I thought, by making her my wife, to release her from such tyranny and give her rescue and refuge.

To this end I found out all I could from--HIM"-- he approached the name of Heliobas with reluctance--"and I made up my mind that her delicate imagination had been morbidly excited; but that marriage and a life like that led by other women would bring her to a more healthy state of mind." I smiled with a little scorn.
"Your presumption was almost greater than your folly, Prince," I said, "that with such ideas as these in your mind you could dream of winning Zara for a wife.

Do you think she could have led a life like that of other women?
A frivolous round of gaiety, a few fine dresses and jewels, small-talk, society scandal, stale compliments--you think such things would have suited HER?
And would she have contented herself with a love like yours?
Come! Come and see how well she has escaped you!" And I beckoned him towards the door.

He hesitated.
"Where would you take me ?" he asked.
"To the chapel.

Zara's body lies there." He shuddered.
"No, no--not there! I cannot bear to look upon her perished loveliness--to see that face, once so animated, white and rigid--death in such a form is too horrible!" And he covered his eyes with his hand--I saw tears slowly drop through his fingers.