The King's Talisman — page 91: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

82 THE KING'S TALISMAN. tion passed away ; but it was succeeded by a calmness that had far more depth of meaning, and looking up once more at his servant, he said: «ell the messenger I will attend him anon.’ Slowly and thoughtfully Al-Bassa continued his walk to- ward his dwelling. At times there was a kind of hesita- tion in his manner, as though he would reject the plan he had formed, but ere his foot touched the threshold of his _ dwelling, he had banished all traces of perturbation from his features, and with a calm and collected mien he soon accompanied the royal messenger to the palace of his monarch. | Modad received his counselor in one of the upper private apartments of his palace, and, even as the apples of his eyes, the two mutes bore him company. ‘There was, as usual, a cloudy expression on his brow, but a far deeper concern than he often expressed, sat upon his features. When Al-Bassa entered, the king was pacing up and down his apartment, with unequal, nervous strides, but as his eyes fell upon the old man he stopped in his walk, while a satisfied expression flitted across his countenance. Tam glad you have come, Al-Bassa,” was the monarch’s first exclamation, as he extended his hand to his counselor, ‘‘ for I have need of thy services.” Al-Bassa took the extended hand of his king, but he made no answer to his remark. ‘‘How now, my old friend?” rather abruptly continued Modad, as he glanced at the expression upon the old man’s features. ‘‘ Have you no word of well-wishing for your king?” “‘T do most certainly wish your majesty well,” replied | Al-Bassa, without bending from his former reserve; ‘and I am prepared to hear your orders.” ‘To hear them?” uttered Modad, asa quick flash of some- thing like anger trembled upon his cheeks and lips. Then (E(o) > comicbooks