But, by Our Lady, I
know something of this love-gear. It begins with mute respect
and distant reverence; but when opportunities occur, familiarity
increases, and so--But it skills not talking with one who thinks
herself wiser than all the world."
"My kinsman's counsels I willingly listen to, when they are
such," said Edith, "as convey no insult to my rank and
character."
"Kings, my fair cousin, do not counsel, but rather command," said
Richard.
"Soldans do indeed command," said Edith, "but it is because they
have slaves to govern."
"Come, you might learn to lay aside this scorn of Soldanrie, when
you hold so high of a Scot," said the King. "I hold Saladin to
be truer to his word than this William of Scotland, who must
needs be called a Lion, forsooth; he hath foully faulted towards
me in failing to send the auxiliary aid he promised. Let me tell
thee, Edith, thou mayest live to prefer a true Turk to a false
Scot."
"No--never!" answered Edith--"not should Richard himself embrace
the false religion, which he crossed the seas to expel from
Palestine.
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