"Then it would seem that I have lost favour in the eyes of my lord the prince, or that some fairer woman has found it." "Of these matters I know nothing," replied the king; "but this I know, that if you seek justice you shall have it.

Say but the word, and he to whom you were promised in marriage shall take you in marriage, whether he wills or wills it not." At this speech, the face of Hafela was suddenly lit up as with the fire of hope, while over that of Hokosa there passed another subtle change.
The girl glanced at them both and was silent for a while.

Her breast heaved and her white teeth bit upon her lip.

To Owen, who noted all, it was clear that rival passions were struggling in her heart: the passion of power and the passion of love, or of some emotion which he did not understand.

Hokosa fixed his calm eyes upon her with a strange intensity of gaze, and while he gazed his form quivered with a suppressed excitement, much as a snake quivers that is about to strike its prey.
To the careless eye there was nothing remarkable about his look and attitude; to the observer it was evident that both were full of extraordinary purpose.