"Gladly will I take you for a companion," said Sir Lancelot, "and if you can, win the diamond for this fair maiden."
"Such a diamond," said Sir Torre, "is fit for a queen, and not for a simple girl."
Sir Lancelot smiled to himself. He was sure that he should win the diamond. Then he meant to give it with the eight others to Queen Guinevere. He spoke kindly, however, to the beautiful Elaine.
"In truth, this fair maiden is fit to be a queen."
Then Elaine lifted her eyes and looked at him. He was twice as old as she was. His face was cut and scarred with wounds which he had received in battle, but as she looked at him, she loved him, and felt that she would continue to love him till the day of her death.
They went into the great hall where a supper was laid. Sir Lancelot talked of King Arthur and his goodness and all his glorious deeds. Elaine thought that even Arthur could not be so brave as this wonderful lord. All night long she dreamed of him. In the morning she rose early and went down in the courtyard where Sir Lancelot and Sir Lavaine were mounting their horses.
"Fair lord," she said boldly to Sir Lancelot, "will you wear my token in your helmet?"
Then said Sir Lancelot:
"Fair maiden, I have never worn favor nor token for any lady in the tournaments. This is well known to be my custom."
"But if you wear my token," she said, "there will be far less likelihood of your being known by your fellow knights."