Oros restored the sceptre to her, and lifting it she said—
"O love and lord, take thou the place prepared for thee, where thou shalt sit for ever at my side, for with myself I give thee more than thou canst know or than I will tell thee now. Mount thy throne, O Affianced of Hes, and receive the worship of thy priests."
"Nay," he answered with a start as that word fell upon his ears. "Here and now I say it once and for all. I am but a man who know nothing of strange gods, their attributes and ceremonials. None shall bow the knee to me and on earth, Ayesha, I bow mine to thee alone."
Now at this bold speech some of those who heard it looked astonished and whispered to each other, while a voice called—
"Beware, thou Chosen, of the anger of the Mother!"
Again for a moment Ayesha looked af
