"The Christians, my lord; there were many present, and they came on purpose. They failed the first time, but they did it the next."
Magas gazed at Chione, as she lay, for the most part insensible, yet at intervals uttering incoherent words which alarmed them all. He said softly, "Chione?"
She started up and gazed fiercely at him. "Begone!" she said, "you have lost me my soul for ever; begone!" And she struck him a violent blow.
"It is ever thus, my lord," said an attendant consolingly, "when people are thus attacked by the furies; they hate those most that they loved the best."
"What makes you think the Christians have bewitched her?"
"They are practising magic all over, and playing all kinds of tricks throughout the country."
"But why should they attack your mistress?"
"Why, my lord—" And the woman hesitated.
"Well, what?"
"Well, my lord, they do say she was once one of them; and when any one leaves them, they never forgive them—they torment them for ever."