For her sake he must make a final stand.
"My dear Hugh," he said, "all this talk, of a silver shield and of the challenge of honour, is well enough for the warrior on the battle-field.

But the lover has to learn the harder lesson; he has to give up Self, even the Self which holds honour dear.

When you polished your silver shield, keeping it so bright, what saw you reflected therein?
Why, your own proud face.

Even so, now, you fear the faintest tarnish on your sense of honour, but you will keep that silver shield bright at Mora's expense, riding on proudly alone in your glory, reflecting the sun, dazzling all beholders, while your wife who loved and trusted you, Mora, who told you the sweet wonder of her love in words of deepest tenderness, lies desolate in the dark, with a shattered life, and a broken heart.

Hugh, I would have you think of the treasure of her golden heart, rather than of the brightness of your own selfish, silver shield." "Selfish!" cried the Knight.