One of the wise men then said plainly,--"But the Emperor of Rome will
not give his daughter to any but a Christian."

When the Soldan heard that he cried joyfully: "O, if that is all, I
will straight-way turn Christian, and all my kingdom with me."

So they sent an ambassador to the Emperor to know if he would give his
daughter to the Soldan of Syria, if he and all his people would turn
Christian. And the Emperor, who was very devout, and thought he ought
to use all means to spread his religion, answered that he would.

So poor little Constance, like a white lamb chosen for a sacrifice, was
made ready to go to Syria. A fine ship was prepared, and with a
treasure for her dowry, beautiful clothes, and hosts of attendants, she
was put on board.

She herself was pale with grief and weeping at parting from her home
and her own dear mother. But she was so pious and devoted that she was
willing to go if it would make Syria a good Christian land. So, as
cheerfully as she could, she set sail.

Now the Soldan had a very wicked mother, who was all the time angry in
her heart that the Soldan had become a Christian. Before Constance
arrived in Syria she called together all the lords in the kingdom whom
she knew to be friendly to him. She told them of a plot she had made
to kill the Soldan and all those who changed their religion with him,
as soon as the bride bad come. They all agreed to this dreadful plot,
and then the old Soldaness went smiling and bland, to the Soldan's
palace.