Yet it was noble and high, though thus beclouded; and the form looked lofty, although the head drooped, and the whole frame was bowed as with an inward grief.

The horse seemed to share in his master's dejection, and walked spiritless and slow.

I noticed, too, that the white plume on his helmet was discoloured and drooping.

"He has fallen in a joust with spears," I said to myself; "yet it becomes not a noble knight to be conquered in spirit because his body hath fallen." He appeared not to observe me, for he was riding past without looking up, and started into a warlike attitude the moment the first sound of my voice reached him.

Then a flush, as of shame, covered all of his face that the lifted beaver disclosed.