"Be silent!" whispered some one in his ear,--"As you value your
life and the life of Sah-luma,--be silent!"

But he cared nothing for this warning, . . reckless of consequences,
he tore the scarf away and breaking loose from the hands that held
him, made a bound toward Lysia ... here he paused. Her eyes met
his languidly, shedding a sombre, mysterious light upon him
through the black shower of her abundant hair, ... the evil
glitter of the great Symbolic Gem she wore fixed him with its
stony yet mesmeric luster ... a delicious smile parted her roseate
lips,--and breaking off a magnolia-bud from the cluster she held,
she kissed and gave it to him...

"Be at peace, good Theos!" she said in a low, tender tone, . .
"Beware of taking up arms in the defence of the unworthy, . . rather
reserve thy courage for those who know how best to reward thy
service!"

As one in a trance he took the flower she offered,--its fragrance,
subtle and sweet, seemed to steal into his veins. and rob his
manhood of all strength, ... sinking submissively at her feet he
gazed up at her in wondering wistfulness and ardent admiration, . .
never was there a woman so bewilderingly beautiful as she! What
were the sufferings of Nir-jalis now? ... what was anything
compared to the strangely enervating ecstasy he felt in letting
his eyes dwell fondly on the fairness of her face, the whiteness
of her half-veiled bosom, the delicate, sheeny dazzle of her
polished skin, the soft and supple curves of her whole exquisite
form, . . and spell-bound by the witchery of her loveliness, he