"Forgive
the things I said to you, my Prince. I did not mean them. Only
take me away with you. Let me share your imprisonment on Shador."
Her words were an almost incoherent volley of thoughts, so rapidly
she spoke. "You did not understand the honour that I did you.
Among the therns there is no marriage or giving in marriage, as
among the lower orders of the outer world. We might have lived
together for ever in love and happiness. We have both looked upon
Issus and in a year we die. Let us live that year at least together
in what measure of joy remains for the doomed."
"If it was difficult for me to understand you, Phaidor," I replied,
"can you not understand that possibly it is equally difficult for
you to understand the motives, the customs and the social laws that
guide me? I do not wish to hurt you, nor to seem to undervalue
the honour which you have done me, but the thing you desire may not
be. Regardless of the foolish belief of the peoples of the outer
world, or of Holy Thern, or ebon First Born, I am not dead. While
I live my heart beats for but one woman--the incomparable Dejah
Thoris, Princess of Helium. When death overtakes me my heart shall
have ceased to beat; but what comes after that I know not. And
in that I am as wise as Matai Shang, Master of Life and Death upon
Barsoom; or Issus, Goddess of Life Eternal."
Phaidor stood looking at me intently for a moment.
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