“We are the servants of the Cross,” answered Godwin, “and cannot lift steel against it and thereby lose our souls.”  Then he spoke with Wulf, and added, “As to your second question, whether we should bide here in chains.  It is one that our lady Rosamund must answer, for we are sworn to her service.  We demand to see the princess of Baalbec.”

“Send for her, Emir,” said Saladin to the prince Hassan, who bowed and departed.

A while later Rosamund came, looking beautiful but, as they saw when she threw back her veil, very white and weary.  She bowed to Saladin, and the brethren, who were not allowed to touch her hand, bowed to her, devouring her face with eager eyes.

“Greeting, my uncle,” she said to the Sultan, “and to you, my cousins, greeting also.  What is your pleasure with me?”

Saladin motioned to her to be seated and bade Godwin set out the case, which he did very clearly, ending: 

“Is it your wish, Rosamund, that we stay in this court as prisoners, or go forth to fight with the Franks in the great war that is to be?”

Rosamund looked at them awhile, then answered: 

“To whom were you sworn the first?  Was it to the service of our Lord, or to the service of a woman?  I have said.”

“Such words as we expected from you, being what you are,” exclaimed Godwin, while Wulf nodded his head in assent, and added: 

“Sultan, we ask your safe conduct to Jerusalem, and leave this lady in your charge, relying on your plighted word to do no violence to her faith and to protect her person.”

“My safe conduct you have,” replied Saladin, “and my friendship also.  Nor, indeed, should I have thought well of you had you decided otherwise.  Now, henceforth we are enemies in the eyes of all men, and I shall strive to slay you as you will strive to slay me.  But as regards this lady, have no fear.  What I have promised shall be fulfilled.  Bid her farewell, whom you will see no more.”

“Who taught your lips to say such words, O Sultan?” asked Godwin.  “Is it given to you to read the future and the decrees of God?”

“I should have said,” answered Saladin, “’Whom you will see no more if I am able to keep you apart.’  Can you complain who, both of you, have refused to take her as a wife?”

Here Rosamund looked up wondering, and Wulf broke in: 

“Tell her the price.  Tell her that she was asked to wed either of us who would bow the knee to Mahomet, and to be the head of his harem, and I think that she will not blame us.”

“Never would I have spoken again to him who answered otherwise,” exclaimed Rosamund, and Saladin frowned at the words.  “Oh! my uncle,” she went on, “you have been kind to me and raised me high, but I do not seek this greatness, nor are your ways my ways, who am of a faith that you call accursed.  Let me go, I beseech you, in care of these my kinsmen.”