t more politeness about," Kettle advised. "It
will be all the more comfortable for you afterward if you do." And so
Wenlock, with desperation nerving him, poured out all the pretty
speeches which he had in store, and which he had looked to use to this
very woman under such very different circumstances. But he did not even
suggest taking his future spouse back to England.

She, too, when she graciously pardoned his previous outburst, mentioned
her decision on this matter also.

"I am Emir here," she said, "and I could not be Emir in your England
without many fights. So here I shall stay, and you with me. When there
is war, you shall ride at my side; in peace I will give you a
governorship over a ward of this town, from which you can get your
taxes. And if there are children, you shall bring them up."

The mullah, who knew better than to keep his ruler waiting, had come in,
and they were forthwith married, solemnly and irrevocably, according to
the rites and ceremonies of the Mohammedan Church, as practised in the
kingdom of Dunkhot. And in witness thereof, Captain Kettle wrote his
name from left to right, in contradistinction to all the other
signatories, who wrote from right to left, except the bridegroom.

"And now, Mr. Wenlock, if you please," said Kettle, "as you're
comfortably tied to the lady of your choice, I'll trouble you for that
fee you promised."

"I'll see you in somewhere hotter than Arabia," said the bridegroom,
mopping his pale face.

"Now look," said Kettle, "I'm not going to scrap with you here, and I
don't want to break up this happy home with domestic unpleasantness; but
if you don't hand me over that L50, I shall ask your good lady to get
it for me."

Wenlock sullenly handed out a note.

"Thank you. I know you feel injured, but I'm earning this money exactly
according to promise, and of you don't quite like what's been done, you
must remember that it's your own fault for not wording the agreement a
bit more carefully. And now, as I seem to have got through my business
here, if it's agreeable to all parties, I'll be going. Good-by, Mrs.
Wenlock, madam. Let me call you by your name for the first time."

The Lady Emir set back her great shoulders. "That is not my name," she
said. "I am Emir. My name does not change."

"Beg pardon," said Kettle, "he takes yours, does he? Didn't know that
was the custom of this country. Well, good-afternoon."

"But do you want," said the lady, "no present?"