And Melicent said nothing.
"For all we women know, my sister, our appointed curse. To love the man, and to know the man loves just the lips and eyes Youth lends to us--oho, for such a little while! Yes, it is cruel. And therefore we are cruel--always in thought and, when occasion offers, in the deed."
And Melicent said nothing. For of that mutual love she shared with Perion, so high and splendid that it made of grief a music, and wrung a new sustainment out of every cross, as men get cordials of bitter herbs, she knew there was no comprehension here.