In Jerusalem was Rosamund, the Sultan's niece, whom he must desire to recapture, above all things, not only because she was of his blood, but since he feared that if he did not do so his vision concerning her would come to nothing.
Now what was this vision?
That through Rosamund much slaughter should be spared.

Well, if Jerusalem were saved, would not tens of thousands of Moslem and Christian lives be saved also?
Oh! surely here was the answer, and some angel had put it into his heart, and now he prayed for strength to plant it in the heart of Saladin, for strength and opportunity.
This very day Godwin found the opportunity.

As he lay dozing in his tent that evening, being still too weak to rise, a shadow fell upon him, and opening his eyes he saw the Sultan himself standing alone by his bedside.

Now he strove to rise to salute him, but in a kind voice Saladin bade him lie still, and seating himself, began to talk.
"Sir Godwin," he said, "I am come to ask your pardon.

When I sent you to visit that dead woman, who had suffered justly for her crime, I did an act unworthy of a king.