rally appealed to every member of the council, and equally
naturally, each member claimed the right to have his name included in
the list. Sachar, the most powerful of the nobles--he who had suggested
the election of one of themselves to fill the throne--seized a parchment
and, with the air of an autocrat, at once inscribed his own name at the
head of the list, without deigning to inquire whether such action was or
was not acceptable to his colleagues. Then, still retaining the pen in
his hand, he glanced round at the assemblage and said:

"I propose that the next name upon the list shall be that of Lyga, the
Keeper of Statutes."

For a moment the members regarded each other in amazement; then, under
the impression that Sachar was perpetrating an ill-timed jest of more
than questionable taste, they broke into a storm of protest; for Lyga
was a little wizened, dried-up man, close upon eighty years of age.

But Sachar answered their protests with a stare of haughty surprise that
quickly silenced them, for not only was he the most powerful man among
them, but he was also of a headstrong, domineering disposition,
impatient of opposition and quick to resent anything that in the least
degree savoured of it. He was by no means popular, either with his
colleagues or with the people at large; but he was greatly feared,
because of the immense power and influence which he commanded, and the
unscrupulous manner in which he wielded it.

"What mean ye?" he fiercely demanded. "Am I to understand that ye
object to Lyga as unsuitable? And if so, upon what grounds? Is he not
the `Keeper of Statutes,' and as such, the most suitable man for the
position of virtual ruler of Ulua? For who among ye knows a tithe so
much as he of the laws by which we are governed; or who so likely to see
that those laws are maintained in perfect integrity?"

"So far, perhaps ye are right, Sachar," retorted Lyga, who was the only
man present entirely devoid of fear of the formidable noble. "But is my
age to be counted as nothing? Am I a suitable consort for a girl of
sixteen? Ye know that I am not; and ye know, too, that if the choice
rested between me and thee, thou would'st be the chosen one. Go to! Ye
are astute, Sachar, but not astute enough to deceive old Lyga. If ye
are taking it upon yourself to propose names, propose those of men who
shall not only be capable of efficiently discharging the duties of their
exalted position, but who shall