At this sight those in the Court laughed again.
"Did I provoke you in any way before you attacked me ?" "No, indeed, General.

It was the Empress you provoked by kissing the beautiful Egyptian lady.

At least, I think so, since every time you kissed each other she seemed to become more mad, and at last ordered us to kill both of you." Now the laughter grew very loud, for even the Court officers could no longer restrain themselves, and the ladies hid their faces in their hands and tittered.
"Away with that fool!" shouted the president of the Court, and the poor fellow was hustled out.

What became of him afterwards I do not know, though I can guess.
Now appeared witness after witness who told of the fray which I have described already, though for the most part they tried to put another colour on the matter.

Of many of these men I asked no questions.