Now after a space Semiramis ceased to strive, and lay passive in the rider's grasp. It pleased her thus to be torn from the roots of her own hot willfulness. It joyed her to be battered against a victor's heart, to drink in the pain of a hand wound tight within her locks, and to feel her strength give way beneath his brutal power. For thus it was written that Semiramis should love, in stormy passion, where an humble prayer was trampled under foot in scorn.
So it came to pass that of a sudden she flung her arms about the conqueror's neck and sobbed as though her soul were rent in twain, while he, to soothe the tempest of her tears, bent down and kissed her lips. Again and yet again he bent, till Semiramis raised her head and stared upon him in amaze.
"In the name of the gods!" she cried, "how many wouldst thou take?"
"Not one," laughed Menon, "which thou givest me unwillingly, for I do but return thy courtesies upon the temple steps."
"Eh--what!" she faltered, flushing crimson at his speech. "Nay, truly, I recall but three--"
"So be it, then," said Menon, with another laugh and still another kiss. "T'is in my mind that when my body had been drowned, and lying helpless in thy power--"
"Beast!" she stormed, in grievous doubt if she should strain him to her heart or take his life; yet Menon lived.
The Governor turned his steed on the backward trail and journeyed till they came in sight of Ascalon; then he slid from the back of Scimitar and walked beside, lest idle shepherds marvel at the strangeness of uncommon things; albeit he still held tight to the maiden's hand.
Semiramis, from her perch, looked down into her lover's eyes, and her spirit sang because of its bubbling joy, for now he was hers--_hers!_--till the very stars should die; yet, suddenly, she dragged at the bridle rein.
"Wait! What, then, of this minx, Sozana?"
Menon frowned, yet looked upon her steadily.
"Of her," he answered, "thy mind need hold no fear, for I love her not. To-morrow will I leave the service of my King and fly with thee into Arabia. With Prince Boabdul will we there abide, for his love will shield me, even from the wrath of Ninus."
"Now that," spoke Semiramis, thoughtfully, "were the course of a fledgling and a fool." A moment more she pondered, looking up at last. "Tell me, can Ninus conquer Zariaspa, or will he fail again?"