lingered near the boy who held Tamara's camel, and then gradually slunk
away; thus, but for Hafis, she was alone--alone with her thoughts and
the Sphinx.

The strange, mystical face looked straight at her from the elevation
where she sat. Its sensual mocking calm penetrated her brain. The
creature seemed to be laughing at all humanity--and saying--"There is
no beyond--live and enjoy the things of the present--Eat, drink, and be
merry, for to-morrow you die, and I--I who sit here and know, tell you
there is no beyond. The things you can touch and hold to your bodies
are the only ones worth grasping."

"No, no!" said Tamara, half aloud, "I will not--I will not believe it."

"Fool," said the Sphinx. "What is your soul? And if you have one, what
have you done with it hitherto? Are you any light in the world?--No,
you have lived upon the orders of others, you have let your
individuality be crushed these twenty-four years--since the day you
could speak. Just an echo it is--that fine thing, your soul! Show it
then, if you have one! Do you possess an opinion? Not a bit of it. You
simply announce platitudes that you have been taught were the right
answers to all questions! Believe me, you have no soul. So take what
you can--a body! You certainly have that, one can see it--well, snatch
what it can bring you, since you have not enough will to try for higher
things. Grasp what you may, poor weakling. That is the wisdom sitting
here for eternity has taught me."

Tamara stirred her hands in protest--but she knew the indictment was
true. Yes, her life had been one long commonplace vista of following
leads--like a sheep.