more
prince to keep the faint glimmer of our ancestry alive. I am content."

"But, d--- it, man, I am not! I take a deal more interest in the young
lady than you seem to, and have scoured half this precious planet of
yours on her account, and will be hanged if I sit idly twiddling my
thumbs while her pretty skin is in danger." But Hath was lost in
contemplation of his shoe-strings.

"Come, sir," I said, shaking his majesty by the shoulder, "don't be
down on your luck. There has been some rivalry between us, but never
mind about that just now. The princess wants you. I am going to save
both her and you, you must come with her."

"No."

"But you SHALL come."

"No!"

By this time the palace was blazing like a bonfire and the uproar
outside was terrible. What was I to do? As I hesitated the arras at
the further end of the hall was swept aside, a disordered mob of slaves
bearing bundles and dragging Heru with them rushing down to the door
near us. As Heru was carried swiftly by she stretched her milk-white
arms towards the prince and turned her face, lovely as a convolvulus
flower even in its pallor, upon him.

It was a heart-moving appeal from a woman with the heart of a child,
and Hath rose to his feet while for a moment there shone a look of
responsible manhood in his eyes. But it faded quickly; he bowed slowly
as though he had received an address of condolence on the condition of
his empire, and the next moment the frightened slaves, stumbling under
their burdens, had swept poor Heru through the doorway.

I glanced savagely round at the curling smoke overhead, the red
tendrils of fire climbing up a distant wall, and there on a table by us
was a half-finished flask of the lovely tinted wine of forgetfulness.
If Hath would not come sober perhaps he might come drunk.

"Here," I cried, "drink to tomorrow, your majesty, a sovereign toast in
all ages, and better luck next time with these hairy gentlemen
battering at your majesty's doors," and splashing out a goblet full of
the stuff I handed it to him.

He took it and looked rather lovingly into the limpid pool, then
deliberately poured it on the step in front of him, and throwing the
cup away said pleasantly,

"Not tonight, good comrade; tonight I drink a deeper draught of
oblivion than that,--and here come my cup-bearers."

Even while he spoke the palace gates had given way; there was a
horrible medley of shrieks and cries, a quick sound of running f