Wherefore are you angry with me ?" "I am not angry," said Nehushta, "but think you love me little that you turn from me so easily." She looked down, and her face was quite hidden in the dark shadow.

Then Zoroaster put his arm about her neck and drew her to him, and, though she resisted a little, in a moment her head rested on his breast.

Then she struggled again.
"Nay, let me go, for you do not love me!" she said, half in a whisper.
But he held her close.
"Nay, but you shall not go, for I do love you," he answered tenderly.
"Shall not ?" cried she, turning in his arms, half fiercely; then her voice sank and thrilled softly.

"Say that I will not," she murmured, and her arms went round him and pressed him passionately to her.

"Oh, my beloved, why do you ever seem so cold?
so cold--when I so love you ?" "I am not cold," he said fondly, "and I love you beyond all power of words to tell.