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It was a strange effect, and made on the mind of Theos a strange impression, he was about to call Sah-luma's attention to it, when an uncomfortable consciousness that they were no longer alone came over him, instinctively he turned round, uttered a hasty exclamation, and springing erect, found himself face to face with a huge black, a man of some six feet in height and muscular in proportion, who, clad, in a vest and tunic of the most vivid scarlet hue, leered confidentially upon him as their eyes met.
Some trifling matter of free-will remains to me in spite of mine affliction, and that I have supped with Sah-luma at the Palace of the High Priestess, has been as much my choice as his example. Who among men would turn aside from high feasting and mirthful company? ... not I, believe me! ... and Sah-luma's desires herein were but the reflex of mine own.
Theos realized his own superior height and superior muscular development, but what were these physical advantages compared to the classic perfection of Sah-luma's beauty? beauty combining the delicate with the vigorous, such as is shadowed forth in the artist-conceptions of the god Apollo.
As this thought passed across his mind, Theos sighed, . . he felt curiously conscience- stricken, ashamed, and humiliated, THROUGH Sah-luma, and solely for Sah-luma's sake! At present, however, his chief anxiety was to get his friend safely out of Lysia'a pavilion before she should return to it, and his spirit chafed within him at each moment of enforced delay.
No matter! she has gone; everything goes, even good women, and nothing lasts save folly, of which there shall surely never be an end!" Here apparently conscious that he had shown more feeling in speaking of Niphrata than was usual with him, he looked up impatiently and waved his staff toward Sah-luma's study; "In, in, boy! In, to, the Chief of poets and prince of egotists!
The old Critic's countenance was expressively glum and ironical, he, however, was compelled, like all the other paid servants of the household, to make a low and respectful obeisance as soon as he found himself in Sah-luma's presence, an act of homage which, he performed awkwardly, and with evident ill-will.
He laughed, then added "Nevertheless I tell thee once again 'twas not the King, . . His Majesty hath too much at stake, to risk so dangerous a pleasantry!" Theos heard, but he was dissatisfied and ill at ease, . . Sah-luma's careless contentment increased his own disquietude.
Nevertheless her name, like a silver clarion, made the heart of Theos bound with indescribable gladness and feverish expectation, and without an instant's pause he readily yielded to Sah-luma's guidance through the gorgeously colored confusion of the swaying crowd.
He sat down, as he spoke, in a chair which was placed for him at Sah-luma's bidding by the page who had ushered him in, and he maintained a grave silence till that youthful servitor had departed. Theos meanwhile studied his countenance with some curiosity, it was so strangely impassive, yet at the same time so full of distinctly marked intellectual power.
Sah-luma's delicate brows darkened into a close frown, and he waved his hand with a petulant gesture of impatience. "Ye gods! what fools are women!" he said wearily. "Ever hovering uncertainly on a narrow verge between silly smiles and sillier tears!
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