\"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！