"Onlytwothings，"Isaid。"SitdownbehindMr。Dexter’schair，sothathecan’tseeyou。Buttakecaretoplaceyourself，atthesametime，sothatyoucanseeme。"
　　"ThelessIseeofMr。DexterthebetterIshallbepleased，"
　　growledBenjamin。"WhatamItodoafterIhavetakenmyplacebehindhim？"
　　"YouaretowaituntilImakeyouasign；andwhenyouseeityouaretobeginwritingdowninyournote—bookwhatMr。Dexterissaying——andyouaretogoonuntilImakeanothersign，whichmeans，Leaveoff！"
　　"Well？"saidBenjamin，"what’sthesignforBegin？andwhat’sthesignforLeaveoff？"
　　Iwasnotquitepreparedwithananswertothis。Iaskedhimtohelpmewithahint。No！Benjaminwouldtakenoactivepartinthematter。Hewasresignedtobeemployedinthecapacityofpassiveinstrument——andthereallconcessionended，sofarashewasconcerned。
　　Lefttomyownresources，IfounditnoeasymattertoinventatelegraphicsystemwhichshouldsufficientlyinformBenjamin，withoutawakeningDexter’squicksuspicion。IlookedintotheglasstoseeifIcouldfindthenecessarysuggestioninanythingthatIwore。MyearringssuppliedmewiththeideaofwhichIwasinsearch。
　　"Ishalltakecaretositinanarm—chair，"Isaid。"Whenyouseemerestmyelbowonthechair，andliftmyhandtomyearring，asifIwereplayingwithit——writedownwhathesays；andgoonuntil——well，supposewesay，untilyouhearmemovemychair。Atthatsound，stop。Youunderstandme？"
　　"Iunderstandyou。"
　　WestartedforDexter’shouse。
　　CHAPTERXL。
　　NEMESISATLAST。
　　THEgardeneropenedthegatetousonthisoccasion。Hehadevidentlyreceivedhisordersinanticipationofmyarrival。
　　"Mrs。Valeria？"heasked。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Andfriend？"
　　"Andfriend。"
　　"Pleasetostepupstairs。Youknowthehouse。"
　　Crossingthehall，Istoppedforamoment，andlookedatafavoritewalking—canewhichBenjaminstillkeptinhishand。
　　"Yourcanewillonlybeinyourway，"Isaid。"Hadyounotbetterleaveithere？"
　　"Mycanemaybeusefulupstairs，"retortedBenjamin，gruffly。
　　"_I_haven’tforgottenwhathappenedinthelibrary。"
　　Itwasnotimetocontendwithhim。Iledthewayupthestairs。
　　Arrivingattheupperflightofsteps，Iwasstartledbyhearingasuddencryfromtheroomabove。Itwaslikethecryofapersoninpain；anditwastwicerepeatedbeforeweenteredthecircularantechamber。Iwasthefirsttoapproachtheinnerroom，andtoseethemany—sidedMiserrimusDexterinanothernewaspectofhischaracter。
　　TheunfortunateArielwasstandingbeforeatable，withadishoflittlecakesplacedinfrontofher。Roundeachofherwristswastiedastring，thefreeendsofwhich（atadistanceofafewyards）wereheldinMiserrimusDexter’shands。"Tryagain，mybeauty！"Iheardhimsay，asIstoppedonthethresholdofthedoor。"Takeacake。"Atthewordofcommand，Arielsubmissivelystretchedoutonearmtowardthedish。Justasshetouchedacakewiththetipsofherfingersherhandwasjerkedawaybyapullatthestring，sosavagelycruelinthenimbleanddevilishviolenceofitthatIfeltinclinedtosnatchBenjamin’scaneoutofhishandandbreakitoverMiserrimusDexter’sback。ArielsufferedthepainthistimeinSpartansilence。Thepositioninwhichshestoodenabledhertobethefirsttoseemeatthedoor。Shehaddiscoveredme。Herteethwereset；herfacewasflushedunderthestruggletorestrainherself。Notevenasighescapedherinmypresence。
　　"Dropthestring！"Icalledout，indignantly"Releaseher，Mr。
　　Dexter，orIshallleavethehouse。"
