H. Bedford-Jones

“ Outside, under the stars, they returned as they had come, accompanied only by the two guards. When they approached the gate of the walled palace city, the girl looked up and drew a deep breath.
"It seems like a dream!" she said quietly. "We're not living in the common world of realities."
Ardzrouni laughed happily, and patted her hand, which lay on his arm.
"Delightfully true, dear lady! Shall I confess that I begin to prefer realities to dreams? Well, it is so. Even the eagle's blood finds kingship rather tiring, I assure you." ”

“ Return to the palace, take a force of men whom you can trust, and seize every wizard who is in the college. Turn over the buildings to the archers as quarters. At dawn, strip those priests and set them at work cleaning the streets of the outer city. Let us see if their magic can avail them or not! If any one interferes, slay him."
A slight smile appeared upon the stern face of Chou. It was evident that he had no love for the fang shi.
"Let an edict be posted," continued Ardzrouni in his lordly fashion, "that I have abolished the college of wizards." ”

“ With the two guards, they had come to the little postern gate. This was flung open, and torchlight fell upon them. As they passed through, the girl stole a glance at his face, and she saw a glitter of tears upon his cheek.
He said no word as they walked through the streets of the inner city and came to the palace grounds; but when they stood before the entrance of the palace, Ardzrouni turned and lifted her hand to his lips. It was a gesture, not of magnificence, but of simplicity.
"You are a woman such as a man might die for gladly," he said in a low voice. ”