He dared not put him out of the way; too many knew.
And the council was beginning to grow uneasy.

How long could he hold them in leash?
What a woman! As magnificent as the daughter of Firoz, shah of Delhi.
Fear she knew not.

At one moment he loved her with his whole soul, at another he hated her, longed to get her into his hands again, to wreak his vengeance upon her for the humiliation she had by wit and courage heaped upon him.

"I am ready!" He could hear it yet.

When they had led her away to the ordeals--"I am ready!" A woman, and not afraid to die! Money! How to get it! He could not plunge his hand into the treasury; there were too many about, too many tongues.