Page:Ayesha, the return of She (IA cu31924013476175).pdf/148

136  have declared by their signs infallible that before the next new moon, the Khan Rassen will lie dead at the hands of the stranger lord who came to this country from across the mountains.

Then the heavens have declared a lie, said Leo contemptuously.

That is as you will, answered Atene; but so it must befall, not by my hand or those of my servants, but by yours. And then?

Why by mine? Why not by Holly's? Yet, if so, then doubtless I shall suffer the punishment of my crime at the hands of his mourning widow, he replied exasperated.

You are pleased to mock me, Leo Vincey, well knowing what a husband this man is to me.

Now I felt that the crisis had come, and so did Leo, for he looked her in the face and said—

Speak on, lady, say all you wish; perhaps it will be better for us both.

I obey you, lord. Of the beginning of this fate I know nothing, but I read from the first page that is open to me. It has to do with this present life of mine. Learn, Leo Vincey, that from my childhood onwards you have haunted me. Oh! when first I saw you yonder by the river, your face was not strange to me, for I knew it—I knew it well in dreams. When I was a little maid and slept one day amidst the flowers by the river's brim, it came first to me—ask my uncle here if this be not so, though it is true that your face was younger then. Afterwards again and again I saw it in my sleep and learned to know that you were mine, for the magic of my heart taught me this.

Then passed the long years while I felt that you were drawing near to me, slowly, very slowly, but ever drawing nearer, wending onward and outward through the peoples of the world; across the hills, across the plains, across the sands, across the snows, on to my side. At length came the end, for one night not three moons ago,