"Nay, nay, Daughter, one will be enough, for in this town pearls are
rare, and have a great value."
So she gave him the gem, or rather let him take it from the silk, which
he re-fastened very neatly for one who seemed to be almost blind, and
strode off swiftly towards the town.
"Man or spirit, I wonder if we shall see him again?" said Asti.
Tua made no answer--she was too tired, but resting herself against the
bole of a tree, fell into a doze. When she awoke again it was to see
that the sun had sunk, and that before her stood the beggar Kepher, and
with him two black men, each of whom led a saddled mule.
"Mount, Friends," he said, "for I have found you a lodging."
So they mounted, and were led to the gate of the city which at the word
of Kepher was opened for them, and thence down a long street to a house
built in a walled garden. Into this house they entered, the black men
leading off the mules, to find that it was a well-furnished place with a
table ready set in the ante-room, on which was food in plenty.
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