Indeed, I scarcely dare offer you gold--it excites your hatred, as I understand." "I could take thine--but now let me go!" She got up, and went towards the door, but the Regent called to her to stop, and asked: "Is Assa the father of your son, the little Nemu, the dwarf of the lady Katuti ?" The witch laughed loudly.

"Is the little wretch like Assa or like Beki?
I picked him up like many other children." "But he is clever!" said Ani.
"Ay-that he is.

He has planned many a shrewd stroke, and is devoted to his mistress.

He will help thee to thy purpose, for he himself has one too." "And that is-- ?" "Katuti will rise to greatness with thee, and to riches through Paaker, who sets out to-morrow to make the woman he loves a widow." "You know a great deal," said Ani meditatively, "and I would ask you one thing more; though indeed your story has supplied the answer--but perhaps you know more now than you did in your youth.

Is there in truth any effectual love-philter ?" "I will not deceive thee, for I desire that thou should'st keep thy word to me," replied Hekt.