Page:Artabanzanus (Ferrar, 1896).djvu/60

52 peace? If my connection with the earth where I was born is really severed for ever, I have come to a place which I fondly hoped and prayed my greatest enemy might never see. How can I tell that I am not, by complying with your insane desire, riveting a chain which will bind me here, or consign me to a worse place to all eternity?'

'You reject my suit!' she answered passionately. 'Well I will give you time. Continue to reject it for twelve short hours—for twelve strokes of the bell you heard, and your day of grace shall be past. I will be terribly revenged! Your moral and religious arguments have less than a feather's weight with me. You may trust in the King of heaven to save you. Fool! fool! He does not know you, or of your existence, or trouble Himself about you. If He exists at all He has too much to do. He cares not whether you live or die, or scald or burn, or get devoured by black men, or stung to death by serpents. Reject my suit! I am a woman, and no woman ever forgives a slight of this kind. Have you seen my regiment of guards? Come forward, Captain Syren. Lieutenant Picklock, bring your company.'

The dogs came forward sulkily, and ranged themselves in line before this fury of a princess.

'Attention!' she commanded. They all stood upon their hind legs.

'Salute this honoured visitor!'

They bowed very low, pressed their right paws to their teeth, and then placed them on their hearts.

'On your heads!' In a moment they turned in the air like wheels, their heads on the floor.

'Heads up; play at leap-frog!' And they commenced forthwith to jump over each other, forming a remarkable circle around the fire, which continued to burn as brightly as ever.

'As you were: lie prostrate; beg for mercy!' She put