　　Atthesoundofmyvoiceheburstoutwithashrillcryofwelcome。Hiseyesfastenedonmewithafierce，devouringdelight。
　　"Comein！comein！"hecried。"SeewhatIamreducedtointhemaddeningsuspenseofwaitingforyou。SeehowIkillthetimewhenthetimepartsus。Comein！comein！Iaminoneofmymalicioushumorsthismorning，causedentirely，Mrs。Valeria，bymyanxietytoseeyou。WhenIaminmymalicioushumorsImustteasesomething。IamteasingAriel。Lookather！Shehashadnothingtoeatallday，andshehasn’tbeenquickenoughtosnatchamorselofcakeyet。Youneedn’tpityher。Arielhasnonerves——Idon’thurther。"
　　"Arielhasnonerves，"echoedthepoorcreature，frowningatmeforinterferingbetweenhermasterandherself。"Hedoesn’thurtme。"
　　IheardBenjaminbeginningtoswinghiscanebehindhim。
　　"Dropthestring！"Ireiterated，morevehementlythanever。"Dropit，orIshallinstantlyleaveyou。"
　　MiserrimusDexter’sdelicatenervesshudderedatmyviolence。
　　"Whatagloriousvoice！"heexclaimed——anddroppedthestring。
　　"Takethecakes，"headded，addressingArielinhismostimperialmanner。
　　Shepassedme，withthestringshangingfromherswollenwrists，andthedishofcakesinherhand。Shenoddedherheadatmedefiantly。
　　"Arielhasgotnonerves，"sherepeated，proudly。"Hedoesn’thurtme。"
　　"Yousee，"saidMiserrimusDexter，"thereisnoharmdone——andI
　　droppedthestringswhenyoutoldme。Don’t_begin_bybeinghardonme，Mrs。Valeria，afteryourlongabsence。"Hepaused。
　　Benjamin，standingsilentinthedoorway，attractedhisattentionforthefirsttime。"Whoisthis？"heasked，andwheeledhischairsuspiciouslynearertothedoor。"Iknow！"hecried，beforeIcouldanswer。"ThisisthebenevolentgentlemanwholookedliketherefugeoftheafflictedwhenIsawhimlast。——Youhavealteredfortheworsesincethen，sir。Youhavesteppedintoquiteanewcharacter——youpersonifyRetributiveJusticenow。——Yournewprotector，Mrs。Valeria——Iunderstand！"HebowedlowtoBenjamin，withferociousirony。"Yourhumbleservant，Mr。
　　RetributiveJustice！Ihavedeservedyou——andIsubmittoyou。
　　Walkin，sir！Iwilltakecarethatyournewofficeshallbeasinecure。ThisladyistheLightofmyLife。Catchmefailinginrespecttoherifyoucan！"HebackedhischairbeforeBenjamin（wholistenedtohimincontemptuoussilence）untilhereachedthepartoftheroominwhichIwasstanding。"Yourhand，LightofmyLife！"hemurmuredinhisgentlesttones。"Yourhand——onlytoshowthatyouhaveforgivenme！"Igavehimmyhand。"One？"hewhispered，entreatingly。"Onlyone？"Hekissedmyhandonce，respectfully——anddroppeditwithaheavysigh。"Ah，poorDexter！"hesaid，pityinghimselfwiththewholesincerityofhisegotism。"Awarmheart——wastedinsolitude，mockedbydeformity。
　　Sad！sad！Ah，poorDexter！"HelookedroundagainatBenjamin，withanotherflashofhisferociousirony。"Abeauteousday，sir，"hesaid，withmock—conventionalcourtesy。"Seasonableweatherindeedafterthelatelong—continuedrains。CanIofferyouanyrefreshment？Won’tyousitdown？RetributiveJustice，whenitisnotallerthanyouare，looksbestinachair。"
　　"Andamonkeylooksbestinacage，"rejoinedBenjamin，enragedatthesatiricalreferencetohisshortnessofstature。"Iwaswaiting，sir，toseeyougetintoyourswing。"
