Know also that I will weigh your prayer as I have weighed that of none other who breathes upon the earth.

Now I must take counsel with my own heart, and to-morrow it shall be granted--or refused.

To you, who are doomed to die, and to the knight who chooses to die with you, according to the ancient law and custom, I offer the choice of Islam, and with it life and honour." "We refuse," answered Rosamund and Wulf with one voice.

The Sultan bowed his head as though he expected no other answer, and glanced round, as all thought to order the executioners to do their office.

But he said only to a captain of his Mameluks: "Take them; keep them under guard and separate them, till my word of death comes to you.