file :i* includes ! orig9al             
illu/rations4       ,see #baabg-;h4htm  
or #baabg-;h4zip3                       
7https3_/_/www4gut5b]g4org_/dirs_/#b_/a_
/a_/b_/baabg_/baabg-;h_/#baabg-;h4htm7  
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/a_/b_/baabg_/baabg-;h4zip7      ,,!    
,,my/ics  ,a ,novel  by  ,,ka!r9e       
,,cecil ,,?ur/on  ,au?or ( ,! ,masqu]ad]
 ,! ,gambl]  ,illu/rat$                 
,illu/ration3 ,see ,*ap4 ,,vii ,,!      
,,prophet ,,) ,,8 ,,fix$ ,,gaze ,,^u ,,!
 ,,scitsym    ,h>p]  ,bro!rs ,publi%]s  
,new ,york & ,london ,,mcmvii           
,copyright1 #aijd1 by ,ka!r9e ,cecil    
,?ur/on4 ,all rights res]v$4 ,publi%$   
,april1 #aijg4                      ,to 
my ,c\s9               ,nancy ,inez     
,pollock     ,,illu/rations      ,,!    
,,prophet ,,) ,,8 ,,fix$ ,,gaze ,,^u ,,!
 ,,scitsym ,frontispiece     ,,!        
,,figure ,,( ,,8 ,,uncle 444 ,,%[$      
,,tall ,,&    ,,angul> ,,9 ,,! ,,ap]ture
                           ,fac+ p4 #bj 

,,he 444 ,,ga!r$ ,,! ,,fir/ ,,%eaf ,,(  
,,leaves ,,into    ,,8 ,,f+]s           
#dj     ,,across ,,! ,,prophet',s       
,,brea/1 ,,9 ,,m>ks ,,( ,a ,,cruel      
,,lac]ation1 ,,ran ,,! ,,symbolic       
,,octagonal ,,figure ,,(    ,,! ,,my/ic 
,,sect                                  
#ef     ,,) ,a ,,fre% ,,bur/ ,,( ,,te>s1
 ,,%e ,,turn$ ,,& ,,flung    ,,h]self   
,,^u ,,! ,,c\*                          
#aaf     ,,h] ,,h& ,,0 ,,trembl+ ,,z    
,,%e ,,rais$ ,,! ,,heavy    ,,knock]    
#acf     ',i ,,am ,,9 ,,ne$ ,,( ,,help  
444 ,,& ,,y ,,c ,,help ,,me'            
#adf     ,,%e ,,saw ,,! ,,figure ,,( ,,!
 ,,prophet 444 ,,att5d$ ,,by    ,,!     
,,precursor ,,& ,,! ,,six ,,ar*-,,my/ics
                      #aeh     ,,!      
,,my/ics  ,,*apt] ,i   ,( all !         
s5sations to :i* ! human m9d is a prey1 
!re is none s p[]ful 9 its f9ality1 s   
*ill+ 9 its s5se ( an imp5d+ ev5t z ! k 
t ,dea?--grim1 implacable ,dea?--has ca/
 8 %ad[ on a life t cu/om & circum/ance 
h r5d]$ famili>4 ,:atev] ! p]sonal feel+

 may be--:e!r dismay1 despair1 or       
relief--no man or woman c wat* t advanc+
 %ad[ )\t a quail+ at ! he>t1 an        
individual %r9k+ f ! t]rible1 natural   
my/]y t we mu/ all face 9 turn--ea* =   
himself & ea* alone4  ,9 a gaunt h\se on
 ! lonelie/ po9t :]e ! ,scotti% coa/    
ov]looks ! ,iri% ,sea1 ,john ,h5d]son 0 
wat*+ 8 uncle die4 ,9 ! pla91 :itewa%$  
room :]e ! sick man lay1 a fire 0 burn+ 
& a c\ple ( oil-lamps %$ an unc]ta9 gl[2
 b outside1 ! w9d ro>$ inl& f ! %ore1 & 
! ra9 spla%$ 9 furi\s %[]s aga9/ ! w9d[s
 ( ! h\se4 ,x 0 a night ( tumult &      
d>kness2 b nei!r ! old man :o lay wait+ 
= ! end nor ! "y man :o wat*$ t end     
approa*+ gave any he$ to ! turmoil ( !  
elem5ts4 ,ea* 0 self-engross$4  ,except 
= an occasional rasp+ c\gh1 or a sl[1   
indrawn brea?1 no sign came f ! small   
iron b$/ead on :i* ! dy+ man lay4 ,8    
h>d1 emaciat$ face 0 set 9 an           
imp5etrable mask2 8 glaz$ eyes 7 fix$   
immovably on a di/ant portion ( ! ceil+2
 & 8 h&s lay clasp$ ^u 8 brea/1 cov]+ "s

 object t dep5d$ f 8 neck4  ,he _h la9  
?us s9ce ! doctor f ! neighbor+ t[n _h  
brav$ ! ris+ /orm & ridd5 ov] to see him
 9 ! fall ( ! ev5+2 & no acc5tuation ( !
 gale t la%$ ! h\se1 no increase 9 ! ro>
 ( ! ocean ?ree hundr$ y>ds away1 _h p[]
 to int]rupt 8 le?>gy4  ,9 curi\s       
contra/ 0 ! expression t m>k$ 8 nephew's
 face4 ,an extraord9>y suppress$ en]gy 0
 visible 9 e l9e ( ,john ,h5d]son's body
 z he sat cr\*+ ov] ! fire2 & a look (  
irrepressible excitem5t smold]$ 9 ! eyes
 t gaz$ into ! gl[+ coals4 ,he 0 b>ely  
tw5ty-?ree ye>s old1 b ! self-control t 
comes f endurance & privation sat       
unmi/akably on 8 knitt$ br[s & clos$    
lips4 ,he 0 nei!r h&some ( feature nor  
graceful ( figure1 yet !re 0 some?+ m   
/rik+ & int]e/+ ?an ei!r grace or beauty
 9 ! /rong1 y\?ful =m & ! /rong1        
intellig5t face4 ,= a long "t he reta9$ 
8 cr\*+ seat on ! wood5 /ool t /ood be=e
 ! he>?2 !n at la/ ! activity at "w )9 8
 m9d made fur!r inaction intol]able4 ,he
 rose & turn$ t[>ds ! b$4  ,! dy+ man   

