"You are honest, Shabaka, and I believe you. But how about your sons,
if you have any, and how about Amada herself? Well, in great
businesses something must be risked, and I need the gold and the rest
which I cannot take for nothing, for you won them by your skill and
courage and they are yours. But how you won the seal you have not told
us, nor is there time for you to do so now."

He thought a little, walking up and down the chamber, then went on,

"I accept your offer, Shabaka, so far as I can."

"So far as you can, Prince?"

"Yes; I can give you Amada in marriage and make that marriage easy,
but only if Amada herself consents. The will of a Royal Princess of
Egypt of full age cannot be forced, save by her father if he reigns as
Pharaoh, and I am not her father, but only her guardian. Therefore it
stands thus. Are you willing to fulfil your part of the bargain, save
only as regards the pearls, if she does not marry you, and to take
your chance of winning Amada as a man wins a woman, I on my part
promising to do all in my power to help your suit?"

Now it was my turn to think for a moment. What did I risk? The gold
and perhaps the pearls, no more, for in any case I should fight for
Peroa against the Eastern king whom I hated, and through him for
Egypt. Well, these came to me by chance, and if they went by chance
what of it? Also I was not one who desired to wed a woman, however
much I worshipped her, if she desired to turn her back on me. If I
could win her in fair love--well. If not, it was my misfortune, and I
wanted her in no other way. Lastly, I had reason to think that she