The King's Talisman — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

112 THE KING'S TALISMAN. But I hear that there are people without, who probably seek admittance; but before I go I would ask for that which brought me here—protection from the enmity of the king.” ; For a few moments the two censors conversed together in a low tone, and then turning to the old counselor, Moran said: ‘¢ You will be safe to-night in your own dwelling, and so | you will be for a long time, for the king dares not send a force after you sufficient to drag you to him, as that would be the occasion of more publicity than he dares give his diabolical acts. Let your trusty servants be set on the watch, and rest you in peace until there is real danger.” Al-Bassa turned to go, but ere he had gone far he hes- itated a moment, and turned back. ‘“Qne question more,” said he, ‘‘and I will leave. In what mood are the people toward their king?” “They know but little of him as a whole; but those who do know him bear him a perfect hatred, though, like all people who bow before an absolute monarchy, they would not dare to oppose him.” As Al-Bassa received this answer, he turned once more toward the door, and was soon in the street, where he found some half-dozen of the citizens wishing to gain admittance to the audience of the censors. He had forgotten, in the whirl of his thoughts, to draw his mantle over his. face, and the citizens bowed respectfully before him as they recognized the old counselor. here was a tremulousness in his answer as he returned the salute, and blaming himself for his forgetfulness, he passed on and carefully hid his features within the folds of his outer garment. — As Al-Bassa passed over the bridge, he found himself to be its sole occupant, and stopping for a moment, he leaned over the marble wall that guarded its sides, and gazed Eomichooks co