“Why, yes,” said Letari. “It would do no good to kill her first for then her spirit could not tell the gods that she was burned and they could not tell the Korsars.” “It is hideous,” cried Tanar; “and you, a girl yourself, have you no sympathy; have you no heart?” “I am very sorry that they are going to burn you,” said Letari, “but as for her, she is a Korsar and I feel nothing but hatred and loathing for her, but you are different. I know that you are not a Korsar and I wish that I could save you.” “Will you—would you, if you could?” demanded Tanar. “Yes, but I cannot.” The conversation relative to escape had been carried on in low whispers, so that the guard would not overhear, but evidently it had aroused his suspicion for now he arose and came to the doorway of the hut. “What are you talking about?” he demanded. “Why do you stay in here so long, Letari, talking with these Korsars? I heard what you said and I believe that you are in love with this man.” “What if I am?” demanded the girl. “Do not our gods demand that we love? What else do we live for upon Amiocap but love?” “The gods do not say that we should love our enemies.” “They do not say that we should not,” retorted Letari. “If I choose to love Tanar it is my own affair.” “Clear out!” snapped the warrior. “There are plenty of men in Lar for you to love.” “Ah!” sighed the girl as she passed through the doorway, “but there is none like Tanar.” “The hateful little wanton,” cried Stellara after the girl left. “She does not hesitate to reveal what is in her heart,” said Tanar. “The girls of Sari are not like that. They would die rather than reveal their love before the man had declared his. But perhaps she is only a child and did not realize what she said.” “A child nothing,” snapped Stellara. “She knew perfectly well what she was saying and it is quite apparent that you liked it. Very well, when she comes to save you, go with her.” “You do not think that I intended to go with her alone even though an opportunity for escape presented itself through her, do you?” demanded Tanar. “She told you that she would not help me to escape,” Stellara reminded him. “I know that, but it would be only in the hope of helping you to escape that I would take advantage of her help.” “I would rather be burned alive a dozen times than to escape with her help.” There was a venom in the girl’s voice that had never been there before and Tanar looked at her in surprise. “I do not understand you, Stellara,” he said. “I do not understand myself,” said the girl, and burying her face in her hands she burst into tears. Tanar knelt quickly beside her and put an arm about her. “Don’t,” he begged, “please don’t.” She pushed him from her. “Go away,” she cried. “Don’t touch me. I hate you.”