The flow of the Marquis's eloquence being checked, and he himself
thrown into some confusion by this reply, his more austere
companion took up the thread of the conversation, and with as
much dry and brief gravity as was consistent with the presence
which he addressed, informed the King that they came from the
Council, to pray, in the name of Christendom, "that he would not
suffer his health to be tampered with by an infidel physician,
said to be dispatched by Saladin, until the Council had taken
measures to remove or confirm the suspicion which they at present
conceived did attach itself to the mission of such a person."

"Grand Master of the Holy and Valiant Order of Knights Templars,
and you, most noble Marquis of Montserrat," replied Richard, "if
it please you to retire into the adjoining pavilion, you shall
presently see what account we make of the tender remonstrances of
our royal and princely colleagues in this religious warfare."

The Marquis and Grand Master retired accordingly; nor had they
been many minutes in the outward pavilion when the Eastern
physician arrived, accompanied by the Baron of Gilsland and
Kenneth of Scotland. The baron, however, was a little later of
entering the tent than the other two, stopping, perchance, to
issue some orders to the warders without.

As the Arabian physician entered, he made his obeisance, after
the Oriental fashion, to the Marquis and Grand Master, whose
dignity was apparent, both from their appearance and their
bearing. The Grand Master returned the salutation with an
expression of disdainful coldness, the Marquis with the popular
courtesy which he habitually practised to men of every rank and