“Kasba, wait a minute, I want you,” said the voice in carefully modulated tones.
“What—do—you—want—with—me?” faltered the maiden, now thoroughly frightened.
“I want to speak to you,” said the voice. Kasba shivered. She swayed and almost fell, for it was the voice of the man she so greatly feared.
“What do you want—I don’t understand,” she faltered, trying to move away, but now her legs refused her bidding.
“Oh, you needn’t be afraid,” said the man, stepping out of the shadow.
“You’re not so scared of Bekothrie, I notice,” he added with meaning.
“He is the master!” faltered the girl, her face flushing painfully, wondering whether the fellow had guessed her secret.
“Oh, of course,” laughed Broom unpleasantly, and slyly edging nearer. “The master, and therefore a little tin god. But say,” he added, taking a step or two boldly, “does he not kiss those pretty lips occasionally, and embrace that tight little waist, eh?”
“Why should he?” asked the girl stupidly, scarcely knowing what to say.
“Why should he?” repeated Broom, chuckling. “Why indeed! Why, because he is human, my dear, and can no more resist the fascination of your pretty face and figure than I can.” Kasba remembered how easily Roy had resisted her that very day and, despite the terror she was feeling, smiled bitterly. While the fellow had been speaking he had craftily reduced the space between them, and now, encouraged by the girl’s silence, he tried to clasp her about the waist. But the action worked upon the girl like magic. There was too much of the fighting blood of her warrior ancestors in her to allow her to be terrified for long, and though her expression of strong aversion never changed, she stopped trembling and with perfect calmness skilfully eluded his grasp. His arm encircled the empty air and he swore under his breath. “Oh, you needn’t try to be so confoundedly coy,” he cried, baffled for the moment. “Come, sweetheart,” he added, waxing passionate and insinuating and again edging toward her, “I’m in love with you and shall sleep all the better for a kiss from those red lips.”