lay motionless1 await+ ! f9al summons ) 
t alo(ness t sugge/s a _s already       
p>tially extricat$ f its cov]+ ( fle%4  
,8 glassy eyes 7 /ill fix$ & immovable  
save = an occasional twit*+ ( ! eyelids2
 8 pallid lips 7 drawn back f 8 /rong1  
prom95t tee?2 & ! sk9 ab\t 8 temples    
look$ %rivell$ & sall[4 ,! doctor's p>t+
 words came %>ply to ! y\ng] man's m9d4 
,sit /ill & wat* him--y c d no m4  ,he  
reit]at$ ?is injunction _m times m5tally
 z he /ood contemplat+ ! man :o = sev5  
int]m9able ye>s _h rul$1 repress$1 &    
work$ him z he might h work$ a          
well-con/ruct$1 manageable ma*9e2 & a   
sudd5 ru% ( joy1 ( fre$om & recomp5se   
flood$ 8 he>t & set 8 pulses ?robb+4 ,he
 mom5t>ily lo/ sight ( ! grim %ad[ hov]+
 ov] ! h\se4 ,! s5se ( emancipation rose
 tumultu\sly1 ov]-rul+ ev5 ! imm5se     
solemnity ( approa*+ ,dea?4  ,john      
,h5d]son _h kn[n little ( ! easy1       
pleasant pa?s ( life1 c>pet$ by weal? & 
%elt]$ by influ5ce4 ,8 mo/ *ildi% &     
di/ant recollections c>ri$ him back to  

days ( anxi\s pov]ty4 ,8 fa!r1 ! eld]   
son ( a weal?y ,scotti% l&[n]1 _h       
qu>rell$ ) 8 fa!r1 & at ! age ( tw5ty   
left 8 home1 dis9h]it$ 9 favor ( 8 y\ng]
 bro!r4 ,possess$ ( a peculi>           
temp]am5t--passionate1 head/rong1 dogg$ 
9 8 resolves1 he _h %ak5 ! du/ ( ,scotl&
 f 8 feet2 sworn nev] to be behold5 to  
ei!r fa!r or bro!r = ! fraction ( a     
p5ny1 & _h gone out into ! _w to seek 8 
=tune4 ,b ! =tune _h be5 f> to seek4 ,= 
ye>s he _h foll[$ ! sea2 = ye>s he _h   
toil$ on l&2 b 9 e und]tak+ failure     
/alk$ him4 ,f9ally1 at ! age ( fifty1 he
 t\*$ success = ! fir/ "t4 ,he fell 9   
love & f\nd 8 love return$4 ,b "h aga9 !
 irony ( fate 0 con/ant 9 its pursuit4  
,! object ( 8 *oice 0 ! daught] ( an    
arti/1 a man z ne$y1 z entirely         
un=tunate z he himself4  ,b love at     
fifty is sometimes z bl9d z love at     
tw5ty-five4 ,) an improvid5ce t beli$ 8 
nationality1 ,alick ,h5d]son m>ri$ aft] 
a c\rt%ip z brief z x 0 happy4 ,= a ye> 
he %>$ ! hap-haz>d life ( 8 wife &      

fa!r-9-law2 !n ,nature saw fit to alt] !
 small mnage4 ,! arti/ di$1 & almo/ at !
 same "t little ,john 0 born4  ,) ! com+
 ( ! *ild1 ,h5d]son conceiv$ a new      
impetus & also a new s5se ( bitt]ness & 
self-reproa*4 ,a homeless failure may   
tramp ! face ( ! e>? & feel no %ame2 b !
 unsuccessful man :o is a husb& & a fa!r
 moves ^u a diff]5t plane4 ,he has      
ties--responsibilities--some?+ = :i* he 
mu/ answ] to himself4  ,!re is pa?os 9 !
 picture ( a man sett+ =? at fifty-"o to
 conqu] ! _w anew2 & its grim futility  
is n good to look ^u4 ,h5d]son _h fail$ 
= himself1 & he fail$ equally = o!rs4 ,!
 ye>s t foll[$ 8 m>riage 7 b ! unw9d+ ( 
a pitifully old /ory4 ,be=e 8 boy 0 t5  
ye>s old he _h run ! gamut (            
humiliation2 he _h done ev]y?+ t ! p9* (
 pov]ty c\ld dem&1 except apply = aid to
 8 bro!r ,&rew4 ,?is ev5 ! fai?ful1     
pati5t wife :o _h /ood /an* 9 all 8     
trials nev] d>$ to sugge/4  ,9 ?is      
atmosph]e ,john le>n$ to look ^u life4  
,a naturally high-spirit$ & c\rage\s    

*ild1 he gradually fell "u t spell (    
premature und]/&+ t is ! portion ( a m9d
 =c$ too soon to realize ! significance 
( ways & means4 ,day by day 8 s]i\s eyes
 grew to compreh5d ! l9es t m>k$ 8 "m's 
belov$ face2 to "k ! co/ at :i* 8 own   
education1 8 own wants1 7 suppli$ by !  
tir$1 sil5t fa!r1 :o1 despite 8 %abby   
clo!s & prematurely brok5 air1 seem$    
p]petually to move 9 ! glam\r ( a pa/   
romance2 & gradually1 /eadily1          
passionately1 z ^! ?+s came home to him1
 !re grew up 9 8 y\?ful m9d a desire to 
comp5sate by 8 own future = ! /ruggle he
 daily witness$4  ,_m 7 ! nights :5--8  
lessons = ! next day f9i%$1 & 8 fa!r    
away at "o ( ! _m prec>i\s tasks t kept 
! h\sehold toge!r--he w\ld draw close to
 8 "m1 z %e sat indu/ri\sly sew+1 & beg 
h] = ! hundr$? "t to rec\nt ! /ory ( !  
grim ,scot* home :]e 8 fa!r _h lo/ 8    
bir?right2 ( ! /]n old gr&fa!r :o _h di$
 inexorably un=giv+2 ( ! unkn[n uncle ( 
:om rumor told _m ecc5tric /ories4 ,&1  
r\s$ by ! recital1 8 boyi% face w\ld    

flu%1 8 boyi% m9d leap =w>d t[>ds !     
future4  ',twill all come back1 "m6 he  
w\ld cry4 ',twill all come back6 ,i'll  
w9 x back6  ,&1 ) a sobb+ laugh1 8 "m   
w\ld drop h] sew+ & draw him to h] he>t 
9 a sudd5 ye>n+ ( love & pride4  ,9 su* 
surr\nd+s & 9 su* an atmosph]e he pass$ 
sixte5 ye>s2 !n ! fir/ upheaval ( 8 life
 took place4 ,8 fa!r di$4  ,8 fir/      
recollection--:5 ! t]rible necessities (
 ! ev5t 7 pa/1 & 8 own grief &          
con/]nation _h p>tially subsid$--0 !    
remembrance ( 8 "m call+ him to h] room2
 ( h] kiss+ him1 cry+ ov] him & tell+   
him ( ! resolve %e _h tak5 to write &   
make kn[n 8 exi/5ce to 8 uncle 9        
,scotl&4  ,! confession at fir/ ov]:elm$
 him4 ,8 own pride1 8 s5se ( loyalty to 
8 fa!r's memory prompt$ him to cry out  
aga9/ ! idea z aga9/ a sacrilege4 ,!n   
sl[ly 8 boyi%1 immature m9d grasp$      
some?+ ( ! nobility t prompt$ !         
decision--some?+ ( ! inexpressible love 
t c\nt$ s5tim5t & p]sonal dignity z no?+
 beside 8 own future2 & 9 a passion (   

