Abendofthebody，andagenuflection，weretheappropriateansweroftheEthiopiantotheseobservations。
Andnowtoanotherpoint，’’saidtheKing，andspeakingsuddenlyandrapidly-HaveyouyetseenEdithPlantagenet？’’
Themutelookedupasintheactofbeingabouttospeak，-nay，hislipshadbeguntoutteradistinctnegative，whentheabortiveattemptdiedawayintheimperfectmurmursofthedumb。
Why，loyouthere！’’saidtheKing。Theverysoundofthenameofaroyalmaiden，ofbeautysosurpassingasthatofourlovelycousin，seemstohavepowerenoughwell-nightomakethedumbspeak。Whatmiraclesthenmighthereyeworkuponsuchasubject！Iwillmaketheexperiment，friendslave。Thoushaltseethischoicebeautyofourcourt，anddotheerrandoftheprincelySoldan。’’
Againajoyfulglance-againagenuflection-but，ashearose，theKinglaidhishandheavilyonhisshoulder，andproceededwithsterngravitythus-Letmeinonethingwarnyou，mysableenvoy。Evenifthoushouldstfeelthatthekindlyinfluenceofher，whomthouartsoontobehold，shouldloosenthebondsofthytongue，presentlyimprisoned，asthegoodSoldanexpressesit，withintheivorywallsofitscastle，bewarehowthouchangestthytaciturncharacter，orspeakestawordinherpresence，evenifthypowersofutteranceweretobemiraculouslyrestored。
Believeme，thatIshouldhavethytongueextractedbytheroots，anditsivorypalace，thatis，Ipresume，itsrangeofteeth，drawnoutonebyone。Wherefore，bewiseandsilentstill。’’
TheNubian，sosoonastheKinghadremovedhisheavygraspfromhisshoulder，benthishead，andlaidhishandonhislips；
intokenofsilentobedience。
ButRichardagainlaidhishandonhimmoregently，andadded，Thisbehestwelayontheeasonaslave。Wertthouknightandgentleman，wewouldrequirethinehonourinpledgeofthysilence，whichisoneespecialconditionofourpresenttrust。’’
TheEthiopianraisedhisbodyproudly，lookedfullattheKing，andlaidhisrighthandonhisheart。
Richardthensummonedhischamberlain。
Go，Neville，’’hesaid，withthisslave，tothetentofourroyalconsort，andsayitisourpleasurethathehaveanaudience-aprivateaudience-ofourcousinEdith。Heischargedwithacommissiontoher。Thoucanstshowhimthewayalso，incaseherequiresthyguidance，thoughthouway’sthaveobserveditiswonderfulhowfamiliarhealreadyseemstobewiththepurlieusofourcamp-Andthou，too，friendEthiop，’’theKingcontinued，whatthoudost，doquickly，andreturnhitherwithinthehalf-hour。’’
Istanddiscovered，’’thoughttheseemingNubian，as，withdowncastlooksandfoldedarms，hefollowedthehastystrideofNevilletowardsthetentofQueenBerengaria-IstandundoubtedlydiscoveredandunfoldedtoKingRichard；yetI
cannotperceivethathisresentmentishotagainstme。IfI
understoodhiswords，andsurelyitisimpossibletomisinterpretthem，hegivesmeanoblechanceofredeemingmyhonouruponthecrestofthisfalseMarquis，whoseguiltIreadinhiscraveneyeandquiveringlip，whenthechargewasmadeagainsthim-
Roswal，faithfullyhastthouservedthymaster，andmostdearlyshallthywrongbeavenged！-Butwhatisthemeaningofmypresentpermissiontolookuponher，whomIhaddespairedevertoseeagain？-Andwhy，orhow，cantheroyalPlantagenetconsentthatIshouldseehisdivinekinswoman，eitherasthemessengeroftheheathenSaladin，orastheguiltyexilewhomhesolatelyexpelledfromhiscamp-hisaudaciousavowaloftheaffectionwhichishispride，beingthegreatestenhancementofhisguilt？ThatRichardshouldconsenttoherreceivingaletterfromaninfidellover，bythehandsofoneofsuchdisproportionedrank，areeitherofthemcircumstancesequallyincredible，and，atthesametime，inconsistentwitheachother。ButRichard，whenunmovedbyhisheadypassions，isliberal，generous，andtrulynoble，andassuchIwilldealwithhim，andactaccordingtohisinstructions，directorimplied，seekingtoknownomorethanmaygraduallyunfolditselfwithoutmyofficiousinquiry。
Tohimwhohasgivenmesobraveanopportunitytovindicatemytarnishedhonour，Ioweacquiescenceandobedience，and，painfulasitmaybe，thedebtshallbepaid。Andyet，’’thustheproudswellingofhisheartfarthersuggested，-CurdeLion，asheiscalled，mighthavemeasuredthefeelingsofothersbyhisown。_I_urgeanaddresstohiskinswoman！_I，_whoneverspokewordtoherwhenItookaroyalprizefromherhand-whenIwasaccountednotthelowestinfeatsofchivalryamongthedefendersoftheCross！_I_approachherwheninabasedisguise，andinaservilehabit-and，alas！whenmyactualconditionisthatofaslave，withaspotofdishonouronthatwhichwasoncemyshield！_I_dothis！Helittleknowsme。YetI
