She too has deigned to come to this far country to be your queen.

Advance, fair Karema, and show yourself to these my Ethiopians." So Karema stepped forward and stood on the prow of the boat by the side of Bes, and a strange couple they looked.

The Ethiopians who had risen, considered her gravely, then one of them said, "Karoon called her beautiful, but in truth she is almost white and very ugly." "At least she is a woman," said another, "for her shape is female." "Yes, and he has married her," remarked a third, "and even a king may choose his own wife sometimes.

For in such matters who can judge another's taste ?" "Cease," said Bes in a lordly way.

"If you do not think her beautiful to-night, you will to-morrow.