Then tell me, as soldiers to a soldier, what do you seek from Salah-ed-din ?" "Our cousin, the lady Rosamund, who, by your command, lord, was stolen from our home in England." "Knights, she is your cousin, that I know, as surely as I know that she is my niece.

Tell me now, is she aught more to you ?" and he searched them with those piercing eyes.
Godwin looked at Wulf, who said in English: "Speak the whole truth, brother.

From that man nothing can be hid." Then Godwin answered: "Sire, we love her, and are affianced to her." The Sultan stared at them in surprise.
"What! Both of you ?" he asked.
"Yes, both." "And does she love you both ?" "Yes," replied Godwin, "both, or so she says." Saladin stroked his beard and considered them, while Hassan smiled a little.
"Then, knights," he said presently, "tell me, which of you does she love best ?" "That, sire, is known to her alone.

When the time comes, she will say, and not before." "I perceive," said Saladin, "that behind this riddle hides a story.

If it is your good pleasure, be seated, and set it out to me." So they sat down on the divan and obeyed, keeping nothing back from the beginning to the end, nor, although the tale was long, did the Sultan weary of listening.
"A great story, truly," he said, when at length they had finished, "and one in which I seem to see the hand of Allah.