“And behold, as the first sun-ray pierced the fury of the storm, the mighty bird spread wide its wings, which were as of ruby and of emerald and of onyx and of gold as they glistened in the sun, and sailed upon the wind of the morning down towards the plains.

“And as he passed, glittering like a jewel in the crown of Osiris, those of his kind, screaming defiance, spread their wings and hastened west and east.

“They would have none of him, for beneath the mighty pinions showed the white plumage of another race.

“And in the radiant light of day there came from the southern plains a white bird, crossing the hawk’s path as a snowflake driven by Destiny across the desert wastes; and he encircled her, lifting her upon the wind of his great pinions higher, higher yet towards the eyrie in the solitary mountain peak.

“And as they mounted, those of his kind and those of her kind, who had followed, battled with him, for he was outcast from the one and the other.  And the mist, which was the anger of the gods, closed down . . .”

The shadows seemed to deepen as the quiet voice stopped.

“And—­” said Damaris gently, “—­the end?”

“That is on the lap of the gods.”

“I do not understand!”

She had not caught the end of Lady Thistleton’s chatter, else would she have been able to interpret the little story, and the man, who had thought that his parents’ mixed marriage was a common subject for gossip in the hotel—­which it was—­sprang to his feet, The future still held the moment when someone would enlighten her as to the lowliness of his caste.

“It is late,” he said gravely in English.  “Perhaps if you were to ask at the hotel, someone would interpret the little tale.  And now will you not return, for fear they come in search of you?  It is not wise to wander alone, at night, without a companion.  Your dog------?”

Damaris laughed, the echoes binding the silvery sound like a soft wrapping about the wounds and bruises Time had left upon the ruins.

“Wellington?  Oh, he cut his foot badly this morning.  And I—­I want to go to the hall built like a tent.”

“The great Festal Hall of Totmes III?”

The man made no other comment; it was not for him to offer himself as dragoman.

“Will you—­take me there, if you know the way?”

“Verily would I be thy guide,” came the passionate reply, “to guard thy feet against the stones which will surely be spread upon thy path.”

Playing with fire!  Yes, indeed!

Side by side they walked, the torch throwing a pool of radiance just ahead, until Damaris walked blindly into a column and cried aloud from the hurt of the stone against her shoulder.

It was then that she stretched out her hand for support, and tingled to her feet when sudden flames seemed to singe her finger-tips as they rested on the man’s arm.