She sobbed bitterly, while Jack marched excitedly up and down the place.
“Is there no hope—nothing to be done?” he exclaimed despairingly.
“There is only one thing,” was answered in a low, hesitating tone.
“What is that?” he asked eagerly.
“I have come to try to aid you. If you wrap up in this cloak and go out quietly now, while it is half dark, you may get clear out of the palace unobserved. One of my maids is waiting for me without, and will show you the way. I warned her of my plan, and she is to be trusted.”
“What! And leave you here in my place to suffer Coryon’s vengeance? Why, Zonella—dear, kind friend—what must you think of me?”
“I can think of nothing else,” she answered simply. “And for me—I care not. Whatever may befall me, you will be able to get away; perhaps even to serve your friend.”
Jack took her hand in his, not noticing that she seemed to shiver under the touch.
“Such an offer is too kind, too much, my dear, good friend,” he said. “It cannot be; we must try——”
“For my sake, then,” she exclaimed impulsively. “I would rather die myself than see you carried off to yonder dens. Or”—she paused confusedly, and then went on—“for your friend’s sake. Think! Consider! Do you refuse merely from any thought about me? Think what you might be able to do for others—for your friend, for Ulama!”