‘The raiment that she wore is lying on the floor of her prison. Methinks she has fled.’
‘She has fled with him who was false to us all,’ said Astarte, ‘for it was the Emir of the Lebanon who long ago told me that you were affianced to the daughter of Besso, and who warned me against joining in any enterprise which was only to place upon the throne of Syria one whom the laws of your own country would never recognise as your wife.’
‘Intriguer!’ said Tancred. ‘Vile and inveterate intriguer!’
‘It is well,’ said Astarte. ‘My spirit is more serene.’
‘Would that Eva were with any one else!’ said Tancred, thoughtfully, and speaking, as it were, to himself.
‘Your thoughts are with the daughter of Besso,’ said Astarte. ‘You wish to follow her, to guard her, to restore her to her family.’
Tancred looked round and caught the glance of the Queen of the Ansarey, mortified, yet full of affection.
‘It seems to me,’ he said, ‘that it is time for me to terminate a visit that has already occasioned you, royal lady, too much vexation.’
Astarte burst into tears.
‘Let me go,’ she said, ‘you want a throne; this is a rude one, yet accept it. You require warriors, the Ansarey are invincible. My castle is not like those palaces of Antioch of which we have often talked, and which were worthy of you, but Gindarics is impregnable, and will serve you for your headquarters until you conquer that world which you are born to command.’