Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXIV. KUN TO EARTH. As I stood revolving these matters in my mind, Zadah remained silent, studying my face, as if to read there the decree of her fate. She was the first to speak. I cannot understand the sudden change that has come over the spirit of your highness' dreams," she said at length in Spanish, which seemed to be the language of the court. "I have been a true and faithful wife to you, Gonzales, and have not deserved this at your hands." "You misunderstand me, signora," I replied, bracing my nerves for the scene that I knew was inevitable. "I have done nothing to the king, as you call him, but he has done much to me." "But I have not injured you in any way; why do you repudiate me and speak of another love?" she asked with a dangerous light in those wondrous eyes. "I will answer your question with another, signora" "Why this formality, Gonzales?" she interrupted. "You are not the same man. What has come between us?" "I was about to ask why should I pretend to love you, signora--although you are a woman most men could easily learn to love--whom I, so far as I know to the contrary, now see for the first time?" "You say that! And yet you have professed to love me every day for three blissful months--ever since we left San Francisco, in fact--and I have lain in your arms happy in the belief that your protestations were true! Is that honorable or manly, Gonzales? and the long, dusky lashes dropped over her large dark eyes as a crimson flush suffused her olive face. "This is perfectly dreadful, signora," I replied with an anguish at my heart which I made no effort to conceal. "I believe you have been a much wronged woman, but I assure you upon my honor as a man that I have been as unconscious of every act of my life for the...
