"
"I would give more than my biggest diamond to believe thee," Nechutes
muttered, turning away.
"Wilt thou wager?" the fan-bearer demanded with animation.
"Nay!" was the cup-bearer's blunt reply. Har-hat shrugged his
shoulders and lapsed into silence. Rameses leaned toward Masanath
again. The expression on his face during the talk and the tone he
chose now showed that he had not heard, nor was even conscious of the
silence that had fallen. His words were low-spoken, but each of his
companions heard.
"In warfare it is common for a foe to hedge his adversary about so that
fight he must. Thou art a woman and cunning, and lest thou join
thyself to another and elude me ere the battle is on, I would better
treat thee to a strategy. I shall wed thee first and woo thee
afterward."
Ta-user leaned across the table, and sweeping the pawns away with her
arms, said, with a smile:
"Quarreling over a game of drafts! Which is in distress--in need of
allies?"
"Come thou and be my mercenary, Ta-user," Masanath said with impulsive
gratitude. "Rameses hath lost and demands restitution beyond reason."
Har-hat had risen the instant the words had passed the prince's lips
and left the group.
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