　　TheretortproducednoeffectonMiserrimusDexter：itappearedtohavepassedbyhimunheard。Hehadchangedagain；hewasthoughtful，hewassubdued；hiseyeswerefixedonmewithasadandraptattention。Itookthenearestarm—chair，firstcastingaglanceatBenjamin，whichheimmediatelyunderstood。HeplacedhimselfbehindDexter，atananglewhichcommandedaviewofmychair。Ariel，silentlydevouringhercakes，crouchedonastoolat"theMaster’s"feet，andlookedupathimlikeafaithfuldog。
　　Therewasanintervalofquietandrepose。IwasabletoobserveMiserrimusDexteruninterruptedlyforthefirsttimesinceIhadenteredtheroom。
　　Iwasnotsurprised——Iwasnothinglessthanalarmedbythechangefortheworseinhimsincewehadlastmet。Mr。Playmore’sletterhadnotpreparedmefortheseriousdeteriorationinhimwhichIcouldnowdiscern。
　　Hisfeatureswerepinchedandworn；thewholefaceseemedtohavewastedstrangelyinsubstanceandsizesinceIhadlastseenit。
　　Thesoftnessinhiseyeswasgone。Blood—redveinswereintertwinedalloverthemnow：theyweresetinapiteousandvacantstare。Hisoncefirmhandslookedwithered；theytrembledastheylayonthecoverlet。Thepalenessofhisface（exaggerated，perhaps，bytheblackvelvetjacketthathewore）
　　hadasoddenandsicklylook——thefineoutlinewasgone。Themultitudinouslittlewrinklesatthecornersofhiseyeshaddeepened。Hisheadsankintohisshoulderswhenheleanedforwardinhischair。Yearsappearedtohavepassedoverhim，insteadofmonths，whileIhadbeenabsentfromEngland。RememberingthemedicalreportwhichMr。Playmorehadgivenmetoread——recallingthedoctor’spositivelydeclaredopinionthatthepreservationofDexter’ssanitydependedonthehealthyconditionofhisnerves——IcouldnotbutfeelthatIhaddonewisely（ifImightstillhopeforsuccess）inhasteningmyreturnfromSpain。
　　KnowingwhatIknew，fearingwhatIfeared，Ibelievedthathistimewasnear。Ifelt，whenoureyesmetbyaccident，thatIwaslookingatadoomedman。
　　Ipitiedhim。
　　Yes，yes！Iknowthatcompassionforhimwasutterlyinconsistentwiththemotivewhichhadtakenmetohishouse——utterlyinconsistentwiththedoubt，stillpresenttomymind，whetherMr。PlaymorehadreallywrongedhiminbelievingthathiswastheguiltwhichhadcompassedthefirstMrs。Eustace’sdeath。Ifeltthis：Iknewhimtobecruel；Ibelievedhimtobefalse。AndyetIpitiedhim！Isthereacommonfundofwickednessinusall？Isthesuppressionorthedevelopmentofthatwickednessamerequestionoftrainingandtemptation？Andistheresomethinginourdeepersympathieswhichmutelyacknowledgesthiswhenwefeelforthewicked；whenwecrowdtoacriminaltrial；whenweshakehandsatparting（ifwehappentobepresentofficially）withthevilestmonsterthateverswungonagallows？Itisnotformetodecide。IcanonlysaythatIpitiedMiserrimusDexter——andthathefounditout。
　　"Thankyou，"hesaid，suddenly。"YouseeIamill，andyoufeelforme。DearandgoodValeria！"
　　"Thislady’sname，sir，isMrs。EustaceMacallan，"interposedBenjamin，speakingsternlybehindhim。"Thenexttimeyouaddressher，remember，ifyouplease，thatyouhavenobusinesswithherChristianname。"
　　Benjamin’srebukepassed，likeBenjamin’sretort，unheededandunheard。Toallappearance，MiserrimusDexterhadcompletelyforgottenthattherewassuchapersonintheroom。
　　"Youhavedelightedmewiththesightofyou，"hewenton。"Addtothepleasurebylettingmehearyourvoice。Talktomeofyourself。TellmewhatyouhavebeendoingsinceyouleftEngland。"
　　Itwasnecessarytomyobjecttosettheconversationafloat；andthiswasasgoodawayofdoingitasanyother。ItoldhimplainlyhowIhadbeenemployedduringmyabsence。
　　"SoyouarestillfondofEustace？"hesaid，bitterly。
　　"Ilovehimmoredearlythanever。"
　　Heliftedhishands，andhidhisface。Afterwaitingawhile，hewenton，speakinginanodd，muffledmanner，stillundercoverofhishands。
　　"AndyouleaveEustaceinSpain，"hesaid；"andyoureturntoEnglandbyyourself！Whatmadeyoudothat？"
　　"Whatmademefirstcomehereandaskyoutohelpme，Mr。
　　Dexter？"
　　Hedroppedhishands，andlookedatme。Isawinhiseyes，notamazementonly，butalarm。
　　"Isitpossible，"heexclaimed，"thatyouwon’tletthatmiserablematterrestevenyet？AreyoustilldeterminedtopenetratethemysteryatGleninch？"
　　"Iamstilldetermined，Mr。Dexter；andIstillhopethatyoumaybeabletohelpme。"
　　TheolddistrustthatIrememberedsowelldarkenedagainoverhisfacethemomentIsaidthosewords。
　　"HowcanIhelpyou？"heasked。"CanIalterfacts？"Hestopped。
　　Hisfacebrightenedagain，asifsomesuddensenseofreliefhadcometohim。"Ididtrytohelpyou，"hewenton。"ItoldyouthatMrs。Beauly’sabsencewasadevicetoscreenherselffromsuspicion；ItoldyouthatthepoisonmighthavebeengivenbyMrs。Beauly’smaid。Hasreflectionconvincedyou？Doyouseesomethingintheidea？"
　　ThisreturntoMrs。Beaulygavememyfirstchanceofleadingthetalktotherighttopic。
　　"Iseenothingintheidea，"Ianswered。"Iseenomotive。HadthemaidanyreasontobeanenemytothelateMrs。Eustace？"
　　"NobodyhadanyreasontobeanenemytothelateMrs。Eustace！"
　　hebrokeout，loudlyandvehemently。"Shewasallgoodness，allkindness；sheneverinjuredanyhumancreatureinthoughtordeed。Shewasasaintuponearth。Respecthermemory！Letthemartyrrestinhergrave！"Hecoveredhisfaceagainwithhishands，andshookandshudderedundertheparoxysmofemotionthatIhadrousedinhim。
　　Arielsuddenlyandsoftlyleftherstool，andapproachedme。
　　"Doyouseemytenclaws？"shewhispered，holdingoutherhands。
　　"VextheMasteragain，andyouwillfeelmytenclawsonyourthroat！"
　　Benjaminrosefromhisseat：hehadseentheaction，withouthearingthewords。Isignedtohimtokeephisplace。
　　Arielreturnedtoherstool，andlookedupagainathermaster。
　　"Don’tcry，"shesaid。"Comeon。Herearethestrings。Teasemeagain。Makemescreechwiththesmartofit。"
　　Heneveranswered，andnevermoved。
　　Arielbentherslowmindtomeetthedifficultyofattractinghisattention。Isawitinherfrowningbrows，inhercolorlesseyeslookingatmevacantly。Onasudden，shejoyfullystrucktheopenpalmofoneofherhandswiththefistoftheother。Shehadtriumphed。Shehadgotanidea。
　　"Master！"shecried。"Master！Youhaven’ttoldmeastoryforeversolong。Puzzlemythickhead。Makemyfleshcreep。Comeon。
　　Agoodlongstory。Allbloodandcrimes。"
　　Hadsheaccidentallyhitontherightsuggestiontostrikehiswaywardfancy？Iknewhishighopinionofhisownskillin"dramaticnarrative。"IknewthatoneofhisfavoriteamusementswastopuzzleArielbytellingherstoriesthatshecouldnotunderstand。Wouldhewanderawayintotheregionsofwildromance？OrwouldherememberthatmyobstinacystillthreatenedhimwithreopeningtheinquiryintothetragedyatGleninch？andwouldhesethiscunningatworktomisleadmebysomenewstratagem？Thislattercoursewasthecoursewhichmypastexperienceofhimsuggestedthathewouldtake。But，tomysurpriseandalarm，Ifoundmypastexperienceatfault。Arielsucceededindivertinghismindfromthesubjectwhichhadbeeninfullpossessionofitthemomentbeforeshespoke！Heshowedhisfaceagain。Itwasoverspreadbyabroadsmileofgratifiedself—esteem。HewasweakenoughnowtoletevenArielfindherwaytohisvanity。Isawitwithasenseofmisgiving，withadoubtwhetherIhadnotdelayedmyvisituntiltoolate，whichturnedmecoldfromheadtofoot。
　　MiserrimusDexterspoke——toAriel，nottome。
　　"Poordevil！"hesaid，pattingherheadcomplacently。"Youdon’tunderstandawordofmystories，doyou？AndyetIcanmakethefleshcreeponyourgreatclumsybody——andyetIcanholdyourmuddledmind，andmakeyoulikeit。Poordevil！"Heleanedbackserenelyinhischair，andlookedmywayagain。Wouldthesightofmeremindhimofthewordsthathadpassedbetweenusnotaminutesince？No！Therewasthepleasantlytickledself—conceitsmilingatmeexactlyasithadsmiledatAriel。"Iexcelindramaticnarrative，Mrs。Valeria，"hesaid。"Andthiscreaturehereonthestoolisaremarkableproofofit。SheisquiteapsychologicalstudywhenItellheroneofmystories。Itisreallyamusingtoseethehalf—wittedwretch’sdesperateeffortstounderstandme。Youshallhaveaspecimen。Ihavebeenoutofspiritswhileyouwereaway——Ihaven’ttoldherastoryforweekspast；Iwilltellheronenow。Don’tsupposeit’sanyefforttome！Myinventionisinexhaustible。Youaresuretobeamused——youarenaturallyserious——butyouaresuretobeamused。Iamnaturallyserioustoo；andIalwayslaughather。"
　　Arielclappedhergreatshapelesshands。"Healwayslaughsatme！"shesaid，withaproudlookofsuperioritydirectedstraightatme。
　　Iwasataloss，seriouslyataloss，whattodo。
　　TheoutbreakwhichIhadprovokedinleadinghimtospeakofthelateMrs。Eustacewarnedmetobecareful，andtowaitformyopportunitybeforeIrevertedto_that_subject。HowelsecouldI
　　turntheconversationsoastoleadhim，littlebylittle，towardthebetrayalofthesecretswhichhewaskeepingfromme？Inthisuncertainty，onethingonlyseemedtobeplain。Tolethimtellhisstorywouldbesimplytolethimwastethepreciousminutes。
　　WithavividremembranceofAriel’s"tenclaws，"Idecided，neverthelessondiscouragingDexter’snewwhimateverypossibleopportunityandbyeverymeansinmypower。
　　"Now，Mrs。Valeria，"hebegan，loudlyandloftily，"listen。Now，Ariel，bringyourbrainstoafocus。Iimprovisepoetry；I
　　improvisefiction。Wewillbeginwiththegoodoldformulaofthefairystories。Onceuponatime——"
　　Iwaswaitingformyopportunitytointerrupthimwhenheinterruptedhimself。Hestopped，withabewilderedlook。Heputhishandtohishead，andpasseditbackwardandforwardoverhisforehead。Helaughedfeebly。
　　"Iseemtowantrousing，"hesaidWashismindgone。？TherehadbeennosignsofituntilIhadunhappilystirredhismemoryofthedeadmistressofGleninch。
　　WastheweaknesswhichIhadalreadynoticed，wasthebewildermentwhichInowsaw，attributabletotheinfluenceofapassingdisturbanceonly？Inotherwords，hadIwitnessednothingmoreseriousthanafirstwarningtohimandtous？Wouldhesoonrecoverhimself，ifwewerepatient，andgavehimtime？EvenBenjaminwasinterestedatlast；IsawhimtryingtolookatDexteraroundthecornerofthechair。EvenArielwassurprisedanduneasy。Shehadnodarkglancestocastatmenow。
　　Weallwaitedtoseewhathewoulddo，tohearwhathewouldsay，next。
　　"Myharp！"hecried。"Musicwillrouseme。"
　　Arielbroughthimhisharp。
　　"Master，"shesaid，wonderingly，"what’scometoyou？"
　　Hewavedhishand，commandinghertobesilent。
　　"OdetoInvention，"heannounced，loftily，addressinghimselftome。"PoetryandmusicimprovisedbyDexter。Silence！Attention！"
　　Hisfingerswanderedfeeblyovertheharpstrings，awakeningnomelody，suggestingnowords。Inalittlewhilehishanddropped；
　　hisheadsankforwardgently，andrestedontheframeoftheharp。Istartedtomyfeet，andapproachedhim。Wasitasleep？
　　orwasitaswoon？
　　Itouchedhisarm，andcalledtohimbyhisname。
　　Arielinstantlysteppedbetweenus，withathreateninglookatme。AtthesamemomentMiserrimusDexterraisedhishead。Myvoicehadreachedhim。HelookedatmewithacuriouscontemplativequietnessinhiseyeswhichIhadneverseeninthembefore。
　　"Takeawaytheharp，"hesaidtoAriel，speakinginlanguidtones，likeamanwhowasveryweary。
　　Themischievous，half—wittedcreature——insheerstupidityorindownrightmalice，Iamnotsurewhich——irritatedhimoncemore。
　　"Why，Master？"sheasked，staringathimwiththeharphuggedinherarms。"What’scometoyou？whereisthestory？"
　　"Wedon’twantthestory，"Iinterposed。"IhavemanythingstosaytoMr。DexterwhichIhavenotsaidyet。"
　　Arielliftedherheavyhand。"Youwillhaveit！"shesaid，andadvancedtowardme。AtthesamemomenttheMaster’svoicestoppedher。
　　"Putawaytheharp，youfool！"herepeated，sternly。"AndwaitforthestoryuntilIchoosetotellit。"
　　Shetooktheharpsubmissivelybacktoitsplaceattheendoftheroom。MiserrimusDextermovedhischairalittleclosertomine。"Iknowwhatwillrouseme，"hesaid，confidentially。
　　"Exercisewilldoit。Ihavehadnoexerciselately。Waitalittle，andyouwillsee。"
　　Heputhishandsonthemachineryofthechair，andstartedonhiscustomarycoursedowntheroom。Hereagaintheominouschangeinhimshoweditselfunderanewform。ThepaceatwhichhetraveledwasnotthefuriouspacethatIremembered；thechairnolongerrushedunderhimonrumblingandwhistlingwheels。Itwent，butitwentslowly。Uptheroomanddowntheroomhepainfullyurgedit——andthenhestoppedforwantofbreath。
　　Wefollowedhim。Arielwasfirst，andBenjaminwasbymyside。Hemotionedimpatientlytobothofthemtostandback，andtoletmeapproachhimalone。
　　"I’moutofpractice，"hesaid，faintly。"Ihadn’tthehearttomakethewheelsroarandthefloortremblewhileyouwereaway。"
　　Whowouldnothavepitiedhim？Whowouldhaverememberedhismisdeedsatthatmoment？EvenArielfeltit。Iheardherbeginningtowhineandwhimperbehindme。Themagicianwhoalonecouldrousethedormantsensibilitiesinhernaturehadawakenedthemnowbyhisneglect。Herfatalcrywasheardagain，inmournful，moaningtones——
　　"What’scometoyou，Master？Where’sthestory？"
　　"Nevermindher，"Iwhisperedtohim。"Youwantthefreshair。
　　Sendforthegardener。Letustakeadriveinyourpony—chaise。"
　　Itwasuseless。Arielwouldbenoticed。Themournfulcrycameoncemore——
　　"Where’sthestory？where’sthestory？"
　　ThesinkingspiritleapedupinDexteragain。
　　"Youwretch！youfiend！"hecried，whirlinghischairaround，andfacingher。"Thestoryiscoming。I_can_tellit！I_will_
　　tellit！Wine！Youwhimperingidiot，getmethewine。Whydidn’tIthinkofitbefore？ThekinglyBurgundy！that’swhatIwant，Valeria，tosetmyinventionalightandflaminginmyhead。
　　Glassesforeverybody！HonortotheKingoftheVintages——theRoyalClosVougeot！"
　　Arielopenedthecupboardinthealcove，andproducedthewineandthehighVenetianglasses。DexterdrainedhisgobletfulofBurgundyatadraught；heforcedustodrink（oratleasttopretendtodrink）withhim。EvenArielhadhersharethistime，andemptiedherglassinrivalrywithhermaster。Thepowerfulwinemountedalmostinstantlytoherweakhead。Shebegantosinghoarselyasongofherowndevising，inimitationofDexter。Itwasnothingbuttherepetition，theendlessmechanicalrepetition，ofherdemandforthestory——"Tellusthestory。
