Within its walls, again, lived trusted eunuchs, under the command of a cunning fellow named Mesrour, and her retinue of women, all of them spies and watchful.

How could two men hope to snatch her from the heart of such a host and to spirit her out of Damascus and through its encircling armies?
One comfort, however, was left to them.

When she reached the court Rosamund had prayed of the Sultan that Masouda should not be separated from her, and this because of the part she had played in his niece's rescue from the power of Sinan, he had granted, though doubtfully.

Moreover, Masouda, being a person of no account except for her beauty, and a heretic, was allowed to go where she would and to speak with whom she wished.

So, as she wished to speak often with Godwin, they did not lack for tidings of Rosamund.
From her they learned that in a fashion the princess was happy enough--who would not be that had just escaped from Al-je-bal ?--yet weary of the strange Eastern life, of the restraints upon her, and of her aimless days; vexed also that she might not mix with the brethren.