between the wildernesses of roses. Her pavilion stands still
among the flowers, and the waters ripple through it to join the
lake - and she is - where? Even in the glory of sunshine the
passing of all fair things was present with me as I saw the empty
shell that had held the Pearl of Empire, and her roses that still
bloom, her waters that still sing for others.

The spray of a hundred fountains was misty diamond dust in the
warm air laden with the scent of myriad flowers. Kahdra followed
us everywhere, singing his little tuneless happy song. The world
brimmed with beauty and joy. And we were together. Words broke
from me.

"Vanna, let it be for ever! Let us live here. I'll give up all
the world for this and you."

"But you see," she said delicately, "it would be 'giving up.' You
use the right word. It is not your life. It is a lovely holiday,
no more. You would weary of it. You would want the city life and
your own kind."

I protested with all my soul.

"No. Indeed I will say frankly that it would be lowering yourself
to live a lotus-eating life among my people. It is a life with
which you have no tie. A Westerner who lives like that steps
down; he loses his birthright just as an Oriental does who
Europeanizes himself. He cannot live your life nor you his. If
you had work here it would be different. No - six or eight weeks
more; then go away and forget it."