Those who did
not actually catch the flame were afraid--at least for the time
--to seem colder than others. There was no more speech except of
a proud advance towards Jerusalem upon the expiry of the truce,
and the measures to be taken in the meantime for supplying and
recruiting the army. The Council broke up, all apparently filled
with the same enthusiastic purpose--which, however, soon faded
in the bosom of most, and never had an existence in that of
others.
Of the latter class were the Marquis Conrade and the Grand Master
of the Templars, who retired together to their quarters ill at
ease, and malcontent with the events of the day.
"I ever told it to thee," said the latter, with the cold,
sardonic expression peculiar to him, "that Richard would burst
through the flimsy wiles you spread for him, as would a lion
through a spider's web. Thou seest he has but to speak, and his
breath agitates these fickle fools as easily as the whirlwind
catcheth scattered straws, and sweeps them together, or disperses
them at its pleasure.
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