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At least, Masouda still lived, and the terror that had struck him in the night was but an evil dream born of his own fears and sufferings. "I do," he answered, "once, if no more. I have words to say to her." "Doubtless she will be glad to learn how her plot prospered," said Saladin, with a grim smile. "In truth it was well laid and boldly executed."
Oh! and her heart was filled with fears for them, and most of all for one of them. If he should not come back into it, what would her life be? Rosamund bowed her head and wept; then, hearing a sound behind her, turned to see that Masouda was weeping also. "Why do you weep?" she asked. "The maid should copy her mistress," answered Masouda with a hard laugh; "but, lady, why do you weep?
Then they went in again and waited for some sign or word of Rosamund, but in vain. That night there was no feast, and their meal was brought to them in the guest-house. While they sat at it Masouda appeared for a moment to tell them that they had leave to ride the bridge in the moonlight, and that their escort would await them at a certain hour.
"We obey," said Godwin, and rising they bowed to Rosamund and to Masouda, then turned to go, leaving the star jewel where they had been seated. Very skilfully Mesrour covered it with a fold of his robe, and under shelter of the fold slipped down his hand and grasped it, not knowing that although she seemed to be turned away, Masouda was watching him out of the corner of her eye.
"It brought little to poor Hassan but now, when my grandsire's sword shore the Damascus steel as though it were wet clay." "And sent him swift to Paradise, where he would be, at the hands of a gallant foe," answered Masouda.
Godwin felt his heart stir and the blood flow to his brow, but before he could speak Wulf broke in, saying: "You bade us spare words, lady Masouda, so tell us what we must do." "This," she answered, becoming calm again. "Tomorrow night about this hour you fight Lozelle upon the narrow way.
There, under the very eyes of Saladin, Masouda played her part and mimicked you so well that the Sultan was deceived, and I, even I, was deceived. Yes, when for the first and last time I embraced her, I was deceived, although, it is true, I wondered. Also since then a great fear has been with me, although here again I was deceived, for I thought I feared for you.
As he spoke Masouda appeared, attended by waiting women, and, bowing to Rosamund, said: "It is the will of the Master, lady, that I lead you to the chambers that have been made ready for you, there to rest until the hour of the feast. Fear not; you shall meet your brethren then. You knights have leave, if it so pleases you, to exercise your horses in the gardens.
Then stepping back a foot or two towards the door, which she had closed behind her, she made him a curtsey so full of dignity and grace that any who saw it must be sure that, wherever she might dwell, Masouda was not bred in inns. Godwin returned the bow, doffing his cap. Their eyes met and in hers he learned that he had no treachery to fear from this woman, whatever else he might have to fear.
"Then I promised and asked, 'What of Masouda? He said that he rode back at speed to save her also, as had been arranged, and that was why he did not take me to Jerusalem himself. But how that was to be done he was not sure as yet; only he was sure that she was hidden away safely, and would find a way of escape when she wished it.
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