. Brende.
Yet, as you remember, I aspired to you. And now--I have not changed. I
never change. I still--aspire to you."

He said it very softly, slowly. She flushed; but for that moment fear of
him dropped from her.

"Oh," she said. "I--I thank you for such a compliment----"

"A compliment? Yes, I suppose it is that now. You wondered, didn't you,
why I was so lenient with your brother and that Jac Hallen when they
would have refused me obedience? That is not my way--to be lenient." He
said it with a sudden snap of crispness, but his eyes were twinkling.
"It was because of you, Lady Elza."

"Me?" she murmured.

"You--of course. Because I--want you to like me." His fingers
involuntarily touched a stray lock of her hair as she sat there at his
feet, but when she moved her head away he withdrew his hand. His slow
voice went on:

"Back in those other days, Lady Elza, the little Taro had strange
dreams. A power within him--he could feel it--here----" His gaze was far
away; his fist struck his breast. "He could feel it--the urge to fulfill
his destiny--feel it within him, and no one else knew it was there.

"Then--you came. A shy, rather pretty little girl, he realizes now, is
all you were. But then--you seemed a goddess. A new dream arose--a dream
of you ... I frighten you, child?" His tone was contrite. "I do not mean
to do that. I am too hasty. Queer, isn't it, that I can make men,
nations, worlds, obey me--but I have to bide my time with a fragile
little woman?"

His mood changed; he stirred. "I could bend you to my will--break
you--like that!" His lean fingers snapped. Then his hand dropped, and
again he relaxed. "But of what use?... Your respect? I have it now.
Respect and fear come to me from everyone. It is something more than
that I want from you."

She would have spoken, but his gesture stopped her. "Queer that I should
want it? Yes, I think perhaps it is. The little Taro was very queer,
perhaps very impressionable. He knew he had nations and worlds to
conquer--a destiny to fulfill. Not alone because of you, little Elza. I
would not make you think that. But for you to share. The great Tarrano,
master of the universe, and his Lady Elza! Worlds for you to toy with,
like gems on a thread adorning your white throat----"

He must have swayed her, the sheer power of him. Impulsively she touched
his knee. "I am not worth----"

His face clouded with a frown. "I would not try to buy your love----"

"Oh," she s