this darkness, Hafela. Thus it happened,
that before ever she was a woman, her mind grew greater than the mind
of any other woman, and her thought became my thought, and my thought
became her thought, for I and no other am her master. Still I waited
to wed her till she was fully grown; and while I waited I went upon an
embassy to the northern tribes. Then it was that you saw the maid in
visiting at my kraal, and her beauty and her wit took hold of you; and
in the council of the king, as you have a right to do, you named her as
your head wife, the queen to be.

"The king heard and bowed his head; he sent and took her, and placed her
in the House of the Royal Women, there to abide till this feast of the
first-fruits, when she shall be given to you in marriage. Yes, he sent
her to that guarded house wherein not even I may set my foot. Although
I was afar, her spirit warned me, and I returned, but too late; for she
was sealed to you of the blood-royal, and that is a law which may not be
broken.

"Hafela, I prayed you to return her to me, and you mocked me. I would
have brought you to your death, but it could not have availed me: for
then, by that same law, which may not be broken, she who was sealed to
you must die with you; and though thereafter her spirit would sit with
me till I died also, it was not enough, since I who have conquered all,
yet cannot conquer the fire that wastes my heart, nor cease to long by
night and day for a woman who is lost to me. Then it was, Hafela, that
I plotted vengeance against you. I threw my spell over the mind of the
king, till he learnt to hate you and your evil deeds; and I, even I,
have brought it about that your brother should be preferred before you,
and that you shall be the servant in his house. This is the price that
you must pay for her of whom you have robbed me; and by my spirit and
her spirit you shall pay! Yet listen. Hand back the girl, as you may
do--for she is not yet your wife--and choose another for your queen, and
I will undo all that I have done, and I will find you a means, Hafela,
to carry out your will. Ay, before six suns have set, the regiments
rushing past you shall hail you King of the Nation of the Amasuka, Lord
of the ancient House of Fire!"

"I cannot," groaned the prince; "death were better than this!"

"Ay, death were better; but you shall not die, you shall live a servant,
and your name shall become a mockery, a name for women to make rhymes
on."

No