Hewastakeninthecampbyoneofoursquires，and，inprivateexamination，franklyavowedhisfixedanddeterminedpurposetome，’’saidtheGrandMaster。
　　NowtheHeavenspardonthemwhopreventedthepurposeofthismostjudiciousCharegite！’’answeredConrade。
　　Heismyprisoner，’’addedtheTemplar，andsecludedfromspeechwithothers，asthoumay’stsuppose-butprisonshavebeenbroken’’-
　　Chainsleftunlocked，andcaptiveshaveescaped，’’answeredtheMarquis。Itisanancientsaying，-nosuredungeonbutthegrave。’’
　　Whenlooseheresumeshisquest，’’continuedthemilitarypriest；foritisthenatureofthissortofbloodhoundnevertoquittheslotofthepreyhehasoncescented。’’
　　Saynomoreofit，’’saidtheMarquis；Iseethypolicy-
　　itisdreadful，buttheemergencyisimminent。’’
　　Ionlytoldtheeofit，’’saidtheTemplar，thatthoumay’stkeepthyselfonthyguard，fortheuproarwillbedreadful，andthereisnoknowingonwhomtheEnglishmayventtheirrage-Ay，andthereisanotherrisk-mypageknowsthecounselsofthisCharegite，’’hecontinued；and，moreover，heisapeevish，self-willedfool，whomIwouldIwereridof，ashethwartsmebypresumingtoseewithhisowneyes，notmine。
　　ButourholyOrdergivesmepowertoputaremedytosuchinconvenience。Orstay-theSaracenmayfindagooddaggerinhiscell，andIwarrantyouheusesitashebreaksforth，whichwillbeofasuretysosoonasthepageenterswithhisfood。’’
　　Itwillgivetheaffairacolour，’’saidConrade；andyet’’-
　　_Yet_and_but，_’’saidtheTemplar，arewordsforfools-
　　wisemenneitherhesitatenorretract-theyresolveandtheyexecute。’’
　　Whenbeautyleadsthelioninhertoils，Sucharehercharms，hedarenotraisehismaneFarlessexpandtheterrorofhisfangs。
　　SogreatAlcidesmadehisclubadistaff，AndspuntopleasefairOmphal。
　　Anonymous。
　　Richard，theunsuspiciousobjectofthedarktreacherydetailedintheclosingpartofthelastchapter，havingeffected，forthepresentatleast，thetriumphantunionoftheCrusadingprinces，inaresolutiontoprosecutethewarwithvigour，haditnextathearttoestablishtranquillityinhisownfamily；and，nowthathecouldjudgemoretemperately，toinquiredistinctlyintothecircumstancesleadingtothelossofhisbanner，andthenatureandtheextentoftheconnectionbetwixthiskinswomanEdith，andthebanishedadventurerfromScotland。
　　Accordingly，theQueenandherhouseholdwerestartledwithavisitfromSirThomasdeVaux，requestingthepresentattendanceoftheLadyCalistaofMontfaucon，theQueen’sprincipalbower-woman，uponKingRichard。
　　WhatamItosay，madam？’’saidthetremblingattendanttotheQueen。Hewillslayusall。’’
　　Nay，fearnot，madam，’’saidDeVaux。HisMajestyhathsparedthelifeoftheScottishknight，whowasthechiefoffender，andbestowedhimupontheMoorishphysician-hewillnotbesevereuponalady，thoughfaulty。’’
　　Devisesomecunningtale，wench，’’saidBerengaria。Myhusbandhathtoolittletimetomakeinquiryintothetruth。’’
　　Tellthetaleasitreallyhappened，’’saidEdith，lestItellitforthee。’’
　　WithhumblepermissionofherMajesty，’’saidDeVaux，IwouldsayLadyEdithadvisethwell；foralthoughKingRichardispleasedtobelievewhatitpleasesyourGracetotellhim，yetIdoubthishavingthesamedeferencefortheLadyCalista，andinthisespecialmatter。’’
　　TheLordofGilslandisright，’’saidtheLadyCalista，muchagitatedatthethoughtsoftheinvestigationwhichwastotakeplace:and，besides，ifIhadpresenceofmindenoughtoforgeaplausiblestory，beshrewmeifIthinkIshouldhavethecouragetotellit。’’
　　Inthiscandidhumour，theLadyCalistawasconductedbyDeVauxtotheKing，andmade，asshehadproposed，afullconfessionofthedecoybywhichtheunfortunateKnightoftheLeopardhadbeeninducedtodeserthispost；exculpatingtheLadyEdith，who，shewasaware，wouldnotfailtoexculpateherself，andlayingthefullburdenontheQueen，hermistress，whoseshareofthefrolic，shewellknew，wouldappearthemostvenialintheeyesofCurdeLion。Intruth，Richardwasafond-almostanuxorioushusband。Thefirstburstofhiswrathhadlongsincepassedaway，andhewasnotdisposedseverelytocensurewhatcouldnotnowbeamended。ThewilyLadyCalista，accustomedfromherearliestchildhoodtofathomtheintriguesofacourt，andwatchtheindicationsofasovereign’swill，hastenedbacktotheQueenwiththespeedofalapwing，chargedwiththeKing’scommandsthatsheshouldexpectaspeedyvisitfromhim；towhichthebower-ladyaddedacommentaryfoundedonherownobservation，tendingtoshowthatRichardmeantjusttopreservesomuchseverityasmightbringhisroyalconsorttorepentofherfrolic，andthentoextendtoher，andallconcerned，hisgraciouspardon。
