x me sorely. Now I had it in my mind to
tell you the secret of this long life of mine; long, mark you, but not
endless, for doubtless I must die and change and return again, like
others, and even to show you how it may be won. But you are not worthy
in your faithlessness."

"No, no, I am not worthy," I answered, who at that moment did not feel
the least desire to live two thousand years, perhaps with this woman as
a neighbour, rating me from generation to generation. Yet it is true,
that now when I am older and a certain event cannot be postponed much
longer, I do often regret that I neglected to take this unique chance,
if in truth there was one, of prolonging an existence which after all
has its consolations--especially when one has made one's pile. Certainly
it is a case, a flagrant case, of neglected opportunities, and my only
consolation for having lost them is that this was due to the uprightness
of my nature which made it so hard for me to acquiesce in alternative
statements that I had every cause to disbelieve and thus to give offence
to a very powerful and petulant if attractive lady.

"So that is done with," she went on with a little stamp of indignation,
"as soon you will be also, who, had you not crossed and doubted me,
might have lived on for untold time and become one of the masters of the
world, as I am."

Here she paused, choked, I think, with her almost childish anger, and
because I could not help it, I said,

"Such place and power, if they be yours, Ayesha, do not seem to bring
you much reward. If I were a master of the world I do not think that I
should choose to dwell unchangingly among savages who eat men and in
a pile of ruins. But perhaps the curses of Aphrodite and of Isis are
stronger masters still?" and I paused inquiringly.

This bold argument--for now I see that it was bold--seemed to astonish
and even bewilder my wonderful companion.

"You have more wisdom than I thought," she said reflectively, "who have
come to understand that no one is really lord of anything, since above
there is always a more powerful lord who withers all his pomp and pride
to nothingness, even as the great kings learned in olden days, and I,
who am higher than they are, am learning now. Hearken. Troubles beset me
wherein I would have your help and that of your companions, for which I
will pay each of you the fee that he desires. The brooding white man who
is with you shall free his daughter and unharmed; though t