apologies for the misunderstanding that had lately taken place,
explaining with much animation both of look and gesture, that the
fact of his wearing the same style of dress as themselves had
induced them to take it for granted that he must be one of their
fellow-citizens, and therefore subject to the laws of the realm.
Theos was just beginning to feel somewhat embarrassed by the
excessive politeness and cordiality, of his recent antagonists,
when Sah-luma, again interposing, cut all explanations short.

"Come, come! cease this useless prating!" he said imperatively yet
good-naturedly--"In everything ye showed your dullard ignorance
and lack of discernment. For, concerning the matter of attire, are
not the fashions of Al-Kyris copied more or less badly in every
quarter of the habitable globe?--even as our language and
literature form the chief study and delight of all scholars and
educated gentlemen? A truce to your discussions!--Let us get hence
and home;" here he turned to Theos with a graceful salutation--
"You, my good friend, will doubtless be glad to rest and recover
from my countrymen's ungentle treatment of your person."

Thus saying, he made a slight commanding sign,--the clustering
people drew back on either side,--and he, taking Theos by the arm,
passed through their ranks, talking, laughing, and nodding
graciously here and there as he went, with the half-kindly, half-
indifferent ease of an affable monarch who occasionally bows to
some of his poorest subjects. As he trod over the flowers that lay
heaped about his path, several girls rushed impetuously forward,
struggling with each other for possession of those particularly
favored blossoms that had received the pressure of his foot, and
kissing them, they tied them in little knots, and pinned them