Then
he placidly replied: 'For the same reason that the man named Baroni made
a visit to El Khuds.'
'The man named Baroni came to demand succour for his lord, who is your
prisoner.'
'And also to obtain two millions of piastres,' added Amalek.
'Two millions of piastres! Why not at once ask for the throne of
Solomon?'
'Which would be given, if required,' rejoined Amalek. 'Was it not said
in the divan of Besso, that if this Prince of Franguestan wished to
rebuild the Temple, the treasure would not be wanting?'
'Said by some city gossip,' said Eva, scornfully.
'Said by your father, daughter of Besso, who, though he lives in cities,
is not a man who will say that almonds are pearls.'
Eva controlled her countenance, though it was difficult to conceal her
mortification as she perceived how well informed her grandfather was of
all that passed under their roof, and of the resources of his prisoner.
It was necessary, after the last remark of the great Sheikh, to take
new ground, and, instead of dwelling, as she was about to do, on the
exaggeration of public report, and attempting to ridicule the vast
expectations of her host, she said, in a soft tone, 'You did not ask me
why Besso was in such affliction, father of my mother?'
'There are many sorrows: has he lost ships? If a man is in sound health,
all the rest are dreams.
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