d, and took her to the cell where Lancelot lay.

'The knight is pale and thin,' said Elaine; 'I will nurse him.'

Day by day and for many nights Elaine nursed him tenderly as a
maiden should, till at last one glad morning the hermit told her
she had saved the knight's life.

Then when Sir Lancelot grew stronger, Elaine gave him the diamond,
and told him how the King had sent him the prize he had won so
hardly. And Lancelot grew restless, and longed to be at the King's
court once more.

When the knight was able to ride, he went back to Astolat with
Elaine and Lavaine. And as he rested there, he thought, 'Before I
go, I must thank the Lily Maid, and reward her for all she has done
for me.'

But when he asked Elaine how he could reward her, she would answer
only that she loved him, and wished to go to court with him, as
Lavaine would do.

'I cannot take you with me,' said the knight courteously; 'but
when you are wedded, I will give you and your husband a thousand
pounds every year.'

But Elaine wanted nothing but to be with Sir Lancelot.

'My Lily Maid will break her heart,' said her father sadly, 'unless
the knight treats her less gently.'

But Sir Lancelot could not be unkind to the maid who had nursed him
so tenderly. Only, next morning when he rode away, carrying his
shield with him, though he knew Elaine watched him from her turret
window, he neither looked up nor waved farewell. And Elaine knew
she would never see Sir Lancelot again.

Then day by day she grew more sad and still. 'She will die,' said
her father sadly, as he watched her; and the grave Sir Torre
sobbed, for he loved his sister dearly.

One day Elaine sent for her father to come to her little turret
room.

'Promise me that when I die you will do as I wish. Fasten the
letter I shall write tightly in my hand, and clothe me in my
fairest dress. Carry me down to the river and lay me in the barge,
and, alone with our old dumb servant, let me be taken to the
palace.'

And her father promised. And when Elaine died there was great
sadness in Astolat.

Then her father took the letter and bound it in her hand, and by
her side he placed a lily. And they clothed her in her fairest
dress, and carried her down to the river, and laid her in the
barge, alone with the old dumb servant.

And the barge floated quietly down the stream, guided by the old
dumb man.

Then when it reached the palace steps, it stopped, and the King and
the Queen and all