“You will not refuse—” he said—“because I will take no refusal. You will obey, because I exact your obedience. Moreover, you will swear by the Most Holy Name of God, that you will never, either to me, or to any other living soul, speak a syllable concerning my life’s greatest experiment,—you will swear that the name of Lilith shall never pass your lips——”
But here Féraz interrupted him.
“El-Râmi, I will not swear!” he cried desperately—“The name of Lilith is sweet to me!—why should I not utter it,—why should I not sing of it—why should I not even remember it in my prayers?”
A terrible look darkened El-Râmi’s countenance; his brows contracted darkly, and his lips drew together in a close resolute line.
“There are a thousand reasons why—” he said in low fierce accents,—“One is, that the soul of Lilith and the body of Lilith are mine, and that you have no share in their possession. She does not need your songs—still less has she need of your prayers. Rash fool!—you shall forget the name of Lilith—and you shall swear, as I command you. Resist my will if you can,—now!—I warn you in time!”
He seemed to grow in height as he spoke,—his eyes blazed ominously, and Féraz, meeting that lightning-like glance, knew how hopeless it would be for him to attempt to oppose such an intense force as was contained in this man’s mysterious organisation. He tried his best,—but in vain,—with every second he felt his strength oozing out of him—his power of resistance growing less and less.
“Swear!” said El-Râmi imperatively—“Swear in God’s Name to keep my secret—swear by Christ’s Death!—swear on this!”
And he held out a small golden crucifix.
Mechanically, but still devoutly, Féraz instantly dropped on one knee, and kissed the holy emblem.
“I swear!” he said—but, as he spoke, the rising tears were in his throat, and he murmured—“Forget the name of Lilith!—never!”