Glad of the opportunity to terminate the painful scene, he hastened to
the reservoirs and returned.

"Your presence will restore quiet at once."

The people made way for their hostess with alacrity. The hamari, it
appeared, had just arrived from the garden. Observing Lael in the midst
of the suite of fair ladies, he advanced to her with many strange
salutations. Alarmed, she would have run away had not Joqard broken from
his master, and leaped with a roar into the water. The poor beast seemed
determined to enjoy the bath. He swam, and dived, and played antics
without number. In vain the showman, resorting to every known language,
coaxed and threatened by turns--Joqard was self-willed and happy, and it
were hard saying which appreciated his liberty most, he or the
spectators of the scene.

The Princess, for the time conquering her pain of heart, interceded for
the brute; whereupon the hamari, like a philosopher used to making the
best of surprises, joined in the sport until Joqard grew tired, and
voluntarily returned to control.




CHAPTER XII

LAEL TELLS OF HER TWO FATHERS