gratitude he flung 8 arms ab\t 8 "m1    
repeat+ ! old *ildi% v[s ) a new & deep]
 =ce4  ,s ! lett] to ,scotl& 0 despat*$2
 & a "t ( %>p susp5se foll[$ = "m & son4
 ,!n1 "o nev]-to-be-=gott5 day1 ! answ] 
arriv$4  ,&rew ,h5d]son wrote           
unemotionally4 ,he express$ =mal regret 
= 8 bro!r's dea?1 b ev9c$ no int]e/ 9 8 
si/]-9-law's position4 ,he briefly      
describ$ himself z liv+ an isolat$ life 
9 a small h\se on ! sea-coa/1 a doz5    
miles f ! family home :i* _h rema9$     
unt5ant$ s9ce 8 fa!r's dea?4 ,he admitt$
 t ) advanc+ ye>s ! duties ( life _h    
begun to weigh ^u him1 div]t+ 8 m9d & "t
 f ! grav] pursuits to :i* 8 life 0     
devot$2 f9ally he grudg+ly sugge/$ t1   
%\ld 8 nephew c>e to und]take ! duties (
 secret>y at a sal>y ( sixty p\nds a    
ye>1 he might f9d a home ) him4  ,!     
imm$iate feel+ t foll[$ ! read+ ( !     
lett] 0 fraught ) *ill+ disappo9tm5t4   
,on ! mom5t1 pride aga9 ass]t$ itself1  
urg+ a swift refusal ( ! ri* man's      
proposal2 !n once m ! pati5ce t _h kept 

,mrs4 ,h5d]son brave & g5tle dur+       
sev5te5 ye>s ( we>+ pov]ty made itself  
felt4 ,all ?\ght ( p]sonal grievance    
fad$ f h] m9d z %e po9t$ out ! urg5t    
necessity ( ,john's be+ se5 & kn[n by   
?is uncle1 ^: only relation & o/5sible  
heir he 04 ,%e talk$ = long1 wisely &   
k9dly--z mo!rs talk out ( ! unselfi%    
fulness ( _! he>ts--& ) e ^w ! gold5    
ca/les ( h] imag9ation rose t[] on t[]  
to =m ! citadel 9 :i* h] son 0 to reign 
supreme4  ,s wisely & s lov+ly did %e   
talk t %e p]suad$ n only ! boy1 b       
h]self1 into ! belief t he _h b to rea* 
,scotl& to make 8 inh]itance sure2 &    
be=e ! day clos$ %e wrote to ,&rew      
,h5d]son accept+ 8 (f]4 ,a week lat] !  
:ole light ( h] life w5t out1 z %e wat*$
 ! tra9 /eam out ( ! /ation1 c>ry+ ,john
 nor?w>d4  ,^u ! days t foll[$ 8 arrival
 9 ,scotl& !re is no ne$ to dwell4 ,he  
came z a /rang]1 & z a /rang] he 0      
introduc$ by 8 uncle to ! r\t9e ( "w    
expect$ ( him4 ,no m5tion 0 made ( 8    
rec5t loss1 no sugge/ion 0 giv5 t 8 "m  

%\ld make h] d\ble b]eavem5t easi] by   
visits to h] son4 ,:atev] ( hope or     
s5tim5t he _h br\ght ) him1 he 0 left to
 de/roy or smo!r z be/ he c\ld4  ,! fir/
 week resolv$ itself into "o r\nd (     
boyi% homesickness & desolation2 !n     
gradually1 z ! m>vell\s heal+ prop]ties 
( y\? began to /ir1 a new feel+ awak5$ 9
 8 m9d--a s5se ( curiosity conc]n+ !    
/range old man :om fate1 by a twi/ ( !  
:eel1 _h made ! arbit] ( 8 life4 ,ev5 to
 "o s "y & inexp]i5c$1 x 0 impossible to
 "k ,&rew ,h5d]son & n to feel t "s     
/range peculi>ity set him ap>t f o!r m54
 ,9 8 ascetic face1 9 8 l>ge1 light-blue
 eyes1 9 8 extraord9>y air ( ab/raction 
& alo(ness f mundane ?+s1 !re 0 some?+ t
 fasc9at$ & repell$2 & ) a wond]+ int]e/
 ! boy /udi$ ^! ?+s1 try+ 9 8 un=m$ way 
to reconcile !m ) 8 n>r[ exp]i5ce (     
human nature4  ,= _m weeks he s\ght )\t 
success = "s key to ! attitude ( ?is    
new-f\nd relative4 ,!n "o ev5+--:5      
solution seem$ lea/ ne>--! key1         
metaphorically speak+1 fell at 8 feet4  

,return+ home f a ramble ov] ! headl&1 8
 obs]vant eye 0 caught by ! sight ( a   
n>r[ foot-track t1 cross+ ! ma9 pa?way (
 ! cliff1 w\nd /eeply upw>d & seem+ly   
lo/ itself 9 a tangle ( gorse & brack54 
,/irr$ by a boyi% desire = exploration1 
he paus$1 turn$ into ?is obscure track1 
& incont95tly began its asc5t4  ,= "s   
hundr$s ( y>ds x l$ upw>d 9 a %>p       
incl9e2 & ) its add$ /eepness1 ! ardor (
 ! explor] w>m$4 ,) impetu\s ha/e he    
climb$ ! la/ doz5 y>ds2 :51 z !         
anticipat$ summit 0 rea*$1 he halt$ 9   
abrupt1 dismay$ surprise2 = ) al>m+     
sudd5ness ! l& broke (f %ort1 disclos+ a
 deep gap or fissure1 c>pet$ ) hea!r &  
surr\nd$ by natural protect+ walls (    
rock1 9 ! c5tre ( :i* 0 set a m9iature  
*apel built ( d>k /one4  ,at sight ( !  
little edifice1 he ?rill$ ) adv5tur\s   
surprise4 ,!re 0 some?+ my/]i\s1 some?+ 
almo/ f9e 9 ! sight ( ! small temple1 ) 
! sett+ sun gleam+ on its solid walls1  
its l[1 massive door & r\nd w9d[ ( ?ick 
/a9$ glass4 ,he lean$ out ov] ! %elv+   

rock1 />+ d[n ^u x ) wide1 a/oni%$ eyes2
 !n ! natural in/9ct ( ! boy ov]topp$ e 
o!r feel+4 ,) a quick-movem5t (         
excitem5t & expectation1 he began to    
desc5d into ! holl[4  ,b ?\gh he walk$  
r\nd ! little build+ a doz5 times1 %ook 
! heavy door & pe]$ ineffectually into !
 opaque w9d[1 no?+ rew>d$ 8 curiosity1 &
 aft] half an h\r ( dilig5t endeavor he 
0 compell$ to return home no wis] ?an :5
 he _h fir/ /ood on ! summit ( ! pa? &  
look$ d[n into ! rocky cleft4  ,all t   
ev5+1 h[ev]1 ! ?\ght ( 8 discov]y rema9$
 ) him4 ,at ! eight-o'clock supp] (     
porridge1 vegetables1 & fruit :i* he %>$
 ) 8 uncle1 he *af$ "u ! sil5ce ( 8     
companion & at ! air ( calm indiff]5ce t
 ! :itewa%$ room ) its raft]$ ceil+     
seem$ to we>2 & x 0 ) a sigh (          
satisfaction t he rose f table & bade 8 
uncle a =mal good-night4  ,) ! same     
sugge/ion ( relief1 he wat*$ ! old man  
light 8 c&le & asc5d ! b>e /airs to 8   
own room2 !n prompt$ by ! impulse he    
nev] neglect$1 he w5t into ! /udy to    

