The Two Magics

se, she loomed again into view. "What in the name of goodne

near. "With me?" I must have made

e as a sheet. Y

my shoulders, and if I wavered for the instant it was not with what I kept back. I put out my hand to her and she took it; I held her hard a little,

thing ha

now now. Did I l

his window

knew too well her place not to be ready to share with me any marked inconvenience. Oh, it was quite settled that she must

ghtened. "W

dinary man.

traordin

t the lea

und us in vain. "Th

w stil

seen him

. On the

t me harder. "Do you

very

didn't

. But now that

arge. "Ah, I haven't guessed!" she said ver

in the ve

im nowhere but

his spot

nd again. "What was h

there and looki

minute. "Was h

o think. "No." She gaze

the place? Nobody

didn't tell you,

, so much to the good. It only went indeed a

he? He's

hor

p me if I kno

uskier distance, then, pulling herself together, turned to me

not fit f

it do y

hem--!" I nodd

child

leave t

e afra

ly. "I'm afr

the delayed dawn of an idea I myself had not given her and that was as yet quite obscure to me. It comes back to me that I thought instantly of t

of the month. At

dark," said

arly. I saw hi

w did he

opportunity to ask him! This evening, you see

nly p

my hand; she turned away a little. I waited an instant; t

me again. "Do y

she came nearer to the window and, for a minute, applied her fa

ve. "How long

out. I came

and there was still more in her

ughed again. "But I did

plied; after which she a

to tell you. But

?" she

ith straight, good features and little, rather queer whiskers that are as red as his hair. His eyebrows are, somehow, darker; they look particularly arched and as if they might move a good deal. His eyes are sharp, strange-awf

o resemble one less, at least,

hem. He's tall, active, erect," I contin

nd eyes started and her mild mouth gaped. "A gentleman

now hi

to hold herself. "

to help her.

dress

s. They're smart, but

less affirmative groan.

up. "You d

t a second. "Qu

ui

wn man, his valet,

he mast

ore his hat, but he did wear-well, there were waistcoats missed! They

t halting a li

as from a deeper depth,

t became

s still more mystified. "He wen

t wh

became extraordinary. "

I almost

lant herself more firmly to utter the