But was it too late to change? Had she the courage? Dared she think for
herself? If not, the mystic message of the Sphinx's smile were better
followed: "Eat, drink, and be merry, for to-morrow you die."

The blue of the sky seemed to soothe her, and speak of hope. Could any
other country produce a sky of so deep a sapphire as the night sky of
Egypt? All around was intense sensuous warmth and stillness almost as
light as day.

How wise she had been to break through the conventionality which
surrounded her--and it had required some nerve--so as to be able to
come here alone, on this one of her last nights in Egypt.

She half smiled when she thought of Millicent Hardcastle's face when
she had first suggested it.

"My dear Tamara, what--what an extraordinary thing for a woman to do!
Go to the Sphinx all alone at two o'clock in the morning. Would not
people think it very strange?"

Tamara felt a qualm for a second, but was rebellious.

"Well, perhaps--but do you know, Millicent, I believe I don't care.
That carven block of stone has had a curious effect upon me. It has
made me think as I have never done before. I want to take the clearest
picture away with me--I must go."

And even Mrs. Hardcastle's mild assertion that it could equally well be
viewed and studied at a more reasonable hour did not move Tamara, and