It was built of pink marble , so highly polished that the flowers and streams surrounding it were reflected as in a mirror . One set of rooms was furnished especially for me in yellow silk and silver , to suit my black hair . Fresh dresses were provided for us every day , and we had slaves to wait on us . Ah , why could not this happiness have lasted for ever ! ` The peace of our lives was troubled by Thelamis 's jealousy of my sister , as he could not endure to see her on friendly terms with the prince , though knowing full well that his heart was mine . Every day we had scenes of tender reproaches and of explanations , but Tezila 's tears never failed to bring Thelamis to his knees , with prayers for forgiveness . ` We had been living in this way for some months when one day the news came that the king had fallen dangerously ill . I begged the prince to hurry at once to the court , both to see his father and also to show himself to the senators and nobles , but as his love for me was greater than his desire of a crown , he hesitated as if foreseeing all that afterwards happened . At last Tezila spoke to him so seriously in Thelamis 's presence , that he determined to go , but promised that he would return before night . ` Night came but no prince , and Tezila , who had been the cause of his departure , showed such signs of uneasiness that Thelamis 's jealousy was at once awakened . As for me , I can not tell what I suffered . Not being able to sleep I rose from my bed and wandered into the forest , along the road which he had taken so many hours before . Suddenly I heard in the distance the sound of a horse 's hoofs , and in a few moments the prince had flung himself down and was by my side . `` Ah , how I adore you ! '' he exclaimed , `` Thelamis 's love will never equal mine . '' The words were hardly out of his mouth when I heard a slight noise behind , and before we could turn round both our heads were rolling in front of us , while the voice of Thelamis cried : ' `` Perjured wretches , answer me ; and you , faithless Tezila , tell me why you have betrayed me like this ? '' ` Then I understood what had happened , and that in his rage , he had mistaken me for my sister . ' `` Alas , '' replied my head in weak tones , `` I am not Tezila , but Dely , whose life you have destroyed , as well as that of your friend . '' At this Thelamis paused and seemed to reflect for an instant . ' `` Be not frightened , '' he said more quietly , `` I can make you whole again , '' and laying a magic powder on our tongues he placed our heads on our necks .
In the twinkling of an eye our heads were joined to our bodies without leaving so much XXXXX a scar ; only that , blinded with rage as he still was , Thelamis had placed my head on the prince 's body , and his on mine !
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