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Slaves did as O-Tar bid and Tara of Heliu eyes behind the chair that was offered her "Sit!" coirl sank into the chair "I sit as a prisoner," she said; "not as a guest at the board of my enemy, O-Tar of Manator"

O-Tar motioned his followers from the room "I would speak alone with the Princess of Helium," he said The company and the slaves withdrew and once irl "O-Tar of Manator would be your friend," he said

Tara of Helium sat with ar fron to answer his overture O-Tar leaned closer to her He noted the hostility of her bearing and he recalled his first encounter with her She was a she-banth, but she was beautiful She was by far the most desirable woman that O-Tar had ever looked upon and he was determined to possess her He told her so

"I could take you as my slave," he said to her; "but it pleases me to make you my wife You shall be Jeddara of Manator You shall have seven days in which to prepare for the great honor that O-Tar is conferring upon you, and at this hour of the seventh day you shall become an empress and the wife of O-Tar in the throne roo that stood beside him upon the table and when a slave appeared he bade him recall the company Slowly the chiefs filed in and took their places at the table Their faces were gri, for there was still unanswered the question of their jeddak's courage If O-Tar had hoped they would forget he had been mistaken in his men

O-Tar arose "In seven days," he announced, "there will be a great feast in honor of the new Jeddara of Manator," and he waved his hand toward Tara of Heliu of the seventh zode in the throne room In the meantime the Princess of Helium will be cared for in the tower of the women's quarters of the palace Conduct her thither, E-Thas, with a suitable guard of honor and see to it that slaves and eunuchs be placed at her disposal, who shall attend upon all her wants and guard her carefully from harm"

About 8:30 P M Earth Ti concealed in these fine words was that he should conduct the prisoner under a strong guard to the women's quarters and confine her there in the tower for seven days, placing about her trustworthy guards ould prevent her escape or frustrate any attempted rescue