And with this, he drained off the wine to the last drop.  Scarcely had he done so, when the most curious sensation overcame him—­a sensation of bewildering ecstasy as though he had drunk of some ambrosian nectar or magic drug which had suddenly wound up his nerves to an acute tension of indescribable delight.  The blood coursed more swiftly through his veins,—­he felt his face flush with the impulsive heat and ardor of the moment,—­he laughed as he set the cup down empty, and throwing himself back on his luxurious couch, his eyes flashed on Sah-luma’s with a bright, comprehensive glance of complete confidence and affection.  It was strange to note how quickly Sah-luma returned that glance,—­how thoroughly, in so short a space of time, their friendship had cemented itself into a more than fraternal bond of union!  Niphrata, meanwhile, stood a little aside, her wistful looks wandering from one to the other as though in something of doubt or wonder.  Presently she spoke, inclining her fair head toward Sah-luma.

“My lord goes to the Palace to-night to make his valued voice heard in the presence of the King?” she inquired timidly.

“Even so, Niphrata!” responded the Laureate, passing his hand carelessly through his clustering curls—­“I have been summoned thither by the Royal command.  But what of that, little one?  Thou knowest ’tis a common occurrence,—­and that the Court is bereft of all pleasure and sweetness when Sah-luma is silent.”

“My lord’s guest goes with him?” pursued Niphrata gently.

“Aye, most assuredly?” and Sah-luma smiled at Theos as he spoke—­ “Thou wilt accompany me to the King, my friend?” he went on—­“He will give thee a welcome for my sake, and though of a truth His Majesty is most potently ignorant of all things save the arts of love and warfare, nevertheless he is man as well as monarch, and thou wilt find him noble in his greeting and generous of hospitality.”

“I will go with thee, Sah-luma, anywhere!” replied Theos quickly—­ “For in following such a guide, I follow my own most perfect pleasure.”

Niphrata looked at him meditatively, with a melancholy expression in her lovely eyes.

“My lord Sah-luma’s presence indeed brings joy!” she said softly and tremulously—­“But the joy is too sweet and brief—­for when he departs, none can fill the place he leaves vacant!”

She paused,—­Sah-luma’s gaze rested on her intently, a half-amused, half-tender light leaping from under the drooping shade of his long, silky black lashes,—­she caught the look, and a little shiver ran through her delicate frame,—­she pressed one hand on her heart, and resumed in steadier and more even tones,—­“My lord has perhaps not heard of the disturbances of the early morning in the city?”—­she asked—­“The riotous crowd in the marketplace—­the ravings of the Prophet Khosrul? ... the sudden arrest and imprisonment of many,—­and the consequent wrath of the King?”