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.
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