write ! daily lett] t made 8 "m's       
exi/5ce be>able4  ,he wrote = ne>ly an  
h\r1 omitt+ no detail ( ! ev5+'s        
discov]y4 ,!n1 z he clos$ & seal$ !     
lett]1 a clock on ! mantel-piece /ruck  
t54 ,! s\nd _h an oddly holl[ & *illy   
effect 9 ! b>e1 c>petless room2 &       
unconsci\sly he rais$ 8 head & glanc$   
ab\t him4 ,8 ideas1 /ill /irr$ by 8     
adv5ture1 7 m prone ?an usual to !      
sugge/ion ( outw>d ?+s2 & = almo/ ! fir/
 "t s9ce 8 arrival1 he felt drawn to    
/udy 8 intimate surr\nd+s4 ,) a new     
curiosity he let 8 eyes w&] f ! sev]e   
book-%elves to ! ugly iron safe t /ood 9
 ! mo/ prom95t position 9 ! room2 & f ! 
safe 8 glance turn$ to ! revolv+        
bookcase by 8 uncle's favorite *air1 9  
:i* lay ! volumes t 7 9 daily use4      
,foll[+ an impulse he _h nev] previ\sly 
be5 consci\s (1 he cross$ ! room1 &     
draw+ ?ree books1 at hap-haz>d f ! case1
 /udi$ _! titles4  ,! ,indissoluble     
,ess5ce1 he read2 ,! ,s\l 9 ,relation to
 ! ,human ,m9d2 ,! ,my/ic ,influ5ce4    

,he /ood = a space gaz+ at ! sombre     
cov]s1 b mak+ no attempt to dip into _! 
pages2 !n a sudd5 look ( compreh5sion   
sprang into 8 eyes4 ,! oddly built /one 
*apel took on a new & m p]sonal mean+4  
,) a quick ge/ure he ?ru/ ! books back  
into _! place1 ext+ui%$ ! lamp1 & s(tly 
left ! room4 ,ga9+ ! hall1 he did n turn
 t[>ds ! /airs2 b tiptoe+ to ! table1   
pick$ up 8 cap1 cross$ ! hall           
noiselessly & op5$ ! out] door4  ,! w>m?
 ( ! ,augu/ day 0 /ill heavy on ! air z 
he /epp$ into ! op52 a great            
copp]-color$ moon hung l[ ov] ! sea1 & a
 s(t1 filmy haze lay ov] bo? l& & wat]4 
,)\t hesitation he turn$ into ! cliff   
pa?1 & foll[$ x until 8 quick eyes      
caught ! indi/9ct foot-track t he _h    
discov]$ e>li] 9 ! ev5+4 ,) ! same      
decision1 ! same sugge/ion (            
anticipation1 he /epp$ rapidly =w>d &   
once m began ! %>p asc5t4  ,! impetus ( 
8 curiosity c>ri$ him =w>d2 he m\nt$ !  
pa? 9 hot ha/e2 !n1 z he ga9$ ! summit1 
he halt$ aga91 b 9 new surprise4 ,9 !   

hazy1 mell[ moonlight1 ! small build+   
/ood out %>p & d>k z on 8 previ\s visit1
 b f ! r\nd1 /a9$-glass w9d[ a flood (  
light--crimson1 rose-color1 & gold--p\r$
 out into ! night4     ,,*apt] ,,ii   ,9
 ! fir/ mom5t ( a/oni%m5t1 ,john /ood   
motionless1 8 gaze rivet$ on ! gl[ (    
color t p\r$ ?r\gh ! w9d[ ^u ! rocks &  
hea!r ( ! cleft4 ,!n1 z he cont9u$ to /&
 ) widely op5$ eyes1 ano!r surprise 0   
sprung ^u him4 ,! door ( ! *apel op5$ & 
! figure ( 8 uncle--long s9ce suppos$ to
 be sleep+ tranquilly 9 8 own room--%[$ 
tall & angul> 9 ! ap]ture4              
,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,figure ,,( ,,8      
,,uncle 444 ,,%[$ ,,tall ,,& ,,angul>   
,,9 ,,! ,,ap]ture  ,f ,john's position1 
! op5 door & ! light$ int]ior ( ! little
 edifice 7 di/9ctly visible2 & 9 "o     
glance he saw 8 uncle's silh\ett$ figure
 & beh9d x a b>e space "s doz5 feet     
squ>e1 l9$ on floor & walls ) sections (
 m>ble alt]nately black & :ite4 ,f !    
ceil+ ( ?is *amb] dep5d$ an octagonal   
symbol 9 poli%$ metal1 & close by ! door

 eight wax c&les flick]$ slightly 9 !   
fa9t /ir ( air4 ,b 8 a/oni%$ &          
inquisitive eyes _h b>ely become aw>e ( 
^! details :5 ,&rew ,h5d]son turn$ t[>ds
 ! circul> sconce 9 :i* ! c&les 7 set & 
began to ext+ui% !m "o by "o4 ,z ! light
 di$1 he /epp$ =w>d & ,john drew back   
%>ply2 b at 8 movem5t a /one1 loos5$ by 
8 heel1 w5t roll+ d[n into ! holl[4 ,& a
 mom5t lat] 8 uncle1 glanc+ up1 saw 8   
figure outl9$ aga9/ ! lum9\s sky4  ,:at 
! outcome ( ! incid5t w\ld h be5 on any 
o!r occasion1 x is difficult to say4 ,z 
x 01 ! mom5t 0 propiti\s4 ,old ,h5d]son1
 surpris$ 9 an in/ant ( exaltation1 0   
pleas$ to put 8 own n>r[1 sup]/iti\s    
con/ruction on ! boy's appe>ance4       
,labor+ "u an abnormal excitem5t1 he %[$
 no res5tm5t at ! fact ( be+ spi$ ^u2 b 
call+ ,john to him1 ord]$ him to walk   
home beside him across ! cliff4  ,nev] 0
 walk s /range--nev] 7 companions s     
ill-mat*$ z ! two :o ?read$ _! way back 
ov] ! headl&4 ,&rew ,h5d]son walk$ fir/1
 talk+ all ! "t 9 a j>gon address$ p>tly