　　Sitsthewindinthatcorner，wench？’’saidtheQueen，muchrelievedbythisintelligence；believeme，that，greatcommanderasheis，Richardwillfindithardtocircumventusinthismatter；andthat，asthePyreneanshepherdsarewonttosayinmynativeNavarre，manyaonecomesforwoolandgoesbackshorn。’’
　　HavingpossessedherselfofalltheinformationwhichCalistacouldcommunicate，theroyalBerengariaarrayedherselfinhermostbecomingdress，andawaitedwithconfidencethearrivaloftheheroicRichard。
　　Hearrived，andfoundhimselfinthesituationofaprinceenteringanoffendingprovince，intheconfidencethathisbusinesswillonlybetoinflictrebuke，andreceivesubmission，whenheunexpectedlyfindsitinastateofcompletedefianceandinsurrection。Berengariawellknewthepowerofhercharms，andtheextentofRichard’saffection，andfeltassuredthatshecouldmakeherowntermsgood，nowthatthefirsttremendousexplosionofhisangerhadexpendeditselfwithoutmischief。
　　FarfromlisteningtotheKing’sintendedrebuke，aswhatthelevityofherconducthadjustlydeserved，sheextenuated，nay，defended，asaharmlessfrolic，thatwhichshewasaccusedof。
　　Shedenied，indeed，withmanyaprettyformofnegation，thatshehaddirectedNectabanusabsolutelytoenticetheknightfartherthanthebrinkoftheMountonwhichhekeptwatch-
　　andindeedthiswassofartrue，thatshehadnotdesignedSirKennethtobeintroducedintohertent-andthen，eloquentinurgingherowndefence，theQueenwasfarmoresoinpressinguponRichardthechargeofunkindnessinrefusinghersopooraboonasthelifeofanunfortunateknight，who，byherthoughtlessprank，hadbeenbroughtwithinthedangerofmartiallaw。
　　Sheweptandsobbedwhilesheenlargedonherhusband’sobduracyonthisscore，asarigourwhichhadthreatenedtomakeherunhappyforlife，wheneversheshouldreflectthatshehadgiven，unthinkingly，theremotecauseforsuchatragedy。Thevisionoftheslaughteredvictimwouldhavehauntedherdreams-nay，foraughtsheknew，sincesuchthingsoftenhappened，hisactualspectremighthavestoodbyherwakingcouch。Toallthismiseryofthemindwassheexposedbytheseverityofone，who，whilehepretendedtodoteuponherslightestglance，wouldnotforegooneactofpoorrevenge，thoughtheissuewastorenderhermiserable。
　　Allthisflowoffemaleeloquencewasaccompaniedwiththeusualargumentsoftearsandsighs，andutteredwithsuchtoneandaction，asseemedtoshowthattheQueen’sresentmentaroseneitherfrompridenorsullenness，butfromfeelingshurtatfindingherconsequencewithherhusbandlessthanshehadexpectedtopossess。
　　ThegoodKingRichardwasconsiderablyembarrassed。Hetriedinvaintoreasonwithone，whoseveryjealousyofhisaffectionrenderedherincapableoflisteningtoargument，norcouldhebringhimselftousetherestraintoflawfulauthoritytoacreaturesobeautifulinthemidstofherunreasonabledispleasure。
　　Hewasthereforereducedtothedefensive，endeavouredgentlytochidehersuspicions，andsootheherdispleasure，andrecalledtohermindthatsheneednotlookbackuponthepastwithrecollectionseitherofremorseorsupernaturalfear，sinceSirKennethwasaliveandwell，andhadbeenbestowedbyhimuponthegreatArabianphysician，who，doubtless，ofallmen，knewbesthowtokeephimliving。Butthisseemedtheunkindestcutofall，andtheQueen’ssorrowwasrenewedattheideaofaSaracen-amediciner-obtainingaboonforwhich，withbarehead，andonbendedknee，shehadpetitionedherhusbandinvain。Atthisnewcharge，Richard’spatiencebeganrathertogiveway，andhesaid，inaserioustoneofvoice，Berengaria，thephysiciansavedmylife。Ifitisofvalueinyoureyes，youwillnotgrudgehimahigherrecompensethantheonlyoneIcouldprevailonhimtoaccept。’’
　　TheQueenwassatisfiedshehadurgedhercoquettishdispleasuretothevergeofsafety。
