Had he himself been born in these surroundings, under these influences! The thought flashed through his mind like lightning, even as he bowed before Harrik, who salaamed and said: "Peace be unto thee!" and motioned him to a seat on a divan near and facing him.
"What is thy business with me, effendi ?" asked Harrik.
"I come on the business of the Prince Pasha," answered David.
Harrik touched his fez mechanically, then his breast and lips, and a cruel smile lurked at the corners of his mouth as he rejoined: "The feet of them who wear the ring of their Prince wait at no man's door.

The carpet is spread for them.

They go and they come as the feet of the doe in the desert.

Who shall say, They shall not come; who shall say, They shall not return!" Though the words were spoken with an air of ingenuous welcome, David felt the malignity in the last phrase, and knew that now was come the most fateful moment of his life.

In his inner being he heard the dreadful challenge of Fate.