ce before I worsted him and I sit here
unhurt, lord," answered Godwin. "Your servants thrust between and
separated us."

"Ay," replied Sinan, "I remember; they had orders. Still, I would
that you had killed him, the unbelieving dog, who has dared to
lift his eyes to this Rose of Roses, your sister. Fear not," he
went on, addressing Rosamund, "he shall offer you no more insult,
who are henceforth under the protection of the Signet," and
stretching out his thin, cruel-looking hand, on which gleamed the
ring of power, he patted her on the arm.

All of these things Masouda translated, while Rosamund dropped
her head to hide her face, though on it were not the blushes that
he thought, but loathing and alarm.

Wulf glared at the Al-je-bal, whose head by good fortune was
turned away, and so fierce was the rage swelling in his heart
that a mist seemed to gather before his eyes, and through it this
devilish chief of a people of murderers, clothed in his robe of
flaming red, looked like a man steeped in blood. The thought came
to him suddenly that he would make him what he looked, and his
hand passed to his sword-hilt. But Godwin saw the terror in
Masouda's eyes, saw Wulf's hand also, and guessed what was about
to chance. With a swift movement of his arm he struck a golden
dish from the table to the marble floor, then said, in a clear
voice in French:

"Brother, be not so awkward; pick up that dish and answer the
lord Sinan as is your right--I mean, touching the matter of
Lozelle."

Wulf stooped to obey, and his mind cleared which had been so near
to madness.

"I wish it not, lord," he said, "who, if I can, have your good
leave to slay this fellow on the third night from now. If I fail,
then let my brother take my place, but not before."

"Yes, I forgot," said Sinan. "So I decreed, and that will be a
fight I wish to see. If he kills you then your brother shall meet
him. And if he kills you both, then perhaps I, Sinan, will meet
him--in my own fashion. Sweet lady, knowing where the course is
laid, say, do you fear to see this fray?"

Rosamund's face paled, but she answered proudly:

"Why should I fear what my brethren do not fear? They are brave
knights, bred to arms, and God, in Whose hand are all our
destinies--even yours, O Lord of Death--He will guard the
right."

When this speech was translated to him Sinan quailed a little.
Then he answered:

"Lady, know that I am the Voice and Prophet of Allah--ay, and his