ree years, to repay her for
the falsehood and treachery by which she caused my mother to be burnt."

"Whatever your grievance, you should not have sought your revenge in my
presence. You have done me a foul disgrace, sir knight. Leave my court
in all haste while you may, and believe me you shall be made to repent
this insult to my dignity."

Then Balin took up the head of the lady, and meeting his squire at his
inn, they rode together from the town.

"Now," said the knight, "we must part. Take this head and bear it to my
friends in Northumberland, and tell them that my mortal foe is dead.
Also tell them that I am out of prison, and by what adventure I got this
sword."

"You were greatly to blame to displease King Arthur," said the squire.

"As for that," said Balin, "I hope to win his grace again by the death
or capture of King Ryons, whom I go to meet. The woman sought my death,
and has had her just deserts."

"Where shall I find you again?" asked the squire.

"In King Arthur's court."

And so they parted. Meanwhile King Arthur and all the court grieved
deeply over the death of the Lady of the Lake, and felt greatly shamed
that they had not hindered the sudden and bloody deed. And the king
ordered that she should have a rich and stately funeral.

At this time there was in Arthur's court a knight named Lanceor, the son
of the king of Ireland, a proud and valiant warrior, who was angry at
Balin for winning the sword, and sought revenge on him. He asked the
king to give him leave to ride after Balin and revenge the insult to his
crown.

"Go and do your best," said the king. "Balin has done me a great
despite, and richly deserves punishment."

Thereupon the knight of Ireland armed and rode at all speed after Balin,
whom he quickly overtook on a mountain side. He called to him in loud
tones,--

"Stop, sir knight. You shall halt whether you will or not, and the
shield you bear shall prove but light defence to you, for I am come to
punish you for your crime."

Hearing this outcry, Balin turned fiercely, and demanded,--

"What do you wish, sir knight? Are you here to joust with me?"

"It is for that I have followed you," said the Irish knight.

"It might have been better for you to stay at home," answered Balin.
"Many a knight who thinks to chastise his enemy finds ill fortune to
fall upon himself. From what court have you been sent?"

"From the court of King Arthur, to revenge the insult you put upon him