"May the sun shine in thy heart and fruits of wisdom flourish there, Effendina," answered David quietly.
He saluted the others gravely, and his eyes rested upon Achmet in a way which Higli Pasha noted for subsequent gossip.
Kaid pulled at his narghileh for a moment, mumbling good-humouredly to himself and watching the smoke reel away; then, with half-shut eyes, he said to David: "Am I master in Egypt or no, effendi ?" "In ruling this people the Prince of Egypt stands alone," answered David.

"There is no one between him and the people.

There is no Parliament." "It is in my hand, then, to give or to withhold, to make or to break ?" Kaid chuckled to have this tribute, as he thought, from a Christian, who did not blink at Oriental facts, and was honest.
David bowed his head to Kaid's words.
"Then if it be my hand that lifts up or casts down, that rewards or that punishes, shall my arm not stretch into the darkest corner of Egypt to bring forth a traitor?
Shall it not be so ?" "It belongs to thy power," answered David.

"It is the ancient custom of princes here.

Custom is law, while it is yet the custom." Kaid looked at him enigmatically for a moment, then smiled grimly--he saw the course of the lance which David had thrown.