CHAPTER X.

Pirates.

It was not possible that a matter of this sort could be entirely hushed up.  Not many hours passed before rumors were current of events which had taken place, though none knew what those events were.

There were reports that the tire-woman of the Princess Berengaria had in the night discovered that her mistress’ couch was unoccupied, that she had found signs of a struggle, and had picked up a dagger on the floor, where it had evidently fallen from the sheath; also it was said that the princess had returned at daylight escorted by an armed party, and that she was unable to obtain entrance to the palace until one of the ladies of the queen had been fetched down to order the sentries at the gate to allow her to enter.

This was the news which rumor carried through the camp.  Few, however, believed it, and none who could have enlightened them opened their lips upon the subject.

It was known, however, that a messenger had come to King Richard early, and that he had at once mounted and ridden off to the bishop’s palace.  What had happened there none could say, but there were rumors that his voice had been heard in furious outbursts of passion.  He remained there until the afternoon, when he sent for a number of his principal nobles.

When these arrived they found him standing on a dais in the principal hall of the palace, and he there formally introduced to them the Princess Berengaria as his affianced wife.  The ceremony of the marriage, he told them, would shortly take place.

This announcement caused a tremendous stir in both armies.  The English, who had never been favorable to the alliance with the French princess, were glad to hear that this was broken off, and were well content that the Princess Berengaria should be their future queen, for her beauty, high spirit, and kindness had won all hearts.

On the part of the French, on the other hand, there was great indignation, and for some time it was feared that the armies would come to open blows.

King Philip, however, although much angered, was politic enough to deprecate any open outbreak.  He knew that a dispute now began would not only at once put a stop to the Crusade, but that it might lead to more serious consequences at home.  The fiery bravery of the English king, backed as it would be by the whole strength of his subjects, might render him a very formidable opponent; and the king felt that private grievances must be laid aside where the good of France was concerned.

Still the coldness between the armies increased, their camps were moved further apart, and during the time that they remained in Sicily there was but little commerce between the two forces.

As soon as the winter had broken the French monarch broke up his camp, and in March sailed for the Holy Land.

The English had expected that the marriage ceremony of the king and Princess Berengaria would be celebrated before they left Sicily, but this was not the case.  There were high joustings and fetes in honor of the princess, but the marriage was delayed.  A fortnight after the French had sailed the English embarked in the two hundred ships which had been prepared, and sailed also on their way to Acre.