Perhaps," she added, "he wished to make it secure by offering terms too good to be thrown away by any foolish rebellion against a heavier hand or a worse temper than usual.

You hardly understand yet half the advantages you possess." The latent sarcasm of the last remark did not need the look of pretended fear that pointed it.

If Enva professed to resent my inadequate appreciation of the splendid beauty bestowed on me by the royal favour more than any possible ill-usage for which she supposed herself compensated in advance, it was not for me to put her sincerity to proof.
"Once bought, then, wives are not worth pleasing?
It is not worth while to purchase happy faces, bright smiles, and willing kisses now and then at a cost the giver can scarcely feel ?" Enva's look now was half malicious, half kindly, and wholly comical; but she answered gravely, with a slight imitation of my own tone-- "Can you not imagine, or make Eveena tell you, Clasfempta, why women once purchased think it best to give smiles and kisses freely to one who can command their tears?
Or do you fancy that their smiles are more loyal and sincere when won by kindness than...." "By fear?
Sweeter, Enva, at any rate.

Well, if I do not offend your feelings, I need not hesitate to disregard another of your customs." She received her share willingly and gratefully enough, but her smile and kiss were so evidently given to order, that they only testified to the thorough literality of her statement.

Leenoo, Eirale, and Elfe followed her example with characteristic exactness.