Here we stopped, and after cleaning the place out and making it as comfortable as circumstances and the darkness would permit, we ate some cold meat, at least Leo, Job, and I did, for Ayesha, as I think I have said elsewhere, never touched anything except cakes of flour, fruit, and water.While we were still eating, the moon, which was at her full, rose above the mountain-wall, and began to flood the place with silver.
"Wot ye why I have brought you here to-night, my Holly?" said Ayesha, leaning her head upon her hand and watching the great orb as she rose, like some heavenly queen, above the solemn pillars of the temple."I brought younay, it is strange, but knowest thou, Kallikrates, that thou liest at this moment upon the very spot where thy dead body lay when I bore thee back to those caves of Ko^r so many years ago? It all returns to my mind now.I can see it, and horrible is it to my sight!" and she shuddered.
Here Leo jumped up and hastily changed his seat.
However the reminiscence might affect Ayesha, it clearly had few charms for him.
"I brought you," went on Ayesha, presently, "that ye might look upon the most wonderful sight that ever the eye of man beheldthe full moon shining over ruined Ko^r.When ye have done your eatingI would that Icould teach thee to eat naught but fruit, Kallikrates, but that will come after thou hast laved in the fire.