I was right.
Whilst I was still indulging myself in these reflections and hoping that Ayesha would not take the trouble to read them in my mind, I became aware that Oros was bowing to the earth before her.
"Thy business, priest?" she asked sharply; for when she was with Leo Ayesha did not like to be disturbed.
"Hes, the spies are returned."
"Why didst thou send them out?" she asked indifferently. "What need have I of thy spies?"
"Hes, thou didst command me."
"Well, their report?"
"Hes, it is most grave. The people of Kaloon are desperate because of the drought which has caused their crops to fail, so that starvation stares them in the eyes, and this they lay to the charge of the strangers who came into their land and fled to thee. The Khania Atene also is mad with rage against thee
