As all men know, O Queen, it is time that you should be wed, and I offer myself as your husband.

It is true that I am somewhat older than you are----" "In what year was the Prince Abi born, the same as yourself, did you say ?" asked Tua in an audible aside of the aged and learned Councillor, who thereon vanished behind the throne, and was seen no more.
"But," went on Abi, taking no notice of this interruption, "on the other hand I have much to offer.

I rule here, your Majesties, who am also of the royal blood, and there is some disaffection in the North, especially among the great Bedouin tribes of the Desert who watch the frontier of the Kingdom.

Now if this alliance comes about, and in days to be I sit upon the double throne as King-Consort of Egypt, they will be loyal, and north and south will be united more closely than they ever were before.
Whereas if it does not come about----" Here Kaku, pretending to brush a fly from his face, caught his hand in Abi's robe, a signal at which his master paused.
"Go on, my Uncle, I pray you," said Tua.

"If it does not come about, what then ?" "Then, Queen, there may be trouble.