as much as he could; he coveted her, and she
pleased him so that her beauty filled him with love. Very
craftily he asked Erec for permission to speak with her. "Sire,"
he says "I ask a favour of you, and may it not displease you. As
an act of courtesy and as a pleasure, I would fain sit by yonder
lady's side. With good intent I came to see you both, and you
should see no harm in that. I wish to present to the lady my
service in all respects. Know well that for love of you I would
do whatever may please her." Erec was not in the least jealous
and suspected no evil or treachery. "Sire," says he, "I have no
objection. You may sit down and talk with her. Don't think that
I have any objection.
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