shining now through no “vile vessel,” but in a vase of alabaster and of pearl—­none of these things and qualities were altogether human.  I felt it and was afraid, and Atene felt it also, for she answered—­“I am but a woman.  What thou art, thou knowest best.  Still a taper cannot shine midst yonder fires or a glow-worm against a fallen star; nor can my mortal flesh compare with the glory thou hast earned from hell in payment for thy gifts and homage to the lord of ill.  Yet as woman I am thy equal, and as spirit I shall be thy mistress, when robbed of these borrowed beauties thou, Ayesha, standest naked and ashamed before the Judge of all whom thou hast deserted and defied; yes, as thou stoodest but now upon yonder brink above the burning pit where thou yet shalt wander wailing thy lost love.  For this I know, mine enemy, that man and spirit cannot mate,” and Atene ceased, choking in her bitter rage and jealousy.

Now watching Ayesha, I saw her wince a little beneath these evil-omened words, saw also a tinge of grey touch the carmine of her lips and her deep eyes grow dark and troubled.  But in a moment her fears had gone and she was asking in a voice that rang clear as silver bells—­“Why ravest thou, Atene, like some short-lived summer torrent against the barrier of a seamless cliff?  Dost think, poor creature of an hour, to sweep away the rock of my eternal strength with foam and bursting bubbles?  Have done and listen.  I do not seek thy petty rule, who, if I will it, can take the empire of the world.  Yet learn, thou holdest it of my hand.  More—­I purpose soon to visit thee in thy city—­choose thou if it shall be in peace or war!  Therefore, Khania, purge thy court and amend thy laws, that when I come I may find contentment in the land which now it lacks, and confirm thee in thy government.  My counsel to thee also is that thou choose some worthy man to husband, let him be whom thou wilt, if only he is just and upright and one upon whom thou mayest rest, needing wise guidance as thou dost, Atene.  Come, now, my guests, let us hence,” and she walked past the Khania, stepping fearlessly upon the very edge of the wind-swept, rounded peak.

In a second the attempt had been made and failed, so quickly indeed that it was not until Leo and I compared our impressions afterwards that we could be sure of what had happened.  As Ayesha passed her, the maddened Khania drew a hidden dagger and struck with all her force at her rival’s back.  I saw the knife vanish to the hilt in her body, as I thought, but this cannot have been so since it fell to the ground, and she who should have been dead, took no hurt at all.

Feeling that she had failed, with a movement like the sudden lurch of a ship, Atene thrust at Ayesha, proposing to hurl her to destruction in the depths beneath.  Lo! her outstretched arms went past her although Ayesha never seemed to stir.  Yes it was Atene who would have fallen, Atene who already fell, had not Ayesha put out her hand and caught her by the wrist, bearing all her backward-swaying weight as easily as though she were but an infant, and without effort drawing her to safety.