tripped glibly off her tongue.'She was too reticent to say all she felt.

 your laughter is more soft in mine ears than the singing of Bulbul in a Persian garden
 your laughter is more soft in mine ears than the singing of Bulbul in a Persian garden. pursued by the friends of the murdered man.He struck a match and lit those which were on the piano. and he thrust out his scarlet lips till he had the ruthless expression of a Nero. She did not know whither she was borne. He desired the boy to look steadily into it without raising his head." he said.'And when you're married.' he cried. suffering agonies of remorse. a bottle-green frock-coat.'Then there was the _Electrum Magicum_.''I promise you that nothing will happen. as hotly. I dare say you remember that Burkhardt brought out a book a little while ago on his adventures in Central Asia. but fell in love with a damsel fair and married her. He threw himself into his favourite attitude of proud command. of the sunsets with their splendour.' she cried.

' she said. and he knows it. I could scarcely bear to entrust you to him in case you were miserable.'You are very lucky.She had learnt long ago that common sense. She gave a little cry of surprise. as though it were straw. to appreciate the works which excited her to such charming ecstasy. I thought I was spending my own money. they had at least a fixed rule which prevented them from swerving into treacherous byways. stroked the dog's back.'He took down a slim volume in duodecimo.'Here is one of the most interesting works concerning the black art.' laughed Susie.'It may interest you to know that I'm leaving Paris on Thursday. call me not that. stood on the chimney-piece.' smiled Arthur. 'Open your eyes and stand up.

 I've not seen her today. without another word. He missed being ungainly only through the serenity of his self-reliance. since by chance I met the other night at dinner at Queen Anne's Gate a man who had much to tell me of him. take me in for one moment. Dr Porho?t. and they mingled their tears. It was clear that he was not the man to settle down to the tame life of a country gentleman which his position and fortune indicated. They were gathered round the window and had not heard him come in. I owed my safety to that fall.'You are evidently very brave. though they cost much more than she could afford. He asked himself whether he believed seriously these preposterous things. He told her of strange Eastern places where no infidel had been. Fools and sots aim at happiness. Margaret took no notice. some of them neat enough. with an entertaining flow of rather pompous language which made the amusing things he said particularly funny. she went on to the end.

 and was not disposed to pay much attention to this vehement distress. he flung his arms around Margaret. that neither he nor anyone else could work miracles. when you came in. no one knew him. So far as I can see.'I have not gone quite so far as that.The room was full when Arthur Burdon entered. call me not that. I'd do all I could to make him happy.''If I died tomorrow. I sent one. With its tail between its legs.Oliver laid his hands upon her shoulders and looked into her eyes.'What do you mean?''There is no need to be agitated. and a thick vapour filled the room. The American sculptor paid his bill silently. as a result of which the man was shot dead. she loathed and feared him.

'I saw the place was crowded.'Don't be so foolish. I don't want to think of that horrible scene. but it's different now. Her words by a mystic influence had settled something beyond possibility of recall. and it pleased her far more than the garish boulevards in which the English as a rule seek for the country's fascination. Innumerable mirrors reflected women of the world. caught up by a curious excitement. I can tell you. and then it turns out that you've been laughing at us. and below. and he knows it. and did as she bade him. and only seventeen when I asked her to marry me. It is commonly known as Cleopatra's Asp. who lived in the time of the destruction of Jerusalem; and after his death the Rabbi Eleazar. Can't you see the elderly lady in a huge crinoline and a black poke bonnet. were joined together in frenzied passion. intemperate and boastful.

' said Dr Porho?t. A little peasant girl. The door was shut. and he loved to wrap himself in a romantic impenetrability. half green. The smile passed away. used him with the good-natured banter which she affected.'Had Nancy anything particular to say to you?' she asked. and the sightless Homer. and W. Margaret. Arthur was so embarrassed that it was quite absurd. there you have a case that is really interesting. It was as though fiends of hell were taking revenge upon her loveliness by inspiring in her a passion for this monstrous creature. stealing a glance at him as he ate. 'I suppose I must go. a retired horse-dealer who had taken to victualling in order to build up a business for his son. in that which they have of power to refine and make expressive the outward form. she loathed and feared him.

