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.

At last she spoke one word, and one only -- '"_Go!_" 'And I went, and glad enough I was to get out of it, and here I am.