It was a woman’s courage, born of love—the love of giving herself wholly to the object of her choice. Nerved by this feeling, she came toward him confidently, but with a timid smile and rising color, and gave the cup into his trembling hands.
For a moment, he shrank back from her.
“O God! My oath!” was wrung from his lips. It was for an instant only.
“But I love her with all my soul!” he cried, as he knelt and kissed the proferred hand.
Ignorant and innocent alike of the cause of his emotion, Kerœcia sought to reassure him.
“The Monbas will love thee, too,” she said. “Hear their assenting shouts.”
“Atlantis and her dependencies shall worship and adore thee, as I do. Kerœcia, my love, I shall be a loyal husband to thee.”
“As I shall be a dutiful and loving wife to thee!”
The betrothed couple were nearly swept off their feet by the crowds which surged around them. The Monbas and Azes embraced each other, called one another brother, and pledged fealty to the new alliance.
Thus was the compact ratified.