"Amada whom you love and whose name you, or rather your servant Bes,
which is the same thing since it will be held that he did it by your
order, gave to the King of the East, or so I understand. Here is a
pretty tangle, Shabaka, and rather would I be without all that gold
and those priceless pearls than have the task of its unravelling."

Before I could answer and explain all the truth to her, the curtain
was swung aside and through it came a messenger from the Prince Peroa,
who bade me come to eat with him at once at the palace, since he must
see me this night.

So my mother having set the rope of rose-hued pearls in a double chain
about my neck, I kissed her and went, with Bes who was also bidden.
Outside a chariot was waiting into which we entered.

"Now, Master," said Bes to me as we drove to the palace, "I almost
wish that we were back in another chariot hunting lions in the East."

"Why?" I asked.

"Because then, although we had much to fear, there was no woman in the
story. Now the woman has entered it and I think that our real troubles
are about to begin. Oh! to-morrow I go to seek counsel of the holy
Tanofir."

"And I come with you," I answered, "for I think it will be needed."



CHAPTER IX