"Thou hast well said, O King. It shall be as thou hast spoken," Monella returned. Throughout the interview the king had been eyeing the commanding figure of the man before him, not only with great intentness, but also even anxiously. Indeed, Monella, with his lofty stature and intrepid bearing, his nobly chiselled features, his bold, unflinching glance, would have made no unfitting occupant of the throne. And, possibly, this thought had struck the king, who once more spoke. "And now I would fain know thy name, and what hath brought thee." "I am called Monella." "Monella! It hath a sound as of our own tongue," returned the king. "And thine end in journeying hither?" "That is for thine ear alone, O King," Monella replied with decision, thereby arousing the surprise of all, the king included. Then, drawing from his breast a sealed roll of parchment he had brought with him, "But here is that which will in part explain." And he handed the document to the king. The king unrolled the parchment, but, as the first words met his eye, he started; then, growing more intent, he read on. But presently, in evident agitation, he stepped down from the dais, placed his hand on the other's arm, and said in a voice that trembled with emotion, "I will speak with thee alone. Follow me into my private chamber." And, looking neither to the right nor to the left, he passed down the hall, Monella following, the crowd opening out to give them egress. No sooner had they gone, than confused murmurs of astonishment and curiosity burst out on all sides. Elwood and Templemore, as much taken by surprise as any one, looked each in the other's face inquiringly; but Zonella glided to their side and said in a low tone to Templemore, "Said I not that thy friend was no ordinary man? Monella! Is it not like my name, Zonella? Methought, the moment my eyes rested on him, 'That man is a great man--a wondrous man--and he is one of our people!'" CHAPTER XIV. DAKLA. Ulama also left her seat and came forward to the two young men. "Your friend," she said, "has taken my father by surprise; else had he bidden you be seated. Nor did I know that he could not earlier have received you, or I would have sent my maidens to you with refreshment. Come now and sit near us, and I will point out to you my friends that they may be your friends; meantime Zonella will order fruit and wine for your sustainment. Anon you will be invited to our table; but meantime you will need something. We all do," she added, when they made gestures of dissent, "so you will not be conspicuous in partaking here of what we offer you." Pages then entered bearing luscious fruits and tempting-looking foaming drinks; the former on massive salvers of pure gold, the latter in chalices of gold and silver set with gems. The fruits were all new to them, as also were the drinks; but, on tasting them, they found them to be all they looked.