[CHAPTER XXIII.]
FATKOURA.
The captive of the lord of Tosa found her days long and monotonous. She waited for her avenger, sure of his coming, but impatient at the delay. She was tormented by the love, steadily gaining strength, with which Tosa pursued her. After the execution of the man whom he supposed to be Nagato, he had abstained from visiting her; then, seeing that Fatkoura's grief was not violent, and that she seemed resigned, he took courage and renewed his importunities. Sometimes he was humble, submissive, suppliant; sometimes he raged and stormed; and again, he would try to melt her by his tears. But she was still implacable.
"Your tears," said she, "are like the tiger's, when he fears his victim will escape him."
"You shall never escape me," shouted Tosa.
Fatkoura was severe with Tika; she saw that the maid favored the Prince's love. Tika schemed to make her mistress Princess of Tosa. "The Prince of Nagato is dead!" thought she. "Besides, Fatkoura was quickly consoled for his loss."
"You are free now," she said to her mistress one day; "you can love the Prince of Tosa."
"I shall never love any one but Iwakura," was the young woman's answer.