"Who knows,—if all were told?"
"The fact remains," Roxana persisted in her taunts, "that our fair Theodora's power has its limits; that there is one man at least whom she may not drug with the poison sweetness of her song."
In Theodora's eyes gleamed a smouldering fire, as she met the insufferable taunts of the other woman.
"Why do you not try your own charms upon him, fairest Roxana?" she turned to her tormentor. "Charms which, I grant you, are second not even to mine."
Roxana's bosom heaved. A strange fire smouldered in her eyes.
"And deem you I could not take him from you, if I choose?" she replied, the pupils of her eyes strangely dilated.
"Not if I choose to make him mine!" flashed Theodora.
Roxana's contemptuous mirth cut her to the quick.
"You have tried and failed!"
"I have neither tried nor have I failed."