ffections. The dwarf, in the meantime,
augmented his confusion by insisting either that he must return the ring
or instantly attend him.

"Hold, hold, yet a moment hold," said the knight, and proceeded to
mutter to himself, "Am I either the subject or slave of King Richard,
more than as a free knight sworn to the service of the Crusade? And whom
have I come hither to honour with lance and sword? Our holy cause and my
transcendent lady!"

"The ring! the ring!" exclaimed the dwarf impatiently; "false and
slothful knight, return the ring, which thou art unworthy to touch or to
look upon."

"A moment, a moment, good Nectabanus," said Sir Kenneth; "disturb not
my thoughts.--What if the Saracens were just now to attack our lines?
Should I stay here like a sworn vassal of England, watching that her
king's pride suffered no humiliation; or should I speed to the breach,
and fight for the Cross? To the breach, assuredly; and next to the cause
of God come the commands of my liege lady. And yet, Coeur de Lion's
behest--my own promise! Nectabanus, I conjure thee once more to say, are
you to conduct me far from hence?"

"But to yonder pavilion; and, since you must needs know," replied
Nectabanus, "the moon is glimmering on the gilded ball which crowns its
roof, and which is worth a king's ransom."

"I can return in an instant," said the knight, shutting his eyes
desperately to all further consequences, "I can hear from thence the bay
of my dog if any one approaches the standard. I will throw myself at my
lady's feet, and pray her leave to return to conclude my watch.--Here,
Roswal" (calling his hound, and throwing down his mantle by the side of
the standard-spear), "watch thou here, and let no one approach."

The majestic dog looked in his master's face, as if to be sure that he
understood his charge, then sat down beside the mantle, with ears erect
and head raised, like a sentinel, understanding perfectly the purpose
for which he was stationed there.

"Come now, good Nectabanus," said the knight, "let us hasten to obey the
commands thou hast brought."

"Haste he that will," said the dwarf sullenly; "thou hast not been in
haste to obey my summons, nor can I walk fast enough to follow your long
strides--you do not walk like a man, but bound like an ostrich in the
desert."

There were but two ways of conquering the obstinacy of Nectabanus, who,
as he spoke, diminished his walk into a snail's pace. For bribes Sir
Kenneth had