⁠—not the sabres of the thousands and ten thousands of Saracens can hew their way so deep into that land for which nations are striving, as the strength and policy of me and those brethren, who, in despite of yonder old bigot, will adhere to me in good and evil. Thou shalt be a queen, Rebecca⁠—on Mount Carmel shall we pitch the throne which my valour will gain for you, and I will exchange my long-desired batoon for a sceptre!”

“A dream,” said Rebecca; “an empty vision of the night, which, were it a waking reality, affects me not. Enough, that the power which thou mightest acquire, I will never share; nor hold I so light of country or religious faith, as to esteem him who is willing to barter these ties, and cast away the bonds of the Order of which he is a sworn member, in order to gratify an unruly passion for the daughter of another people.⁠—Put not a price on my deliverance, Sir Knight⁠—sell not a deed of generosity⁠—protect the oppressed for the sake of charity, and not for a selfish advantage⁠—Go to the throne of England ; Richard will listen to my appeal from these cruel men.”

“Never, Rebecca!” said the Templar, fiercely. “If I renounce my Order, for thee alone will I renounce it⁠—Ambition shall remain mine, if thou refuse my love; I will not be fooled on all hands.⁠—Stoop my crest to Richard?⁠—ask a boon of that heart of pride?⁠—Never, Rebecca, will I place the Order of the Temple at his feet in my person. I may forsake the Order, I never will degrade or betray it.”

“Now God be gracious to me,” said Rebecca, “for the succour of man is well-nigh hopeless!”

“It is indeed,” said the Templar; “for, proud as thou art, thou hast in me found thy match. If I enter the lists with my spear in rest, think not any human consideration shall prevent my putting forth my strength; and think then upon thine own fate⁠—to die the dreadful death of the worst of criminals⁠—to be consumed upon a blazing pile⁠—dispersed to the elements of which our strange forms are so mystically composed⁠—not a relic left of that graceful frame, from which we could say this lived and moved!⁠—Rebecca, it is not in woman to sustain this prospect⁠—thou wilt yield to my suit.”