Radiant and more radiant
did she seem to grow, sweeter and more sweet, no longer the veiled
Hermit of the Caves, no longer the Oracle of the Sanctuary, no longer
the Valkyrie of the battle-plain, but only the loveliest and most happy
bride that ever gladdened a husband's eyes.
She spoke, and it was of little things, for thus Ayesha proclaimed the
conquest of herself.
"Fie!" she said, showing her white robes torn with spears and stained by
the dust and dew of war; "Fie, my lord, what marriage garments are these
in which at last I come to thee, who would have been adorned in regal
gems and raiment befitting to my state and thine?"
"I seek the woman not her garment," said Leo, his burning eyes fixed
upon her face.
"Thou seekest the woman. Ah! there it lies. Tell me, Leo, am I woman
or spirit? Say that I am woman, for now the prophecy of this dead Atene
lies heavy on my soul, Atene who said that mortal and immortal may not
mate."
"Thou must be woman, or thou wouldst not have tormented me as thou hast
done these many weeks."
"I thank thee for the comfort of thy words. Yet, was it _woman_ whose
breath wrought destruction upon yonder plain? Was it to a _woman_ that
Blast and Lightning bowed and said, 'We are here: Command us, we obey'?
Did that dead thing (and she pointed to the shattered door) break inward
at a _woman's_ will? Or could a _woman_ charm this man to stone?
"Oh! Leo, would that I were woman! I tell thee that I'd lay all my
grandeur down, a wedding offering at thy feet, could I be sure that for
one short year I should be naught but _woman_ and--thy happy wife.
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