"When ?" "When I have been absolved from my vows, which must be done on the night of the next new moon, which is twenty-seven days from this.

Then, if nothing comes between us during those twenty-seven days, it shall be announced that the Royal Lady of Egypt is to wed the noble Shabaka." "Twenty-seven days! In such times much may happen in them, Amada.

Still, except death, what can come between us ?" "I know of nothing, Shabaka, whose past is shadowless as the noon." "Or I either," I replied.
Now we were standing in the clear sunlight, but as I said the words a wind stirred the palm-trees and the shadow from one of them fell full upon me, and she who was very quick, noted it.
"Some might take that for an omen," she said with a little laugh, pointing to the line of the shadow.

"Oh! Shabaka, if you have aught to confess, say it now and I will forgive it.

But do not leave me to discover it afterwards when I may not forgive.