184 THE BOY CRUSADERS,

well-nigh deserted her. One moment her imagination
conjured up visions of Saracens butchering her hus-
band ; at another she shrieked with terror at the idea
that the Saracens had taken the city and were
entering her chamber. Ever and anon she sank into
feverish sleep, and then, wakened by some fearful
dream, sprang up, shouting, ‘ Help! help! they are at

hand. I hear their lelies.’ |

It was while Margaret of Provence was in this
unhappy state of mind, that a French knight, who
was eighty years of age, but whose heart, in spite of
his four score of years, still overflowed with chivalry,
undertook the duty of guarding the door of her
chamber night and day.

<Mied daria said he, ‘be not alarmed. I am with
you. Banish your fears.’

‘Sir knight,’ exclaimed the unhappy queen, throw-
ing herself on her knees before him, ‘I have a favour
to ask. Promise that you will grant my request.’

‘I swear, madam, that I will comply with your
wishes,’ oe the aged knight.

‘Well, then,’ said the queen; ‘what I have to
request is this, that if the Saracens should take the
city, you, by the faith you have pledged, will rather
cut off my head than suffer me to fall into pass
hands.’

‘Madam,’ replied the veteran chevalier, ‘I had
already resolved on doing what you have asked, in
case the worst should befall,’