Ay, Harmachis, she can do these things, for Nature ever fights upon her side; and while she does them she can deceive and shape a secret end in which thou hast no part.

And thus Woman rules the world.

For her are wars; for her men spend their strength in gathering gains; for her they do well and ill, and seek for greatness, to find oblivion.

But still she sits like yonder Sphinx, and smiles; and no man has ever read all the riddle of her smile, or known all the mystery of her heart.

Mock not! mock not! Harmachis; for he must be great indeed who can defy the power of Woman, which, pressing round him like the invisible air, is often strongest when the senses least discover it." I laughed aloud.