Would Hellayne but step out of her reserve! Would she but abandon her icy calm!
"Then you refuse?" she flashed.
"I defy you," Hellayne replied. "Do your worst! Rather would I see him dead than defiled by such as you!"
"Would you, indeed?" Theodora returned with a deadly calm. "Nevertheless, when first we met, he, for the mere asking, gave to me a scarf of blue samite, a chased dagger, tokens from the woman he had loved."
Theodora paused, to watch the effect of the poison shaft she had sped. She saw by Hellayne's agonized expression that it had struck home.
"For the last time, Lady Hellayne, do my bidding!"
Hellayne had regained her self-possession. With a supreme effort she fought down the pain in her heart.
"Never!" came the firm reply.
"Then I shall take him from you!"
"Deem you, I have aught to fear from such as you?" Hellayne said slowly, the blue fire of her eyes burning on the pale face of Theodora. "Deem you, that Tristan would defile his manhood with the courtesan queen of Rome?"