At length
he reached it, and thrusting his fingers through the openings in the
pierced woodwork, rested his weight upon it like a man who is faint, as
perhaps he was with the sweetness of that music. Then of a sudden, by
craft or chance, he swung himself backward, and with him came the frail
screen. Down it clattered to the floor, and lo! beyond it, unveiled, but
clad in rich attire, stood Tua sweeping her harp of ivory and gold. Like
sunlight from a cloud the bright vision of her beauty struck the eyes of
the people gathered there, and seemed to dazzle them, since for a while
they were silent. Then one said:
"Surely this woman is a queen," and another answered:
"Nay, she is a goddess," but ere the words had left his lips Tua was
gone.
As for Janees the King, he stared at her open-mouthed, reeling a little
upon his feet, then, as she fled, turned to Asti, saying:
"Is this Lady your slave?"
"Nay, King, my daughter, whom you have done ill to spy upon."
"Then," said Janees slowly, "I who might do less, desire to make this
daughter of yours my Queen--do you understand, Merchant of Pearls--my
Queen, and as a gift you shall have as much gold again as I have
promised for your gems.
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