amongst that band of worshippers?"

"My lord," said Kenneth, not without much hesitation, "I might
guess."

"And I also may guess," said the King, frowning sternly; "but it
is enough. Leopard as you are, Sir Knight, beware tempting the
lion's paw. Hark ye--to become enamoured of the moon would be
but an act of folly; but to leap from the battlements of a lofty
tower, in the wild hope of coming within her sphere, were self-destructive madness."

At this moment some bustling was heard in the outer apartment,
and the King, hastily changing to his more natural manner, said,
"Enough--begone--speed to De Vaux, and send him hither with the
Arabian physician. My life for the faith of the Soldan! Would
he but abjure his false law, I would aid him with my sword to
drive this scum of French and Austrians from his dominions, and
think Palestine as well ruled by him as when her kings were
anointed by the decree of Heaven itself."

The Knight of the Leopard retired, and presently afterwards the
chamberlain announced a deputation from the Council, who had come
to wait on the Majesty of England.

"It is well they allow that I am living yet," was his reply.
"Who are the reverend ambassadors?"

"The Grand Master of the Templars and the Marquis of Montserrat."

"Our brother of France loves not sick-beds," said Richard; "yet,