Asti answered carelessly that it was doubtless more than he would wish to pay, since there were few such pearls in the whole world, and she named a weight in gold that caused him to step back from her amazed, for it was a quarter of the tribute that he had taken from his new-conquered kingdom.
"Woman, you jest," he said, "surely there is some abatement." "Man," she answered, "I jest not; there is no abatement," and she replaced the pearls in her garments.
Now he grew very angry, and asked: "Did you know that I am the King of Tat, and if I will, can take your pearls without any payment at all ?" "Are you ?" asked Asti, looking at him coolly.

"I should never have guessed it.

Well, if you steal my goods, as you say you can, you will be King of Thieves also." Now those who heard this saying laughed, and the King thought it best to join in their merriment.

Then the bargaining went on, but before it was finished, at her appointed hour Tua began to sing behind the screen.
"Have done," said the King to Asti, "to-morrow you shall be paid your price.

I would listen to that music which is above price." So Janees listened like one fascinated, for Tua was singing her best.
Step by step he drew ever nearer to the screen, though this Asti did not notice, for she was engaged in locking up her goods.