ngrily
and contemptuously. "Since when has man expressed his love for a woman
by putting her from him?" he asked in a voice of scorn that showed the
precise value he set upon such a statement.

"I warned thee it would seem incredible," said Sakr-el-Bahr.

"Is it not plain, O my father, that this marriage of his was no more
than a pretence?" cried Marzak.

"As plain as the light of day," replied Asad. "Thy marriage with that
woman made an impious mock of the True Faith. It was no marriage. It was
a blasphemous pretence, thine only aim to thwart me, abusing my regard
for the Prophet's Holy Law, and to set her beyond my reach." He turned
to Vigitello, who stood a little behind Sakr-el-Bahr. "Bid thy men put
me this traitor into irons," he said.

"Heaven hath guided thee to a wise decision, O my father!" cried Marzak,
his voice jubilant. But his was the only jubilant note that was sounded,
his the only voice that was raised.

"The decision is more like to guide you both to Heaven," replied
Sakr-el-Bahr, undaunted. On the instant he had resolved upon his course.
"Stay!" he said, raising his hand to Vigitello, who, indeed had shown no
sign of stirring. He stepped close up to Asad, and what he said did not
go beyond those who stood immediately about the Basha and Rosamund, who
strained her ears that she might lose no word of it.

"Do not think, Asad," he said, "that I will submit me like a camel to
its burden. Consider thy position well. If I but raise my voice to call
my sea-hawks to me, only Allah can tell how many will be left to
obey thee. Darest thou put this matter to the test?" he asked, his
countenance grave and solemn, but entirely fearless, as of a man in whom
there is no doubt of the issue as it concerns himself.

Asad's eyes glittered dully, his colour faded to a deathly ashen
hue. "Thou infamous traitor...." he began in a thick voice, his body
quivering with anger.

"Ah no," Sakr-el-Bahr interrupted him. "Were I a traitor it is what I
should have done already, knowing as I do that in any division of our
forces, numbers will be heavily on my side. Let then my silence prove
my unswerving loyalty, Asad. Let it weigh with thee in considering my
conduct, nor permit thyself to be swayed by Marzak there, who recks
nothing so that he vents his petty hatred of me."

"Do not heed him, O my father!" cried Marzak. "It cannot be that...."

"Peace!" growled Asad, somewhat stricken on a sudden.

And there was peace