The Mystics

y warmed and brightened by the pale March sunshine; but at three o'clock a searching wind had begun to blow across the city from the east; and now, as the small gold clock on her bu

er to her summons, she gave h

id, in an unusually c

ching the fire-light on her many and beautiful rings. When the woman reappeared, and, noiselessly arranging the tea-table, moved it to her side, she

btful how long she would have remained sunk in apparent lethargy had not the unexpected sound of the hall-

door opened, and once more Norris appeared. After

t the door, ma'am," sh

frown still dark

u I was no

m, but-" Norr

turbed." With a gesture plainly indicative of high-strung nerve

towards the door. "But the

own the cup she had been about to raise

im you were not at home, but he won't go. He's the

and involuntarily Enid's tone quickened. Something in the woman's wo

y, "he's very tall-and not like any other gentleman that comes here.

nervously. She could not have defined her emotions, but some

give n

t he was some one that must

of nothing but her own unsteady pulses; then su

how him in at once! Don't ke

d walked across the room. At the d

ve the light

enough. I like twilight and

lace, motionless with hope, dread, and an almost uncontrollable nervousness. At last, as in a dr

on, while Norris retired, softly closing the door. Then, with a sudden leap of th

ide her; and, with one of his decisive, imperiou

in!" he said, in his grave voice. "You wo

re him mutely, her face paling and f

pause; and again

you stay

making a sudden effort, she looked up. "I-I was afraid." Her

Afraid

de no

rphew?" He gave a sl

oked up shar

ce suddenly sank, and the pres

know!" With a tremulous gesture

her towards him. "Tell me!" he s

across her eyes. In the seven days since they had spoken together, a change had fallen on him. Some alteration she could not define had grown into his expression; the cold mastery of himself a

. "Why are you here? The time has not

c smile flitted

Prophet, one can al

eliberately, lookin

t was as if, by considered action, he had set about jeopardizing his own dign

stammered. "How did you get

een eyes se

ed threshold of the Prophet; the Prophet is-presumably-communing with his Soul. The routine of this evening differs in no way from the routine of any other evening-except that the Precursor is rather more than usually vigilant in his watch."

done wrong? Have you-have you been called elsewhere

At last, by an immense effort, he seemed to g

but I presume you know very little. I presume that-and shall act

ur mind." He spoke slowly and deliberately, without tremor or falter. Whatever of struggle lay behind his words, it lay with the past. It was e

ecause I believe in the habit of unburdening one's conscienc

to know?" H

ed her hands and turned towards the window, where the last glimm

dizing myself utterly by what I am going to say; but it seems to me

something in your eyes." He turned and looked at her. But in the min

not what you think me. I'm a fraud-a lie-an impostor. No more a Prophet-no more in

strong emotions, each stood rigid, striving vainly to read the

agne. That is a common simile, but it is descriptive. The acting of an actor depends upon his audience. While my audience was composed of fools, I fooled them; but when you came-you with your scepticism, your curiosity, your feminine dependency-I lost my cue. I became conscious of the footlights and the make-up." Again he paused; an

imed. "Speak to me! I am

she drew back, extending her

ction. With a speed that might have been

he said.

e retreated

suddenly, in a faint, shaken voice. "O

nner daunted him; then he straight

sordid motive in the world," he said,

or the first time since he had made his revelation, he saw her

y. "These people had defrauded m

formed itself alm

hought myself invincible. I believed that if the devil himself stood in my way it would not deter me. And now you-a fr

cience and I have been struggling night and day. I have held out to the last. It was only to-day-this

u know why I am going away as empty-handed as I cam

rs touched her, she thrust him away, f

call yourself an impostor-You are worse

he had struck him, and his

!" she said again, hy

on of the wo

t me defe

of protest she flung h

s no defence. You may leave the money of the sect, but you have stolen thi

eals-" He caught her wrists

nfronted him with blazing eyes and

to live. Oh, you don't knew what you have done! You

condemne

I wish for now-never, never to see you again as long as either of us live!"

e had become very pale. He turned to her now

, when Hellier Crescent is quiet, we go-as unobtrusively as we came. You see I give you the key to our plans; you are free to frustrate them, if you think fit. I don't believe I had a

se myself as well!" Her own cruel disillusioning-her own unbearable sense of loss-swept over her afresh; her voice rose again, and again broke hysteric

the storm of her angry tears she caught the sound of a c

ndow; the firelight still played pleasantly on the untouched tea-table