“For one delirious moment, and then, releasing herself, she stood before the prince, a very blushing majesty of love, and said:
“‘And now, O prince, I have told thee my secret. Be thou equally generous and restore me to my father, and then come to me when thou desirest and I am thine.”
“Concealing his impatience at this last suggestion, the prince, with wily indirection, said:
“‘It is too late to-day, Lal Lu. Thy father will be here on the morrow; rest thyself until then,’ and fearful lest the maiden would penetrate his purpose, he added:
“‘Lal Lu, I am compelled to leave thee for a space; I will send thy woman to thee. Until to-morrow, then, adieu.’ And fixing upon her a glance so ardent that she almost followed him in its fascination, the prince withdrew from her presence with a reluctance which was duplicated in the bosom of the bewildered girl, if not so unmistakably evinced.
“As the prince retreated toward his apartments, the alarming alternative proposed by the merchant repeated itself with a sort of wordless insistence:
“‘Unless Lal Lu shall be returned, a handful of my precious stones shall be missing.
“‘Ah!
“‘In their place will be as many pebbles!
“‘Impossible!’