The Classic Mystery Collection - Arthur Conan Doyle [5726]
"You have trained me to know that life in a _harem_ is not life, but only the existence of an animal."
"I have trained you--yes. What fate was before you when I intervened in that Mecca slave-market? You who are 'only in part of the East.' Do you forget so soon how you cowered there amongst the others, Arabs, Circassians, Georgians, Nubians, striving to veil your beauty from those ravenous eyes? From _what_ did I rescue you?"
"And _for_ what?" cried Miska bitterly. "To use me as a lure--and beat me if I failed."
Fo-Hi stood watching her, and slowly, as he watched, terror grew upon her and she retreated before him, step by step. He made no attempt to follow her, but continued to watch. Then, raising the whip he broke it across his knee and dropped the pieces on the floor.
At that she extended her hands towards him pitifully.
"Oh! what are you going to do to me!" she said. "Let me go! let me go! I can no more be of use to you. Give me back my life and let me go-- et me go and hide away from them all--from all ... the world...."
Her words died away and ceased upon a suppressed hysterical sob. For, in silence, Fo-Hi stood watching her, unmoved.
"Oh!" she moaned, and sank cowering upon a _diwan--_ "why do you watch me so!"
"Because," came the metallic voice, softly--"you are beautiful with a beauty given but rarely to the daughters of men. The Sublime Order has acquired many pretty women--for they are potent weapons--but none so fair as you. Miska, I would make life sweet for you."
"Ah! you do not mean that!" she whispered fearfully.
"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.