"I must have her alone," he said, and passed through the curtain.
On seeing him, the beautiful girl rose from the cushions on which she had been resting, lost in helpless reverie. Accustomed to find in this wise and commanding man, her father's old friend, a constant adviser, she greeted him trustfully, as a patient greets his physician.
"You know, Cethegus?"
"Everything!"
"And you bring me help and comfort?"
"I bring you revenge, Camilla!"
That was a new and startling idea! Hitherto to fly, to save herself from this torturing position, had been her only thought. At the most, an angry rejection of the royal gift. But now, revenge! Compensation for all the pain she had suffered! Revenge upon the murderers of her father! Her heart was deeply wounded, and in her veins boiled the hot blood of the south. She rejoiced at the words of her tempter.
"Revenge? Who will revenge me? You?"
"You will revenge yourself; that will be sweeter."
Her eyes flashed.