diamond like a star. "I have often wondered
if poets feel what they write--whether Swinburne, for instance, ever
felt the weight of a dead cold thing within him HERE," slightly
touching the region of his heart, "and realized that he had to drag
that corpse of unburied love with him everywhere--even to the grave,
and beyond--O God!--beyond the grave!" I touched him gently on the arm.
I was full of pity for him--his despair was so bitter and keen.

"Prince Ivan," I said, "you are excited and overwrought. Zara meant no
slight to you in leaving the room before your song was finished. I am
quite sure of that. She is kindness itself--her nature is all sweetness
and gentleness. She would not willingly offend you--"

"Offend me!" he exclaimed; "she could not offend me if she tried. She
could tread upon me, stab me, slay me, but never offend me. I see you
are sorry for me--and I thank you. I kiss your hand for your gentle
pity, mademoiselle."

And he did so, with a knightly grace that became him well. I thought
his momentary anger was passing, but I was mistaken. Suddenly he raised
his arm with a fierce gesture, and exclaimed:

"By heaven! I will wait no longer. I am a fool to hesitate. I may wait
a century before I draw out of Casimir the secret that would enable me
to measure swords with my rival. Listen!" and he grasped my shoulder
roughly. "Stay here, you! If Casimir returns, tell him I have gone for
a walk of half an hour. Play to him--keep him occupied--be my friend in
this one thing--I trust you. Let him not seek for Zara, or for me. I
shall not be long absent."

"Stay!" I whispered hurriedly, "What are you going to do? Surely you
know the power of Heliobas. He is supreme here. He could find out
anything he chose. He could---"

Prince Ivan looked at me fixedly.

"Will you swear to me that you actually do not know?"

"Know what?" I asked, perplexed.

He laughed bitterly, sarcastically.

"Did you ever hear that line of poetry which speaks of 'A woman wailing
for her demon-lover'? That is what Zara does. Of one thing I am
certain--she does not wail or wait long; he comes quickly."

"What do you mean?" I exclaimed, utterly mystified. "Who comes quickly?
I am sure you do not know what you are talking about."

"I DO know," he replied firmly; "and I am going to prove my knowledge.
Remember what I have asked you." And without another word or look, he
threw open the velvet curtains of the portiere, and disappeared be