The sailors and Saracens who had carried them to Brindisi, returned as quickly as they were able, and with a fair wind cast anchor before Aumarie.  They got them to land, very sad and heavy, and told their tidings to the Soudan.  Right sorrowful was the Soudan, and neither for time nor reason could he forget his grief.  Because of this mischief he loved that daughter the less who tarried with him, and showed her the less courtesy.  Nevertheless the maiden increased in virtue and in wisdom, so that the Paynim held her in love and honour, praising her for the good that was known of her.  But now the story is silent as to that Soudan who was so tormented by reason of the flight of his dame and captives; and comes again to the Count of Ponthieu, who was welcomed to his realm with such pomp and worship, as became a lord of his degree.

In no long while after his return the son of the Count was dubbed knight, and rich was the feast.  He became a knight both chivalrous and brave.  Greatly he loved all honourable men, and gladly he bestowed fair gifts on the poor knights and poor gentlewomen of the country.  Much was he esteemed of lord and hind, for he was a worthy knight, generous, valiant and debonair, proud only to his foes.  Yet his days on earth were but a span, which was the sorer pity, for he died lamented of all.

Now it befell that the Count held high Court, and many a knight and lord sat with him at the feast.  Amongst these came a very noble man and knight, of great place, in Normandy, named my lord Raoul des Preaux.  This Raoul had a daughter, passing sweet and fair.  The Count spoke so urgently to Raoul and to the maiden’s kin that a marriage was accorded between William, his grandson, the son of the Soudan of Aumarie, and the daughter of my lord Raoul, the heiress to all his wealth.  William wedded the damsel with every rich observance, and in right of his wife this William became Lord of Preaux.

For a long while the realm had peace from its foes.

Messire Thibault dwelt with the lady, and had of her two sons, who in later days were worthy gentlemen of great worship.  The son of the Count of Ponthieu, of whom we have spoken much and naught but good, died shortly after, to the grief of all the land.  The Count of St. Pol was yet alive; therefore the two sons of my lord Thibault were heirs to both these realms, and attained thereto in the end.  That devout lady, their mother, because of her contrite heart, gave largely to the poor; and Messire Thibault, like the honourable gentleman he was, abounded in good works so long as he was quick.

Now it chanced that the daughter of the lady, who abode with the Soudan her father, increased greatly in favour and in virtue.  She was called The Fair Captive, by reason that her mother had left her in the Soudan’s keeping, as you have heard.  A certain brave Turk in the service of the Soudan—­Malakin of Baudas by name—­saw this damsel, so fair and gracious, and desired her dearly in his heart, because of the good men told of her.  He came before his master, and said to him,