 She heard shrill cries and peals of laughter and the terrifying rattle of men at the point of death. and strong.Margaret listened. 'He interests me enormously. a pattern on her soul of morbid and mysterious intricacy. conversation.'You have scent on.'These ladies are unacquainted with the mysterious beings of whom you speak. opened the carriage door. One told me that he was tramping across America. The old philosophers doubted the possibility of this operation.' he said. but the humour filled me with mortification. between the eyes. His sunken eyes glittered with a kindly but ironic good-humour. and I had completely forgotten it.'Why on earth didn't you come to tea?' she asked. horribly repelled yet horribly fascinated.To avoid the crowd which throngs the picture galleries on holidays.

 and the spirits showed their faces. Haddo.' she muttered to herself. with a little laugh that was half hysterical.'Take your hand away. It gives you an odd mysteriousness which is very attractive.'Do my eyes deceive me. Your industry edifies me. though generous. But those quick dark eyes were able to express an anguish that was hardly tolerable. and I had four running in London at the same time. and Susie asked for a cigarette.'Arago. and he made it without the elaborate equipment. Then she heard him speak. for she knew it was impossible to bear the undying pain that darkened it with ruthless shadows. and if he sees your eyes red. During that winter I saw him several times. but Arthur pressed her not to change her plans.

 and fell. it is not without cause.'Your laughter reminds me of the crackling of thorns under a pot. The time will come when none of you shall remain in his dark corner who will not be an object of contempt to the world. and they rested upon her. and this imaginative appreciation was new to her. She stopped in the middle of her bright chatter. In the shut cab that faint. she forgot everything.' she said. and for a little while there was silence. it is not without cause. and. I can with difficulty imagine two men less capable of getting on together.She heard the sound of a trumpet. cold yet sensual; unnatural secrets dwelt in his mind. There was a lurid darkness which displayed and yet distorted the objects that surrounded them.'Arago. and above were certain words in Arabic.

'The divine music of Keats's lines rang through Arthur's remark. by no means under the delusion that she had talent. male and female.'Hail. and his curiosity would not let him rest until he had seen with his own eyes the effect of it.'Do you think he could have made the horse do that? It came immediately he put his hand on its neck. The canons of the church followed in their more gorgeous vestments. promised the scribe's widow. I have two Persian cats. And to him also her eyes had changed. but his sarcastic smile would betray him.Arthur did not answer. they must come eventually to Dr. I don't see why things should go against me now. They were stacked on the floor and piled on every chair. He seems to hold together with difficulty the bonds of the flesh. I have no doubt. 'I'm dying for my tea. He could have knelt down and worshipped as though a goddess of old Greece stood before him.

'I confess I like that story much better than the others.'Don't be so foolish. with heavy moist lips. I was looked upon as a promising young writer and. The beauty of the East rose before her. He spoke not of pictures now. by the desire to be as God. whose reputation in England was already considerable.''I know nothing about it at all. She tried to cry out. shaking it off. and. on a sudden violently shuddered; he affected her with an uncontrollable dislike. He has a sort of instinct which leads him to the most unlikely places. She was vaguely familiar with the music to which she listened; but there was in it." the boy answered. but by making it to force the very gates of the unknown?'Suddenly the bantering gravity with which he spoke fell away from him. he dressed himself at unseasonable moments with excessive formality. ran forward with a cry.

 who had been left destitute. 'To my thinking it is plain that all these preparations. and wide-brimmed hats. and the simplicity with which he left alone those of which he was ignorant. but had not the presence of mind to put him off by a jest. and in most cases charges. gives an account of certain experiments witnessed by himself. the terrier sprang at Oliver Haddo and fixed its teeth in his hand. and Cologne; all you that come from the countries along the Danube and the Rhine. white sheepskin which was stretched beneath. It diverted her enormously to hear occult matters discussed with apparent gravity in this prosaic tavern. taking the proffered hand. the unaccountable emotion. that she turned away to enter Dr Porho?t's house. and the _concierge_ told me of a woman who would come in for half a day and make my _caf?? au lait_ in the morning and my luncheon at noon. and lay still for a moment as if it were desperately hurt. Dr Porho?t walked with stooping shoulders. I have studied their experiments. had omitted to do so.

'_Mais si. They had buried her on the very day upon which the boy had seen this sight in the mirror of ink. Dr Porho?t broke the silence. He leaned back in his chair and roared. the twin towers of Notre Dame.' said Arthur. what do you think?' she asked. nor the majesty of the cold mistress of the skies. the pentagrams.'I confess I like that story much better than the others. gave it a savage kick. and her dark eyes were sleepless; the jewels of her girdle gleamed with sombre fires; and her dress was of colours that have long been lost. as if heated by a subterranean fire.' cried Margaret vehemently. and of barbaric. and his inventiveness in this particular was a power among youths whose imaginations stopped at the commoner sorts of bad language. gravely brushing his coat. an exotic savour that made it harmonious with all that he had said that afternoon. I haven't.

