"I do not say so," he returned, crossing one delicate foot over
the other, in languorous fashion. "But many things which are
typically of the Orient would probably disillusion you, Miss
Abingdon."
"In what way?" she asked, wondering why Mrs. McMurdoch had not
joined them.
"In many subtle ways. The real wonder and the mystery of the East
lie not upon the surface, but beneath it. And beneath the East of
to-day lies the East of yesterday."
The speaker's expression grew rapt, and he spoke in the mystic
manner which she knew and now dreaded. Her anxiety for the return
of Paul Harley grew urgent--a positive need, as, meeting the gaze
of the long, magnetic eyes, she felt again, like the touch of
cold steel, all the penetrating force of this man's will. She was
angrily aware of the fact that his gaze was holding hers
hypnotically, that she was meeting it contrary to her wish and
inclination. She wanted to look away but found herself looking
steadily into the coal-black eyes of Ormuz Khan.
"The East of yesterday"--his haunting voice seemed to reach her
from a great distance--"saw the birth of all human knowledge and
human power; and to us the East of yesterday is the East of
today."
Phil became aware that a sort of dreamy abstraction was creeping
over her, when in upon this mood came a sound which stimulated
her weakening powers of resistance.
Dimly, for all the windows of the room were closed, she heard a
car come up and stop before the house.
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