And after all it will soon be over.' 'That's just what they used to say,' he said again.

'I only hope she won't put a knife into me.

I believe that she is quite capable of it.' And off he started very faintheartedly, and no wonder.
I sat and waited, and at the end of about forty-five minutes he returned, looking a good deal worse than when he went.
'Give me something to drink,' he said hoarsely.
I got him a cup of wine, and asked what was the matter.
'What is the matter?
Why if ever there was trouble there's trouble now.

You know when I left you?
Well, I was shown straight into Sorais' private chamber, and a wonderful place it is; and there she sat, quite alone, upon a silken couch at the end of the room, playing gently upon that zither of hers.

I stood before her, and for a while she took no notice of me, but kept on playing and singing a little, and very sweet music it was.