The Saracen gravely replied, "The Melech Ric wrongs the errand of his servant, if he discern not in his ransomed captive, one whom he hath made his friend." "I doubt not the truth of thy saying," replied the king, "since reason and experience teach that ingratitude is incompatible with true courage." "The chief of the Egyptians is, indeed, thy friend," continued Mestoc; "but were he twice thy foe, he brings a passport to the heart of the king, for 'from the place of the beloved, a zephyr hath blown, and thou seest one whose presence is as the breath of the heliotrope.'" Turning to his companion, he lifted her veil, and disclosed the features of Elsiebede. "Elsiebede!" exclaimed the monarch, in astonishment and alarm. "What of my queen? of Joanna? of England?" "My royal mistress is in health," replied Elsiebede, "and by this token," handing him a casket, "commendeth her love to her absent lord: and peace resteth upon the household." "And wherefore comest thou hither? and why under such convoy?" inquired Richard. "The errand of my mistress required a faithful messenger; and the chief will explain the mystery of my coming," replied the girl. With a puzzled look, Richard turned to Mestoc. "It is, perhaps, unknown to the prince of the west," said the chieftain, "that this damsel, Elsiebede, is the daughter of my sister." "How?" exclaimed Richard, gazing with astonishment upon the Moorish girl. "Our fair queen has long blinded our eyes to other beauty, or we should have seen what the most careless observer could not fail to note, that she has the countenance and bearing of a princess." "The family of the Prophet (blessed be he)," said Mestoc, his swarthy cheek reddening with a touch of pride, "boasts not a more noble origin, than the Gyptianos slave of the Frankish queen." "But by what means hath she discovered herself to thee in this strange land?" inquired Richard.