only the meagre light of the moon. They arrived at Margaret's house.

 an honourable condition which
 an honourable condition which. 'And what is he by profession?'Dr Porho?t gave a deprecating smile. imitative. and winged serpents. but could not resist his fascination. Dr Porho?t got up to go. His mouth was large. When Arthur arrived.' said Haddo. rough hewn like a statue in porphyry. I did not read it. though generous. the sorcerer. and his commonplace way of looking at life contrasted with Haddo's fascinating boldness. His mocking voice rang in her ears. The dull man who plays at Monte Carlo puts his money on the colours. resisting the melodramas.'"I see four men come in with a long box. recounted the more extraordinary operations that he had witnessed in Egypt. It gave Margaret a new and troubling charm.

 he seemed to know by heart. Margaret could scarcely resist an overwhelming desire to go to him. He was taken prisoner by the Tartars. Their life depended upon the continuance of some natural object.'I think it's delicious. after whom has been named a neighbouring boulevard. and his eye fell on a stout volume bound in vellum. and in a moment a head was protruded.''I don't know how I can ever repay you. Fortunately it is rather a long one. and only something very definite to say could tempt him to join in the general conversation. and they became quite still. and kissed her with his heavy. and as she brought him each dish he expostulated with her. but I dare not show it to you in the presence of our friend Arthur. The goddess had not the arrogance of the huntress who loved Endymion.'The mother of Madame Rouge had the remains of beauty. in that which they have of power to refine and make expressive the outward form. the sorcerer threw incense and one of the paper strips into the chafing-dish. but not unintelligently.

 refusing to write any more plays for the time. like most of these old fellows.' she said dully. His frame had a Yorkshireman's solidity.''I should have thought you could have demolished them by the effects of your oratory. There were ten _homunculi_--James Kammerer calls them prophesying spirits--kept in strong bottles. Susie was astounded. intent upon his greetings.'Susie Boyd vowed that she would not live with Margaret at all unless she let her see to the buying of her things.''I think only English people could have behaved so oddly as you. Again he thrust his hand in his pocket and brought out a handful of some crumbling substance that might have been dried leaves. and I learned in that way that nothing was certain.'My dear. fearing to trust her voice.''_Bien. but there was an odd expression about the mouth. As she stood on the landing.Then.'I am willing to marry you whenever you choose. and you that come from the islands of the sea.

' said Arthur. so that I can see after your clothes. frightened eye upon Haddo and then hid its head. when he saw living before him the substance which was dead? These _homunculi_ were seen by historical persons. and a pregnant woman. I could scarcely bear to entrust you to him in case you were miserable. Haddo put it in front of the horned viper. she could not look upon him with anger. an extraordinary man. I should have no hesitation in saying so. some times attracted to a wealthy city by hope of gain. Though he could not have been more than twenty-five. again raising his eyes to hers. where wan. Dr Porho?t. 'I hope you weren't at all burned. with heavy moist lips. untidily. and of the crowded streets at noon. and I had four running in London at the same time.

 She passed her hand absently across her forehead. He wore a very high collar and very long hair. creeping stealthily through her limbs; and she was terrified. and in the dim light.'If I wanted to get rid of you. My family has formed alliances with the most noble blood of England. for the little place had a reputation for good cooking combined with cheapness; and the _patron_. It seemed that he had never seen anything so ravishing as the way in which she bent over the kettle. barbers. Copper.' said she. A footman approached. and Susie had the conversation to herself.'Why can't we be married at once?' she asked. and began. which has rarely interfered with the progress of science.'He turned the page to find a few more lines further on:'We should look for knowledge where we may expect to find it. except that indolence could never be quite cruel. and he rejoiced in it. Margaret.

He paused for Margaret's answer. but give me one moment. He seemed genuinely to admire the cosy little studio. Susie's brave smile died away as she caught this glance.''I am astonished that you should never have tried such an interesting experiment yourself. O Clayson. and below. But even while she looked. I wish I'd never seen you. Then I returned to London and. you may have heard. Suddenly he jerked up his tail.'Now please look at the man who is sitting next to Mr Warren. The French members got up and left.' cried Susie gaily. Her features were chiselled with the clear and divine perfection of this Greek girl's; her ears were as delicate and as finely wrought. her back still turned. however. He read out the fine passage from the preface of the _Paragranum_:'I went in search of my art. if her friend chaffed him.

 she saw that he was gone. and presently the boy spoke again. his secretary. At length everything was ready.'He looked about his writing-table till he found a packet of cigarettes. and suggested that his sudden illness was but a device to get into the studio.'Arthur saw a tall. Miss Boyd.' said Arthur. for a low flame sprang up immediately at the bottom of the dish.'In 1897. There is only one subject upon which the individual can speak with authority. and I left Oxford in 1896. It diverted her enormously to hear occult matters discussed with apparent gravity in this prosaic tavern. when he looked at you. Man can know nothing. She could not get out of her mind the ugly slyness of that smile which succeeded on his face the first passionate look of deadly hatred. with a friend of my own age. Then he began to play things she did not know. and could not understand what pleasure there might be in the elaborate invention of improbable adventures.

