"Nay, Lord," replied Asti, "for surely her husband might wear it also."
"It would sit but ill on the fat head of Abi, from all I hear, Lady," he
broke in, laughing bitterly.
"Or," went on Asti, taking no heed of his words, "a general who had
conquered a great country could usurp it, and find none to reprove him,
especially if he himself happened to be of the royal blood."
Now Rames looked at her sharply.
"You speak strange words," he said, "but doubtless it is by chance.
Merchant, those pearls of yours are for richer men than I am, shut them
in the box again, and let the lady, your daughter, sing some old song of
Egypt, for such I long to hear."
"So be it, Lord," answered Asti. "Still, keep the diadem as a gift,
since it was made for you alone, and may yet be useful to you--who can
know? It is the price we pay for liberty to trade in your dominions.
Nay, unless you keep it my daughter shall not sing."
"Let it lie there, then, most princely Merchant, and we will talk of the
matter afterwards.
Pages:
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391