that I loved her.

I believe Ghak must have read the truth more in my expression than
in my words, for presently he laid his hand upon my shoulder.

"Man of another world," he said, "I believe you. Lips may lie,
but when the heart speaks through the eyes it tells only the truth.
Your heart has spoken to me. I know now that you meant no affront
to Dian the Beautiful. She is not of my tribe; but her mother is
my sister. She does not know it--her mother was stolen by Dian's
father who came with many others of the tribe of Amoz to battle
with us for our women--the most beautiful women of Pellucidar.
Then was her father king of Amoz, and her mother was daughter of
the king of Sari--to whose power I, his son, have succeeded. Dian
is the daughter of kings, though her father is no longer king since
the sadok tossed him and Jubal the Ugly One wrested his kingship
from him. Because of her lineage the wrong you did her was greatly
magnified in the eyes of all who saw it. She will never forgive
you."

I asked Ghak if there was not some way in which I could release the
girl from the bondage and ignominy I had unwittingly placed upon
her.

"If ever you find her, yes," he answered. "Merely to raise her hand
above her head and drop it in the presence of others is sufficient
to release her; but how may you ever find her, you who are doomed
to a life of slavery yourself in the buried city of Phutra?"

"Is there no escape?" I asked.