He, too, had coloured up to the eyes.
'Oh, my word!' thought I to myself, 'the ladies have come on the stage, and now we may look to the plot to develop itself.' And I sighed and shook my head, knowing that the beauty of a woman is like the beauty of the lightning -- a destructive thing and a cause of desolation.

By the time that I had finished my reflections both the Queens were on the thrones, for all this had happened in about six seconds.

Once more the unseen trumpets blared out, and then the Court seated itself, and Queen Sorais motioned to us to do likewise.
Next from among the crowd whither he had withdrawn stepped forward our guide, the old gentleman who had towed us ashore, holding by the hand the girl whom we had seen first and afterwards rescued from the hippopotamus.

Having made obeisance he proceeded to address the Queens, evidently describing to them the way and place where we had been found.

It was most amusing to watch the astonishment, not unmixed with fear, reflected upon their faces as they listened to his tale.