"'Harry, our laws are not thy laws; our customs in Gathma are not like those in Ramos--Earth, as it is called by thee. Know thee, that even the King hath no power to put to death a noble of Perodii's rank. He can but depose him from Court----' "'But Kios, whom we met near the city of Pamax, told us that for some offence he had been condemned to die, and only saved his life through the clemency of the King.' "'Ah! I also heard yesterday from worthy Kios of your stay with him in the woods of Theloth, and wish him well. But Kios was not of such noble rank as Perodii, who in station is next to the King.' "'That shall not prevent his reckoning with me, Volinè. The day shall yet come when I will make him confess as publicly that his words were lies, as when he spoke them in your father's Judgment Hall.' "'Heed him not, O Harry; let him go his own evil way. Cross not his path a second time, or he may do thee harm, and I----' "'Should what, dear one?' I asked as I kissed her forehead. "'Should never cease to grieve for thee; she answered, nestling closer to me, and gazing into my face with her splendid eyes. "'But I have no fear of such a coward as he; and by the customs of the Earth I long have left, I swear he shall answer for his added insults on you.' "'Harry, Harry, dost thou not care for me enough to obey me? Thou dost! Then let Perodii rest in the deep disgrace into which he hath already fallen. By the customs of Edos, methinks no greater punishment could be given him. And now thou must leave me.' "'But when may I see you again, darling? To-night? Yes, say to-night, and in the garden Siccoth, by the arbour where you first met me.' "'Well, thou hast my promise. Now haste thee to thy comrades, for the hour hath arrived when my maids do come to me.' "'May the hour soon come, my darling, when we shall never have to part again,' I said to her, unable longer to control my feelings. "'What meanest thou?' "'I will tell you, my precious one, in Siccoth's arbour, where, at sunset, I shall wait in weariness until you come,' I answered, as I kissed her again and again, before tearing myself away from her white, encircling arms. "Once more three blasts were blown by Volinè upon that golden whistle, and almost immediately Cyni and her sister entered, and conducted me to the foot of the staircase, where I found the marshal waiting to escort me back to my companions.