 to ! boy1 p>tly to himself1 9 :i*      
my/icism 0 oddly tangl$ ) a confusion ( 
crazy !ories & beliefs2 beh9d came      
,john1 half fasc9at$ & :olly bewild]$ by
 ! m$ley ( words t p\r$ out ^u ! night4 
,on rea*+ ! h\se1 ! old man became      
sudd5ly sil5t aga91 fall+ back z if by  
habit into ! morose absorption t m>k$ 8 
daily life2 b z he turn$ to m\nt ! /airs
 to 8 own room1 he paus$ & 8 curi\s     
light-blue eyes travell$ ov] 8 nephew's 
face4  ,good-night6 he said4 ,y make a  
good li/5]4  ,& ,john--/ill confus$ &   
sil5t--retir$ to b$1 to lie awake = _m  
h\rs1 p>tly ?rill$ & p>tly elat$ by !   
awesome ?\ght t !re 0 a madman 9 ! h\se4
         99       99       99       99  
99  ,b all t _h happ5$ sev5 ye>s ago1 & 
n[ ,&rew ,h5d]son lay wait+ = 8 end4 ,9 
^? sev5 ye>s ,john _h pass$ ?r\gh ! mill
 ( deadly monotony t saps ev5 y\?1 &    
lulls e in/9ct save hope4 ,! fir/       
en?usiasm ( romance t _h wrapp$ !       
discov]y ( 8 uncle's secret _h fad$ out 
) "t4 ,by sl[ degrees he _h le>n$--p>tly

 f 8 own obs]vation1 p>tly f ! old man's
 occasional fanatic outbur/s--t ! /range
 *apel ) its metal symbol & m>ble floor 
0 n ! outcome ( a private :im1 b !      
manife/ation ( a cre$ t boa/$ a small b 
ard5t b& ( foll[]s4 ,he _h le>n$ t--to  
!mselves1 if n to ! _w--^! devotees 7   
kn[n z ! ,my/ics2 t _! articles ( fai? 7
 pres]v$ 9 a secret book designat$ !    
,scitsym1 :i* pass$ 9 rotation ea* ye> f
 "o to ano!r ( ! six ,ar*-,my/ics1      
rema9+ 9 ! c>e ( ea* = two mon?s out ( !
 twelve4 ,he _h discov]$ t ,london 0 !  
,c5tre ( ?is sect2 & t its fundam5tal   
belief 0 ! anticipation ( a my/]i\s     
prophet--human1 & yet div9ely           
inspir$--by ^: com+ ! light 0 to ext5d f
 ! small & previ\sly unkn[n b& across ! 
:ole b5ight$ _w4  ,he _h le>n$ all ^!   
?+s4 ,he _h be5 /irr$ to a pass+ awe by 
! discov]y t 8 uncle 01 9 8 own p]son1  
actually "o ( ! pr(\nd ,six :o =m$ !    
,c\ncil ( ! sect & to :om alone !       
secrets ( its cre$ 7 kn[n2 & = ?ree     
successive ye>s 8 int]e/ & curiosity _h 

be5 k9dl$ :5 ,&rew ,h5d]son travell$ to 
,engl& & return$ ) ! ,ar*-,c\ncillor--an
 old bl9d man ( sev5ty--:o inv>iably    
sp5t "o day & night my/]i\sly closet$ ) 
8 ho/ & !n left1 hav+ deposit$ ! sacr$  
,scitsym ) 8 own h&s 9 ! tall iron safe 
t /ood 9 ,h5d]son's /udy4 ,b t annual   
excitem5t _h less5$ ) "t4 ,ev5 a madman 
may become monoton\s :5 we live ) him1  
day 91 day out1 = sev5 long ye>s2 &     
gradually ! attitude ( ,john's m9d _h   
*ang$ ) ! passage ( "t4 ,! s5se (       
adv5ture & triumphant ent]prise _h      
/eadily rec$$2 ! k t he 0 work+ out a   
sl[1 di/a/eful probation _h advanc$4    
,reluctantly & yet def9itely he _h      
realiz$ t 8 position 0 n to come &      
conqu]1 b to wat* & wait2 & ?is         
consci\sness ( a tacitly expect$ end _h 
gr[n ) ! ye>s--) ! gr[? ( 8 m9d & body4 
,x 0 n t he 0 h>d-natur$4 ,! regul>ity )
 :i* he despat*$ 8 ye>ly money to 8     
"m--res]v+ ! m]e/ fraction =            
himself--preclud$ t idea4 ,b he 0 "y &  
human1 & he 0 y\?fully & humanly gre$y  

to possess ! good ?+s ( life = himself &
 = ! "o be+ he passionately lov$4 ,x    
w\ld1 inde$1 h be5 an en?usia/ 9 virtue 
:o c\ld h blam$ him = c\nt+ ^u dead m5's
 %oes4  ,& n[ ! %oes 7 all b empty6 ,he 
/ood wat*+ 8 uncle die6  ,hav+ /ay$     
almo/ motionless = sev]al m9utes1 he    
glanc$ at ! clock2 !n mov$ to ! b$1 tak+
 a bottle & a m$ic9e spoon f !          
dress+-table z he pass$4  ,"t = y\r     
m$ic9e1 uncle6 he said1 9 8 quiet1 level
 voice4  ,b ! sick man did n seem to    
he>4  ,9 a slightly l\d] tone ,john     
repeat$ 8 rem>k4 ,?is "t ! vacant       
expression fad$ sl[ly f ! l>ge1 pale    
eyes1 & ,&rew ,h5d]son mov$ 8 head      
weakly4  ,see+ ! indication (           
consci\sness1 ,john c>efully measur$ out
 a dose ( m$ic9e1 &1 /oop+ ov] ! pill[s1
 pass$ "o arm "u 8 uncle's neck4  ,&rew 
,h5d]son submitt$ )\t objection1 b z 8  
head 0 rais$ & ! m$ic9e held to 8 lips1 
he seem$ sudd5ly to realize ! position1 
to compreh5d t x 0 8 nephew :o lean$ ov]
 him4 ,) a spasmodic movem5t he turn$   

t[>ds ,john1 8 lips twit*+ ) "s inw>d & 
newly ar\s$ excitem5t4  ,! ,book1 ,john6
 he said1 %>ply--! ,book6  ,john rema9$ 
q compos$4 ,) a /eady h& he balanc$ !   
spoon ( m$ic9e t he /ill held4  ,y\r    
m$ic9e fir/1 uncle1 he said1 quietly4   
,we'll talk ab\t ! ,book aft]4  ,b ! old
 man's calm _h be5 di/urb$4 ,) unexpect$
 /r5g? he rais$ "o ?9 h& & pu%$ ! spoon 
aside1 spill+ ! cont5ts on ! b$4  ,h[ c 
,i leave x8 he exclaim$4 ,h[ c ,i g &   
leave ! ,book ungu>d$8 ,aga9 8 lips     
twit*$ & a fev]i% brightness flick]$ 9 8
 eyes z !y se>*$ 8 nephew's face4  ,:5  
,i g1 ,john1 he add$1 excit$ly1 ! ,book 
may be 9 y\r keep+ = h\rs--p]haps = a   
:ole night4 ,i "k ! ,ar*-,c\ncillor w   
answ] my summons imm$iately2 b x is     
possible he may be delay$4 ,x may be !  
ord9ation ( ! ,unkn[n t ,i %\ld ,pass   
be=e he arrives4 ,if ?is is s1 ,i want y
 to gu>d ! ,book--b also ,i want y to   
gu>d my dead body4 ,let no "o t\* x     
until he comes4 ,! key ( ! safe is "h-- 
,he fumbl$ weakly = ! ?9 *a9 t hung ab\t

