shall not be able to marry him, but if that is so, at least I will never
become one of the king's women."

"How will you prevent it, Nanea?"

"There are waters in which a maid may drown, and trees upon which she
can hang," she answered with a quick setting of the mouth.

"That were a pity, Nanea, you are too fair to die."

"Fair or foul, yet I die, _Inkoos_."

"No, no, come with me--I will find a way--and be my wife," and he put
her arm about her waist, and strove to draw her to him.

Without any violence of movement, and with the most perfect dignity, the
girl disengaged herself from his embrace.

"You have honoured me, and I thank you, _Inkoos_," she said quietly,
"but you do not understand. I am the wife of Nahoon--I belong to Nahoon;
therefore, I cannot look on any other man while Nahoon lives. It is not
our custom, _Inkoos_, for we are not as the white women, but ignorant
and simple, and when we vow ourselves to a man, we abide by that vow
till death."

"Indeed," said Hadden; "and so now you go to tell Nahoon that I have
offered to make you my wife."

"No, _Inkoos_, why should I tell Nahoon your secrets? I have said 'nay'
to you, not 'yea,' therefore he has no right to know," and she stooped