A guard awaits you." So they went, and within an hour stood before Sir Balian and gave him the message of Saladin, whereat he rose and blessed the name of Rosamund.

While he called his counsellors from their sleep and bade his servants saddle horses, Godwin found pen and parchment, and wrote hurriedly: "To Wulf, my brother, and Rosamund, my cousin and his betrothed,--I live, though well-nigh I died by dead Masouda--Jesus rest her gallant and most beloved soul! Saladin will not suffer me to see you, though he has promised that I shall be with you at the last, so watch for me then.

I still dare to hope that it may please God to change the Sultan's heart and spare you.

If so, this is my prayer and desire--that you two should wed as soon as may be, and get home to England, where, if I live, I hope to visit you in years to come.

Till then seek me not, who would be lonely a while.