Owari obeyed. The young girl returned, trembling, and with downcast eyes.
Hieyas looked at her fixedly with an expression on his face which would have alarmed any one who knew the man. The maiden, however, raised her head, and an undaunted spirit was apparent in her eyes,—a sort of self-renunciation.
"It was you who betrayed us," said Hieyas in a dull, heavy voice.
"Yes," said she.
"What does this mean?" cried the Prince of Owari with a start.
"It means that the plot so carefully contrived within these castle walls, so mysteriously concealed from all, was surprised and revealed by her."
"Wretch!" cried the Prince raising his clenched fist against his daughter.
"A woman,—a child,—to ruin a political conspiracy!" continued Hieyas. "A vile pebble, to make you stumble, and hurl you headlong to the ground! It is a mockery!"
"I will kill you!" yelled Owari.
"Kill me! what will it matter?" said the girl. "I have saved the King. Is not his life worth mine? I have long awaited your vengeance."