Verily I believe that if you had stayed upon the road another day I should have been sent to look for you, who have had sharp words said to me because I did not arrange that you should be accompanied by a guard, as though the Vizier Nehesi would have paid the costs of a guard without the direct order of Pharaoh.

O most excellent Ana, give me of the charm which you have doubtless used to win the love of our royal master, and I will pay you well for it who find it easier to earn his wrath." "I will, Pambasa.

Here it is--write better stories than I do instead of telling them, and he will love you more than he does me.

But say--how went the marriage?
I have heard upon the way that it was very splendid." "Splendid! Oh! it was ten times more than splendid.

It was as though the god Osiris were once more wed to the goddess Isis in the very halls of heaven.