human
Begone! she cried, stamping her foot.
gpt
There is the Mother; not a second time shalt thou take me from her. My fathers, she cried, appealing to all around,
human
She is here, said the Shastree, stepping forward;
gpt
Friends, said Moro Trimmul, looking round,
human
I will not go; I will not go! cried Tara, entering the door of the shrine, and clasping the feet of the image.
gpt
Kill me if ye will, here,--I am ready; but I will not go with him.
human
I claim them both, sirs, cried Moro Trimmul passionately;
gpt
he called, in a hoarse voice--
human
he cried to two of his attendants, who had seized Gunga, and were holding her fast--
gpt
Madman, he cried, stretching forth his hands;
human
he continued to Tara, who had stood up also by the altar, and was trembling violently, but not with terror.
gpt
Fear not; thou art under the protection of the council, and he dare not interfere with thee.
human
Fool and dotard, exclaimed Moro Trimmul under his breath, and from between his clenched teeth,
gpt
I will settle with thee for this, one day yet. As ye will, sirs, he continued bitterly, looking round and panting as he dropped his sword's point.
human
My honour is in the hands of a priest's council at last, not in my own keeping, and I am helpless; but hasten what ye have to do, for I will not leave ye till ye have decided in regard to her. Look at her--harlot and witch, sorceress and devil--who hath already destroyed men's souls,--will ye believe the Mother protects such as she is?
gpt
Let it be so, said the Shastree.
human
Tara, art thou willing to abide the night, as the issue of the ordeal suggested by thyself, to wait her coming? If so, we will stay here with thee.
gpt
Mother, she said in a low voice, turning to the altar, and joining her hands in supplication before the image--
human
Mother, if I am thy child, tell me what to say to them; or, if thou wilt, let me be another sacrifice to thee, and it will be well. Mother,--O Toolja Máta! dost thou hear?--Tara is ready before thee--ready to come!