said, "I have heard the words of the prince, and I do not
think that this insult should have been put upon the Lady Noma, my ward,
or upon me, her guardian. Still, let it be, for I would not that
one should pass from under the shadow of my house whither she is not
welcome. Without my leave the prince named this woman as his queen, as
he had the right to do; and without my leave he unnames her, as he has
the right to do. Were the prince a common man, according to custom he
should pay a fine of cattle to be held by me in trust for her whom he
discards; but this is a matter that I leave to you, King."

"You do well, Hokosa," answered Umsuka, "to leave this to me. Prince,
you would not wish the fine that you should pay to be that of any common
man. With the girl shall be handed over two hundred head of cattle.
More, I will do justice: unless she herself consents, she shall not be
put away. Let the Lady Noma be summoned."

Now the face of Hafela grew sullen, and watching, Owen saw a swift
change pass over that of Hokosa. Evidently he was not certain of the
woman. Presently there was a stir, and from the gates of the royal house
the Lady Noma appeared, attended by women, and stood before the king.
She was a tall and lovely girl, and the sunlight flashed upon her
bronze-hued breast and her ornaments of ivory. Her black hair was
fastened in a knot upon her neck, her features were fine and small, her
gait was delicate and sure as that of an antelope, and her eyes were
beautiful and full of pride. There she stood before the king, looking
round her like a stag. Seeing her thus, Owen understood how it came
about that she held two men so strangely different in the hollow of her
hand, for her charm was of a nature to appeal to both of them--a charm
of the spirit as well as of the flesh. And yet the face was haughty, a
face that upon occasion might even become cruel.

"You sent for me and I am here, O King," she said, in a slow and quiet
voice.

"Listen, girl," answered the king. "A while ago the Prince Hafela, my
son, named you as her who should be his queen, whereon you were taken
and placed in the House of the Royal Women, to abide the day of your
marriage, which should be to-morrow."

"It is true that the prince has honoured me thus, and that you have been
pleased to approve of his choice," she said, lifting her eyebrows. "What
of it, O King?"

"This, girl: the prince who was pleased to honour you is now pleased to
dishono