Speaking for the first time since she had been injured in the study, she said in a frightened little voice,
“I must – go to – Pegasus. He is – starving – I know – he is hungry.”
She tried to get out of bed, but the Duke put his hands on her shoulders and gently put her back against the pillow.
“He is – starving – I cannot – let him starve.”
Then she gave a cry of horror and sat up again to say almost incoherently,
“Why – should we – starve? It’s – easier to – die and be with – David. But Pegasus – how can I – kill you – when you are so beautiful?”
The Duke sat down on the bed beside her and put his arms round her.
“Go to sleep, Ilina,” he suggested soothingly. “Pegasus is not going to starve and you must rest.”
She made a little effort as if she would struggle against him and then
