"Speak lightly of her," I continued, "and I will thrash you like a dog, as well as that cur who follows at your heels." For a moment my will had seemed to gain the mastery over him.

He stared at me blankly, but only for a moment, for soon his light eyes glittered; and then, as Kaffar came up by his side, my strength was gone, my hands dropped by my side, and unheeding the cynical leer of the Egyptian, or the terrible look of his friend, I walked into the house like one in a dream..