Yet ere
you speak, remember that if I live we meet for the last time, since very
soon I go hence to become the wife of Urco and play the part that is
prepared for me?"
Now when I, Hubert, heard these words, I felt as though my heart would
burst within my breast and knew not what to say. So to gain time I asked
her:
"Which do you desire--to live or to die?"
She laughed a little as she answered:
"That is a strange question, Lord. Have I not told you that if I live
I must do so befouled as one of Urco's women, whereas, if I die, I die
clean and take my love with me to where Urco cannot come, but where,
mayhap, another may follow at the appointed time."
"Which time would be very soon, I think, Quilla, seeing that he who had
spoiled all this pretty plot would scarcely be left long upon the earth,
even if he wished to stay there. Yet I say: Do not die--live on."
"To become Urco's woman! That is strange counsel from a lover's lips,
Lord; such as would scarcely have been given by any of our nobles."
"Aye, Quilla, and it is given because I am not of your people and do not
think as they think, who reject their customs.
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