“Thy daughter?” replied the Black Knight; “a proper cause of enmity, and followed up to a bloody issue!⁠—Stand back, my masters, I would speak to him alone.⁠—And now, Waldemar Fitzurse, say me the truth⁠—confess who set thee on this traitorous deed.”

“Thy father’s son,” answered Waldemar, “who, in so doing, did but avenge on thee thy disobedience to thy father.”

Richard’s eyes sparkled with indignation, but his better nature overcame it. He pressed his hand against his brow, and remained an instant gazing on the face of the humbled baron, in whose features pride was contending with shame.

“Thou dost not ask thy life, Waldemar,” said the King.

“He that is in the lion’s clutch,” answered Fitzurse, “knows it were needless.”