shield that may not be greatly
known, for mine has been too much seen by warriors.'

'Sir,' replied the old baron, 'I will gladly give you your desire, for
I am sure you are one of the likeliest knights of the world. This, my
eldest son, Sir Tirre, whom you see hath yet the pallor of sickness,
was hurt on the day on which the great Sir Tristram of Lyones gave him
knighthood, and as he cannot now ride, ye shall have his shield.'

'Sir, I thank you,' replied Sir Lancelot, 'for showing me such
friendship.'

'And I would crave a service of you,' went on Sir Bernard. 'My younger
son here, Sir Lavaine, is eager to go out with some knight of proved
valour and prowess; and as my heart goeth unto you, and believeth ye to
be a knight of great nobility, I beseech you that you let him ride with
you to-morrow.'

'I shall be pleased, indeed, to have the young knight to ride with me,'
replied Sir Lancelot.

'Would it please you, sir,' asked Sir Bernard, 'to tell us your name?'

'Not at this time, sir,' replied Sir Lancelot, 'but if God give me
grace at the jousts, and I win honour there, I will of a surety return
and tell you.'

Sir Lancelot, with his nobleness and courtesy, and his tales of fair
ladies and brave knights, so won upon them all, that it was late ere
they each departed to their beds. The maiden Elaine thought that she
had never seen or heard of a knight so full of gentleness, yet withal
so martial of mien, as this stranger who would not tell his name.

In the morning Sir Lancelot made himself ready to depart, and the maid
Elaine lingered long about her brother, and would never say that she
had really buckled the last strap of his armour. Then, when at length
she could keep them no longer, she came up to Sir Lancelot, with a face
all pale and red by turns, yet striving to laugh away her fear.

'Sir,' she said, 'I wish you noble deeds at the jousts and much fame.
Sir, I have never had a knight wear favour of mine. Therefore, lord,
will you wear a token of mine in your helm for good fortune?'

Lancelot looked down into the lovely face and smiled:

'Fair damsel,' he said gently, 'if I granted you that, I should do more
for you than ever I have done for any dame or damsel living.'

At that she thought he refused, and the tears sprang like jewels into
her blue eyes, and she turned away.

Sir Lancelot was grieved to think his refusal hurt one that seemed so
sweet and gentle. Then he remembered that he desired to