I propose that he should be imprisoned." "Ay," answered the lord Balian of Ibelin, who was in supreme command of the city, "a very dangerous man--to his foes, as I can testify.

I saw him and his brother charge through the hosts of the Saracens at the battle of Hattin, and I have seen him in the breach upon the wall.

Would that we had more such dangerous men just now!" "But he has insulted me," shouted the patriarch, "me and my holy office." "The truth should be no insult," answered Balian with meaning.
"At least, it is a private matter between you and him on account of which we cannot spare one of our few captains.

Now as regards this lady, I like not the business--" As he spoke a messenger entered the room and said that the hiding-place of Rosamund had been discovered.

She had been admitted a novice into the community of the Virgins of the Holy Cross, who had their house by the arch on the Via Dolorosa.
"Now I like it still less," Balian went on, "for to touch her would be sacrilege." "His Holiness, Heraclius, will give us absolution," said a mocking voice.
Then another leader rose--he was one of the party who desired peace--and pointed out that this was no time to stand on scruples, for the Sultan would not listen to them in their sore plight unless the lady were delivered to him to be judged for her offence.