"King of Manoa!" echoed Galaima in surprise, while similar exclamations broke forth around. "But, my lord--I speak with all respect--how can that be?" "The King Dranoa is sick even unto death. His illness hath been hastened in its course by acts of base treachery perpetrated by Coryon--with whom I shall deal anon. Finding himself dying and unable to lead his soldiers to the rescue of his child, he hath abdicated in my favour, for me to hold the post so long as I think fit in the interests of the nation. Here (taking out from his bosom a roll of parchment) is his sign-manual duly sealed and executed in the presence of the High Priest Sanaima and others who are with me; and here is his sceptre of office, and this is his signet-ring--these being given to me by him in token of my authority, and also in the presence of Sanaima and many others you see around me. Is it not so, friends?" Monella demanded, turning to Sanaima and the others near. A loud shout went up in confirmation; then, at a wave of Monella's hand, there was again a deep, expectant silence. Coryon had come out from the covered-way on hearing the unlooked-for and unwelcome news, and now stood, a little in advance of his own people, an attentive listener and observer of what was going on. "Thou hast heard," resumed Monella, in the same cold, stern tone. "I come duly armed with authority to punish, and I have the power. Do thou and thy fellows yonder desire to take part with the traitor Coryon, and fight against us; or do ye disavow him and throw yourselves upon my mercy?" "My lord, with all respect, I ask for the reply to my last question. We came hither--of a certainty I and my immediate friends so came--to protest against the king's choice of a son-in-law. We were unwilling to have thrust upon us, as our future king, one who is of a different race--who is a stranger in the land--and who, so far as it appeareth, hath no claim to royal dignity. Now--with all respect, I say again--for all we know, those same objections apply to thine own case. If, however, I am wrong in this, and thou canst convince us that thou hast reasonable claim to the dignity the king hath conferred upon thee, then we are ready to submit ourselves as loyal subjects."