The English, who had never been favorable to the alliance with the French princess, were glad to hear that this was broken off, and were well content that the Princess Berengaria should be their future queen, for her beauty, high spirit, and kindness had won all hearts.
On the part of the French, on the other hand, there was great indignation, and for some time it was feared that the armies would come to open blows.
King Philip, however, although much angered, was politic enough to deprecate any open outbreak.

He knew that a dispute now began would not only at once put a stop to the Crusade, but that it might lead to more serious consequences at home.

The fiery bravery of the English king, backed as it would be by the whole strength of his subjects, might render him a very formidable opponent; and the king felt that private grievances must be laid aside where the good of France was concerned.
Still the coldness between the armies increased, their camps were moved further apart, and during the time that they remained in Sicily there was but little commerce between the two forces.
As soon as the winter had broken the French monarch broke up his camp, and in March sailed for the Holy Land.
The English had expected that the marriage ceremony of the king and Princess Berengaria would be celebrated before they left Sicily, but this was not the case.

There were high joustings and _fetes_ in honor of the princess, but the marriage was delayed.

A fortnight after the French had sailed the English embarked in the two hundred ships which had been prepared, and sailed also on their way to Acre.
It must not be supposed that the attempted abduction of the Princess Berengaria was unimportant in its results to Cuthbert.
After returning from the palace the king, who had heard from her the details of what had taken place, and the names of her rescuers, sent for the Earl of Evesham.