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They were beautiful to look at, all three of them, as they appeared in the splendour of their youth and health. The imperial Rosamund, dark-haired and eyed, ivory skinned and slender-waisted, a posy of marsh flowers in her hand; the pale, stately Godwin, with his dreaming face; and the bold-fronted, blue-eyed warrior, Wulf, Saxon to his finger-tips, notwithstanding his father's Norman blood.
Oh, could we be sure that she had no mind toward either of us, that would be best to begone together. But, Wulf, we cannot be sure, since at times, to be honest, I have thought she loves you." "And at times, to be honest, Godwin, I have been sure that she loves you, although I should like to try my luck and hear it from her lips, which on such terms I will not do."
Masouda translated, and seeing the warning in her eyes and remembering her words, the brethren shook their heads, while Wulf answered: "Our uncle, the knight Sir Andrew, was cut down by the soldiers of Salah-ed-din, and as he died bade us seek you out. What time had he to tell us of any ring?" The head sank upon the breast.
"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.
"What is there for you to fear in a nine-mile ride along the shores of the Blackwater?" "I said our journey home Wulf; and home is not in the hall at Steeple, but yonder," and she pointed to the quiet, brooding sky.
"Tell me, and I will say." So Godwin told him all, and at the end asked him, "What think you?" Wulf considered awhile, and answered: "Well, brother, you have touched no wine to-day, so you are not drunk, and you have done nothing foolish, so you are not mad.
Wulf was on guard, and as I awoke at his shout I saw him cut down that villain who lies there with a cleft skull There were three others. I fell upon one, Osgod took another, while Wulf engaged the man who seemed to be the leader. Wulf's sword broke, but he closed with his opponent and they fell together. Osgod ran his man through, and my opponent fled.
"Guards, touch not this brave knight who has dared so much to reach me. Sultan, I ask a boon. Between Sir Wulf and me there is an ancient quarrel that can only be washed away in blood. Let it be decided here and now, and let this be your decree that if I fall in fair fight, none shall set upon my conqueror, and no vengeance shall be taken for my blood." "Good," said Saladin.
Osgod asked, looking round at the Normans. "We are prisoners, though we have not surrendered," Wulf replied. "We were saved by our good friend Lord de Burg, who has joined us in our search for you. We are to be taken to Normandy as prisoners, and to remain in charge of Lady de Burg." "You shall go too, Osgod," De Burg said.
"You are strong I am weak, Wulf, and cannot wrench my garment from you, but I tell you that this play advantages you nothing." He let the cloak fall. "Your pardon. I should have remembered that Godwin would never have presumed so far." "Godwin," she said, tapping her foot upon the ground, "if he gave a promise, would keep it in the spirit as well as in the letter." "I suppose so.
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