Page:Ayesha, the return of She (IA cu31924013476175).pdf/312

300 arms and stared her straight in the face. She contemplated him a little, then said—

After that great ordained reason which thou dost not know, I think, Leo, that why I love thee so madly is that thou alone art not afraid of me. Not like Holly there, who, ever since I threatened to turn his bones to gold—which, indeed, I was minded to do, and she laughed—trembles at my footsteps and cowers beneath my softest glance.

Oh! my lord, how good thou art to me, how patient with my moods and woman's weaknesses, and she made as though she were about to embrace him. Then suddenly remembering herself, with a little start that somehow conveyed more than the most tragic gesture, she pointed to the couch in token that he should seat himself. When he had done so she drew a footstool to his feet and sank upon it, looking up into his face with attentive eyes, like a child who listens for a story.

Thy reasons, Leo, give me thy reasons. Doubtless they are good, and, oh! be sure I'll weigh them well.

Here they are in brief, he answered. The world, as thou knewest in thy— and he stopped.

Thy earlier wanderings there, she suggested.

Yes—thy earlier wanderings there, has set up gold as the standard of its wealth. On it all civilizations are founded. Make it as common as it seems thou canst, and these must fall to pieces. Credit will fail and, like their savage forefathers, men must once more take to barter to supply their needs as they do in Kaloon to-day.

Why not? she asked. It would be more simple and bring them closer to the time when they were good and knew not luxury and greed.

And smashed in each other's heads with stone axes, added Leo.

Who now pierce each other's hearts with steel, or those leaden missiles of which thou hast told me. Oh! Leo, when the nations are beggarded and their golden