She ceased and stood before him with heaving breast and flashing eyes, a mysterious white figure in the moonlight, most beautiful to see.

Godwin felt his heart stir and the blood flow to his brow, but before he could speak Wulf broke in, saying: 

“You bade us spare words, lady Masouda, so tell us what we must do.”

“This,” she answered, becoming calm again.  “Tomorrow night about this hour you fight Lozelle upon the narrow way.  That is certain, for all the city talks of it, and, whatever chances, Al-je-bal will not deprive them of the spectacle of this fray to the death.  Well, you may fall, though that man at heart is a coward, which you are not, for here courage alone will avail nothing, but rather skill and horsemanship and trick of war.  If so, then Sir Godwin fights him, and of this business none can tell the end.  Should both of you go down, then I will do my best to save your lady and take her to Salah-ed-din, with whom she will be safe, or if I cannot save her I will find her a means to save herself by death.”

“You swear that?” said Wulf.

“I have said it; it is enough,” she answered impatiently.

“Then I face the bridge and the knave Lozelle with a light heart,” said Wulf again, and Masouda went on.

“Now if you conquer, Sir Wulf, or if your fall and your brother conquers, both of you—­or one of you, as it may happen—­must gallop back at full speed toward the stable gate that lies more than a mile from the castle bridge.  Mounted as you are, no horse can keep pace with you, nor must you stop at the gate, but ride on, ride like the wind till you reach this place.  The gardens will be empty of feasters and of cup-bearers, who with every soul within the city will have gathered on the walls and on the house-tops to see the fray.  There is but one fear—­by then a guard may be set before this mound, seeing that Salah-ed-din has declared war upon Al-je-bal, and though yonder road is known to few, it is a road, and sentries may watch here.  If so, you must cut them down or be cut down, and bring your story to an end.  Sir Godwin, here is another key that you may use if you are alone.  Take it.”

He did so, and she continued: 

“Now if both of you, or one of you, win through to this cave, enter with your horses, lock the door, bar it, and wait.  It may be I will join you here with the princess.  But if I do not come by the dawn and you are not discovered and overwhelmed—­which should not be, seeing that one man can hold that door against many—­then know that the worst has happened, and fly to Salah-ed-din and tell him of this road, by which he may take vengeance upon his foe Sinan.  Only then, I pray you, doubt not that I have done my best, who if I fail must die—­most horribly.  Now, farewell, until we meet again or—­do not meet again.  Go; you know the road.”

They turned to obey, but when they had gone a few paces Godwin looked round and saw Masouda watching them.  The moonlight shone full upon her face, and by it he saw also that tears were running from her dark and tender eyes.  Back he came again, and with him Wulf, for that sight drew them.  Down he bent before her till his knee touched the ground, and, taking her hand, he kissed it, and said in his gentle voice: