Von Blitz had turned an adder loose among these men; it stung swiftly and returned to sting again.
The German knew the condition of affairs in his own household.

His overthrow at the hands of the American had cost him more than physical ignominy; his wives openly expressed an admiration for their champion.
He knew too well the voluptuous nature of these creamy, unloved women, who had come down to the island of Japat in exchange for the baubles that found their way into the crowns of Persian potentates.

He knew too well that they despised the men who called them wives, even though fear held them constantly in bond.

Rebuffed, unnoticed, scorned, the women themselves began to suspect and hate each other.

If he spoke kindly to one of them, be she fair and young or old and plain, the eyes of all the others blazed with jealousy.