Hilary gone, Fleta closed the door behind him.
“Do not let there be any struggle of wills between us to-night,” said Fleta very softly. “I warn you, I am much stronger than I was; I am very much stronger than you are, now. And you found before that you could not even come near enough to touch me. Let me rest, and that quietly; I wish to retain my beauty, both for your sake and my own.”
Otto paused a few moments before he made any answer to this extraordinary speech. Then he spoke with difficulty; and as he did so raised his hand to brush away some great drops of sweat which had gathered on his forehead.
“I know I am powerless against you to-night, Fleta,” he said. “I cannot even move nearer to you. But be warned; I intend to probe the mystery of your being. I intend to conquer you at last. I will do it if I have to visit hell itself for the magic which shall be stronger than yours.”
(To be continued.)
——*———
TWILIGHT VISIONS.
PART II.—THE CRESCENT.
“The Lord appeared of old unto me, saying, ‘Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.’”—Jer. xxxi., 3.
“In life, in death, O Lord! abide with me!”