"And Galata? Ay."
"There came one hither in the night—oh, a lady most fair to see, a very queen!—she and her father compassed the downfall of that clown Alexius. When the Empress made us known to one another she asked me if I knew of you. She sang your praises like a jongleur, Hugh. No knight in all the Frankish host to rival you. You must have served her well."
Hugh frowned.
"You mean the Lady Helena Comnena?" he said coldly. "She——"
"Who speaks my name?"
The dark, smiling face of Helena emerged from the nearby circle of courtiers.
"Ha, by the Panagia, 'tis my Lord Hugh! And hast found your old friend, Messer Hugh? Right glad she was of the news I gave her of you! You must come and see me, Hugh. We lodge in the Palace of the Porphyrogenitus beyond the Tower of Anemas. God keep you!" Still smiling, she was gone.
"You saved her from robbers in France, did you not?" asked Edith negligently.
"Ay," said Hugh dully. "She told you that?"
"Even so. Ah, Hugh, I dare wager there are a-many ladies to sing the praises of such a knight!"