"But how shall I forgive that foul murder, of which he is certainly guilty? For where, sister, is the pretty girl, of whom no traces can be found saving her dress, her red skirt, and----?" "Sire, these things--I pray you, sire, let your gentlemen stand back a little." "Stand back, then, gentlemen," said the King. "These things, sire, were, by a strange chance, in the little parcel that the poor man kissed. Though why he kissed it, I do not know." The King took Osra's order for a thousand crowns, and also the gem engraved with the Royal Arms; he looked at them and at his sister. "Therefore, sire," said she, "I ask life and pardon for the most courteous gentleman in your dominions. For he prized my ring above his life and my secret above his honour. Sire, such men should live and not die." The King turned to his officers, and said: "Gentlemen, the Princess knows that the girl is alive and well and has no complaint against this man. For he might not in honour tell who or where she was. And, for the rest, he did but shelter his friend, and my sister is surety that he will rob no more. May he live?" When they heard this, they all declared that Christian should live, and they went into the crowd and told the people that the girl was found. Then the people suddenly veered round and began to cheer Christian, and some cried, "Who is the girl?" and laughed merrily, conceiving that it was a love affair on which Christian had been engaged; and because he preferred to die under an imputation of murder rather than endanger his love's reputation, he became a hero with them; and when they heard he was not to die, they dispersed in the utmost good temper, cheering him and the King, and above all the Princess Osra, whom they loved. But she went again to Christian, and bade the hangman take the rope off his neck. "Will you serve in my regiment of Guards, sir?" she asked. "Or is service still irksome to you?" "I will serve you, madame," said Christian. "And since you will need equipment, get money for this order," and she gave him again the order. "I must needs obey you, madame, though reluctantly." "It is well, sir. I trust you will serve me faithfully. I bid you farewell, sir," and she bowed slightly, and turned as if to leave him. And he said nothing, but stood looking at her, so that presently she blushed, saying: "They will let you have those things now, sir." Christian bowed very low, and, raising himself again, looked at her ring. "Nay, I cannot do that," said Princess Osra. "But you will see it now and then, and, now and then, maybe, you can touch it." And she put the ring on her finger and held out her hand to him. He knelt and kissed the ring and then her hand; but he looked very glum. And the Princess laughed openly at him, her eyes dancing in delight and amusement. But he still looked more as though he were going to be hanged than he had any time before in the day. So that the King, pointing at him, said to Osra: