they would sell in the Roman markets. While they abode here, the fame
of Constance came to their ears, and they sometimes saw her lovely face
as she went about the city among the poor and suffering, and were so
pleased with the sight that they could talk of nothing else when they
returned home; so that, after a while, their reports came to the ear of
the Soldan of Syria, their ruler, and he sent to the merchants to hear
from their lips all about the fair Roman maiden.

As soon as he heard this story, this Soldan began secretly to love the
fair picture which his fancy painted of the good Constance, and he shut
himself up to think off her, and to study how he could gain her for his
own.

At length he sent to all his wise men, and called them together in
council.

"You have heard," he said to them, "of the beauty and goodness of the
Roman princess. I desire her for my wife. So cast about quickly for
some way by which I may win her."

Then all the wise men were horrified; because Constance was a
Christian, while the Syrians believed in Mohammed as their sacred
prophet. One wise man thought the Soldan had been bewitched by some
fatal love-charm brought from Rome. Another explained that some of the
stars in the heavens were out of place, and had been making great
mischief among the planets which governed the life of the Soldan. One
had one explanation and one another, but to all the Soldan only
answered,--"All these words avail nothing. I shall die if I may not
have Constance for my wife."