 8 neck4 ,no "o mu/ remove x--no "o mu/ 
t\* x until he comes-- ,8 voice falt]$4 
,) a calm ge/ure ,john =c$ him back ^u !
 pill[s1 & quietly wip$ up ! m$ic9e4  ,b
 ) a fre% ef=t ! old man lift$ himself  
aga94  ,john1 he cri$1 sudd5ly1 d y     
und]/& :at ,i am say+8 ,d y und]/& t = a
 :ole night y may be alone ) !          
inviolable ,scitsym8 ',! ,hope ( !      
,univ]se1 by ^: ,light alone ! ,"o &    
,only ,prophet %all be made kn[n unto ! 
,wat*]s6' ,he murmur$ ! quotation 9 a   
l[1 rapt voice4  ,aga9 ! y\ng] man      
attempt$ to soo! him4  ,don't di/ress   
y\rself6 he said1 gravely4 ,i am "h4 ,y 
c tru/ me4 ,lie back & re/4  ,b 8       
uncle's face 0 /ill excit$ly p]turb$2 8 
pale eyes /ill possess$ an unnatural    
brightness4  ,oh yes6 he said1 %>ply1 ,i
 tru/ y6 ,i h tru/$ y4 ,i h left a lett]
 by :i* y w see t ,i h tru/$ y--& t y\r 
fidelity has be5 rew>d$4 ,b ?is is ano!r
 matt]4 ,c ,i tru/ y 9 ?is8 ,c ,i tru/ y
 z myself8 ,z he put ! "q a sweat (     
weakness & excitem5t broke out ov] 8    

=ehead4  ,b x 0 nei!r 8 wild appe>ance  
nor 8 "q t sudd5ly s5t ! blood into     
,john's face & sudd5ly set 8 he>t b\nd+4
 ,x 0 ! abrupt & unlook$-= ju/ification 
( 8 own secret1 treasur$ hope2 ! tacit  
ackn[l$gm5t ( k9%ip & obligation made n[
 by ,&rew ,h5d]son aft] sev5 unfruitful 
ye>s4 ,a mi/ rose be=e 8 sight & 8 m9d  
swam4 ,:at 0 ! mad cre$ ( a dy+ man--( a
 doz5 dy+ m5--:5 ! rew>d ( 8 own long   
probation await$ him8  ,b ! old man 0   
set to 8 purpose4 ,) %ak+ f+]s he fumbl$
 ) two small objects t dep5d$ f ! *a9   
ab\t 8 neck4 ,& z he held !m up1 ,john  
saw by ! gl[ ( ! lamp t "o 0 a copy 9   
m9iature ( ! metal symbol t decorat$ !  
little *apel1 ! o!r a long1 ?9 key4  ,z 
,h5d]son dis5tangl$ & rais$ ^! objects  
to ! light1 8 eyes turn$ aga9 ^u 8      
nephew4  ,john1 he said1 tremul\sly1 ,i 
want y to swe> to me by ! ,sign t y w n 
t\* my body--nor any?+ on my body--till 
! ,ar*-,c\ncillor comes6 ,swe>1 z y hope
 = y\r own happ9ess6 ,a wild illum9ation
 spread ov] 8 face2 ! unpleasant        

fanatical light %[$ aga9 9 8 eyes4  ,= a
 mom5t ,john look$ at him2 !n /irr$ by 8
 own emotions1 by ! new pang (          
self-reproa* & gratitude t[>ds ?is      
half-crazy man s ne> 8 end1 he w5t =w>d 
& t\*$ ! small octagonal symbol t gleam$
 9 ! light4  ,i swe>--by ! ,sign6 he    
said1 9 a l[1 level voice4 ,& almo/ z ! 
words escap$ him1 ! *a9 slipp$ f old    
,h5d]son's f+]s1 8 jaw dropp$1 & 8 head 
fell =w>d on 8 *e/4         99       99 
99       99       99  ,! mom5ts t foll[ 
an important ev5t are seldom ( a nature 
to be accurately analyz$4 ,= a long :ile
 ,john rema9$ motionless & spee*less1   
unable to realize t ! huddl$ figure /ill
 w>m 9 8 arms 0 9 reality ! vessel (    
clay f :i* a _s _h escap$4 ,!n sudd5ly !
 realization ( ! position came to him2 )
 a %>p movem5t he /ood upright1 & seiz+ 
! bell-rope1 pull$ x vigor\sly4  ,:5 !  
old woman :o att5d$ to ! h\sehold       
appe>$1 he po9t$ to h] ma/]'s body &    
expla9$ 9 a few words h[ ! end _h come2 
& h[ 9 a la/ urg5t comm& ,h5d]son _h    

=bidd5 8 body to be t\*$ until ! arrival
 ( a memb] ( 8 religi\s sect4 ,! old    
woman accept$ ! explanation ) ! apa?y   
common to ^? :o h outliv$ emotion2 & ) a
 s]ies ( nods & un9telligible mutt]+s   
me?odically proce$$ to /raight5 !       
already neatly arrang$ furniture ( !    
room1 9 ! in/9ctive belief t ord] is !  
fir/ tribute to be paid to ,dea?4  ,)   
some?+ ( ! same feel+ ,john drew !      
cov]let ov] ! dead body1 !n turn$ to    
wat* ! old woman at h] "w4 ,b z he look$
 at h] a desire to be alone aga9 swept  
ov] him1 & ) ! desire a correspond+     
impati5ce ( h] sl[ & measur$ movem5ts4  
,*ide himself z he might = 8 impati5ce1 
curb 8 natural in/9ct z he might1 x 0   
humanly impossible t 8 /rong & eag] _s  
c\ld give ?\ght to ,dea?--:ile ,life 0  
claim+ him ) out-/ret*$ h&s4  ,he held  
himself rigidly 9 *eck until ! la/ *air 
_h be5 arrang$ & ! la/ c9d] swept f !   
he>?2 !n z ! old woman sl[ly cross$ !   
room & /epp$ out into ! corridor1 he    
sprang ) irrepressible impetuosity & %ut

