on of deep anguish
on his face.

"Satzavan, my poor brother, you also have come to witness my painful
end!"

The boy went toward her, and wound his arms around her slim waist,
drawing the dark head onto his shoulder.

"I would that I could help you," he whispered. "But what can I do
among all these fiends?"

"It is hard to die thus--so hard."

"Savitre, I am more compassionate than you think, and I have here a
draught which will send you into a deep sleep. The pain of death will
thus be saved you," Konmia broke in severely, holding a vessel toward
the girl.

"No, no!" Savitre shrieked, pushing the potent drink away. "I cannot!
Think how awful to awaken with the cruel flames wreathing round my
body, and my cries for help useless, deadened by the yells of those
people. I cannot--I will not die!"

Satzavan, deathly white, and with quivering features, drew her
shuddering frame closer to him, and led her into the temple.

"Leave us for a moment, I implore you," he said, turning to his aunt.
"She loves me, and I may perhaps reconcile her to her fate."

"You are the head of your family; I trust to you to bring her to
reason--to save the honor of a name until now without blemish," Konmia
replied, and placing the poisonous flask in Satzavan's hand, she left
them alone in the temple.

"Quick, Savitre; we will drink this draught together, and when they
seek you, they will find us both cold in death."

"You also, my brother, speak of death! I must escape--I cannot
sacrifice my life!"

"Nor shall you," a gentle voice broke in passionately, and Lianor, her
face full of tender compassion, stood before the victim, Panteleone
beside her.

"Follow me," the latter said briefly, drawing the girl's arm through
his. "Trust us, and you will yet be saved."

With joyful hearts the two Indians accompanied their kind protectors,
climbing among the broken gods, higher and higher, until they at last
arrived without the temple, the other side from where the Indians were
assembled.

There they were rejoined by the soldiers and attendants, and the
little party commenced their homeward journey, hoping the wild group
would not discover their presence.

But their hopes were not to be realized; ere they had gone many yards,
the flight of the rajah's widow had been discovered, and with hideous
cries they sought eagerly to find her.

It was not long ere they espied the small party, and full of triumph
dashed toward them.

"Lianor,