HT WITH THE COVERED SHIELD.

When Tristram's strength had all come back again he took his leave of
Sir Darras, and rode away with Palamides and Dinadan. Soon they came to
a cross-way, and here Tristram said,--

"Good sirs, let us here take each his own road, and many fair adventures
may come to us all."

To this they agreed, and Tristram rode on along the main highway, chance
bringing him that night to a castle in which was Queen Morgan le Fay.
Here he was given lodging and good cheer, but when he was ready to
depart the next day the queen said to him,--

"Sir knight, it is one thing to enter this castle and another to leave
it. You will not depart so easily as you came. Know that you are a
prisoner."

"God forfend," said Tristram. "I am just released from prison, and have
had enough of that regimen."

"You shall stay here, nevertheless, till I learn who you are and whence
you came, but I promise you no hard quarters."

She set him, therefore, by her side at table, and made so much of him
that a knight who loved her clutched his sword-hilt in jealous rage,
half disposed to rush upon Tristram and run him through unawares.

"Tell me your name," said the queen, at the end of the repast, "and you
shall depart when you will."

"Thanks for your promise, fair lady. My name is Tristram de Lyonesse."

"Then I am sorry I made so hasty a promise. But I will hold to my word
if you will engage to bear a shield which I shall give you to the Castle
of the Hard Rock, where King Arthur has announced that a tournament is
to be held. I have heard of your deeds of arms at the Castle of Maidens,
and hope you will do as much for me at this new tournament."

"Let me see the shield that you wish me to bear," asked Tristram.

So the shield was brought. It was golden on its face, and on it was
painted a king and queen, with a knight standing above them with a foot
on the head of each.

"This is a fair shield," said Tristram; "but what signifies the device?"

"It signifies King Arthur and Queen Guenever," said Morgan, "and a
knight that holds them both in bondage."

"And who is the knight?"

"That you shall not know at present."

So Tristram took the shield, not dreaming that it was intended as a
rebuke to Sir Lancelot, and promised to bear it at the tournament.

But as he rode away he was followed by Sir Hemison, the knight who loved
Morgan le Fay, and whose jealous anger had been roused. Overtaking
Tristram before he had