od, and even now they hunger for your lives. How thinkest
thou that I rule this people? I have but a regiment of guards to do my
bidding, therefore it is not by force. It is by terror. My empire is
of the imagination. Once in a generation mayhap I do as I have done but
now, and slay a score by torture. Believe not that I would be cruel, or
take vengeance on anything so low. What can it profit me to be avenged
on such as these? Those who live long, my Holly, have no passions,
save where they have interests. Though I may seem to slay in wrath,
or because my mood is crossed, it is not so. Thou hast seen how in the
heavens the little clouds blow this way and that without a cause, yet
behind them is the great wind sweeping on its path whither it listeth.
So it is with me, oh Holly. My moods and changes are the little clouds,
and fitfully these seem to turn; but behind them ever blows the great
wind of my purpose. Nay, the men must die; and die as I have said."
Then, suddenly turning to the captain of the guard:--

"As my word is, so be it!"

XVI

THE TOMBS OF KOR

After the prisoners had been removed Ayesha waved her hand, and the
spectators turned round, and began to crawl off down the cave like a
scattered flock of sheep. When they were a fair distance from the dais,
however, they rose and walked away, leaving the Queen and myself alone,
with the exception of the mutes and the few remaining guards, most of
whom had departed with the doomed men. Thinking this a good opportunity,
I asked _She_ to come and see Leo, telling her of his serious condition;
but she would not, saying that he certainly would not die before the
night, as people never died of that sort of fever except at nightfall
or dawn. Also she said that it would be better to let the sickness spend
its course as much as possible before she cured it. Accordingly, I was
rising to leave, when she bade me follow her, as she would talk with me,
and show me the wonders of the caves.

I was too much involved in the web of her fatal fascinations to say her
no, even if I had wished, which I did not. She rose from her chair, and,
making some signs to the mutes, descended from the dais. Thereon four
of the girls took lamps, and ranged themselves two in front and two
behind us, but the others went away, as also did the guards.

"Now," she said, "wouldst thou see some of the wonders of this place, oh
Holly? Look upon this great cave. Sawest thou ever the like? Yet wa