"The kisses of her mouth are sweeter than honey," sang Adamaharon; "more fragrant than apples. She has filled me with the joy of morning, and gladdened my soul as with wine."
Bagoas leaned toward the Queen's elephant.
"Adam said of love that----"
But the Queen put a finger on her lips.
"I do not believe that Adam ever existed," she said.
Bagoas, looking at Candace, smiled.
But many years afterwards a woman sitting by the door of a hut in the desert, watching the quiet stars quicken as the day died, drew two young boys toward her, and told them the story of the garden. Her face was tranquil, like the face of one who has grief for a companion; and the boys were clothed in goat-skins.
"And," she said, looking into the embers of the fire, "the man counselled me to eat, saying, if ye eat of the fruit ye shall know."
Adam suddenly appeared in the firelight. He had heard the last words.