For his own sake and that of the people the Prince desires that you should destroy the idol of Fung, and therefore he has kept his hands off you of late.

Yet should you succeed, he does not know what may happen.

He fears lest the Abati in their gratitude should set you up as great men." "Then he is an ass!" interrupted Quick; "for the Abati have no gratitude." "He fears," went on Japhet, "other things also.

For instance, that the Child of Kings may express that gratitude by a mark of her signal favour toward one of you," and he stared at Orme, who turned his head aside.
"Now, the Prince is affianced to this great lady, whom he desires to wed for two reasons: First, because this marriage will make him the chief man amongst the Abati, and, secondly, because of late he has come to think that he loves her whom he is afraid that he may lose.

So he has set a snare." "What snare ?" asked one of us, for Japhet paused.
"I don't know," answered Japhet, "and I do not think that my friend knew either, or, if he did, he would not tell me.