"Have I not clothed you in the raiment of a princess!" continued Fo-Hi. "To-night, at my urgent request, you wear the charming national costume in which I delight to see you. But is there a woman of Paris, of London, of New York, who has such robes, such jewels, such apartments as you possess? Perhaps the peculiar duties which I have required you to perform, the hideous disguises, which you have sometimes been called upon to adopt, have disgusted you." Her heart beating wildly, for she did not know this mood but divined it to portend some unique horror, Miska crouched, head averted. "To-night the hour has come to break the whip. To-night the master in me dies. My cloak of wise authority has fallen from me and I offer myself in bondage to _you_, my slave!" "This is some trap you set for me!" she whispered. But Fo-Hi, paying no heed to her words, continued in the same rapt voice: "Truly have you observed that the Chinese wife is but a slave to her lord. I have said that the relation of master and slave is ended between us. I offer you a companionship that signifies absolute freedom and perfect understanding. Half of all I have--and the world lies in my grasp--is yours. I offer a throne set upon the Seven Mountains of the Universe. Look into my eyes and read the truth." But lower and lower she cowered upon the _diwan._ "No, no! I am afraid!" Fo-Hi approached her closely and abject terror now had robbed her of strength. Her limbs seemed to have become numbed, her tongue clave to the roof of her mouth. "Fear me no more, Miska," said Fo-Hi. "I _will_ you nothing but joy. The man who has learned the Fifth Secret of Rache Churan--who has learned how to control his will--holds a power absolute and beyond perfectability. You know, who have dwelt beneath my roof, that there is no escape from my will." His calm was terrible, and his glance, through the green veil, was like a ray of scorching heat. His voice sank lower and lower. "There is one frailty, Miska, that even the Adept cannot conquer. It is inherent in every man. Miska, I would not _force_ you to grasp the joy I offer; I would have you _accept_ it willingly. No! do not turn from me! No woman in all the world has ever heard me plead, as I plead to you. Never before have I _sued_ for favours. Do not turn from me, Miska." Slightly, the metallic voice vibrated, and the ruffling of that giant calm was a thing horrible to witness. Fo-Hi extended his long yellow hands, advancing step by step until he stood over the cowering girl. Irresistibly her glance was drawn to those blazing eyes which the veil could not hide, and as she met that unblinking gaze her own eyes dilated and grew fixed as those of a sleep-walker. A moment Fo-Hi stood so. Then passion swept him from his feet and he seized her fiercely.