er rocky throne. She also knew that the hour
had come. Presently she sighed, then motioned with her sceptre and spoke
a word or two, dismissing the priests and priestesses, who departed
and were seen no more. Two of them remained however, Oros and the head
priestess who was called Papave, a young woman of a noble countenance.

"Listen, my servants," she said. "Great things are about to happen,
which have to do with the coming of yonder strangers, for whom I have
waited these many years as is well known to you. Nor can I tell the
issue since to me, to whom power is given so freely, foresight of the
future is denied. It well may happen, therefore, that this seat will
soon be empty and this frame but food for the eternal fires. Nay, grieve
not, grieve not, for I do not die and if so, the spirit shall return
again.

"Hearken, Papave. Thou art of the blood, and to thee alone have I opened
all the doors of wisdom. If I pass now or at any time, take thou the
ancient power, fill thou my place, and in all things do as I have
instructed thee, that from this Mountain light may shine upon the world.
Further I command thee, and thee also, Oros my priest, that if I be
summoned hence you entertain these strangers hospitably until it is
possible to escort them from the land, whether by the road they came or
across the northern hills and deserts. Should the Khania Atene attempt
to detain them against their will, then raise the Tribes upon her in the
name of the Hesea; depose her from her seat, conquer her land and hold
it. Hear and obey."

"Mother, we hear and we will obey," answered Oros and Papave as with a
single voice.

She waved her hand to show that this matter was finished; then after
long thought spoke again, addressing herself to the Khania.

"Atene, last night thou didst ask me a question--why thou dost love this
man," and she pointed to Leo. "To that the answer would be easy, for is
he not one who might well stir passion in the breast of a woman such as
thou art? But thou didst say also that thine own heart and the wisdom of
yonder magician, thy uncle, told thee that since thy soul first sprang
to life thou hadst loved him, and didst adjure me by the Power to whom I
must give my account to draw the curtain from the past and let the truth
be known.

"Woman, the hour has come, and I obey thy summons--not because thou
dost command but because it is my will. Of the beginning I can tell thee
nothing, who am still human and