Great King."

An expression of horror appeared upon the face of the Satrap and upon
those of his nobles.

"Surely," he answered, "this Shabaka must hold the King's favours
lightly if he passes them on thus to the first-comer. At the least,
let not the vessel which has been hallowed by the lips of the King of
kings be dishonoured by the humblest of his servants. I pray you, O
Prince, that I may be given another cup."

So a new goblet was brought to him, Peroa trying to pass the matter
off as a jest by appealing to me to tell the story of the cup. Then I
said while all listened,

"O Prince, the most high Satrap is mistaken. The King of kings did not
give me the cup, I bought it from him in exchange for a certain famous
bow, and therefore held it not wrong to pass it on to you, my lord."

Idernes made no answer and seemed to forget the matter.

A while later, however, his eye fell upon Amada and the rose-hued
pearls she wore, and again he asked a question of the hawk-eyed
captain, then said,

"Think me not discourteous, O Prince, if I seem to look upon yonder
lovely lady which in our country, where women do not appear in public,
we should think it an insult to do. But on her fair breast I see
certain pearls like to some that are known throughout the world, which
for many years have been worn by those who sit upon the throne of the