would have you _accept_ it willingly. No! do not turn
from me! No woman in all the world has ever heard me plead, as I
plead to you. Never before have I _sued_ for favours. Do not turn from
me, Miska."

Slightly, the metallic voice vibrated, and the ruffling of that giant
calm was a thing horrible to witness. Fo-Hi extended his long yellow
hands, advancing step by step until he stood over the cowering girl.
Irresistibly her glance was drawn to those blazing eyes which the veil
could not hide, and as she met that unblinking gaze her own eyes
dilated and grew fixed as those of a sleep-walker. A moment Fo-Hi
stood so. Then passion swept him from his feet and he seized her
fiercely.

"Your eyes drive me mad!" he hissed. "Your lips taunt me, and I know
all earthly greatness to be a mirage, its conquests visions, and its
fairness dust. I would rather be a captive in your white arms than
the emperor of heaven! Your sweetness intoxicates me, Miska. A fever
burns me up!"

Helpless, enmeshed in the toils of that mighty will, Miska raised her
head; and gradually her expression changed. Fear was smoothed away
from her lovely face as by some magic brush. She grew placid; and
finally she smiled--the luresome, caressing smile of the East. Nearer
and nearer drew the green veil. Then, uttering a sudden fierce
exclamation, Fo-Hi thrust her from him.

"That smile is not for _me,_ the man!" he cried gutterally. "Ah! I
could curse the power that I coveted and set above all earthly joys!
I who boasted that he could control his will--I read in your eyes that
I am _willing_ you to love me! I seek a gift and can obtain but a
tribute!"

Miska, with a sobbing moan, sank upon the _diwan._ Fo-Hi stood
motionless, looking straight before him. His terrible calm was
restored.

"It is the bitter truth," he said--"that to win the world I have
bartered the birthright of men; the art of winning a woman's heart.
There is much in our Chinese wisdom. I erred in breaking the whip.
I erred in doubting my own prescience, which told me that the smiles
I could not woo were given freely to another ... and perhaps the
kisses. At least I can set these poor frail human doubts at rest."

He crossed and struck a gong which hung midway between the two doors.

CHAPTER IV

THE GUILE OF THE EAST

Her beautiful face a mask of anguish, Miska cowered upon the _diwan,_
watching the closed doors. Fo-Hi stood in the centre of the great
room with his back t