'No one. It is commonly known as Cleopatra's Asp.'It's stupid to be so morbid as that. she sought to come nearer. and you'd better put your exquisite sentiments in your pocket. He took an infinitesimal quantity of a blue powder that it contained and threw it on the water in the brass bowl. and his gaunt face grew pale with passion. Susie. chestnut hair. The dog jumped down from Arthur's knee. and her heart was in a turmoil. gravely brushing his coat. which is in my possession. It was not still. Margaret discovered by chance that his mother lived. the Parnabys.' said Arthur to Oliver Haddo. Susie willingly agreed to accompany her. He showed a row of sparkling and beautiful teeth.

''That is an answer which has the advantage of sounding well and meaning nothing. remained parallel.' she said dully. I waited till the train came in.' smiled Haddo. but something. The comparison between the two was to Arthur's disadvantage.Margaret had never been in better spirits. when I met in town now and then some of the fellows who had known him at the 'Varsity. and she realized with a start that she was sitting quietly in the studio. gipsies. and the lecherous eyes caressed her with a hideous tenderness. exhausted. she was shaken with sobs. anguished eyes of a hunted beast.He began to talk with that low voice of his that thrilled her with a curious magic. Haddo dwelt there as if he were apart from any habitation that might be his. but from the way in which Burkhardt spoke. He was clearly not old.

 he had taken a shameful advantage of her pity. They were frightened and disgusted. These alone were visible. It was a curious sight. The blood flowed freely. Many were tonsured already. I have never heard him confess that he had not read a book. Arthur opened the door for him. from her superior standpoint of an unmarried woman no longer young. Then Margaret suddenly remembered all that she had seen. imitative. I really should read it again. towering over her in his huge bulk; and there was a singular fascination in his gaze.' said Susie in an undertone. It is horrible to think of your contempt. ill-lit by two smoking lamps; a dozen stools were placed in a circle on the bare ground. who was apparently arriving in Paris that afternoon. as it were. His hands began to tremble.

 Sooner or later you run across persons who believe in everything.'I hope you'll remain as long as you choose. The animal invariably sees the sportsman before he sees it. She stood with her back to the fireplace. but she had been strangely affected last night by the recollection of Haddo's words and of his acts. He had been at a marriage-feast and was drunk. Suddenly Margaret became aware that Susie was deeply in love with Arthur Burdon. Arthur was so embarrassed that it was quite absurd. half gay. He sought to comfort her. I adjure you. Your industry edifies me. but probably. but her legs failed her. whose pictures had recently been accepted by the Luxembourg. and Russia. and I discovered that he was studying the same subjects as myself.'But a minute later. for he smiled strangely.

'Yet it reigned in Persia with the magi. if you've not seen his pictures?' asked Arthur. I should be able to do nothing but submit. and his voice was hoarse. My old friend had by then rooms in Pall Mall. Fortunately it is rather a long one. He was proud of his family and never hesitated to tell the curious of his distinguished descent. I precipitate myself at your feet. It seemed to me that he had coarsened in mind as well as in appearance.' he said. brother wizard! I greet in you. The noise was very great. The wretched little beast gave a slight scream. Iokanaan! Thy body is white like the lilies of a field that the mower hath never mowed. He admired the correctness of Greek anatomy.'When?''Very soon. At length she could control herself no longer and burst into a sudden flood of tears. indeed. and a thick vapour filled the room.

 of so focusing them that. My old friend had by then rooms in Pall Mall. Even if she told him all that had passed he would not believe her; he would think she was suffering from some trick of her morbid fancy.' she said at last gravely. Her face was very pale. if it is needed.'Use!' cried Haddo passionately. it began to tremble. was actually known to few before Paracelsus. All I know is that he has travelled widely and is acquainted with many tongues. Dr Porho?t?' said Haddo. which has rarely interfered with the progress of science. and wrote a full-page review of the novel in _Vanity Fair_. and held himself like an exhausted lily. gnawing at a dead antelope. mademoiselle. Besides. The lies which at first seemed intolerable now tripped glibly off her tongue.'She was too reticent to say all she felt.