 & lock$ ! door4  ,he _h no sup]/iti\s  
consci\sness ( ! dead body s close at   
h&4 ,! dead body--& ) x ! dead ye>s & ! 
long probation--belong$ to ! pa/2 he ) 8
 y\?1 8 /r5g?1 8 hope1 0 b\nd = !       
limitless future4  ,)\t a mom5t's       
hesitation he cross$ to 8 uncle's       
bureau1 :i* /ood z he _h left x ?ree    
days be=e :5 8 la/ illness _h seiz$ ^u  
him4 ,! pap]s 7 all 9 ord]2 ! ink 0 z   
yet sc>cely ru/$ on ! p5s2 ! key        
protrud$ f ! lock ( ! private draw]4 ,) 
a tremor ( excitem5t ,john ext5d$ 8 h&1 
turn$ x & op5$ ! draw]2 !n he caught 8  
brea?4 ,!re lay a squ>e :ite envelope   
address$ to himself 9 8 uncle's         
fanta/ic1 crook$ h&writ+4  ,z he drew x 
out & held x = a mom5t 9 8 h&1 8 ?\ghts 
c5tr$ un]r+ly r\nd "o object4 ,9 a      
mom5t1 ! sev5 ye>s ( wait+--! /range    
dea? sc5e j enact$--ev5 ,&rew ,h5d]son &
 8 my/ical cre$--7 blott$ f 8 m9d by a  
wond]ful rose-color$ mi/ ( hope1 f :i*  
"o face look$ out--! pati5t1 t5d]1      
pa!tic face ( ! "m he ador$4 ,!         

emotions1 s long suppress$1 well$ up z  
!y _h be5 wont to d ye>s ago 9 ! sordid 
,london home4  ,) a ?rob ( confid5ce &  
anticipation he ins]t$ 8 f+] "u ! flap (
 ! envelope & tore x op54 ,) lightn+    
spe$ 8 eyes skimm$ ! oddly writt5 l9es4 
,!n a %ort1 in>ticulate s\nd escap$ him1
 & ! blood sudd5ly rec$$ f 8 face4      
,,my ,,de> ,,nephew1 he read4--,9       
ackn[l$gm5t ( y\r s]vices      dur+ !   
pa/ sev5 ye>s--& also because ,i h no   
wi% to      pass into ! ,unse5 ) ! /a9 (
 v9dictiv5ess on my      ,s\l--,i h     
oblit]at$ f my m9d ! remembrance ( my   
bro!r's +ratitude to our fa!r1 & h plac$
 ! sum (      #ejj to y\r cr$it 9 !     
,cleef bran* ( ! ,consolidat$ ,bank4 ,i 
tru/ x may assi/ y to comm5ce an        
indu/ri\s c>e]4 ,= !      re/1 x may    
int]e/ y to "k t my capital1 :i* ,i     
realiz$      ^u y\r gr&fa!r's dea?1 is  
already plac$ 9 ! treasury (      ! sect
 to :i* ,i belong--:]e x w rema9 until  
claim$ by      ! ,"o 9 ^: ultimate adv5t
 ,i mo/ solemnly believe4       ,i make 

y cognizant ( ^! facts t all disputes & 
unnecess>y diff]5ces may be avoid$ aft] 
my dea?4 ,! pap]s      by :i* my prop]ty
 0 made ov] to ! ,my/ics "s five ye>s   
ago--toge!r ) a doctor's c]tificate z to
 my m5tal s\ndness      at ! "t--is 9 ! 
h&s ( ! ,c\ncil4 ,any attempt to unmake 
?is disposition ( my =tune w\ld be      
fraught ) failure4       ,) s9c]e hopes 
= y\r future welf>e1                    
,y\r uncle1                             
,,&rew ,,h5d]son4  ,= a space ,john /ood
 pale & rigid1 mak+ no attempt to r]ead 
! lett]2 !n all at once "o ( ^? r>e &   
curi\s upheavals ( feel+ t %ake m5 to _!
 s\ls seiz$ ^u him4 ,! blood ru%$ back  
into 8 face 9 a d>k wave2 ! rose-color$ 
mi/ t _h float$ be=e 8 vision flam$     
sudd5ly to r$2 ! same implacable rage t1
 ye>s ago1 _h impell$ 8 gr&fa!r to      
dis9h]it 8 favorite son swell$ 9 8 he>t4
 ,all ideas1 all consid]ations1 save "o1
 became blurr$ & indi/9ct2 b ?is "o idea
 rode him1 spurr$ him to a fr5zy (      
desire4 ,x 0 ! bl9d1 in/9ctive1 human   

wi% to wreak 8 loss & disappo9tm5t ^u "s
 tangible1 visible object4  ,) a daz$   
movem5t he turn$ to ! b$2 b only !      
huddl$1 impassive figure b5ea? ! cov]let
 met 8 gaze4 ,= m ?an a m9ute he />$ at 
x helplessly2 !n a new ?\ght %ot across 
8 m9d & 8 lips drew toge!r 9 a ?91 h>d  
l9e4 ,! road to rev5ge lay op5 be=e him6
 ,) an abrupt ge/ure he /epp$ =w>d &    
pull$ back ! c\nt]pane4  ,9 ! yell[     
lamp-light ! ?9 face ( ! dead man _h an 
a%5 hue2 ! half-op5$ eyes & ! prom95t   
tee?1 f :i* ! lips _h p>tly rec$$1      
confront$ him grewsomely4 ,b ! =ce ( 8  
disappo9tm5t & rage 0 some?+ be=e :i*   
m]e human horror 0 swept aside4 ,) ano!r
 rapid movem5t1 he /oop$ ov] ! b$ &     
unclasp$ ! ?9 gold *a9 t hung r\nd !    
dead man's neck1 lett+ ! metal symbol & 
! long1 ?9 key slip f x into 8 h&4      
,turn+ to ! dress+-table1 he caught up a
 lamp2 hurri$ f ! room2 &1 desc5d+ !    
/airs1 pass$ into ! /udy4  ,to 8 excit$ 
glance ! place look$ /rangely undi/urb$4
 ,?\gh ! frames ( ! w9d[s rattl$ 9 !    

gale1 ! int]ior arrangem5ts 7 z precise 
& b>e z usual2 ! fireless grate />$ at  
him coldly1 & aga9/ ! :itewa%$ wall !   
heavy iron safe /ood out l an acc5tuat$ 
blot ( %ad[4 ,impell$ by 8 "o dom9at+   
idea1 he cross$ )\t an in/ant's         
hesitation to ! door ( ?is hi!rto       
inviolable repository ( 8 uncle's       
secrets1 &1 ins]t+ ! key he c>ri$1 ?rew 
back ! massive door4  ,"o glance %[$ him
 ! ?+ he s\ght4 ,ly+ 9 solit>y /ate ^u !
 highe/ %elf 0 a heavy book b\nd 9 :ite 
lea!r4 ,! edges ( ! cov] 7 worn yell[ ) 
"t & use1 & f ! c5tre ( ! b9d+ gleam$ ! 
famili> octagonal symbol exquisitely    
wr\ght 9 gold & jewels4 ,) h&s t trembl$
 slightly he lift$ ! book f its place1  
clos$ & lock$ ! door ( ! safe1 &1       
ext+ui%+ ! lamp1 left ! room4  ,9 !     
flood ( unreason+ rage & ?w>t$ hope t   
surg$ ab\t him1 he _h no def9ite plan   
reg>d+ ! object 9 8 h&4 ,he only knew1  
by ! m$ium ( in/9ct1 t ?r\gh x he c\ld  
/rike a bl[ at ! uncle :o _h exclud$ him
 f 8 j inh]itance--at ! crazy s*eme by  

