"How can he live under my eyes with that woman, who is of the Faith?
Scandal! O abomination!" He finished with a rush and drew a long breath, then added dubiously-- "And when that man has done all we want, what is to be done with him ?" They stood close together, meditative and silent, their eyes roaming idly over the courtyard.

The big bonfire burned brightly, and a wavering splash of light lay on the dark earth at their feet, while the lazy smoke wreathed itself slowly in gleaming coils amongst the black boughs of the trees.

They could see Lakamba, who had returned to his place, sitting hunched up spiritlessly on the cushions, and Sahamin, who had got on his feet again and appeared to be talking to him with dignified animation.

Men in twos or threes came out of the shadows into the light, strolling slowly, and passed again into the shadows, their faces turned to each other, their arms moving in restrained gestures.

Bahassoen, his head proudly thrown back, his ornaments, embroideries, and sword-hilt flashing in the light, circled steadily round the fire like a planet round the sun.