Lord Chudleigh, seeing me thus composed, stepped forward to the table and said—
“Sir Magician, Wizard, Conjurer, or whatever name best befits you, for you and your pretended science I care not one jot, nor do I believe but that it is imposture and falsehood. Perhaps, however, you are but acting a part in the masquerade. But the young lady hath a desire to see what you do, and to ask you a question or two.”
“Your lordship must own that I know your name, in spite of your domino.”
“Tut, tut! everybody here knows my name, whether I wear a domino or take it off. That is nothing. You are probably one of the company in disguise.”
“You doubt my power? Then, without your leave, my lord, permit me to tell you a secret known to me, yourself, and one or two others only. It is a secret which no one has yet whispered about; none of the company at the Wells know it; it is a great secret: an important secret”—all this time his voice kept growing deeper and deeper. “It is a secret of the darkest. Stay—this young lady, I think, knows it.”
“For Heaven’s sake——” I cried, but was interrupted by my lord.
“Tell me your secret,” he said calmly. “Let us know this wonderful secret.”
The Doctor leaned forward over the table and whispered in his ear a few words. Lord Chudleigh started back and gazed at him with dismay.
“So!” he cried; “it is already becoming town talk, is it?”
The Magician shook his head.