thankhimfortheopportunitywhichmaymakeusallbetteracquaintedwitheachother。’’
Ashearrivedatthisconclusion，theypausedbeforetheentranceoftheQueen’spavilion。
Theywereofcourseadmittedbytheguards，andNeville，leavingtheNubianinasmallapartment，orantechamber，whichwasbuttoowellrememberedbyhim，passedintothatwhichwasusedastheQueen’spresence-chamber。Hecommunicatedhisroyalmaster’spleasureinalowandrespectfultoneofvoice，verydifferentfromthebluntnessofThomasdeVaux，towhomRichardwaseverything，andtherestofthecourt，includingBerengariaherself，wasnothing。Aburstoflaughterfollowedthecommunicationofhiserrand。
AndwhatlikeistheNubianslave，whocomesambassadoronsuchanerrandfromtheSoldan？-aNegro，DeNeville，ishenot？’’saidafemalevoiceeasilyrecognisedforthatofBerengaria。ANegro，ishenot，DeNeville，withblackskin，aheadcurledlikearam’s，aflatnose，andblubberlips-ha，worthySirHenry？’’
LetnotyourGraceforgettheshin-bones，’’saidanothervoice，bentoutwardsliketheedgeofaSaracenscimitar。’’
RatherlikethebowofaCupid，sincehecomesuponalover’serrand，’’saidtheQueen。GentleNeville，thouarteverprompttopleasureuspoorwomen，whohavesolittletopassawayouridlemoments。Wemustseethismessengeroflove。TurksandMoorshaveIseenmany，butNegronever。’’
IamcreatedtoobeyyourGrace’scommands，soyouwillbearmeoutwithmysovereignfordoingso，’’answeredthedebonairknight。Yet，letmeassureyourGrace，youwillseesomewhatdifferentfromwhatyouexpect。’’
Somuchthebetter-uglieryetthanourimaginationscanfancy，yetthechosenlove-messengerofthisgallantSoldan！’’
Graciousmadam，’’saidtheLadyCalista，mayIimploreyouwouldpermitthegoodknighttocarrythismessengerstraighttotheLadyEdith，towhomhiscredentialsareaddressed？Wehavealreadyescapedhardlyforsuchafrolic。’’
Escaped？’’-repeatedtheQueen，scornfully。Yetthoumay’stberight，Calista，inthycaution-letthisNubian，asthoucallesthim，firstdohiserrandtoourcousin-Besides，heismutetoo-ishenot？’’
Heis，graciousmadam，’’answeredtheknight。
RoyalsporthavetheseEasternladies，’’saidBerengaria，attendedbythosebeforewhomtheymaysayanything，yetwhocanreportnothing。Whereas，inourcamp，asthePrelateofSt。Jude’siswonttosay，abirdoftheairwillcarrythematter。’’
Because，’’saidDeNeville，yourGraceforgetsthatyouspeakwithincanvaswalls。’’
Thevoicessunkonthisobservation，andafteralittlewhispering，theEnglishknightagainreturnedtotheEthiopian，andmadehimasigntofollow。Hedidso，andNevilleconductedhimtoapavilion，pitchedsomewhatapartfromthatoftheQueen，fortheaccommodation，itseemed，oftheLadyEdithandherattendants。OneofherCopticmaidensreceivedthemessagecommunicatedbySirHenryNeville，and，inthespaceofaveryfewminutes，theNubianwasusheredintoEdith’spresence，whileNevillewasleftontheoutsideofthetent。Theslavewhointroducedhimwithdrewonasignalfromhermistress，anditwaswithhumiliation，notofthepostureonly，butoftheveryinmostsoul，thattheunfortunateknight，thusstrangelydisguised，threwhimselfononeknee，withlooksbentontheground，andarmsfoldedonhisbosom，likeacriminalwhoexpectshisdoom。EdithwascladinthesamemanneraswhenshereceivedKingRichard，herlongtransparentdarkveilhangingaroundherliketheshadeofasummernightonabeautifullandscape，disguisingandrenderingobscurethebeautieswhichitcouldnothide。Sheheldinherhandasilverlamp，fedwithsomearomaticspirit，whichburnedwithunusualbrightness。
WhenEdithcamewithinastepofthekneelingandmotionlessslave，sheheldthelighttowardshisface，asiftoperusehisfeaturesmoreattentively，thenturnedfromhim，andplacedherlampsoastothrowtheshadowofhisfaceinprofileuponthecurtainwhichhungbeside。Sheatlengthspokeinavoicecomposed，yetdeeplysorrowful。
Isityou？-Isitindeedyou，braveKnightoftheLeopard-
gallantSirKennethofScotland-isitindeedyou？-thusservilelydisguised-thussurroundedbyanhundreddangers？’’
Athearingthetonesofhislady’svoicethusunexpectedlyaddressedtohim，andinatoneofcompassionapproachingtotenderness，acorrespondingreplyrushedtotheknight’slips，andscarcecouldRichard’scommandsandhisownpromisedsilencepreventhisanswering，thatthesighthesaw，thesoundshejustbeard，weresufficienttorecompensetheslaveryofalife，anddangerswhichthreatenedthatlifeeveryhour。
He_did_recollecthimself，however，andadeepandimpassionedsighwashisonlyreplytothehigh-bornEdith’squestion。
Isee-IknowIhaveguessedright’’-continuedEdith，ImarkedyoufromyourfirstappearanceneartheplatformonwhichIstoodwiththeQueen。Iknew，too，yourvalianthound。
Sheisnotruelady，andisunworthyoftheserviceofsuchaknightasthouart，fromwhomdisguisesofdressorhuecouldconcealafaithfulservant。Speak，then，withoutfeartoEdithPlantagenet。Sheknowshowtograceinadversitythegoodknightwhoserved，honoured，anddiddeedsofarmsinhername，whenfortunebefriendedhim-Stillsilent！Isitfearorshamethatkeepstheeso？Fearshouldbeunknowntothee；
andforshame，letitremainwiththosewhohavewrongedthee。’’
Theknight，indespairatbeingobligedtoplaythemuteinaninterviewsointeresting，couldonlyexpresshismortificationbysighingdeeply，andlayinghisfingeruponhislips。Edithsteppedback，asifsomewhatdispleased。
What！’’shesaid，theAsiaticmuteinverydeed，aswellasinattire？ThisIlookednotfor-Orthoumaystscornme，perhaps，forthusboldlyacknowledgingthatIhaveheedfullyobservedthehomagethouhastpaidme？HoldnounworthythoughtsofEdithonthataccount。Sheknowswelltheboundswhichreserveandmodestyprescribetohigh-bornmaidens，andsheknowswhenandhowfartheyshouldgiveplacetogratitude-toasinceredesirethatitwereinherpowertorepayservicesandrepairinjuries，arisingfromthedevotionwhichagoodknightboretowardsher-Whyfoldthyhandstogether，andwringthemwithsomuchpassion？-Canitbe，’’
sheadded，shrinkingbackattheidea-thattheircrueltyhasactuallydeprivedtheeofspeech？Thoushakestthyhead。
Beitaspell-beitobstinacy，Iquestiontheenofarther，butleavetheetodothineerrandafterthineownfashion。Ialsocanbemute。’’
Thedisguisedknightmadeanactionasifatoncelamentinghisowncondition，anddeprecatingherdispleasure，whileatthesametimehepresentedtoher，wrapped，asusual，infinesilkandclothofgold，theletteroftheSoldan。Shetookit，surveyeditcarelessly，thenlaiditaside，andbendinghereyesoncemoreontheknight，shesaidinalowtone-Notevenawordtodothineerrandtome？’’
Hepressedbothhishandstohisbrow，asiftointimatethepainwhichhefeltatbeingunabletoobeyher；butsheturnedfromhiminanger。
Begone！’’shesaid。Ihavespokenenough-toomuch-
toonewhowillnotwasteonmeawordinreply。Begone！-
andsayifIhavewrongedthee，Ihavedonepenance；forifI
havebeentheunhappymeansofdraggingtheedownfromastationofhonour，Ihave，inthisinterview，forgottenmyownworth，andloweredmyselfinthyeyesandinmyown。’’
Shecoveredhereyeswithherhand，andseemeddeeplyagitated。SirKennethwouldhaveapproached，butshewavedhimback。
Standoff！thouwhosesoulHeavenhathsuitedtoitsnewstation！Aughtlessdullandfearfulthanaslavishmutehadspokenawordofgratitude，wereitbuttoreconcilemetomyowndegradation。Whypauseyou？-begone！’’
Thedisguisedknightalmostinvoluntarilylookedtowardstheletterasanapologyforprotractinghisstay。Shesnatcheditup，sayinginatoneofironyandcontempt，Ihadforgotten-thedutifulslavewaitsananswertohismessage-How’sthis-fromtheSoldan！’’
Shehastilyranoverthecontents，whichwereexpressedbothinArabicandFrench，andwhenshehaddone，shelaughedinbitteranger。
Nowthispassesimagination！’’shesaid；nojongleurcanshowsodeftatransmutation！Hislegerdemaincantransformzechinsandbezantsintodoitsandmaravedies；butcanhisartconvertaChristianknight，everesteemedamongthebravestoftheHolyCrusade，intothedust-kissingslaveofaheathenSoldan-thebearerofaPaynim’sinsolentproposalstoaChristianmaiden-nay，forgettingthelawsofhonourablechivalry，aswellasofreligion？Butitavailsnottalkingtothewillingslaveofaheathenhound。Tellyourmaster，whenhisscourgeshallhavefoundtheeatongue，thatwhichthouhastseenmedo。’’-Sosaying，shethrewtheSoldan’sletterontheground，andplacedherfootuponit-Andsaytohim，thatEdithPlantagenetscornsthehomageofanunchristenedPagan。’’
Withthesewordsshewasabouttoshootfromtheknight，when，kneelingatherfeetinbitteragony，heventuredtolayhishanduponherrobe，andopposeherdeparture。