‘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?’ ‘Some seven years or so.’ ‘Has she a castle?’ ‘Her Majesty generally resides in a very famous castle.’ ‘Very strong, I suppose?’ ‘Strong enough.’ ‘The Emir Bescheer remains at Stamboul?’ ‘He is now, I believe, at Brusa,’ replied Fakredeen. ‘Does he like Brusa?’ ‘Not as much at Stamboul.’ ‘Is Stamboul the largest city in the world?’ ‘I apprehend by no means,’ said Fakredeen. ‘What is larger?’ ‘London is larger, the great city of the English, from which the prince comes; Paris is also larger, but not so large as London.’ ‘How many persons are there in Stamboul?’ ‘More than half a million.’ ‘Have you seen Antakia (Antioch)?’ the Queen inquired of Tancred. ‘Not yet.’ ‘You have seen Beiroot?’ ‘I have.’ ‘Antakia is not nearly so great a place as Beiroot,’ said the Queen; ‘yet once Antakia was much larger than Stamboul; as large, perhaps, as your great city.’ ‘And far more beautiful than either,’ said Tancred. ‘Ah! you have heard of these things!’ exclaimed the Queen, with much animation. ‘Now tell me, why is Antakia no longer a great city, as great as Stamboul and the city of the English, and far more beautiful?’ ‘It is a question that might perplex the wise,’ said Tancred. ‘I am not wise,’ said the Queen, looking earnestly at Tancred, ‘yet I could solve it.’ ‘Would that your Majesty would deign to do so.’ ‘There are things to be said, and there are things not to be said,’ was the reply, and the Queen looked at Keferinis. ‘Her Majesty has expressed herself with infinite exactitude and with condescending propriety,’ said the chief minister. The Queen was silent for a moment, thoughtful, and then waved gracefully her hands; whereupon the chamber was immediately cleared. The princes, instructed by Keferinis, alone remained, with the exception of the minister, who, at the desire of his sovereign, now seated himself, but not on the divan. He sat opposite to the Queen on the floor.