He soon fainted, but was conveyed to the cell of a neighboring hermit.

Here his wound was dressed, and he was carefully nursed by Elaine, who had heard that he was wounded, and had immediately set out in search of him.
[Sidenote: Lancelot and Elaine.] When Lancelot, entirely recovered, was about to leave Elaine after claiming his own shield, she timidly confessed her love, hoping that it was returned.

Gently and sorrowfully Lancelot repulsed her, and, by her father's advice, was even so discourteous as to leave her without a special farewell.

Unrequited love soon proved too much for the "lily maid of Astolat," who pined away very rapidly.

Feeling that her end was near, she dictated a farewell letter to Lancelot, which she made her father promise to put in her dead hand.