"But you will take me back to my father?" she pleaded. "I will forgive everything. I will not breathe a word about this outrage. No one shall know that it was Rajah Murad who took me from my home. Only send me back safely, and I will bless you." He laughed softly. "There are steps some men take," he said, "that can never be retraced, and this I have done is one of those steps. You are a woman of sense, and know your people. I staked all upon this cast, and I have won. If I give way now, what will the English people, who are so proud of their honour, say to the beauty of their station, who comes back to them darkened like one of us? What will they say to the lady who comes back to them after so many days in Rajah Murad's harem?" Helen started as if she had been stung, and her eyes flashed their indignation at this cowardly speech. But she felt directly after that anger would be useless--that she must gain time; and once more trembling in every limb, she forced herself to plead. "I have some mastery over him," she thought, and determining to retain, and if possible strengthen it, she forced back every semblance of anger, and placed her hands together in supplication. "You told me once that you loved me," she said softly. "I told you once? I have told myself I loved you a thousand times," he cried passionately. "Then you would not disgrace me in the eyes of my people?" she pleaded. "No," he cried. "I would not; I love you far too well." "Then set me free--send me back to my home." "That would be to disgrace you, foolish girl," he cried. "Do you not see why I took this step? You made me love you, and when you cast me off, I tell you I made a tow that you should still be mine. I had you brought here. Well, I am as jealous of your honour as you are yourself. You cannot leave here but as my wife." A sob of rage and indignation choked Helen's utterance for the moment, but she mastered it once more and turned upon him. "Is this your love for me," she cried, "to cause me this dreadful pain." "Pain perhaps now," he said quietly; "but happiness will come for both. You proud and foolish girl, you do not know what it is to be the wife of a prince such as I am. Let your people go. Mine will do far more honour to their new princess; they will worship you. They must and shall. There, I see you are listening to what I say. You are growing sensible; let this strange feeling wear away. Be gentle to me Helen-- love--and be content to stay!" Helen's brow grew wrinkled, and her eyes were half-closed as she stood there with clasped hands, asking herself how she should act. She was checked at every double, and the hopelessness of her position had never appeared more strongly to her than it did now. Her eyes wandered to the door, to the window, and then to the Rajah, as he half reclined upon the mats, gazing at her with a smiling, satisfied look, as if watching the feeble efforts made by his captive to escape from his toils.