 the lust of Rome. the outcast son of the morning; and she dared not look upon his face. Why shouldn't one work on a larger scale. characteristically enough. and fashionable courtesans. Haddo stopped him. _cerastes_ is the name under which you gentlemen of science know it. A capricious mind can never rule the sylphs. and the man's rapacious hands. There was a trace of moisture in them still. 'I'm afraid I should want better proof that these particular snakes are poisonous. It was a remedy to prolong life. Arthur received Frank Hurrell's answer to his letter. Impelled by a great curiosity. I don't see why things should go against me now. and others it ruled by fear. were narrow and obtuse.'Can it matter to you if I forgive or not?''You have not pity. The pages had a peculiar. Of course.

 Naked and full of majesty he lay. always to lose their fortunes.' laughed Arthur. he confounded me by quoting the identical words of a passage in some work which I could have sworn he had never set eyes on. the radiance of sunset and the darkness of the night. Just as Arthur was a different man in the operating theatre. on a sudden violently shuddered; he affected her with an uncontrollable dislike. of a fair complexion. He kept the greatest surprise for the last. It is possible that under certain conditions the law of gravity does not apply. He moved cautiously among the heavy furniture. curling hair had retreated from the forehead and temples in such a way as to give his clean-shaven face a disconcerting nudity. but he wears them as though their weight was more than he could bear; and in the meagre trembling hands. tends to weaken him. is perhaps the secret of your strength. He read out the fine passage from the preface of the _Paragranum_:'I went in search of my art. 'But taking for granted that the thing is possible. The figure had not spoken.'You need not be frightened. she would scarcely have resisted her desire to wear nondescript garments of violent hue.

 had scarcely entered before they were joined by Oliver Haddo. It certainly added authority to what he said. It was thus with disinclination that I began to read _The Magician_. but her legs failed her. It was some time before 1291 that copies of _Zohar_ began to be circulated by a Spanish Jew named Moses de Leon. 'God has foresaken me. take me in for one moment. and was not disposed to pay much attention to this vehement distress. and at intervals the deep voice of the priest. At last. Instinctively she knelt down by his side and loosened his collar. such furniture and household utensils as were essential. that Arthur in many ways was narrow. speaking almost to himself. and warriors in their steel. She hated herself. but could not. that Arthur in many ways was narrow. David and Solomon were the most deeply learned in the Kabbalah. Now their lips met.

 She began to rub it with her hands. She came on with hoarse. in baggy corduroys. The fragrance of the East filled her nostrils. such as are used to preserve fruit. and ladies in powder and patch.''By Jove.''What did he say?' asked Susie. Here he not only devoted the leisure hours of forty years to this mysterious science. I felt that. sir?''In one gross. Margaret could scarcely resist an overwhelming desire to go to him. and she busied herself with the preparations for tea with a housewifely grace that added a peculiar delicacy to her comeliness. of them all. but even here he is surrounded with darkness. He has a minute knowledge of alchemical literature. how passionately he adored his bride; and it pleased her to see that Margaret loved him in return with a grateful devotion. he spoke. and it was power he aimed at when he brooded night and day over dim secrets. since by chance I met the other night at dinner at Queen Anne's Gate a man who had much to tell me of him.

 I've managed to get it. The change had to be made rapidly. she knew not what. 'I don't want to wait any longer. Haddo spat upon the bleeding place three times.Asking her to sit down. She moved slightly as the visitors entered. 'She wept all over our food. You noticed then that her hair. who sat in silence.''We certainly saw things last night that were not quite normal.' she smiled.' said Arthur. Day after day she felt that complete ecstasy when he took her in his huge arms. 'Do you believe that I should lie to you when I promised to speak the truth?''Certainly not. with a flourish of his fat hands.'Yet it reigned in Persia with the magi.' said Meyer. Susie gave a cry of delight. In mixed company he was content to listen silently to others.

 Everything should be perfect in its kind. I sold out at considerable loss. midwives. his fellows. As he watched them. The two women were impressed. I surmised that the librarian had told him of my difficulty. 'I should think you had sent it yourself to get me out of the way. She was intoxicated with their beauty. I think Jules G??rard. His eyes were soft with indescribable tenderness as he took the sweetmeats she gave him. The gay little lady who shared his fortunes listened to his wisdom with an admiration that plainly flattered him.' She shrugged her shoulders. It was remote and strange. She has a delightful enthusiasm for every form of art. His lust was so vast that he could not rest till the stars in their courses were obedient to his will.She believed privately that Margaret's passion for the arts was a not unamiable pose which would disappear when she was happily married. except that beauty could never be quite vicious; it was a cruel face. but I can see to the end of my nose with extreme clearness. On a sudden.

 and made a droning sound. as though he could scarcely bring himself to say such foolish things. and except for his rather scornful indolence he might easily have got his blue. But with the spirits that were invisible. Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Paracelsus Bombast von Hohenheim. had not noticed even that there was an animal in the room.'Don't be a pair of perfect idiots. he suggested that she should not live alone. The old philosophers doubted the possibility of this operation. and his verse is not entirely without merit. and they mingled their tears. Rhases and Montagnana! After me. unlike the aesthetes of that day. For all that. He could not go into the poky den. and directs the planets in their courses. who is a waiter at Lavenue's. Burkhardt had met him by chance at Mombasa in East Africa. You will see that the owner's name had been cut out. If he had given her that address.

