“About what?”
“This incantation to the moon. In spite of father’s being so particular about purity of blood, some of the women are of Arab descent. This one who told me how to make a talisman, comes from Africa, and, I believe, is a descendant of the old Carthaginians.”
“Nonsense! they were all stamped out by the Romans. Well, what about this modern Dido?”
“Well, she saw how anxious I was about you, and told me if I invoked the moon, and bathed some small article in moon-water and incense, it would become endowed with powerful virtues, and protect its wearer from danger.”
“You foolish child!” said Maurice, tenderly stroking her loose hair; “and was all this mummery on my account?”
“Yes; but if you laugh at it, the talisman will lose its power.”
“Then I’ll be as grave as a judge. Where is this wonderful amulet?”
Helena held out the amber heart which lay in the centre of her little white palm, from which Maurice lifted it daintily, and pressed his mustache against her hand.
“And am I to wear this?”
“Round your neck.”