I gazed at her earnestly.  Those clear childlike eyes—­that frank smile—­that gentle and dignified mien—­could they accompany evil thoughts?  No!  I was sure Zara was good as she was lovely.

“I am not afraid of you, Zara,” I said gravely; “I love you too well for that.  But I am sorry for the poor Prince; and I cannot understand—–­”

“You cannot understand why those who trespass against fixed laws should suffer?” observed Zara calmly.  “Well, you will understand some day.  You will know that in one way or another it is the reason of all suffering, both physical and mental, in the world.”

I said no more, but waited in silence till the sound of a firm approaching footstep announced Heliobas.  He entered the room quickly—­glanced at the motionless form of the Prince, then at me, and lastly at his sister.

“Has he been long thus?” he asked in a low tone.

“Not five minutes,” replied Zara.

A pitying and affectionate gentleness of expression filled his keen eyes.

“Reckless boy!” he murmured softly, as he stooped and laid one hand lightly on Ivan’s breast.  “He is the very type of misguided human bravery.  You were too hard upon him, Zara!”

Zara sighed.

“He spoke against you,” she said.  “Of course he did,” returned her brother with a smile.  “And it was perfectly natural he should do so.  Have I not read his thoughts?  Do not I know that he considers me a false pretender and charlatan?  And have I not humoured him?  In this he is no worse than any one of his race.  Every great scientific discovery is voted impossible at the first start.  Ivan is not to blame because he is like the rest of the world.  He will be wiser in time.”

“He attempted to force his desires,” began Zara again, and her cheeks flushed indignantly.

“I know,” answered her brother.  “I foresaw how it would be, but was powerless to prevent it.  He was wrong—­but bold!  Such boldness compels a certain admiration.  This fellow would scale the stars, if he knew how to do it, by physical force alone.”

I grew impatient, and interrupted these remarks.

“Perhaps he is scaling the stars now,” I said; “or at any rate he will do so if death can show him the way.”

Heliobas gave me a friendly glance.

“You also are growing courageous when you can speak to your physician thus abruptly,” he observed quietly.  “Death has nothing to do with our friend as yet, I assure you.  Zara, you had better leave us.  Your face must not be the first for Ivan’s eyes to rest upon.  You,” nodding to me, “can stay.”