Helen's hands closed, and her fingers were tightly enlaced as she tried to find a way out of her difficulties. She knew that threats would be in vain, and supplication to him to set her free like so many wasted words. There was no way out but by gaining the mastery over her enemy once more. Her enemy! But he must be treated like a friend. Only a few brief months back, and this man, at whose mercy she now was, seemed the veriest slave. Well, why not once again? she asked herself. She was as young and beautiful as ever they said. He loved her--he must love her--and why should she not sway him by this love? It was her only hope, and she grasped at it to try. "Well," he said, smiling mockingly, "will you not find a place here by my side?" She was silent for a few moments, and then, making an effort: "You have done me a cruel injury, Rajah," she exclaimed, her voice trembling, but becoming firmer with each word she spoke. "Injury!" he said, smiling; and his eyes glittered at the success that promised to attend his plans. "Oh, no; not injury. It can be no injury to a beautiful woman to make her the wife of a rich Malay prince--one who loves her with all his heart--a rajah who loves your English ways, and who will surround you with everything you wish." "You will give me my liberty?" said Helen. "Yes," he said; "whatever my beautiful princess can desire." She made a gesture full of impatience, and remained silent for a few moments to gather calmness before she spoke again. "You have spoken of the past, Rajah Murad," she said at last, in a low musical voice. "Yes," he said, smiling; "that happy past." "I was very weak and foolish then, Rajah," she said. "I was but a girl, and I fear I loved admiration. It was that which made me act so foolishly and ill. But when I tell you my sorrow for my acts--when I tell you how bitterly I repent it all--you will forgive me, and will take me back." "For your people to seize and shoot me like a dog?" he said, quietly. "Oh, no, no!" she cried, "they would not do you harm. You will have taken me back, and for this they shall not do you ill." "Speak again like that," he cried with his eyes lighting up. "That makes you look more beautiful than you were before." She started and shuddered, but she went on: "I ask your forgiveness for the wrong I, in my foolish, girlish wilfulness, did you; and now that you have punished me so severely as you have, you will pardon me, Rajah--the weak, helpless woman who prays you to send her back." "I punish you!" he cried, with an affectation of surprise. "I would not punish you. To keep you with me it was necessary that you should look like these my people, and I was sorry to give orders that it should be done. I half feared the result; but I do not repent it now that I have seen how it makes you more beautiful than ever."