"Cathur shall judge the truth for himself," Jadgor made response. "Prince Lakkon craves the presence of Kyphallos at a feast tomorrow night. The maiden shall be there." "Good." Once more Kyphallos smiled. Women were his main interest in life. "I have never given serious thought to marriage, yet it can do no harm to see this fairest of Aphur's maids. Say to Prince Lakkon that Cathur shall do himself the pleasure to accept his invitation to a feast. As for the rest--" He shrugged. "A man, O Jadgor, should never marry in haste. I must think upon your words." There was something in the Cathurian's mind. Croft tried to read the secret thought, and failed. Jadgor, too, seemed to sense some reason beyond the one assigned for the man's hesitation, although an immediate answer was hardly to have been expected to such a proposition as that by which the prince was faced. And Jadgor did not seek to press the matter further. Instead, he turned to Lakkon with a request to escort the royal guest to the rooms prepared against his coming, and rose from his seat. * * * * * Croft sought Prince Lakkon's palace without more delay. He found it receiving the finishing touches of preparation for the Cathurian's entertainment, and Naia, with her own maid beside her, supervising the hangings of fresh draperies in the huge central court. His soul quickened at sight of her and then sank as he saw the expression of her face. It was an expression of deliberate endurance, and he recalled how nights before she had sighed in her sleep. Yet he hovered near her and after hours Lakkon himself arrived and came to her side. Father and daughter sat upon one of the carved and gilded seats with which the court had been set forth. Naia looked into Lakkon's eyes. "What said the Cathurian to Jadgor's proposal?" she inquired. "He accepted our invitation for the night after this," Lakkon replied. "He seems a cautious man. He would see you before he decides." "He would see me!" Naia of Aphur flashed. "He would view me--learn if I please his royal fancy--Zitu! must I submit to this?" "Nay." Lakkon shook his head. "Cathur's prince was but gaining time to consider all sides of the case. Jadgor's offer took him by surprise." "Perhaps," said Naia in almost eager fashion, "he does not wish a wife." Lakkon shook his head again. "Scythys, his father, is old. Kyphallos must marry when he gains the throne at latest. Is everything prepared?" "Aye--even to--the sacrifice." Naia's tone was bitter. She rose and moved away without more words, mounting the stairs toward her rooms. Croft's heart was bitter, too, as he left the place and returned by his will to Scira and the apartment of Jasor of Nodhur.