'You mean that you have thought of me, as I have thought of you, by the memory of what was not fancy, but reality. Would you dispute with me, Khaled? You will find me subtle.' 'There is more wit in my arm than in my head,' Khaled answered, 'and it is not easy for a man to persuade a woman.' 'It is very easy, provided that the man have reason on his side. But where are the treasures you have brought back, the slaves and the rich spoils? I would gladly see some of them, for the messengers you sent told great tales of the riches of Haïl.' 'To-morrow they will be brought into the city. Your father has remained feasting in the gardens towards Dereyiyah, and the whole army with him. I rode hither alone.' 'Why did you not remain too?' 'Because that whim of the fancy which I call love brought me back,' Khaled answered. 'Then I am glad you love me,' said Zehowah. 'For I am glad you came quickly.' 'Are you truly glad?' 'I was very tired of my women,' she answered. 'I am sorry you have brought nothing with you. Are there any among the captives who are beautiful?' 'There is one, a present sent lately to the Sultan of Shammar. She is very beautiful, and unlike all the rest. Your father is much pleased with her, and will perhaps marry her.' 'Of what kind is her beauty?' asked Zehowah. 'She is as white as milk, her eyes are twin sapphires, her mouth is a rose, her hair is like gold reddened in fire.' Zehowah was silent for a while, and twisted a string of musk-beads round her fingers. 'The others are all Arabian women,' Khaled said at last. 'Why did you not keep the beautiful one for yourself?' asked Zehowah, suddenly throwing aside her beads and looking at him curiously. 'Surely you, who have borne the brunt of the war, might have chosen for yourself what pleased you best.' Khaled looked at her in great astonishment. 'Have I not married Zehowah? Would you have me take another wife?' 'Why not? Is it not lawful for a man to take four wives at one time? And this woman might have loved you, as you desire to be loved.' 'Would it be nothing to you, if I took her?' 'Nothing. I am the King's daughter. I shall always be first in the house. I say, she might love you. Then you would be satisfied.' 'Zehowah, Zehowah!' cried Khaled. 'Is love a piece of gold, that it matters not whence it be, so long as a man has it in his own possession? Or is it wood of the 'Ood tree that one may buy it and bring it home and make the whole house fragrant with it? Is a man's heart like his belly, which is alike satisfied with different kinds of food?' 'He who eats, knows by the taste whether he eats Persian mutton, or barley bread, or only broiled locusts. But a man who believes that he is loved, knows that he is loved, so far as knowing is possible, and must be satisfied, if to be loved is what he desires.' 'That may be true. But he who desires bread is not satisfied with locusts. It is your love which I would have. Not the love of another.'