Only on his right hand that
lacked the little finger, gleamed a certain royal ring, which Tua
knew. With him also were several captains to whom he talked of military
affairs.
Seeing the two women, he bowed to them courteously, and asked them to
forgive him for having kept them waiting for him. Then he said:
"What was it that you wished to show me, Ladies? Oh! I remember,
precious stones. Well, I fear me that you have brought them to a bad
market, seeing that although Napata is called the City of Gold, she
needs all her wealth for her own purposes, and I draw from it only a
general's pay, and a sum for the sustenance of my household, which is
small. Still, let me look at your wares, for if I do not buy myself,
perhaps I may be able to find you a customer."
Now when they saw the young man's noble face and bearing, and heard his
simple words, the hearts of Asti and Tua, his mother and his love, beat
so hard within their breasts that for a while they could scarcely speak.
Glad were they, indeed, that the veils they wore hid their troubled
faces from his eyes, which, as in the morning, lingered on them
curiously.
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