“Well, what is it, Holly?”
“Gold,” I said, then corrected myself and added, “Copper,” for the dull, red glow might have been that of either metal.
“Nay, nay,” she answered, “it is gold, pure gold.”
“The ore in this place must be rich,” said Leo, incredulously, for I would not speak any more.
“Yes, my Leo, the iron ore is rich.”
“Iron ore?” and he looked at her.
“Surely,” she answered, “for from what mine do men dig out gold in such great masses? Iron ore, beloved, that by my alchemy I change to gold, which soon shall serve us in our need.”
Now Leo stared and I groaned, for I did not believe that it was gold, and still less that she could make that metal. Then, reading my thought, with one of those sudden changes of mood that were common to her, Ayesha grew very angry.
“By Nature’s
