apart with them, and praised the Cid, and thanked him for the good will
which he had to do him service, and said that he had great desire to
see him. Say to him, he said, that I beseech him to come and meet me,
for I would speak with him concerning something which is to his good
and honour. Diego and Ferrando, the Infantes of Carrion, have said unto
me that they would fain wed with his daughters, if it seemeth good to
him; and methinks this would be a good marriage. When Alvar Fanez and
Pero Bermudez heard this, they answered the King, and said, Certain we
are, Sir, that neither in this, nor in anything else will the Cid do
aught but what you, Sir, shall command or advise. When ye have your
meeting ye will agree concerning it as is best. Then they kissed his
hand, and took their leave.

XXVI. On the morrow the messengers of the Cid departed from Valladolid,
and took their way towards Valencia; and when the Cid knew that they
were nigh at hand he went out to meet them, and when he saw them he
waxed joyful, and he embraced them, and asked what tidings of his Lord
Alfonso. And they told him how they had sped, and how greatly the King
loved him; and when we departed, said they, he bade us beseech you to
come and meet him anywhere where you will appoint, for he desireth to
speak with you, concerning the marriage of your daughters with the
Infantes of Carrion, if it should please you so to bestow them: now by
what the King said it seemeth unto us that this marriage pleaseth him.
And when the Cid heard this he became thoughtful, and he said to them
after awhile, What think ye of this marriage? And they answered him,
Even as it shall please you. And he said to them, I was banished from
my own country, and was dishonoured, and with hard labour gained I what
I have got; and now I stand in the King's favour, and he asketh of me
my daughters for the Infantes of Carrion. They are of high blood and
full orgullous, and I have no liking to this match; but if our Lord the