But thou, my silent
agent, canst do mine errand without questioning or comprehending
it; with thee to hear is to obey."
A bend of the body and a genuflection were the appropriate answer
of the Ethiopian to these observations.
"And now to another point," said the King, and speaking suddenly
and rapidly--"have you yet seen Edith Plantagenet?"
The mute looked up as in the act of being about to speak--nay,
his lips had begun to utter a distinct negative--when the
abortive attempt died away in the imperfect murmurs of the dumb.
"Why, lo you there!" said the King, "the very sound of the name
of a royal maiden of beauty so surpassing as that of our lovely
cousin seems to have power enough well-nigh to make the dumb
speak. What miracles then might her eye work upon such a
subject! I will make the experiment, friend slave. Thou shalt
see this choice beauty of our Court, and do the errand of the
princely Soldan."
Again a joyful glance--again a genuflection--but, as he arose,
the King laid his hand heavily on his shoulder, and proceeded
with stern gravity thus: "Let me in one thing warn you, my sable
envoy.
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