The Bride of the Nile (Historical Novel). Georg Ebers

her pride, to see her vanquished and crying for quarter at his feet. It was with a great effort—with tingling cheeks and constrained utterance that he said:

      “Severance from you is indeed best for us all.—Be ready: the judges will send for you soon.”

      “Very well,” she replied. “I will be silent; you have only to provide for the Syrian’s safety. You have given me your word.”

      “And so long as you keep yours I will keep mine. Or else …” the words would come from his quivering lips—“or else war to the knife!”

      “War to the knife!” she echoed with flashing eyes. “But one thing more. I have proof that the emerald which Hiram sold belonged to me. By all the saints—proof!”

      “So much the better for you,” he said. “Woe to us both, if you force me to forget that you are a woman!”

      And he left the room with a rapid step.