with the impulsive heat and ardor of the moment,--he laughed as he
set the cup down empty, and throwing himself back on his luxurious
couch, his eyes flashed on Sah-luma's with a bright, comprehensive
glance of complete confidence and affection. It was strange to
note how quickly Sah-luma returned that glance,--how thoroughly,
in so short a space of time, their friendship had cemented itself
into a more than fraternal bond of union! Niphrata, meanwhile,
stood a little aside, her wistful looks wandering from one to the
other as though in something of doubt or wonder. Presently she
spoke, inclining her fair head toward Sah-luma.

"My lord goes to the Palace to-night to make his valued voice
heard in the presence of the King?" she inquired timidly.

"Even so, Niphrata!" responded the Laureate, passing his hand
carelessly through his clustering curls--"I have been summoned
thither by the Royal command. But what of that, little one? Thou
knowest 'tis a common occurrence,--and that the Court is bereft of
all pleasure and sweetness when Sah-luma is silent."

"My lord's guest goes with him?" pursued Niphrata gently.

"Aye, most assuredly?" and Sah-luma smiled at Theos as he spoke--
"Thou wilt accompany me to the King, my friend?" he went on--"He
will give thee a welcome for my sake, and though of a truth His
Majesty is most potently ignorant of all things save the arts of
love and warfare, nevertheless he is man as well as monarch, and
thou wilt find him noble in his greeting and generous of
hospitality."