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84 art the only stranger who has entered our walls since their foundation."

"Then are all your women dead—are none of queenly rank left?"

"There are more of them than of us."

"Are they not beautiful?"

For answer he led her into a building which seemed to be a kind of temple. He unlocked a massive gate, and conducted her into a well-lighted apartment. In the middle was placed the statue of a most beautiful woman.

"Such," he said, "are our women by nature. Greece has rarely produced such wonders of form and grace."

From the statue Daphne turned to the walls, which seemed to be covered with statues and painting, and she started back terrified. A horrible fascination made her stare at the works, and her eyes drank in the meaning of the artist in a moment.