GOLD AND CONQUEST, ae

-gade, that it would be prudent to confine himself to
the quarters assigned, he returned to his lodgings,
and there, musing over this unexpected meeting with
his brother-in-arms, awaited Bisset’s return,

At length the English knight appeared. But he
did not seem quite himself. The frank and joyous
expression which characterised him had deserted
his countenance, and he looked a changed man.
Haughty sternness sat on his brow; his eye-brows
were elevated; his eye glanced flame; his nostrils
breathed fire; and he clenched and opened his hand
excitedly, as if contemplating some ruthless deed, as
he strode into the apartment and seized Walter’s arm.

‘Sir knight,’ said Walter, amazed, and almost
terrified, ‘ what aileth thee?’

‘By the might of Mary!’ exclaimed the knight
hurriedly and sternly, ‘I have seen a sight that has
roused all the Norman within me, and made me
thirst for gold and pant for conquest.’

‘And what of the caliph?’ asked Walter.

‘Tush,’ answered the knight, contemptuously. ‘This
caliph is nobody, save as master of this palace and
city, and the treasure they contain. By my fathez’s
soul! the caitiff wretch is rolling in wealth. May the
saints grant me patience to think of it calmly! The
very throne of gold on which he sits would, if coined
into money, furnish forth an army, capable, under a
skilful and daring leader, of conquering kingdoms.
Oh, for five hundred brave men in mail, and the
cross on their shoulders! By the bones of Becket, I
should, ere morning, be lord of all;’ and, torturing
himself with the idea of such a prize escaping his