if my trip to Equatoria proved a
disappointment in any way, but he didn't see what there was to fight
about; that no one deplored so much as he the recent attempt upon the
life of Dictator Jaffier; and as for himself, he was identified with
all the interests of Equatoria, which were moving forward exceedingly
well.... Altogether it was an absorbing half-hour."

* * * * *

"And now I must tell you about Senora Key," Miss Mallory continued
hurriedly, since they could not be seen talking together long.... "She
asked me to come to her rooms, and I followed a servant. I couldn't
find the place now alone. A small room in orange lamplight! The
Glow-worm was lying upon a tiger-rug; very tall and silken she looked,
and her great yellow eyes settled upon me. It seemed to me that her
emotions had no outlet, but turned back to rend and devour each other.
I couldn't help thinking that first moment, that some one must pay a
big price for making her suffer. Queer, wasn't it? And pitiful--how she
seemed to need me. It is true, she trusted me from the beginning,
seemed dying to leap into some one's heart. And she told me her story
in whispered fragments--heart-hunger, hatred, and mystery--these
fragments. I've really been challenged to build a character out of her,
and since I thought about her half the night, I ought to be able to
make you see and feel her story. I wonder if I can? It came to me
something like this:

"There had been a night--ah, long ago--in which Senor Rey summoned her
from her companions. It was in a house in Buenos Aires. The Senor had
come to that house before. The Senor was always feared. He was always
obeyed. She, nor any of her companions, could _taste_ the wine he
bought for them. It did not make them laugh like other wine. Oh, yes,
they drank it, but they could not taste the flavor--with him in the
room!... On this night the Senor had bade her come with him. She could
not answer, but obey only. She remembered how hushed her companions
became when she went away with the Senor; how strangely they had looked
at her--what helpless sorrow was in their eyes.... Even now she could
see the faces of her companions gathered about; the Senor smiling at
the door; his carriage with black, restless ponies and shining lights;
the driver upon his seat, like to whom she quickly became--never
answering the Senor, and always obeying!... Ah, yes, there had been a
hush in her house as she left it