I did not harm this Tara, though I was sorely tempted to; and after amoment we quieted her. She was crying and laughing by turns; but when weseated her on the divan she controlled herself and fell into a sullensilence. Elza, pale and frightened at her escape, faced the woman, andwaved Wolfgar and me aside. Strange little Elza! Resolute, she stoodthere, and would brook no interference with her purpose. Wolfgar and Iwithdrew a pace or two and stood watching them.
Tara's breast was heaving with her pent emotion. She sat drooping on thedivan, her face buried in her hands.
Elza said gently: "Why did you do that, Tara?"
There was no answer; only the woman's catching breath as she struggledwith her sobs. Across the background of my consciousness came thethought that Tarrano or one of his guards would doubtless momentarilyappear to investigate all this turmoil. And I was vaguely conscious alsothat from our instrument room the sounds of an unusual activity werecoming. But I did not heed them. Elza was insisting:
"Why did you do that, Tara? Why should you want to harm me?"
Tara looked up. "You have stolen the man I love."
"I?"
"Yes. Tarrano----"
She broke off, set her lips firmly together as though to repress furtherwords; and her fine grey eyes, filled with unbidden tears, weresmoldering to their depths with hate.
Impulsively Elza sank to the floor beside the woman. But Tara drew away.
Elza said: "Tarrano--he is a wonderful man, Tara. A genius--the greatestfigure of these three worlds...."
My heart sank to hear her say it!
"... a genius, Tara. You should be proud to love him...."
"You----" The woman's writhing fingers seemed about to reach for Elza. Itook a sudden step forward, then relaxed. Elza added quickly:
"But I would not steal Tarrano from you. Don't you realize that?"
"No!"
"But it's true."
"No! No! You have stolen him! With your queer Earth beauty--that coloredhair of yours--those rounded limbs--you've bewitched him! I can see it.You can't lie to me! I made him angry once and he admitted it."
"No, I tell you!"
"I say yes. You've stolen him from me. He loves you--and he mocks andlaughs at me----"
"Tara, wait. I do not love Tarrano, I tell you. I would not havehim----" How my heart leaped to hear her say it so convincingly. Sheadded:
"He loves me, perhaps--but I can't help that. He has me prisoner here. Iam forced----"
"You lie! You are playing to win him! What girl would refuse? You sayyourself he is the greatest man of the ages. You lie when you tell meyou do not want him!"
Elza had taken the woman by the shoulders. "Tara, listen--you _must_listen! Are you mated with Tarrano?"
"No! But years ago he promised me. I took his name then, as we do in theCold Country. They still call me Tara! Years I have waited, true to mypromise--with even my name of maidenhood relinquished. _His_ name--Tara!And now he tosses me aside--because _you_, only an Earth woman, havebewitched him."
"I didn't want to bewitch him, Tara." Elza's voice was very gentle; anda whimsical smile was plucking at her lips. "You think I want himbecause he is a genius--the greatest man of our time?"
"Yes!"
"Is that why _you_ want him?"
"No, I love him."
"You loved him before he was very great, didn't you?"
"Yes. Back in the Cold Country. When he was only a boy--and I was nomore than a girl half grown. I love him for himself, I tell you----"
Elza interrupted; and her voice risen to greater firmness, held aquality of earnest pleading.
"Wait, Tara! You love Tarrano for himself--because you are a womancapable of love. It is the man you love--not his deeds, or his fame orhis destiny. Isn't that so?"
"Yes. I----"
"Then won't you give me credit for being a woman with instincts as fineas your own? The love of a good woman goes unbidden. You can't win it byconquering worlds and flinging them at her feet. Tarrano thinks you can.He thinks to dazzle me with his feats of prowess. He wants to buy mylove with thrones for me to grace as queen. He thinks my awe and fear ofhim are love. He thinks a woman's love is born of respect, andadmiration, and promises of wealth. But you and I, Tara--we know itisn't. We know it's born of a glance--born in poverty andsickness--adversity--every ill circumstance--born without reason--for noreason at all. Just born! And if anything else gives it birth--it is nota true woman's love. You and I know that, Tara. Don't you see?"
Tara was sobbing unrestrainedly now, and Elza, with arms around her,went on:
"You should be proud to love Tarrano. If I loved him, I would be proudof him, too. But I do not----"
A step sounded near at hand. Tarrano stood in the archway, with armsfolded, regarding us sardonically.