"That is a matter which concerns only myself, Lady Theodora," she said coldly. "You saved my honor--perchance my life. For this I thank you. I shall depart at once." She walked to the door, opened it and recoiled. Before it stood two Africans with gleaming scimitars. White to the lips, Hellayne closed the door and faced Theodora. "Lady Theodora--why are these there?" Theodora's smouldering gaze met the fire in the other woman's eyes. "Those who come to the bowers of Theodora, remain," she said slowly. "Am I to understand that you will detain me by force within these walls of infamy?" "Your language is a trifle harsh, fairest Lady Hellayne," Theodora replied mockingly. "Your over-wrought nerves must bear the burden of the blame. Yet, whatever it may please you to call the place where Theodora dwells, always remember, I am Theodora. You have heard of me before." "Yes--I have heard of you before!" The calm and cutting contempt which lingered in these words stung Theodora like a whip-lash. "You know then, Lady Hellayne, it is your will against mine! We have met before!" "You mean to detain me here, against my will?" "Whether I detain you or no--shall depend upon yourself. We are two women--young,--beautiful--passionate--determined to win that which we deem our happiness. I will be plain with you. All the reverses and heartaches of months and days are wiped out in this glorious moment when I hold you here in my power. For once my guardian angel, if I can still boast of one, has been kind to me. He has delivered you into my hands--and I shall bend or break you!" Hellayne listened to this outburst of passion with outward calm, though her heart beat so wildly that she thought the other woman must hear it through the deadly silence which prevailed for a space. "You will bend or break me, Lady Theodora?" Hellayne replied with a pathetic shrug. "There is nothing that you could do that would even leave a memory. I have suffered that in life which makes you to me but the nightmare of an evil dream." "We shall see, Lady Hellayne," Theodora replied, her passion kindling at the other woman's calm. "What then is the ransom you desire, Lady Theodora?" Hellayne continued sardonically. "A woman of your kind desires but one thing--and gold I do not possess--" Theodora's eyes scanned Hellayne's pale face. "Lady Hellayne," she said slowly, "of all the things in heaven or on earth there is but one I desire: Tristan,--the man you love--the man who loves you with a passion so idolatrous that, did I possess but the one thousandth atom of what he gives to your ice cold heart, I should deem myself blessed above all women on earth. Give him to me--renounce him--and you are free to go wherever your fancy may lead you." Hellayne regarded the speaker as if she thought she had gone mad. "Give him to you?" she said, hardly above a whisper, but her tone stung Theodora to the quick.