Lastly, I had reason to think that she looked on me more favourably than she had ever done on any other man, and that if it had not been for what my mother called her soul and its longings, she would have given herself to me before I journeyed to the East.

Indeed, once she had said as much, and there was something in her eyes last night which told me that in her heart she loved me, though with what passion at the time I did not know.

So very swiftly I made up my mind and answered, "I understand and I accept.

The gold shall be delivered to you to-day, Prince.

The pearls are already in your keeping to await the end." "Good!" he exclaimed.