“Are you sure there is no danger?” she asked, halting.
“Come, come!” cried Zarga, dragging her upward almost with violence. “We are late already! There’s not a moment to lose! Come!”
But a conviction that something was amiss suddenly came over Miriam.
“I will go no further!” she said.
But her determination came too late. They were now within a few paces of the entrance; and there appeared before her the figure, not of Jack, or of any of her other friends, but of him whom she could not fail to recognize as Torpeon. He smiled as their eyes encountered, and extended toward her the truncheon in his hand. She felt the mark on her forehead burn, and power to resist forsook her. She was drawn forward in spite of herself.
The aspect of the prince was stately and stern, intellect mingled with passion in his imperious countenance. His expression softened as she drew near, and conveyed a desire, the intensity of which made her tremble.
But indignation at the ruse played upon her kindled her to defiance.
“You may make my body obey you,” she said; “but not my soul!”
“I know the limits of my power,” he replied. “I had no means but this. If I fail to prove my right to you, I am too much a king to take what is not given. Come to my kingdom, learn to know me, and decide.”
“I can never love you; do not make me hate you,” said Miriam.