“Hesaidthathewaskeepingithimself。WhenIstaredwonderingwhatitmightbe，forIsawnothingonhim，headded，’Itishere，’andtouchedtheprivatesignetguardthathehasalwaysworn，anancientringofgold，butofnogreatvalueIshouldsay，with’BelovedofThothandoftheKing’cutuponit。ItseemsthathemusttakeitofftomakeroomforanotherandmuchfinerringwhichherHighnesshasgivenhim。“
Now，bythistime，theasshavingbeenunloadedbytheslavesandledaway，wehadpassedthroughthehallwheremanywereidlingasever，andwerecometotheprivateapartmentsofthepalace。
“Thisway，“saidPambasa。“TheordersarethatIamtotakeyoutothePrincewhereverhemaybe，andjustnowheisseatedinthegreatapartmentwithherHighness，wheretheyhavebeenreceivinghomageanddeputationsfromdistantcities。Thelastleftabouthalfanhourago。“
“FirstIwillpreparemyself，worthyPambasa，“Ibegan。
“No，no，theordersareinstant，Idarenotdisobeythem。Enter，“andwithacourtlyflourishhedrewarichcurtain。