hisper if
I felt anything unusual. I considered that my sensations were quite
sufficiently peculiar to justify my replying in the affirmative. She
appeared satisfied.

"All will be well, my friend," she murmured, sinking down with an air of
exhaustion on the lid of an ancient stone coffin that lay half overgrown
with ivy at our feet. "The danger will be averted if you act with
courage; only keep your hold on my hand and the Unseen Influences have
no power to hurt us! Now drink this." With these words she offered me a
small bottle of a dull blue colour and very curious shape.

I examined the little flask suspiciously. I had a hazy impression that I
had once seen something like it in the British Museum.

"Never can I reveal by what means I procured this invaluable treasure
and the precious fluid that it contains," replied Irene in answer to my
inquisitive glance. "Suffice it to say that for countless ages they lay
concealed in the cerements of a mummy."

That settled me. I instantly resolved that no power on earth should
induce me to taste the nasty mess. A bright thought occurred to me--I
would base my refusal upon grounds which even Irene could scarcely
combat.

"I am dreadfully sorry," I whispered, "but it upsets me to drink
anything except water; in fact I can't do it, the consequences would be
too horrible! I need not particularise, but literally I couldn't keep it
down a minute. So it seems hardly worth while to risk wasting this
valuable fluid."

"And am I to be baffled at this hour by Human Weakness!" cried Irene,
stamping with suppressed rage. "It shall not be! Ha! I have it! The
odour alone may be sufficiently powerful to work our purpose." And
uncorking the bottle, she held it towards me.

The smell was pungent but not disagreeable.

"Now all is completed," she said, when I had inhaled a few whiffs. "You
have only to gaze before you, and wish with all the force of your will
that my Beloved may appear."

We stood perfectly still, hand clasped in hand. Irene had risen from her
grim seat, and was leaning against me for support. Her cloak had fallen
off, and I thought that she looked like a beautiful spirit herself
against the dark background of ivy. In obedience to her orders, I fixed
my eyes on space and tried to wish.

Hardly had I begun, when a figure emerged from behind the opposite wall
and glided slowly across the chapel towards us. I was so amazed that I
could hardly believe the evidence of my