I have given her the peace--as I will give it to you if--" "You'll give me nothing," he interrupted fiercely; then, his passion breaking through all restraint--"Yes, you damned witch--you'll give me back my sister!" In his rage he had spoken English; she could not, of course, have understood the words, but their anger and hatred she did understand.
Her serenity quivered, broke.

The strange stars within her eyes began to glitter forth as they had when she had summoned the Smiting Thing.
Unheeding, Ventnor thrust out a hand, caught her roughly by one bare, lovely shoulder.
"Give her back to me, I say!" he cried.

"Give her back to me!" The woman's eyes grew--awful.

Out of the distended pupils the strange stars blazed; upon her face was something of the goddess outraged.

I felt the shadow of Death's wings.
"No! No--Norhala! No, Martin!" the veils of inhuman calm shrouding Ruth were torn; swiftly the girl we knew looked out from them.