Yet now she began to understand.  So true and high was this great love of Masouda’s that for Godwin’s sake she was ready to hide herself in death, leaving him—­now that, as she thought, his rival was removed—­to live on with the lady whom he loved; ay, and at the price of her own life giving that lady to his arms.  Oh! how noble must she be who could thus plan and act, and, whatever her past had been, how pure and high of soul!  Surely, if she lived, earth had no grander woman; and if she were dead, heaven had won a saint indeed.

Rosamund looked at Godwin, and Godwin looked at Rosamund, and there was understanding in their eyes, for now both of them saw the truth in all its glory and all its horror.

“I think that I should go back also,” said Rosamund.

“That shall not be,” answered Wulf.  “Saladin would kill you for this flight, as he has sworn.”

“That cannot be,” added Godwin.  “Shall the sacrifice of blood be offered in vain?  Moreover it is our duty to prevent you.”

Rosamund looked at him again and stammered: 

“If—­if—­that dreadful thing has happened, Godwin—­if the sacrifice—­oh! what will it serve?”

“Rosamund, I know not what has chanced; I go to see.  I care not what may chance; I go to meet it.  Through life, through death, and if there be need, through all the fires of hell, I ride on till I find Masouda, and kneel to her in homage—­”

“And in love,” exclaimed Rosamund, as though the words broke from her lips against her will.

“Mayhap,” Godwin answered, speaking more to himself than to her.

Then seeing the look upon his face, the set mouth and the flashing eyes, neither of them sought to stay him further.

“Farewell, my liege-lady and cousin Rosamund,” Godwin said; “my part is played.  Now I leave you in the keeping of God in heaven and of Wulf on earth.  Should we meet no more, my counsel is that you two wed here in Jerusalem and travel back to Steeple, there to live in peace, if it may be so.  Brother Wulf, fare you well also.  We part to-day for the first time, who from our birth have lived together and loved together and done many a deed together, some of which we can look back upon without shame.  Go on your course rejoicing, taking the love and gladness that Heaven has given you and living a good and Christian knight, mindful of the end which draws on apace, and of eternity beyond.”

“Oh!  Godwin, speak not thus,” said Wulf, “for in truth it breaks my heart to hear such fateful words.  Moreover, we do not part thus easily.  Our lady here will be safe enough among the nuns—­more safe than I can keep her.  Give me an hour, and I will set her there and join you.  Both of us owe a debt to Masouda, and it is not right that it should be paid by you alone.”

“Nay,” answered Godwin; “look upon Rosamund, and think what is about to befall this city.  Can you leave her at such a time?”