“Oh, if I could speak to that vision of superlative beauty, I am sure she would befriend my poor sister.”
Suddenly Demetrius touched me on the shoulder and whispered:
“My sister wishes to see you.”
I followed him, asking no questions, bewildered, unthinking, but whispering to myself, “Helena wishes to see me!”
We passed through the superb hall, and opening a door near the end of it, Demetrius ushered me into the room without entering himself. Helena advanced to meet me. I was delighted with the extraordinary warmth of her reception. If we had been passionate lovers long [pg 330]separated, she could not have manifested more pleasure at seeing me!
Superbly beautiful as she was, that heavenly radiance and purity which I had seen upon her countenance a few moments before, had vanished. There was nothing spiritual in her expression. She was plainly no spirit and no soul just created, but a perfectly formed, glowing, enchanting woman of flesh and blood. I was about questioning her on the subject of her extraordinary deception, when she spoke:
“I knew you wanted to see me. I sent Demetrius out to look for you. You are in trouble, and I long to assist you. Sit down with me on these cushions and tell me all your story.”
She touched a little bell, and a tall, stately servant appeared at the door.
“Wine and refreshments,” said Helena.
We sat down together, and I told her all about poor Mary, still wisely omitting the part of Beltrezzor. The tears glistened in her brilliant eyes, and she exclaimed: