“Rise,” he said, “both of you, and follow me.  The Sultan commands your presence.”

Egbert and Godwin went, wondering, and were led through the pavilion to the royal sleeping place, which guards closed behind them.  On a silken couch reclined Saladin, the light from the lamp falling on his bronzed and thoughtful face.

“I have sent for you two Franks,” he said, “that you may bear a message from me to Sir Balian of Ibelin and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.  This is the message:—­Let the holy city surrender to-morrow and all its population acknowledge themselves my prisoners.  Then for forty days I will hold them to ransom, during which time none shall be harmed.  Every man who pays ten pieces of gold shall go free, and two women or ten children shall be counted as one man at a like price.  Of the poor, seven thousand shall be set free also, on payment of thirty thousand bezants.  Such who remain or have no money for their ransom—­and there is still much gold in Jerusalem—­shall become my slaves.  These are my terms, which I grant at the dying prayer of my niece, the lady Rosamund, and to her prayer alone.  Deliver them to Sir Balian, and bid him wait on me at the dawn with his chief notables, and answer whether he is willing to accept them on behalf of the people.  If not, the assault goes on until the city is a heap of ruins covering the bones of its children.”

“We bless you for this mercy,” said the bishop Egbert, “and we hasten to obey.  But tell us, Sultan, what shall we do?  Return to the camp with Sir Balian?”

“If he accepts my terms, nay, for in Jerusalem you will be safe, and I give you your freedom without ransom.”

“Sire,” said Godwin, “ere I go, grant me leave to bid farewell to my brother and my cousin Rosamund.”

“That for the third time you may plot their escape from my vengeance?” said Saladin.  “Nay, bide in Jerusalem and await my word; you shall meet them at the last, no more.”

“Sire,” pleaded Godwin, “of your mercy spare them, for they have played a noble part.  It is hard that they should die who love each other and are so young and fair and brave.”

“Ay,” answered Saladin, “a noble part; never have I seen one more noble.  Well, it fits them the better for heaven, if Cross-worshippers enter there.  Have done; their doom is written and my purpose cannot be turned, nor shall you see them till the last, as I have said.  But if it pleases you to write them a letter of farewell and to send it back by the embassy, it shall be delivered to them.  Now go, for greater matters are afoot than this punishment of a pair of lovers.  A guard awaits you.”

So they went, and within an hour stood before Sir Balian and gave him the message of Saladin, whereat he rose and blessed the name of Rosamund.  While he called his counsellors from their sleep and bade his servants saddle horses, Godwin found pen and parchment, and wrote hurriedly: