to--magic."

"I accept no conditions for my confidence, though I think the better of
you for attempting to make them. If I live, you will seek me yourself,
and implore my aid. Meanwhile, listen to me, and--"

"No; I prefer the rain and the thunder to the whispers that steal to my
ear in the dark from one of whom I have reason to beware."

So saying, I stepped forth, and at that moment the lightning flashed
through the arch, and brought into full view the face of the man beside
me. Seen by that glare, it was pale as the face of a corpse, but its
expression was compassionate and serene.

I hesitated, for the expression of that hueless countenance touched me;
it was not the face which inspires distrust or fear.

"Come," said I, gently; "grant my demand. The casket--"

"It is no scruple of distrust that now makes that demand; it is a
curiosity which in itself is a fearful tempter. Did you now possess what
at this moment you desire, how bitterly you would repent!"

"Do you still refuse my demand?"

"I refuse."

"If then you really need me, it is you who will repent."

I passed from the arch into the open space. The rain had passed, the
thunder was more distant. I looked back when I had gained the opposite
side of the way, at the angle of a street which led to my own house.
As I did so, again the skies lightened, but the flash was comparatively
slight and evanescent; it did not penetrate the gloom of the arch; it
did not bring the form of Sir Philip into view; but, just under the base
of the outer buttress to the gateway, I descried the outline of a
dark figure, cowering down, huddled up for shelter, the outline so
indistinct, and so soon lost to sight as the flash faded, that I
could not distinguish if it were man or brute. If it were some chance
passer-by, who had sought refuge from the rain, and overheard any part
of our strange talk, "the listener," thought I with a half-smile, "must
have been mightily perplexed."

CHAPTER XXXV.

On reaching my own home, I found my servant sitting up for me with the
information that my attendance was immediately required. The little boy
whom Margrave's carelessness had so injured, and for whose injury he had
shown so little feeling, had been weakened by the confinement which
the nature of the injury required, and for the last few days had been
generally ailing. The father had come to my house a few minutes before
I reached it, in great distress of mind, saying that hi