Panda loves you much, and, whoever conquers in the war, will give you her life if you ask it of him." Then this strange man drew the back of his hand across his eyes, from which I saw the tears were running, and, muttering, "If you would have good fortune remember my prayer," turned and left me before I could answer a single word.
As for me, I sat down upon an ant-heap and whistled a whole hymn tune that my mother had taught me before I could think at all.

To be left the guardian of Mameena! Talk of a "damnosa hereditas," a terrible and mischievous inheritance--why, this was the worst that ever I heard of.
A servant in my house indeed, knowing what _I_ did about her! Why, I had sooner share the "good fortune" which Umbelazi anticipated beneath the sod.

However, that was not in the question, and without it the alternative of acting as her guardian was bad enough, though I comforted myself with the reflection that the circumstances in which this would become necessary might never arise.

For, alas! I was sure that if they did arise I should have to live up to them.

True, I had made no promise to Saduko with my lips, but I felt, as I knew he felt, that this promise had passed from my heart to his.
"That thief Umbelazi!" Strange words to be uttered by a great vassal of his lord, and both of them about to enter upon a desperate enterprise.
"A prince whom in her folly she believes will be a king." Stranger words still.