　　MyRichard，’’shesaid，whybroughtyounotthatsagetome，thatEngland’sQueenmightshowhowsheesteemedhimwhocouldsavefromextinctionthelampofchivalry，thegloryofEngland，andthelightofpoorBerengaria’slifeandhope？’’
　　Inaword，thematrimonialdisputewasended；but，thatsomepenaltymightbepaidtojustice，bothKingandQueenaccordedinlayingthewholeblameontheagentNectabanus，whotheQueenbeingbythistimewellwearyofthepoordwarf’shumourwas，withhisroyalconsortGuenevra，sentencedtobebanishedfromthecourt；andtheunluckydwarfonlyescapedasupplementarywhipping，fromtheQueen’sassurancesthathehadalreadysustainedpersonalchastisement。
　　Itwasdecreedfarther，thatasanenvoywasshortlytobedespatchedtoSaladin，acquaintinghimwiththeresolutionoftheCounciltoresumehostilitiessosoonasthetrucewasended，andasRichardproposedtosendavaluablepresenttotheSoldan，inacknowledgmentofthehighbenefithehadderivedfromtheservicesofElHakim，thetwounhappycreaturesshouldbeaddedtoitascuriosities，which，fromtheirextremelygrotesqueappearance，andtheshatteredstateoftheirintellect，weregiftsthatmightwellpassbetweensovereignandsovereign。
　　Richardhadthatdayyetanotherfemaleencountertosustain；
　　butheadvancedtoitwithcomparativeindifference，forEdith，thoughbeautiful，andhighlyesteemedbyherroyalrelative-nay，althoughshehadfromhisunjustsuspicionsactuallysustainedtheinjuryofwhichBerengariaonlyaffectedtocomplain，stillwasneitherRichard’swifenormistress，andhefearedherreproachesless，althoughfoundedinreason，thanthoseoftheQueen，thoughunjustandfantastical。Havingrequestedtospeakwithherapart，hewasusheredintoherapartment，adjoiningthatoftheQueen，whosetwofemaleCoptishslavesremainedontheirkneesinthemostremotecornerduringtheinterview。
　　Athinblackveilextendeditsamplefoldsoverthetallandgracefulformofthehigh-bornmaiden，andsheworenotuponherpersonanyfemaleornamentofwhatkindsoever。ShearoseandmadealowreverencewhenRichardenteredresumedherseatathiscommand，and，whenhesatdownbesideher，waited，withoututteringasyllable，untilheshouldcommunicatehispleasure。
　　Richard，whosecustomitwastobefamiliarwithEdith，astheirrelationshipauthorised，feltthisreceptionchilling，andopenedtheconversationwithsomeembarrassment。
　　Ourfaircousin，’’heatlengthsaid，isangrywithus；
　　andweownthatstrongcircumstanceshaveinducedus，withoutcause，tosuspectherofconductalientowhatwehaveeverknowninhercourseoflife。Butwhilewewalkinthismistyvalleyofhumanity，menwillmistakeshadowsforsubstances。
　　Canmyfaircousinnotforgivehersomewhatvehementkinsman，Richard？’’
　　Whocanrefuseforgivenessto_Richard，_’’answeredEdith，providedRichardcanobtainpardonofthe_King？_’’
　　Come，mykinswoman，’’repliedCurdeLion，thisisalltoosolemn。ByOurLady，suchamelancholycountenance，andthisamplesableveil，mightmakementhinkthouwertanew-madewidow，orhadlostabetrothedlover，atleast。Cheerup-thouhasthearddoubtlessthatthereisnorealcauseforwoe-whythenkeepuptheformofmourning？’’
　　ForthedepartedhonourofPlantagenet-fortheglorywhichhathleftmyfather’shouse。’’
　　Richardfrowned。Departedhonour！glorywhichhathleftourhouse！’’herepeated，angrily；butmycousinEdithisprivileged。Ihavejudgedhertoohastily，shehasthereforearighttodeemofmetooharshly。ButtellmeatleastinwhatIhavefaulted。’’
　　Plantagenet，’’saidEdith，shouldhaveeitherpardonedanoffence，orpunishedit。Itmisbecomeshimtoassignfreemen，Christiansandbraveknights，tothefettersoftheinfidels。Itbecomeshimnottocompromiseandbarter，ortograntlifeundertheforfeitureofliberty。Tohavedoomedtheunfortunatetodeathmighthavebeenseverity，buthadashowofjustice；tocondemnhimtoslaveryandexile，wasbarefacedtyranny。’’
　　Isee，myfaircousin，’’saidRichard，youareofthoseprettyoneswhothinkanabsentloverasbadasnone，orasadeadone。Bepatient；half-a-scoreoflighthorsemenmayyetfollowandredeemtheerror，ifthygallanthaveinkeepinganysecretwhichmightrenderhisdeathmoreconvenientthanhisbanishment。’’