The Devil: A Tragedy of the Heart and Conscience

pprehensively about her. Some mysterious presence seemed to oppress

ried to herself. "What

n waist that covered them. She turned to get the shawl, and the waist fell to the floor, as she recoi

t to the somber black of his frock coat. His hair was black. His upward pointing eyebrows were black, and his eyes shone like dull-burning lumps of coal. His face was like a mask, ma

m, I think you d

which had fallen from Olga's hands. As he

e repelled her. It flashed across her consciousness that he was something more than human,

e any man might have been confused he was perfectly self-possessed. His attitude was neither offensive nor ingratiating. He became at once

went on, breaking the stillness almost melodiously, an

watched her as she groped for the shawl, found it and quickly wound its filmy length aro

ut to unbutton your blouse," he said. "Propr

ried, shocke

ith a bow, "you think I am susp

rait painted," O

y yesterday I met a lady at the dentist's, and I observed that she

defensive position into which he p

truth. I am even at liberty t

ignation sprang into a flame that she should be addressed in t

nger to talk to me in this fashio

errified, she turned and fled

arl!" sh

om. The young artist paused, astonished at the presence of the stranger. He

arl; how

ed, looking blankly from Olga to

he other said. "Don't you

rlo," Karl said with

ntful day," th

e, and it was you. I was afraid when I turned and saw you, because I fancied I had seen you a moment before, beside the cr

t I saw the longing to

not kno

it again and

with growing enthusiasm. "I remember indeed. Your money seemed to possess mystic luck.

ed me to dine. I could not accept, because I was forced to leave for Spain that s

logue. She could understand nothing of this uncanny stranger; this specter in black

ou to come," Karl

I took a seat in that comfortable arm-chair. The warmth of

ture, the big pulpit-backed arm-c

well, when my husband was here. There wa

he did not notice Olga's agitation. The other regarded her wi

as mistak

. "Allow me to present you to-b

re of his restless, eloquent hands. "I am a philanthropist, travelin

for the first time to have some dou

osition is beyond question," the stra

SOCIAL POSITION IS BEY

on of Henry

o larg

b to this strange influence, she felt herself growing indignant. Millar seemed bent on provoking an outburst, and his astonishing re

by," Millar said, after the introduction. "But my infinite tact compe

Olga, and she tur

" she exclaimed, indignantly. "

een dead?" Millar interrupte

lga said, surprised t

u are d

am

ould think your husband would be the proper man

harp prongs out of the lethargy of their caged lives t

ur disposal. But do you not see, madam, t

read every secret thought of e

re unannounced; I don't know how nor from where. You make us feel quite un

," Olga cried, reliev

looked at t

te to me as you wish;

Olga de

ecause I have interrupted you. On the other han

ct," Karl declared angrily

e most casual inattention to Karl's rage. "The weather; isn't it snowing beautifull

d something," Karl

se of snatching up her waist and rushing from the room. Before she could

e, madam,

nishment Olga snat

ere do you come

brant hands in the ai

here, I go every

were fixed upon her. Clutching the silken garment she had worn, Olga ru