"You know I hate him," she said gently, "and that I would give the world to get away." "Yes, yes, yes, I know," sobbed the girl; and her anger gave place to a most effusive display of affection. "Yes, I know, but it is so hard to bear. He used at one time to love me so well, and now he is quite changed for the sake of you. Why do you not go?" "Will you show me the way?" cried Helen, eagerly. "The way?" said the girl. "Yes; how to escape--to get back to my own people." "Do you really want to go back?" said the girl, looking at her searchingly. "Yes, yes; oh yes," was the reply. "I'll give you anything to help me away. You shall be made rich, and I will care for you and love you like a sister, only save me from this man." The girl fixed her great dark eyes upon Helen's, and seemed to be trying to read her thoughts. "It is very strange!" she said at last. "What is strange? That I should ask you to save me?" "No," said the girl, dreamily; "that anyone should be able to hate Murad. He has been cruel to me, but I could never hate him, even though others have talked to me and tried to get my love. Hamet has loved me, he tells me, and that he is unhappy because I am cold; but I could never hate Murad, and the more cruel he is to me, the more he seems to have my love." "But it troubles you that he should make love to me?" "Yes," hissed the girl, fiercely. "It makes me mad." "Then help me to escape; help me to get away," cried Helen, clinging to her passionately. "And if I do he will kill me," sighed the girl. "Then do not stay here," whispered Helen, glancing suspiciously at the great curtain, which seemed to wave to and fro, and moved as though some one were listening close behind. "Do not stay?" said the girl, wonderingly. "No. Let us escape together." "But to leave Murad?" "He does not love you now." "But Hamet does; he would grieve. They would follow and kill me." "No, no. You shall not be harmed," said Helen, excitedly. "I will protect you. You shall live with me." "No," said the girl, sadly, "I could not go away and leave Murad. He is cruel to me, but I cannot be cruel to him. He would want me if I was gone." "But you say he would kill you if you stayed?" "Yes," sighed the girl. "He would kill me for helping you to escape if he found me out." "Then come with me and let my people protect you," whispered Helen, excitedly. "Why should you stay here when I can give you a happier and better home?" "Happier! better!" said the girl. "No; there is no life for me that could be happier when he is kind. There can be no better place than this." Helen passed her arm round her, for there was something beautiful in the girl's faith and love for the tyrant who abused her affection at every turn; and the girl, feeling the unusual caress, turned to her lovingly. "Tell me once again," she said, "that you really mean it--that you would be glad to go," and she looked searchingly in Helen's eyes.