 revenue was plunder, was willing to restore her, with her two
attendants, for two hundred ounces of gold.
    The price was no subject of debate. The princess was in extasies when she
heard that her favourite was alive, and might so cheaply be ransomed. She could
not think of delaying for a moment Pekuah's happiness or her own, but entreated
her brother to send back the messenger with the sum required. Imlac, being
consulted, was not very confident of the veracity of the relator, and was still
more doubtful of the Arab's faith, who might, if he were too liberally trusted,
detain at once the money and the captives. He thought it dangerous to put
themselves in the power of the Arab, by going into his district, and could not
expect that the Rover would so much expose himself as to come into the lower
country, where he might be seized by the forces of the Bassa.
    It is difficult to negotiate where neither will trust. But Imlac, after some
deliberation, directed the messenger to propose that Pekuah should be conducted
by ten horsemen to the monastery of St Anthony, which is situated in the deserts
of Upper-Egypt, where she should be met by the same number, and her ransome
should be paid.
    That no time might be lost, as they expected that the proposal would not be
refused, they immediately began their journey to the monastery; and, when they
arrived, Imlac went forward with the former messenger to the Arab's fortress.
Rasselas was desirous to go with them, but neither his sister nor Imlac would
consent. The Arab, according to the custom of his nation, observed the laws of
hospitality with great exactness to those who put themselves into his power,
and, in a few days, brought Pekuah with her maids, by easy journeys, to their
place appointed, where receiving the stipulated price, he restored her with
great respect to liberty and her friends, and undertook to conduct them back
towards Cairo beyond all danger of robbery or violence.
    The princess and her favourite embraced each other with transport too
violent to be expressed, and went out together to pour the tears of tenderness
in secret, and exchange professions of kindness and gratitude. After a few hours
they returned into the refectory of the convent, where, in the presence of the
prior and his brethren, the prince required of Pekuah the history of her
adventures.
 

                                Chapter XXXVIII

                       The adventures of the lady Pekuah

»At what time, and in what manner, I was forced away, said Pekuah, your servants
have told you. The
