‘My fathers and the House of Shehaab have been ever friends,’ she continued, turning to Fakredeen.
‘May they ever continue so!’ he replied. ‘For if the Shehaabs and the Ansarey are of one mind, Syria is no longer earth, but indeed paradise.’
‘You live much in ships?’ said the Queen, turning to Tancred.
‘We are an insular people,’ he answered, somewhat confusedly, but the perfectly-informed Keferinis came to the succour both of Tancred and of his sovereign.
‘The English live in ships only during six months of the year, principally when they go to India, the rest entirely at their country houses.’
‘Ships are required to take you to India?’ said her Majesty.
Tancred bowed assent.
‘Is your Queen about my age?’
‘She was as young as your Majesty when she began to reign.’
‘And how long has she reigned?’