"
"Ah, you speak of compromise, Lord Prelate; but the blood of the
infidel hounds must also cease to flow," said Richard.
"There will be glory enough," replied the Archbishop, "in having
extorted from Saladin, by force of arms, and by the respect
inspired by your fame, such conditions as at once restore the
Holy Sepulchre, open the Holy Land to pilgrims, secure their
safety by strong fortresses, and, stronger than all, assure the
safety of the Holy City, by conferring on Richard the title of
King Guardian of Jerusalem."
"How!" said Richard, his eyes sparkling with unusual light. "I-
-I--I the King Guardian of the Holy City! Victory itself, but
that it is victory, could not gain more--scarce so much, when won
with unwilling and disunited forces. But Saladin still proposes
to retain his interest in the Holy Land?"
"As a joint sovereign, the sworn ally," replied the prelate, "of
the mighty Richard--his relative, if it may be permitted, by
marriage."
"By marriage!" said Richard, surprised, yet less so than the
prelate had expected.
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