She turned away through the crowd of knights who stood abashed about her, and went towards the door.
It happened that there was a poor knight in the court of King Arthur, who had been a prisoner for a year and a day, by reason of his having slain a kinsman of the king's. His name was Sir Balin the Hardy, and he was a good man of his hands, though needy. He had been but lately released from durance, and was standing privily in the hall and saw the adventure of the damsel with the sword. Whereat his heart rose, both to do the deed for the sorrowing maid and because of her beauty and sadness. Yet, being poor and meanly arrayed, he pushed not forward in the press.
But as the damsel went towards the door, she passed him, and he said:
'Damsel, I pray you of your courtesy to suffer me as well to essay as these knights, for though I be poorly clothed, my heart seemeth fully assured that I may draw the sword, and thy sorrow moveth me.'
The damsel lifted her large sad eyes to him, and she saw he was goodly of form and noble of look, and her heart was stirred.
'Though ye be poor, worthiness and manhood are not in a man's rich raiment, and therefore,' she said with a sorrowful smile, 'do you essay the sword also, good knight, and God speed you.'
Balin took the sword by the scabbard, and drew it out easily, and when he looked upon the sword it pleased him well.
Then had the king and barons great marvel, but some of the knights had great spite against Balin.
'Truly,' said the damsel, 'this is a passing good knight, and the best man of ye all, and many marvels shall he achieve. But now, gentle and courteous knight,' she said, 'give me the sword again.'
'Nay, this sword will I keep,' said Balin.