“I wonder,” said Sir Gawaine, “where your brother is.” “I can hear nothing of him,” answered Sir Ector, “nor of Sir Galahad, Sir Percivale, or Sir Bors, but they fare well, no doubt, for they have no peers.” As they sat talking there appeared before them a hand showing unto the elbow covered with red samite, and holding a great candle that burned right clear; and the hand passed into the chapel and vanished, they knew not where. Then they heard a voice which said, “Knights full of evil faith and poor belief, these two things have failed you, and therefore you may not come to the adventure of the Holy Graal.” And thereat they went to a holy man to whom they confessed their sins. Said he, “This is the meaning of the vision: you have failed in three things, charity, fasting, and truth, and have been great murderers.” “Sir,” said Gawaine, “by your words it seems that our sins will not let us labour in that quest?” “Truly,” answered the hermit, “there be an hundred such as you to whom it will bring naught but shame.” So Gawaine departed and followed Sir Ector, who had ridden on before. VIII. The Adventure of Sir Bors. When Sir Bors left Camelot on his quest he met a holy man riding on an ass, and Sir Bors saluted him. Anon the good man knew him to be one of the Knights who were in quest of the Holy Graal. “What are you?” said he, and Sir Bors answered, “I am a Knight that fain would be counselled in the quest of the Graal, for he shall have much earthly worship that brings it to an end.” “That is true,” said the good man, “for he will be the best Knight in the world, but know well that there shall none attain it but by holiness and by confession of sin.” So they rode together till they came to the hermitage, and the good man led Sir Bors into the chapel, where he made confession of his sins, and they ate bread and drank water together. “Now,” said the hermit, “I pray you that you eat none other till you sit at the table where the Holy Graal shall be.” “Sir,” answered Sir Bors, “I agree thereto, but how know you that I shall sit there?” “That know I,” said the holy man, “but there will be but few of your fellows with you. Also instead of a shirt you shall wear this garment until you have achieved your quest,” and Sir Bors took off his clothes, and put on instead a scarlet coat. Then the good man questioned him, and marvelled to find him pure in life, and he armed him and bade him go. [Illustration: HOW SIR BORS WAS SAVED FROM KILLING HIS BROTHER]