On Earth I should never have been fool enough to meddle in a woman's quarrel.

The weakest can take her own part in the warfare of taunt and innuendo, better and more venomously than could dervish, priest, or politician.

But Eveena could no more lower herself to the ordinary level of feminine malice than I could have borne to hear her do so; and it was intolerable that one whose sweet humility commanded respect from myself should submit to slight or sneer from the lips and eyes of petulant girls.

Eunane started as I spoke, using that accent which gives its most peremptory force to the Martial imperative.

"Repeat aloud what you have chosen to say to Eveena in my presence." If the first to express the ill-will excited by Eveena's evident influence, though exerted in their own behalf, it was less that Eunane surpassed her companions in malice than that they fell short of her in audacity.