he looked up and round her that Leonard discovered the
girl's peculiar glory, the glory of her eyes. Then and in that light he
was unable to distinguish their colour, a difficult task at any time,
for they varied from grey to blue according to the shadows which fell
upon them, but he could see that they were wide and splendid, fearless
and yet soft. For the rest she was clad in an Arab robe richly worked,
and wore sandals upon her feet.

Juanna stopped in front of the verandah and searched it with her eyes.
Presently they ceased their searching and she spoke in a clear, sweet
voice.

"What do you want with me now, Dom Antonio Pereira?" she said.

"My dove," he answered in his coarse, mocking tones, "do not be angry
with your slave. I promised you, my dove, that I would find a husband
for you, and now all these gallant gentlemen are gathered for the
choice. It is your marriage-hour, my dove."

"Dom Antonio Pereira," the girl answered, "for the last time I plead to
you. I am helpless here among you, and I have done you no injury: let me
go unharmed, I pray of you."

"Let you go unharmed? Why, who would hurt you, my dove?" answered the
satyr. "Yes, that is what I mean to do. I will let you go to a husband."

"I shall never go to any husband of your choosing, Dom Antonio," Juanna
said again in a low and steady voice. "Be assured of that, all of you. I
have no fear of you, for God will help me in my need. And now, as I have
pleaded to you for the last time, so for the last time I warn you, Dom
Antonio, and your wicked companions also. Go on with this iniquity if
you will, but a judgment awaits you. Death from Heaven above is near to
you, you murderer, and after death, vengeance."

Thus she spoke, not loud indeed, but with conviction, a power, and a
dignity of mien that carried terror to the hearts of the most hardened
villains there. It was at the conclusion of her speech that her eyes
first met those of Leonard Outram. He was bending forward to listen,
and in his grief and anger he had forgotten to preserve the truculent
expression which it was his part to wear. Once more Leonard's face was
the face of an English gentleman, noble and open, if somewhat stern.

Their eyes met, and there was that in his which caused Juanna to pause.
She looked at him swiftly as though she would read his very soul, and
in answer he put all his will and heart's desire into his gaze, the will
and the desire that she should know him to be