The spirits of Richard alone surmounted all cause for suspicion
or embarrassment. Yet he too seemed to ruminate on some
proposition, as if he were desirous of making it in the most
insinuating and acceptable manner which was possible. At length
he drank off a large bowl of wine, and addressing the Soldan,
desired to know whether it was not true that he had honoured the
Earl of Huntingdon with a personal encounter.
Saladin answered with a smile that he had proved his horse and
his weapons with the heir of Scotland, as cavaliers are wont to
do with each other when they meet in the desert; and modestly
added that, though the combat was not entirely decisive, he had
not on his part much reason to pride himself on the event. The
Scot, on the other hand, disclaimed the attributed superiority,
and wished to assign it to the Soldan.
"Enough of honour thou hast had in the encounter," said Richard,
"and I envy thee more for that than for the smiles of Edith
Plantagenet, though one of them might reward a bloody day's
work.
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