Naia approached. Her face was devoid of color--as white as though the bullet had pierced her heart instead of the body of the unknowing sacrifice to developing science, now lying in swift dissolution beside the lake. Slowly she put forth a finger and touched the shining thing in Croft's hands. "This is the new weapon?" she said in a sibilant whisper, and lifted her face to his. "Aye. And having shown Lakkon its power, I must return to Himyra." Croft turned toward the car. He hoped she would understand his abruptness, since after Lakkon's words he was afraid to meet the glance of her eyes. "Return?" she cried protestingly. "Must you go so soon, my lord?" "The need presses," Lakkon cut in. "Lord Jasor came but to show us the last fruits of his wonderful knowledge. I called you to witness the test. You need not remain." "You see," he went on as Naia turned with a quivering lip and slowly mounted the stairs. "What?" Croft met him eye to eye. "That my daughter is a woman, Jasor of Nodhur, and that your name is a word on every tongue in Aphur, and that the princess is pledged to Cathur." "Who will foreswear his pledge," Croft interrupted, knowing Jadgor must have told the counselor what they had discussed. "If your words be true?" "You doubt them?" "Nay--yet Lakkon is a name of honor, and a pledge is a pledge until broken indeed." "And should it be so broken?" Croft leaned a trifle toward him from the hips. "Aphur would refuse you nothing," Prince Lakkon said. Croft laughed as he sprang into his seat. "Forget not those words, Prince Lakkon," he flung back as he started the car. * * * * * He drove to Himyra in a rage. Before him floated a vision of Naia's purple eyes gone black with hurt misunderstanding, of her quivering crimson lips. But his rage was as much with himself as with Lakkon, to tell the truth. He had been indiscreet after promising discretion. He had gone to the mountains too often. He had let eye and voice speak too plainly those things in his soul. Lakkon had been blind not to see what was ripening under his nose. And Lakkon was a man of honor according to his code. He drove to the palace, found Gaya, and told her the whole thing from beginning to end. "You mean that the maiden loves you?" she cried. "Aye," Croft said. "You have told her of your love?" Gaya seemed a bit breathless as she paused. "Aye." Croft inclined his head. "You are mad!" "Nay--I am in love. It comes to the same thing." Croft smiled. "Ga and Azil help you both," Gaya returned. "I can do nothing. And--you must not imperil her honor, my lord. But--I shall make it my task to see her and explain the manner of your return tonight, and," her color deepened swiftly, "to assure her of your love." "Thank you, sweet Gaya." Croft rose. "You are a blessed hypocrite--and a true woman." He bent and gripped her hand. And Gaya smiled upon him because he was a strong man and she was a woman indeed.