? I am poorly clothed, but my heart
tells me that I may succeed."

The damsel saw that he had a good face. But his clothes were so
poor she doubted if he were really a knight.

"I am afraid you will fail," she said.

"Ah, maiden," he returned, "poor clothes are but the outside.
Good deeds are just as worthy, whether done by a rich person or a
poor one. Many a man who is badly clothed has real valor and
kindness."

"That is very true," she said; "so try, good sir."

Then Sir Balin seized the hilt of the sword, and the weapon came
away easily. All the lords wondered, and the lady said:

"You are a good knight, the best I have met. You shall do many
brave deeds. And now, give me my sword again."

"No," said Sir Balin, "I should like to keep this sword, for I
have no other."

"Alas!" said the maiden, "I am sorry to hear these words, for now
I must give you the sword."

"Surely he deserves it," said Arthur, "for it weighed heavily on
you."

"Yes," she replied, "but it is a misfortune for him to keep it.
He shall slay with it the best friend he has in the world. It is
going to prove his destruction."

Sir Balin would not believe her.

"I could not slay my best friend," he said. "Besides, I am
willing to meet whatever happens, and I wish to keep the sword."

Then the maiden departed in great sorrow, while Balin said to the
king:

"My lord, give me permission to leave your court."

"I do not like to lose you," said the king. "Perhaps you are
angry because you were in prison so long. You must know that it
takes time to find out who is innocent and who is guilty."

"My lord," answered Sir Balin, "I know it is not wise to make a
judgment hastily, and I do not blame you for keeping me in
prison. I love you, and wish to leave your court that I may do
some deed worthy of the Round Table."

Then Arthur said that he might go. Soon a servant brought to
Balin a fine horse and good armor which were the gifts of the
king. Balin at once took leave of Arthur and the knights, and
rode away, singing as he rode, for he was very happy. Sometimes
he stopped to lift up his shield and admire it. It had a blue
emblem upon it, and to Sir Balin's eyes its beauty was that of
the sky, the soft blue of heaven.

Sir Balin rode until he was tired. At last, from the crest of a
hill, he saw a gloomy stone castle, and galloped towards it
joyfully, hoping to rest there.

At a turn of the road, he saw a cross with gold letters upon i