of disobeying his royal
commands."

"For the love of the blessed Cross, most royal lady," said Edith--and
Sir Kenneth, with feelings which it were hard to unravel, heard her
prostrate herself at the Queen's feet--"for the love of our blessed
Lady, and of every holy saint in the calendar, beware what you do! You
know not King Richard--you have been but shortly wedded to him. Your
breath might as well combat the west wind when it is wildest, as your
words persuade my royal kinsman to pardon a military offence. Oh, for
God's sake, dismiss this gentleman, if indeed you have lured him hither!
I could almost be content to rest with the shame of having invited him,
did I know that he was returned again where his duty calls him!"

"Arise, cousin, arise," said Queen Berengaria, "and be assured all will
be better than you think. Rise, dear Edith. I am sorry I have played my
foolery with a knight in whom you take such deep interest. Nay, wring
not thy hands; I will believe thou carest not for him--believe anything
rather than see thee look so wretchedly miserable. I tell thee I
will take the blame on myself with King Richard in behalf of thy fair
Northern friend--thine acquaintance, I would say, since thou own'st him
not as a friend. Nay, look not so reproachfully. We will send Nectabanus
to dismiss this Knight of the Standard to his post; and we ourselves
will grace him on some future day, to make amends for his wild-goose
chase. He is, I warrant, but lying perdu in some neighbouring tent."

"By my crown of lilies, and my sceptre of a specially good water-reed,"
said Nectabanus, "your Majesty is mistaken, He is nearer at hand than
you wot--he lieth ensconced there behind that canvas partition."

"And within hearing of each word we have said!" exclaimed the Queen, in
her turn violently surprised and agitated. "Out, monster of folly and
malignity!"

As she uttered these words, Nectabanus fled from the pavilion with a
yell of such a nature as leaves it still doubtful whether Berengaria had
confined her rebuke to words, or added some more emphatic expression of
her displeasure.

"What can now be done?" said the Queen to Edith, in a whisper of
undisguised uneasiness.

"That which must," said Edith firmly. "We must see this gentleman and
place ourselves in his mercy."

So saying, she began hastily to undo a curtain, which at one place
covered an entrance or communication.

"For Heaven's sake, forbear--consider," said the Que