with a weapon of defence
against their assaults. If you wish to repulse the man whom you fear and
who pursues you,--to give him such a rebuff that he will never again
dare to approach you,--then wait until he makes the proposal which you
dread, and give him this answer: 'Between you and me there is a
canonical interdict which renders our union impossible; it is contained
in the fourteenth paragraph of the Secret Instructions.' As soon as you
say that he will vanish so completely from your presence that you will
never set eyes on him again."

"Wonderful!" cried Blanka. "That will surely be a miracle."

"Such it may always remain to you," returned Manasseh, "and you may
never know how deep a wound you have inflicted. But you must thenceforth
look for no mercy. Sue urgently for a decision, and be prepared for a
harsh one."

"Thank you," said Blanka, simply. "_N'en parlons plus_"--repeating
Prince Cagliari's phrase.

With that she stepped lightly to the stone block which the artist had
been using for a chair, and, seating herself on it, began to copy in
outline his painting of the Colosseum, as if that had been the sole
purpose of her coming. Nor did she so much as ask permission thus to
violate the rules of professional courtesy. This sketching from a
finished picture she found vastly easier than drawing from the object
itself, a task which always proves elusive and baffling to the beginner.
Manasseh took his stand behind her as she worked, but his eyes were not
wholly occupied in following her pencil.

Meanwhile the archaeological explorers had abundant time to inspect all
the subterranean passages and chambers of the Colosseum, and it was only
when they emerged into the arena and began to seek their lost companion,
with loud outcries, that she started up in some alarm and made haste to
retrace her steps.

Manasseh picked up the dandelion chain that had fallen from her neck and
put it in his bosom.

CHAPTER X.

THE FOURTEENTH PARAGRAPH.

Blanka was now like a boy who fears to stay at home alone, and to whom
his father has therefore given a loaded gun as a security. The lad has a
shuddering eagerness to encounter a burglar, that he may try his weapon
on him, never doubting but that he can kill a giant if need be. Let the
robbers come if they wish; he is armed and ready for them.

In this confidence Blanka's entire mood underwent a change: she became
light-hearted almost to the point of unrestrained gai