A Princess of Mars

"I am glad that you have so decided," replied Than Kosis. "It is far

from my desire to push war further against the people of Helium, and,

your promise shall be recorded and a proclamation to my people issued

forthwith."

"It were better, Than Kosis," interrupted Dejah Thoris, "that the

proclamation wait the ending of this war. It would look strange indeed

to my people and to yours were the Princess of Helium to give herself

to her country's enemy in the midst of hostilities."

"Cannot the war be ended at once?" spoke Sab Than. "It requires but

the word of Than Kosis to bring peace. Say it, my father, say the word

that will hasten my happiness, and end this unpopular strife."

"We shall see," replied Than Kosis, "how the people of Helium take to

peace. I shall at least offer it to them."

Dejah Thoris, after a few words, turned and left the apartment, still

followed by her guards.

Thus was the edifice of my brief dream of happiness dashed, broken, to

the ground of reality. The woman for whom I had offered my life, and

from whose lips I had so recently heard a declaration of love for me,

had lightly forgotten my very existence and smilingly given herself to

the son of her people's most hated enemy.

Although I had heard it with my own ears I could not believe it. I

must search out her apartments and force her to repeat the cruel truth

to me alone before I would be convinced, and so I deserted my post and

hastened through the passage behind the tapestries toward the door by

which she had left the chamber. Slipping quietly through this opening

I discovered a maze of winding corridors, branching and turning in

every direction.

Running rapidly down first one and then another of them I soon became

hopelessly lost and was standing panting against a side wall when I

heard voices near me. Apparently they were coming from the opposite

side of the partition against which I leaned and presently I made out

the tones of Dejah Thoris. I could not hear the words but I knew that

I could not possibly be mistaken in the voice.

Moving on a few steps I discovered another passageway at the end of

which lay a door. Walking boldly forward I pushed into the room only

to find myself in a small antechamber in which were the four guards who

had accompanied her. One of them instantly arose and accosted me,

asking the nature of my business.

"I am from Than Kosis," I replied, "and wish to speak privately with

Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium."

"And your order?" asked the fellow.

I did not know what he meant, but replied that I was a member of The

Guard, and without waiting for a reply from him I strode toward the

opposite door of the antechamber, behind which I could hear Dejah

Thoris conversing.