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'This house belonged once to an American who came to study our old temples,' Rahaib explained 'He had a bathrooalow Of course, we have noa pit for the waste out at the back of the house and laid pipes to carry the wastage out there It took manyto go home' A faint look of amusement came into the dark eyes 'He was not pleased'

'Your English is very good, Rahaib,' she told hily 'Have you been to Europe?'

He looked surprised 'Of course I accoland I spent fourteen years in your country'

'Fourteen years?' She was astonished 'No wonder your English is so good!'

'The King's highness was seven when his royal father sent him to school at first We stayed there until he had finished his whole education Every year we came home for the summer, of course I could havewas hoood I would not wed'

'And are you married now?' she asked curiously

He looked surprised 'But Lispa is my wife,' he said

'Oh, I see,' she said, taken aback, re the for note in his voice He had spoken to her as if to a servant

'Have you any children, Rahaib?' she asked '

He sood wife'

She was a married too?'

Rahaib's eyes glowed suddenly 'The King is married,' he nodded 'The Queen expects her first child in two ain she was sure he doubted whether it would be dis­creet to speak, then he said softly, 'The Queen is most beautiful and sweet Her voice is like melted honey, her skin like silk'

Marie looked at him curiously Ha sounded as if he worshipped the Queen, she thought He had not had that gentle, adoring ring in his voice when he spoke of Lispa Perhaps his love for the King carried over to the King's wife

'How old is the Queen?' she asked curiously

'Fifteen,' Rahaib said