Part 14 (2/2)
”Nay,” said Sir Andrew from the floor, ”leave me here. Daughter, we must part awhile. As I stole his child from Ayoub, so Ayoub's son steals my child from me. Daughter, cling to the faith--that we may meet again.”
”To the death,” she answered.
”Be comforted,” said Ha.s.san. ”Has not Salah-ed-din pa.s.sed his word that except her own will or that of Allah should change her heart, a Cross-wors.h.i.+pper she may live and die? Lady, for your own sake as well as ours, let this sad farewell be brief. Begone, my servants, taking these dead and wounded with you. There are things it is not fitting that common eyes should see.”
They obeyed, and the three of them remained alone together. Then Rosamund knelt down beside her father, and they whispered into each other's ears. Ha.s.san turned his back upon them, and threw the corner of his cloak over his head and eyes that he might neither see nor hear their voices in this dread and holy hour of parting.
It would seem that they found some kind of hope and consolation in it--at least when Rosamund kissed him for the last time, Sir Andrew smiled and said:
”Yes, yes; it may all be for the best. G.o.d will guard you, and His will be done. But I forgot. Tell me, daughter, which?”
Again she whispered into his ear, and when he had thought a moment, he answered:
”Maybe you are right. I think that is wisest for all. And now on the three of you--aye, and on your children's children's children--let my blessing rest, as rest it shall. Come hither, Emir.”
Ha.s.san heard him through his cloak, and, uncovering, came.
”Say to Saladin, your master, that he has been too strong for me, and paid me back in my own coin. Well, had it been otherwise, my daughter and I must soon have parted, for death drew near to me.
At least it is the decree of G.o.d, to which I bow my head, trusting there may be truth in that dream of his, and that our sorrows, in some way unforeseen, will bring blessings to our brethren in the East. But to Saladin say also that whatever his bigot faith may teach, for Christian and for Paynim there is a meeting-place beyond the grave. Say that if aught of wrong or insult is done towards this maiden, I swear by the G.o.d who made us both that there I will hold him to account. Now, since it must be so, take her and go your way, knowing that my spirit follows after you and her; yes, and that even in this world she will find avengers.”
”I hear your words, and I will deliver them,” answered Ha.s.san.
”More, I believe that they are true, and for the rest you have the oath of Salah-ed-din--ay, and my oath while she is in my charge. Therefore, Sir Andrew D'Arcy, forgive us, who are but the instruments of Allah, and die in peace.”
”I, who have so much to be forgiven, forgive you,” answered the old knight slowly.
Then his eyes fixed themselves upon his daughter's face with one long, searching look, and closed.
”I think that he is dead,” said Ha.s.san. ”May G.o.d, the Merciful and Compa.s.sionate, rest his soul!” And taking a white garment from the wall, he flung it over him, adding, ”Lady, come.”
Thrice Rosamund looked at the shrouded figure on the floor; once she wrung her hands and seemed about to fall. Then, as though a thought struck her, she lifted her father's sword from where it lay, and gathering her strength, drew herself up and pa.s.sed like a queen down the blood-stained pa.s.sage and the steps of the solar. In the hall beneath waited the band of Ha.s.san, who bowed as she came--a vision of despairing loveliness, that held aloft a red and naked sword. There, too, lay the drugged men fallen this way and that, and among them Wulf across the table, and G.o.dwin on the dais. Rosamund spoke.
”Are these dead or sleeping?”
”Have no fear,” answered Ha.s.san. ”By my hope of paradise, they do but sleep, and will awake ere morning.”
Rosamund pointed to the renegade Nicholas--he that had struck down her father from behind--who, an evil look upon his face, stood apart from the Saracens, holding in his hand a lighted torch.
”What does this man with the torch?” she asked.
”If you would know, lady,” Nicholas answered with a sneer, ”I wait till you are out of it to fire the hall.”
”Prince Ha.s.san,” said Rosamund, ”is this a deed that great Saladin would wish, to burn drugged men beneath their own roof?
Now, as you shall answer to him, in the name of Saladin I, a daughter of his House, command you, strike the fire from that man's hand, and in my hearing give your order that none should even think of such an act of shame.”
”What?” broke in Nicholas, ”and leave knights like these, whose quality you know”--and he pointed to the brethren--”to follow in our path, and take our lives in vengeance? Why, it is madness!”
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