Are you willing to fulfil your part of the bargain, save only as regards the pearls, if she does not marry you, and to take your chance of winning Amada as a man wins a woman, I on my part promising to do all in my power to help your suit ?" Now it was my turn to think for a moment.

What did I risk?
The gold and perhaps the pearls, no more, for in any case I should fight for Peroa against the Eastern king whom I hated, and through him for Egypt.

Well, these came to me by chance, and if they went by chance what of it?
Also I was not one who desired to wed a woman, however much I worshipped her, if she desired to turn her back on me.

If I could win her in fair love--well.

If not, it was my misfortune, and I wanted her in no other way.