There was a dead silence now; superstitious bodings were in every mind.

The magician began to pull his wits together, and when he presently smiled an easy, nonchalant smile, it spread a mighty relief around; for it indicated that his mood was not destructive.

He said: "It hath struck me speechless, the frivolity of this person's speech.

Let all know, if perchance there be any who know it not, that enchanters of my degree deign not to concern themselves with the doings of any but kings, princes, emperors, them that be born in the purple and them only.

Had ye asked me what Arthur the great king is doing, it were another matter, and I had told ye; but the doings of a subject interest me not." "Oh, I misunderstood you.