teep and I
had even to climb like a peasant or abandon my purpose."

Robert smiled condescension.

"Dear goddess of exquisite desires, our piety has power to pardon your
paganism. I am king over the pagan shrine as over the Christian altar.
But, before I absolve you, I have a command to lay upon you." His smile
became cruel as he spoke, for a scheme of revenge, exquisitely evil,
possessed him.

"Your slave listens," Lycabetta said, lifting her hands to her jewelled
forehead in sign of submission.

Robert flung his arm around her and drew her down beside him on the
column.

"Lycabetta," he said. "If I know you well, you are a creature of little
scruple, to whom what fools call virtue is a soundless word, and
virginity but an unpierced pearl of price in the market." He paused for
a moment, weighing his revenge, tasting it, finding it sweet to savor.
"To-night I will deliver into your care a young girl, proud of her
purity, strong in her simple innocence. It shall be your task to make
her into a courtesan like yourself, shaming and staining the flower of
her girlhood into a flaming rose of vice. You can do this?"

"It is an easy task, sire."

Robert shook his head, and the cruelty in his face deepened.

"You will not find it easy. I think she will resist you. I know she will
resist you. Conquer her resistance by what means you please. I shall not
question them." His voice broke into a scream of rage. "Break her
spirit, degrade her body, slay her soul, and when she is as I would have
her be, send me word that I may come and laugh at her."

Lycabetta watched him curiously.

"It shall be done, sire," she said, dispassionately.

"She is angel-fair. Fools would say she was angel-good--fools who
believe in angels. She will plead with the speech of angels. You must be
pitiless."

Lycabetta shrugged her shoulders. In her heart she wondered if the King
were losing his wits.

"Were she my sister, sire, your whim should be my law. Trust me, I shall
make her worthy of our ancient rites. But, sire, forgive me if I doubt
this fierce resistance. We women are all alike in the end."

Robert turned away from her with a stifled groan.

"I thought so till this morning," he said, heavily.

Lycabetta guessed at the secret and pricked with a question.

"Surely this moon-flower never defied you, sire?"

Instantly the King turned on her, his fair face so hideous with fury
that Lycabetta slipped from his side and cowered befo