"We were talking about what that knight was saying--about the great celebrations and honors that were given in England to all the foreigners who were there." And they spent the night speaking of these and other things so that the princess slept neither a little nor a great deal. The following day Tirant put on a cloak of gold braid, and in his hand he carried the gold captain's stick. All the rest of his countrymen dressed in brocades and silks, and they all went to the palace. When the emperor heard that his captain had come, he told them to let him enter. As he came in the emperor was dressing and the princess was combing his hair. Then she brought him water to wash his hands, as she did every day. The princess was dressed in a skirt of gold thread. When the emperor had finished dressing he said to Tirant: "Tell me, captain, what was the illness you were suffering from yesterday?" "Your Majesty, my affliction was brought about entirely by the ardor of the sea, for the winds of these lands are finer than are those of the west." The princess replied before the emperor could speak: "Sire, that ardor does no harm to foreigners if they behave as they should; instead it brings them health and a long life." As she spoke these words she looked steadfastly at Tirant, smiling at him so that he could see she had understood him. The emperor and the captain left the chamber together, talking as they went, and the princess took Diafebus' hand, and holding him back, she said: "After what you told me yesterday I have not slept all night long." "My lady, what can I tell you? We've had our share as well. But I am very happy that you understood Tirant." "How could you think," said the princess, "that Greek women are of less worth than the French? In this land all women understand your Latin, no matter how obscurely you speak." "That is why," said Diafebus, "we are more content having conversations with intelligent people." "As far as conversations go," said the princess, "you will soon see the truth, and you'll see if we understand your wiles." The princess ordered Stephanie to bring other maidens to keep Diafebus company, and many young ladies quickly appeared. When the princess saw him well engaged, she went back into her chamber to finish dressing. Meanwhile Tirant accompanied the emperor to the great church of Saint Sophia, and then left him there saying prayers, and returned to the palace to be with the empress and Carmesina. When he was in the great hall he found his cousin Diafebus there, surrounded by many maidens, and telling them about the love between Philippe and the daughter of the King of Sicily. Diafebus was so accustomed to being in the company of maidens, that it seemed as though he had been raised with them from birth.