And you must no longer call me Bes, but Karoon.

Moreover, forgive me, but when you come into my presence you must bow, which I shall like less than you do, but it is the custom of the Ethiopians.
Oh! I would that you were the king and that I were your friend, for henceforth good-bye to ease and jollity." I laughed, but Bes did not laugh at all, only turned to his wife who already ruled him as though he were indeed a slave, and said, "Lady Karema, make yourself as beautiful as you can and forget that you have ever been a Cup or anything useful, since henceforth you must be a queen, that is if you please my people." "And what happens if I do not please them, Husband ?" asked Karema opening her fine eyes.
"I do not quite know, Wife.

Perhaps they may refuse to accept me, at which I shall not weep.

Or perhaps they may refuse to accept you, at which of course I should weep very much, for you see you are so very white and, heretofore, all the queens of the Ethiopians have been black." "And if they refuse to accept me because I am white, or rather brown, instead of black like oiled marble, what then, O Husband ?" "Then--oh! then I cannot say, O Wife.

Perhaps they will send you back to your own country.