　　Master！master！tellusthestory！"Absorbedoverhiswine，theMastersilentlyfilledhisgobletforthesecondtime。Benjaminwhisperedtomewhilehiseyewasoffus，"Takemyadvice，Valeria，foronce；letusgo。"
　　"Onelasteffort，"Iwhisperedback。"Onlyone！"
　　Arielwentdrowsilyonwithhersong——
　　"Tellusthestory。Master！master！tellusthestory。"
　　MiserrimusDexterlookedupfromhisglass。Thegenerousstimulantwasbeginningtodoitswork。Isawthecolorrisinginhisface。Isawthebrightintelligenceflashingagaininhiseyes。TheBurgundy_had_rousedhim！Thegoodwinestoodmyfriend，andofferedmealastchance！
　　"Nostory，"Isaid。"Iwanttotalktoyou，Mr。Dexter。Iamnotinthehumorforastory。"
　　"Notinthehumor？"herepeated，withagleamoftheoldimpishironyshowingitselfagaininhisface。"That’sanexcuse。Iseewhatitis！Youthinkmyinventionisgone——andyouarenotfrankenoughtoconfessit。I’llshowyouyou’rewrong。I’llshowyouthatDexterishimselfagain。Silence，youAriel，oryoushallleavetheroom！Ihavegotit，Mrs。Valeria，alllaidouthere，withscenesandcharacterscomplete。"Hetouchedhisforehead，andlookedatmewithafurtiveandsmilingcunningbeforeheaddedhisnextwords。"It’stheverythingtointerestyou，myfairfriend。It’sthestoryofaMistressandaMaid。Comebacktothefireandhearit。"
　　TheStoryofaMistressandaMaid？Ifthatmeantanything，itmeantthestoryofMrs。Beaulyandhermaid，toldindisguise。
　　Thetitle，andthelookwhichhadescapedhimwhenheannouncedit，revivedthehopethatwaswell—nighdeadinme。Hehadralliedatlast。Hewasagaininpossessionofhisnaturalforesightandhisnaturalcunning。UnderpretenseoftellingArielherstory，hewasevidentlyabouttomaketheattempttomisleadmeforthesecondtime。Theconclusionwasirresistible。
　　Tousehisownwords——Dexterwashimselfagain。
　　ItookBenjamin’sarmaswefollowedhimbacktothefire—placeinthemiddleoftheroom。
　　"Thereisachanceformeyet，"Iwhispered。"Don’tforgetthesignals。"
　　Wereturnedtotheplaceswhichwehadalreadyoccupied。Arielcastanotherthreateninglookatme。Shehadjustsenseenoughleft，afteremptyinghergobletofwine，tobeonthewatchforanewinterruptiononmypart。Itookcare，ofcourse，thatnothingofthesortshouldhappen。IwasnowaseagerasArieltohearthestory。Thesubjectwasfullofsnaresforthenarrator。Atanymoment，intheexcitementofspeaking，Dexter’smemoryofthetrueeventsmightshowitselfreflectedinthecircumstancesofthefiction。Atanymomenthemightbetrayhimself。
　　Helookedaroundhim，andbegan。
　　"Mypublic，areyouseated？Mypublic，areyouready？"heasked，gayly。"Yourfacealittlemorethisway，"headded，inhissoftestandtenderesttones，motioningtometoturnmyfullfacetowardhim。"SurelyIamnotaskingtoomuch？Youlookatthemeanestcreaturethatcrawls——lookatMe。Letmefindmyinspirationinyoureyes。Letmefeedmyhungryadmirationonyourform。Come，haveonelittlepityingsmileleftforthemanwhosehappinessyouhavewrecked。Thankyou，LightofmyLife，thankyou！"Hekissedhishandtome，andthrewhimselfbackluxuriouslyinhischair。"Thestory，"heresumed。"Thestoryatlast！InwhatformshallIcastit？Inthedramaticform——theoldestway，thetruestway，theshortestwayoftellingastory！