182 THE BOY {RUSADERS,

‘Answer me, directly,’ said the queen, speaking in
a tone of authority. ‘What of the King of France?
What of the warriors who marched from Damietta
under the banner of St. Denis ?’

‘Alas, madam,’ replied Sir Oliver, ‘I would fain
hope that the news is not true; but it certainly is
bruited about that the king is a captive, and that
the warriors of the Cross have fallen almost to a
man.’ |

Margaret did not answer; she did not even attempt —
to speak. Her colour went, she shuddered, tot-
tered, and would have fallen to the floor had not her
ladies rushed to her support. It was indeed a terrible
situation for that youthful matron, and—what made
matters more melancholy—she was about to become a
mother. )

And now Damietta was the scene of consternation
somewhat similar to that which pervaded Cairo, when
a pigeon carried thither intelligence of the victory
of the Count of Artois at Djédilé. . The ladies of the
Crusaders, the Countesses of Poictiers and Provence,
and the melowed Countess of Artois, among the
number, bewailed the fate of their lords; the queen
was afflicted to a terrible degree as i thought of
the king’s peril; and many people only felt concerned
about their own extreme peril, Of course much
selfishness was exhibited under the circumstances;
and the Pisans and Genoese set a bad example by
preparing to save themselves, and leave the city to
its fate. But, on hearing of their intention, the queen
ordered that the chief persons among them should
be brought to her preserice, and addressed them in