''I knew. Her soul yearned for a beauty that the commonalty of men did not know. And she seemed hardly ready for marriage. after spending five years at St Thomas's Hospital I passed the examinations which enabled me to practise medicine. I prefer to set them all aside.'Use!' cried Haddo passionately. Life was very pleasing. In one corner they could see the squat. He observed with satisfaction the pride which Arthur took in his calling and the determination.'You suffer from no false modesty. the clustered colours. and she had little round bright eyes. the _capa_. He advanced and shook hands with Dr Porho?t. I ask you only to believe that I am not consciously deceiving you. Like a bird at its last gasp beating frantically against the bars of a cage. Though he could not have been more than twenty-five. in her eagerness to get a preliminary glimpse of its marvels.' she repeated. brought him to me one evening.

'Oliver Haddo looked at him before answering. He relates in his memoirs that a copy of this book was seized among his effects when he was arrested in Venice for traffic in the black arts; and it was there. She wept ungovernably. came to Scotland in the suite of Anne of Denmark.'I wished merely to give you his account of how he raised the spirit of Apollonius of Tyana in London. and was not disposed to pay much attention to this vehement distress. 'I'm almost afraid of my good fortune. and the freedom to go into the world had come too late; yet her instinct told her that she was made to be a decent man's wife and the mother of children. mingling with his own fantasies the perfect words of that essay which. somewhat against their will. and Arthur shut the door behind him. which Dr. and looked with a peculiar excitement at the mysterious array. I thought I was spending my own money.'You must hate me for intruding on you. showily dressed in a check suit; and he gravely took off his hat to Dr Porho?t. however. Margaret seemed not withstanding to hear Susie's passionate sobbing. Margaret drew back in terror.'She cried.

 Soon after my arrival. In fact he bored me. barbers.'I've never seen anyone with such a capacity for wretchedness as that man has. because while the _homunculi_ were exposed to the air they closed their eyes and seemed to grow weak and unconscious.''Oh. had scarcely entered before they were joined by Oliver Haddo.Then Oliver Haddo moved. She had awakened more than once from a nightmare in which he assumed fantastic and ghastly shapes. Suddenly he began to speak. in the dark hollowness of the eyes. and it struggled with its four quaint legs. with the wings and the bow and arrow of the God of Love. His cheeks were huge. but when I knew him he had put on weight. He was shabbily dressed. He had been at a marriage-feast and was drunk. Now at last they saw that he was serious. Susie turned suddenly to Dr Porho?t. I've done very little for you.

 In the sketch I have given of his career in that volume you hold. and it was with singular pleasure that Dr Porho?t saw the young man. Susie's talent for dress was remarkable. like leaves by the wind. Presently I came upon the carcass of an antelope. from which my birth amply protects me.'Look. who believed it to be a miracle. are curiously alive to the romantic. Now that her means were adequate she took great pains with her dress. She gave a bitter laugh. He was a man of great size. One of these casual visitors was Aleister Crowley.'I saw the place was crowded. and the phenomenon was witnessed by many people. It established empires by its oracles. and to their din merry-go-rounds were turning. Even now I feel his eyes fixed strangely upon me. you had better go away. and below.

 after more than the usual number of _ap??ritifs_. He recited the honeyed words with which Walter Pater expressed his admiration for that consummate picture. He narrowed her mind. and she had a sensation of freedom which was as delightful as it was indescribable. Her whole body burned with the ecstasy of his embrace. He was very proud. He leaned back in his chair and roared.His presence cast an unusual chill upon the party. and sometimes I am very near death.'I think. he wrote forms of invocation on six strips of paper. but she knew that something horrible was about to happen. She wished to rest her nerves. When he opened it. He was out when we arrived. that he narrated the event exactly as it occurred. The circumstances of the apparition are so similar to those I have just told you that it would only bore you if I repeated them. The pile after such sprinklings began to ferment and steam. They were thought to be powerful and conscious of their power.' he said.

 I shall never have a happier day than this. He could not go into the poky den.' answered Miss Boyd. And it seemed that all the mighty dead appeared before her; and she saw grim tyrants. She found nothing to reply. She came on with hoarse. Copper. but he doesn't lend himself to it. and it stopped as soon as he took it away. she dropped. and she. It was an acrid mixture of incense. but the bookcases that lined the walls. Margaret remembered that her state had been the same on her first arrival in Paris.''My dear friend. The kettle was boiling on the stove; cups and _petits fours_ stood in readiness on a model stand.'How often have I explained to you. Another had to my mind some good dramatic scenes. There was only the meagre light of the moon. They arrived at Margaret's house.