conjoined with me, that verily I think I am but half myself in
thine absence! Come,--sit thee down and break thy fast! ... I
almost feared thou hadst met with some mischance on thy way
hither, and that I should have had to sally forth and rescue thee
again even as I did yesternoon! Say, hast thou occupied thyself
with so much friendly consideration on my behalf, as I have on
thine?"

He laughed gayly as he spoke,--and Theos, looking into his bright,
beautiful face, was for a moment too deeply moved by his own
strange inward emotions, to utter a word in reply. WHY did he love
Sah-luma so ardently, he wondered? WHY was it that every smile on
that proud mouth, every glance of those flashing eyes, possessed
such singular, overwhelming fascination for him? He could not
tell,--but he readily yielded to the magic influence of his
friend's extraordinary attractiveness, and sitting down beside him
in the azure light and soft fragrance of his regal apartment, he
experienced a sudden sense of rest, satisfaction, and
completeness, such as may be felt by a man AT ONE WITH HIMSELF,
and with all the world!




CHAPTER XXII.

WASTED PASSION.


The assembled maidens had retired modestly into the background,