"
"Yes, Master, and that of woman for man is a third; moreover, there is
this about it--it is the acid which turns all other loves sour. Where
are a man's friends when a woman has him by the heart?--although
perchance they love him better than ever will the woman who at bottom
loves herself best of all. Still, let that be, for so Nature works, and
who can fight against Nature? What Quilla takes, Kari loses, and Kari
must be content to lose."
"Have you done?" I asked angrily, who wearied of his homilies.
"No, Master. The matter of jealousy is small and private; so is the
matter of love. But, Master, you have not told me outright whether you
love the lady Quilla, and, what is more important, whether she loves
you."
"Then I will tell you now. I do and she does."
"You love the lady Quilla and she says that she loves you, which may or
may not be true, or if true to-day may be false to-morrow. For your sake
I hope that it is not true."
"Why?" I said in a rage.
"Because, Master, in this land there are many sorts of poison, as I have
learned to my cost.
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