"The wind which blows from the land of exile is more burning than flames of fire," said Tika, in a solemn tone. "Is it so dreadful, then, to dwell in one castle rather than in another?" said the Prince. "Fatkoura shall be treated like a queen. I swear that I desire her captivity to be more sweet than liberty is to most people. Tell me what does she like?" "Did she not tell you that she cared for nothing now? Once she was fond of dress, and music, and festivity; more than all else she loved to hear the footsteps of her lover on the outer gallery." "She was very fond of this Nagato, then?" "She loved him as he deserved to be loved; he is the most perfect knight imaginable." "There are others as good," said Tosa. "You think so!" cried Tika, with an incredulous air; "I never heard of them." "He loves her madly, I suppose?" "How could any one help loving her?" "True, she is beautiful," said the Prince, casting a look at Fatkoura. "You think her beautiful now, when her eyes are drowned in tears, and when she scorns the aid of paint and dress. If you had seen her when she was happy!" "I will do my utmost to bring back a smile to her lips," said Tosa. "There is but one way to do that." "What is it? Tell me." "To restore her to her husband." "You mock me," cried the Prince, with a frown. "I, sir!" said Tika, clasping her hands; "do you think I would deceive you, and that it would not be the best way to make my mistress happy? I know that you will not try it; so you will never see her smile." "Very well! then she must be sad," said Tosa; "I shall not set her free." "Alas!" sighed Tika. "Silence!" cried the Prince, stamping his foot. "Why do you say alas? what difference does it make to you whether you wait upon her here or there. Don't you see that she has fascinated me, and that I am miserable?" The Prince moved away as he said these words, while Tika pretended to be lost in profound surprise. "I did not think that you would confide in me quite so soon," she muttered when he was gone. "I divined your secret long ago; but you little guess how ready I am to favor your love." Tika then went back to sit at the feet of her mistress. "You desert me, to talk with our jailer," said Fatkoura. "It was he who came to talk to me, mistress," said Tika; "and in the space of a few moments he told me very strange things." "What did he tell you?" "Must I repeat his words? you will not be angry?" "I don't know; but speak." "Well, he said that you were the jailer, and he was your prisoner." "What do you mean?" "That the Prince of Tosa loves Fatkoura, and that if she is skilful, she can make him obey her every whim." "I despise him too much to heed whether he loves or hates me?" said Fatkoura, turning away her head. "He is not so contemptible," said Tika; "he is a very powerful and very illustrious prince." "Can you speak in such terms of our mortal enemy, Tika?" said Fatkoura, looking at her severely.