Page:Taylor - In the Dwellings of the Wilderness.djvu/76

 not see clearly; but he knew that it was lying very still, watching him with a sidelong under-glance, full of invitation and temptation, the jewels on rounded throat and curving breast winking in the light.

And then all power of will left him under the subtle, enervating fragrance that clutched at his brain and sent it reeling; and suddenly it became more than he could endure. He flung himself upon the earth and stones which filled the doorway, and tore at them, muttering rambling words beneath his breath, in a blind fear of something to which he could give no name.

Then a shout of men's voices struck his ears, close beside him; the air of the-passage, pure and cool as heaven's own after