I have heard that it was the dishonour of a Christian maiden which brought the Saracens into Spain; the shame of another is no likely mode of expelling them from Palestine." "Dost thou call it shame to become an empress ?" said the King.
"I call it shame and dishonour to profane a Christian sacrament by entering into it with an infidel whom it cannot bind; and I call it foul dishonour that I, the descendant of a Christian princess, should become of free will the head of a haram of heathen concubines." "Well, kinswoman," said the King, after a pause, "I must not quarrel with thee, though I think thy dependent condition might have dictated more compliance." "My liege," replied Edith, "your Grace hath worthily succeeded to all the wealth, dignity, and dominion of the House of Plantagenet--do not, therefore, begrudge your poor kinswoman some small share of their pride." "By my faith, wench," said the King, "thou hast unhorsed me with that very word, so we will kiss and be friends.

I will presently dispatch thy answer to Saladin.

But after all, coz, were it not better to suspend your answer till you have seen him?
Men say he is pre-eminently handsome." "There is no chance of our meeting, my lord," said Edith.
"By Saint George, but there is next to a certainty of it," said the King; "for Saladin will doubtless afford us a free field for the doing of this new battle of the Standard, and will witness it himself.
Berengaria is wild to behold it also; and I dare be sworn not a feather of you, her companions and attendants, will remain behind--least of all thou thyself, fair coz.

But come, we have reached the pavilion, and must part; not in unkindness thou, oh--nay, thou must seal it with thy lip as well as thy hand, sweet Edith--it is my right as a sovereign to kiss my pretty vassals." He embraced her respectfully and affectionately, and returned through the moonlit camp, humming to himself such snatches of Blondel's lay as he could recollect.
On his arrival he lost no time in making up his dispatches for Saladin, and delivered them to the Nubian, with a charge to set out by peep of day on his return to the Soldan..