“And your lovers,” said Saladin bitterly.  “Niece, it cannot be.  I love you well, but did I know even that your life must pay the price of your sojourn here, here you still should stay, since, as my dream told me, on you hang the lives of thousands, and I believe that dream.  What, then, is your life, or the lives of these knights, or even my life, that any or all of them should turn the scale against those of thousands.  Oh! everything that my empire can give is at your feet, but here you stay until the dream be accomplished, and,” he added, looking at the brethren, “death shall be the portion of any who would steal you from my hand.”

“Until the dream be accomplished?” said Rosamund catching at the words.  “Then, when it is accomplished, shall I be free?”

“Ay,” answered the Sultan; “free to come or to go, unless you attempt escape, for then you know your certain doom.”

“It is a decree.  Take note, my cousins, it is a decree.  And you, prince Hassan, remember it also.  Oh!  I pray with all my soul I pray, that it was no lying spirit who brought you that dream, my uncle, though how I shall bring peace, who hitherto have brought nothing except war and bloodshed, I know not.  Now go, my cousins but, if you will, leave me Masouda, who has no other friends.  Go, and take my love and blessing with you, ay, and the blessing of Jesu and His saints which shall protect you in the hour of battle, and bring us together again.”

So spoke Rosamund and threw her veil before her face that she might hide her tears.

Then Godwin and Wulf stepped to where she stood by the throne of Saladin, bent the knee before her, and, taking her hand, kissed it in farewell, nor did the Sultan say them nay.  But when she was gone and the brethren were gone, he turned to the emir Hassan and to the great imaum who had sat silent all this while, and said: 

“Now tell me, you who are old and wise, which of those men does the lady love?  Speak, Hassan, you who know her well.”

But Hassan shook his head.  “One or the other.  Both or neither—­I know not,” he answered.  “Her counsel is too close for me.”

Then Saladin turned to the imaum—­a cunning, silent man.

“When both the infidels are about to die before her face, as I still hope to see them do, we may learn the answer.  But unless she wills it, never before,” he replied, and the Sultan noted his saying.

Next morning, having been warned that they would pass there by Masouda, Rosamund, watching through the lattice of one of her palace windows, saw the brethren go by.  They were fully armed and, mounted on their splendid chargers Flame and Smoke, looked glorious men as, followed by their escort of swarthy, turbaned Mameluks, they rode proudly side by side, the sunlight glinting on their mail.  Opposite to her house they halted awhile, and, knowing that Rosamund watched, although they could not see her, drew their swords and lifted them in salute.  Then sheathing them again, they rode forward in silence, and soon were lost to sight.