"And why?"
"Because I have been his slave," the girl continued. "At odd, strange moments he has shown me a little love, he has let me creep into a small corner of his heart. Now I am cast out, and there is no more life for me because there is no more love, and there is no more love because, having felt his, no other can come after. Here have I sat with all the tortures of Hell burning in my blood because I knew that you and he were there alone, because I was never sure that, after all, I was not doing my lord's will. And now I know that I suffered in vain. You did not understand."
Maggie looked across at her visitor reflectively. She was beginning to regain her poise.
"Listen," she said, "did you seriously expect me to accept Prince Shan as a lover?"
The girl's eyes were round with wonder.
"It would be your great good fortune," she murmured, "if he should offer you so wonderful a thing."
Maggie laughed,—persisted in her laugh, although it sounded a little hard and the mirth a little forced.
"I cannot reason with you," she declared, "because you would not understand. If you love him so much, why not go back to him? You will find him quite alone. I dare say you know the secrets of his lockless doors and hordes of unseen servants."
La Belle Nita rose to her feet. About her lips there flickered the faintest smile.
"Young English lady," she said, "I shall not go, because I am shut for ever out of his heart. But listen; would you have me go?"