'"Incubu," she said at length, "wouldst thou be a king? Listen,
wouldst thou be a king? Behold, stranger, I am minded to make
thee king of all Zu-Vendis, ay and husband of Sorais of the Night.
Nay, peace and hear me. To no man among my people had I thus
opened out my secret heart, but thou art an outlander and therefore
I speak without shame, knowing all I have to offer and how hard
it had been thee to ask. See, a crown lies at thy feet, my lord
Incubu, and with that fortune a woman whom some have wished to
woo. Now mayst thou answer, oh my chosen, and soft shall thy
words fall upon mine ears."
'"Oh Sorais," I said, "I pray thee speak not thus" -- you see
I had not time to pick and choose my words -- "for this thing
cannot be. I am betrothed to thy sister Nyleptha, oh Sorais,
and I love her and her alone."
'Next moment it struck me that I had said an awful thing, and
I looked up to see the results. When I spoke, Sorais' face was
hidden in her hands, and as my words reached her she slowly raised
it, and I shrank back dismayed. It was ashy white, and her eyes
were flaming. She rose to her feet and seemed to be choking,
but the awful thing was that she was so quiet about it all.
Once she looked at a side table, on which lay a dagger, and from
it to me, as though she thought of killing me; but she did not
take it up.
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