The pardon, she said, created "very dark suspicions" that "made people question whether or not in fact there was a deal."

"Your pardon," said another godspeaker she had never seen before.

"Your pardon," Ara said, and quickly produced a chair for him out of thin air.

I ask your pardon,' said the stranger, with a marked foreign accent and what was meant to be an engaging smile.

"Your pardon," he said in a voice like habitual grief.

"Your pardon," Talsu said as he got to his feet.

"My pardon," he said, coming around the desk and offering a polite bow.

"Your pardon," the tribune said at once, yielding the small point so he could have another go at the large one.

"Your pardon, please, welcome passenger," she said in a thin voice.

"Your pardon, Lord," he said, his eyes searching me up and down.