Of this, however, he
said nothing to Nanea.
"There is your water, Nanea, shall I carry it for you to the kraal?"
"Nay, _Inkoos_, I thank you, but give it to me, you are weary with its
weight."
"Stay awhile, and I will accompany you. Ah! Nanea, I am still weak, and
had it not been for you I think that I should be dead."
"It was Nahoon who saved you--not I, _Inkoos_."
"Nahoon saved my body, but you, Nanea, you alone can save my heart."
"You talk darkly, _Inkoos_."
"Then I must make my meaning clear, Nanea. I love you."
She opened her brown eyes wide.
"You, a white lord, love me, a Zulu girl? How can that be?"
"I do not know, Nanea, but it is so, and were you not blind you would
have seen it. I love you, and I wish to take you to wife."
"Nay, _Inkoos_, it is impossible. I am already betrothed."
"Ay," he answered, "betrothed to the king."
"No, betrothed to Nahoon."
"But it is the king who will take you within a week; is it not so? And
would you not rather that I should take you than the king?"
"It seems to be so, _Inkoos_, and I would rather go with you than with
the king, but most of all I desire to marry Nahoon.
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