Page:Ayesha, the return of She (IA cu31924013476175).pdf/221

Rh  love the man thyself? Nay, it is monstrous. Nature would cry aloud at such a shame. Oh! tremble not with rage. Has, I know thy evil powers, but I know also that I am thy guest, and that in this hallowed place, beneath yonder symbol of eternal Love, thou may'st shed no blood. More, thou canst not harm me, Hes, who am thy equal.

Atene, replied the measured Voice, did I desire it, I could destroy thee where thou art. Yet thou art right, I shall not harm thee, thou faithless servant. Did not my writ bid thee through yonder searcher of the stars, thy uncle, to meet these guests of mine and bring them straight to my shrine? Tell me, for I seek to know, how comes it that thou didst disobey me?

Have then thy desire, answered Atene in a new and earnest voice, devoid now of bitterness and falsehood. I disobeyed because that man is not thine, but mine, and no other woman's; because I love him and have loved him from of old. Aye, since first our souls sprang into life I have loved him, as he has loved me. My own heart tells me so; the magic of my uncle here tells me so, though how and where and when these things have been I know not. Therefore I come to thee. Mother of Mysteries, Guardian of the secrets of the past, to learn the truth. At least thou canst not lie at thine own altar, and I charge thee, by the dread name of that Power to which thou also must render thy account, that thou answer now and here.

Who is this man to whom my being yearns? What has he been to me? What has he to do with thee? Speak, Oracle and make the secret clear. Speak, I command, even though afterwards thou dost slay me—if thou canst.

Aye, speak! speak! said Leo, for know I am in sore suspense. I also am bewildered by memories and rent with hopes and fears.

And I too echoed, Speak!

Leo Vincey, asked the Hesea, after she had thought awhile, whom dost thou believe me to be?

I believe, he answered solemnly, that thou art that