[The Brethren by H. Rider Haggard]@TWC D-Link bookThe Brethren CHAPTER Twenty Four: The Dregs of the Cup 16/20
Then trumpets blew and a herald cried: "Way! Way there! Way for the high sovereign lady and princess of Baalbec!" Thus followed by the train of honourable women who attended her, Rosamund glided forward to the courtyard, and once more bent the knee to Saladin, then stood still, lost in wonder. Again the trumpets blew, and on the right a herald cried, "Way! Way there! Way for the brave and noble Frankish knight, Sir Wulf D'Arcy!" Lo! attended by emirs and notables, Wulf came forth, clad in splendid armour inlaid with gold, wearing on his shoulder a mantel set with gems and on his breast the gleaming Star of the Luck of Hassan.
To Rosamund he strode and stood by her, his hands resting on the hilt of his long sword. "Princess," said Saladin, "I give you back your rank and titles, because you have shown a noble heart; and you, Sir Wulf, I honour also as best I may, but to my decree I hold.
Let them go together to the drinking of the cup of their destiny as to a bridal bed." Again the trumpets blew and the heralds called, and they led them to the doors of the chapel, which at their knocking were thrown wide.
From within came the sound of women's voices singing, but it was no sad song they sang. "The sisters of the Order are still there," said Rosamund to Wulf, "and would cheer us on our road to heaven." "Perchance," he answered.
"I know not.
<<Back Index Next>> D-Link book Top TWC mobile books
|