“Thou art about to return to the camp of the Soldan, bearing a letter requiring of his country to appoint neutral ground for the deed of chivalry, and should it consort with his pleasure to concur with us in witnessing it.  Now, we think thou might’st find in that camp some cavalier, who, for the love of truth, will do battle with this same traitor of Montserrat?”

The Nubian turned his eyes to the king with eager ardour, then to heaven with solemn gratitude, then bent his head as affirming what Richard desired.

“It is well,” said the king; “I see thy desire to oblige me in this matter; with thee to hear is to obey.”

* * * * *

The two heroic monarchs embraced as brothers and equals, the pomp and display on both sides attracted no further notice.  No one saw aught but Richard and Saladin.  The looks with which Richard surveyed Saladin were more curious than those which the Soldan fastened on him, and when later Saladin exchanged his turban for a Tartar cap Richard gazed with astonishment and exclaimed: 

“A miracle—­a miracle!  That I should lose my learned Hakim and find him again in my royal brother?  It was by thy artifice the Knight of the Leopard visited my camp in disguise?  He will do battle on the morrow?”

“He is full of preparation and high in hope,” said Saladin.  “I have furnished him with weapons and horse, thinking nobly of him from what I have seen under various disguises.”

* * * * *

Drum, clarion, trumpet and cymbal rung forth at once in honour of England’s champion!

“Brave Knight of the Leopard,” said Coeur de Lion, “thou hast shown the Ethiopian may change his skin, and the leopard his spots.  I have more to say to you when I have conducted you to the presence of the ladies.  And thou, princely Saladin, will also attend them.”

Saladin bent his head gracefully, but declined.

“I must attend the wounded man,” said he, “and further, Royal Richard, he saith the sage who hath forfeited a treasure doth not wisely to turn back to gaze on it.”

“Come,” said Richard, “we will to the pavilion, and lead our conqueror thither in triumph.”

The victor entered and knelt gracefully down before the queen, though more than half the homage was silently rendered to Edith.

“Unarm him, my mistresses,” said the king.  “Let Beauty honour Chivalry.  Undo his spurs, Berengaria.  Unlace his helmet, Edith—­by this hand, thou shalt.  Here terminate his various disguises.  The adventurous Knight Kenneth, arises David, Earl of Huntington, Prince Royal of Scotland.”

The next day saw Richard return to his own camp, and in a short space afterwards the young Earl of Huntington was espoused by Edith Plantagenet.

The Soldan sent, as a nuptial present on this occasion, the celebrated talisman; but, though many cures were wrought with it in Europe, none equalled in success and celebrity those which the Soldan achieved.