"The sword is in your hand, use it, I am here." Maddened by her scorn he lifted the weapon and rushed at her, only to reel back again as though he had been smitten by some power unseen.

He rested against the wall, then again rushed and again reeled back.
"You are a poor butcher," she said at length, "after so many years of practice.

Let Kaku yonder try.

I think he has more skill in murder." "Oh! your Majesty," broke in the astrologer, "unsay those cruel words, you who know that rather than lift hands against you I would die a thousand times." "Yes," she answered gravely, "the Prince Abi suggested it to you but now, did he not, after you had suggested it to him, and you refused--for your own reasons ?" Then the sword fell from Abi's hand, and there was silence in that chamber.
"What were you talking of, Abi, before you peeped through the shutters and saw that captain of yours and me together in the garden, and why did you wish to kill this dog ?" she went on presently.

"Must I answer for you?
You were talking of how you might be rid of me, and you wished to kill him because he did not dare to tell you why he could not do the deed, knowing that if he did so he must die.