As the king came, Sakon rose from his chair of state and, advancing down the hall, took him by the hand and led him to a similar chair placed at a little distance.
Ithobal seated himself and looked around the hall.

Presently his glance fell upon Aziel, and he scowled.
"Is it common, Sakon," he asked, "that the seat of a prince should be set higher than that of a crowned king ?" And he pointed to the chair of Aziel, which was placed a little above his own upon the dais.
The governor was about to answer when Aziel said coldly:-- "Where it was pointed out to me that I should sit, there I sat, though, for aught I care, the king Ithobal may take my place.

The grandson of Pharaoh and of Solomon does not need to dispute for precedence with the savage ruler of savage tribes." Ithobal sprang to his feet and cried, grasping his sword:-- "By my father's soul, you shall answer for this, Princelet." "You should have sworn by your mother's soul, King Ithobal," replied Aziel quietly, "for doubtless it is the black blood in your veins that causes you to forget your courtesy.

For the rest, I answer to no man save to my king." "Yet there is one other who will make you answer," replied Ithobal, in a voice thick with rage, "and here he is," and he drew his sword and flashed it before the prince's eyes.

"Or if you fear to face him, then the wands of my slaves shall cause you to cry me pardon." "If you desire to challenge me to combat, king Ithobal, for this purpose only I am your servant, though the fashion of your challenging is not that of any nation which I know." Before Ithobal could reply, Sakon cried out in a loud voice:-- "Enough, enough! Is this a place for brawling, king Ithobal, and would you seek to fix a quarrel upon my guest, the prince Aziel, here in my council chamber, and to bring upon me the wrath of Israel, of Tyre, and of Egypt?
Be sure that the prince shall cross no swords with you; no, not if I have to set him under guard to keep him safe.