"It is hard to speak.

Yet, they are many--you are but one." Now there was a murmur of applause.

For it was known that this knight loved his lady dearly, and that but the other day he had stood there to defend her to the death against those who would give her up to Saladin.
Now Rosamund laughed out, and the sweet sound of her laughter was strange in that solemn place and hour.
"Ah, Wulf!" she said.

"Wulf, who must ever speak the truth, even when it costs him dear.

Well, I would not have it otherwise.
Queen, and all you foolish people, I did but try your tempers.
Could you, then, think me so base that I would spare to spend this poor life of mine, and to forego such few joys as God might have in store for me on earth, when those of tens of thousands may hang upon the issue?
Nay, nay; it is far otherwise." Then Rosamund sheathed the dagger that all this while she had held in her hand, and, lifting the letter from the floor, touched her brow with it in signal of obedience, saying in Arabic to the envoys: "I am the slave of Salah-ed-din, Commander of the Faithful.