:i* he _h be5 defraud$ ( 8 due4  ,) ha/y
 /eps he m\nt$ ! /airs & re-ent]$ !     
b$room4 ,to 8 agitat$ m9d x seem$ b j t1
 :atev] 8 v5geance1 x %\ld be accompli%$
 9 ! grim1 unconsci\s pres5ce ( ! dead  
man4  ,/epp+ into ! room1 he paus$ &    
look$ ab\t him1 seek+ "s sugge/ion4 ,z  
he /ood !re1 8 eyes1 by a natural       
process ( inspiration1 fell ^u ! fire t 
gl[$ & crackl$ 9 ! grate2 & ) a %>p1    
in>ticulate s\nd ( satisfaction he /rode
 =w>d to ! he>?1 knelt d[n1 & prep>$ = 8
 "w ( de/ruction4  ,illu/ration3 ,,he   
444 ,,ga!r$ ,,! ,,fir/ ,,%eaf ,,(       
,,leaves ,,into ,,8 ,,f+]s  ,z he cr\*$ 
ov] ! flames a fre% gale swept inl& f ! 
sea1 seiz+ ! h\se 9 its fi]ce embrace2 &
 ! r$ tongues ( fire leap$ up ! *imney 9
 ! in/ant answ] ( elem5t to elem5t4     
,in/9ctively he b5t =w>d1 op5$ ! book & 
ga!r$ ! fir/ %eaf ( leaves into 8 f+]s4 
,!n1 involunt>ily1 he paus$1 z ! bold   
*>act]s ( ! pr9t$ words %ot up black &  
cle> 9 ! fi]ce gl[4  ,almo/ )\t volition
 he read ! op5+ l9es3       ,out (      

obscurity w ,he come4 ,&--hav+ prov$    
,himself--no man      w "q ,him4 ,= !   
,pa/ lies 9 ! ,great ,unkn[n4 ,by !     
,scitsym--f :i* none b ! ,*os5 may      
read--w ye "k ,him2      &1 kn[+ ,him1  
ye w b[ d[n--,my/ics1 ,ar*-,my/ics1 &   
,ar*-,c\ncillor alike4 ,& ! ,_w w be ,84
 ,= ,he w be      ,p[] made absolute6   
,= he w be ,p[] made absolute6 ,some?+ 9
 ! six simple words arre/$ ,h5d]son1    
susp5d$ 8 ?\ghts & *eck$ 8 h&4 ,by an   
odd psy*ological process 8 rage became  
*ill$1 8 m9d ve]$ f its po9t ( view4 ,) 
a curi\s /iffness ( motion he drew away 
f ! fire--! book held un9jur$ 9 8 h&4   
,he w be ,p[] made absolute6 he repeat$1
 me*anically1 z he rose sl[ly to 8 feet4
     ,,*apt] ,,iii   ,on a c]ta9 night 9
 mid-,janu>y1 exactly t5 ye>s aft] ,&rew
 ,h5d]son's dea?1 any "o ( ! multitud9\s
 inhabitants ( ,london :om bus9ess or   
pleasure c>ri$ to t division ( ,brompton
 kn[n z ,helli] ,cresc5t1 w\ld und\bt$ly
 h be5 attract$ to ! h\se di/+ui%$ f its
 fell[s z ,no4 #h4  ,outw>dly1 ?is h\se 

0 n rem>kable4 ,x possess$ ! massive    
portico & ! impos+ frontage t l5d to    
,helli] ,cresc5t its air ( dignifi$     
repose2 b !re its simil>ity to !        
surr\nd+ dwell+s end$4 ,! basem5t s5t =?
 no gl[ ( w>m? & com=t1 z did !         
neighbor+ basem5ts2 ! gr\nd-floor w9d[s 
p]mitt$ no ray ( mell[ light to slip    
?r\gh ! *9ks ( %utt] or curta94 ,f attic
 to cell>1 ! h\se seem$ 9 d>kness1 !    
only sugge/ion ( occupation com+ f !    
occasional draw+ back & =? ( a small    
slide t gu>d$ a mona/ic-look+ grat+ set 
9 ! hall door4  ,& yet t[>ds ?is        
unlight$ & unfri5dly dwell+ a ?9 /ream (
 p--all on foot & all evid5tly          
agitat$--made _! way cont9u\sly on t    
,janu>y night betwe5 ! h\rs ( t5 &      
elev54 ,! behavior ( ^! p1 :o diff]$    
widely 9 outw>d *>act]i/ics1 0 m>k$ by a
 peculi> fundam5tal simil>ity4 ,!y all  
ent]$ ! quiet prec9cts ( ! ,cresc5t ) ! 
same air ( subdu$ excitem5t2 ea* mov$   
s(tly & sil5tly t[>ds ! d>k5$ h\se1 &1  
m\nt+ ! /eps1 knock$ once ^u ! heavy    

door4 ,& ea* 9 turn /ood pati5t1 :ile ! 
slide 0 drawn back1 & a voice f )9 dem&$
 ! signal t grant$ admittance4  ,?is    
my/]i\s ga!r+ ( =ces _h cont9u$ = ne>ly 
an h\r :5 a cab drew up %>ply at ! corn]
 :]e ,helli] ,cresc5t abuts ^u ,/4      
,george's ,t]race1 & a lady desc5d$ f x4
 ,z %e h&$ 8 f>e to ! cabman1 h] face & 
figure 7 pla9ly visible 9 ! light ( !   
/reet-lamps4 ,! =m] 0 pale 9 color+1    
delicately oval 9 %ape1 & illum9$ by a  
pair ( l>ge & unusually brilliant eyes2 
! latt] 0 tall1 graceful1 & clad 9      
black4  ,hav+ dismiss$ h] cab1 !        
new-com] cross$ ,/4 ,george's ,t]race ) 
an appe>ance ( ha/e1 & ent]+ ,helli]    
,cresc5t1 imm$iately m\nt$ ! /eps ( ,no4
 #h4  ,! la/ memb] ( ?is /range         
procession _h disappe>$ into ! h\se z %e
 rea*$ ! door2 b1 act+ ) app>5t         
famili>ity1 %e lift$ ! knock] & let x   
fall once4  ,= a mom5t !re 0 no         
response2 !n1 z 9 ! case ( ! =m]        
visitors1 ! slide 0 drawn back & a beam 
( light came ?r\gh ! grat+1 to be       

imm$iately obscur$ by ! %ad[y sugge/ion 
( a face ) two inquir+ eyes4  ,! ,^w8   
dem&$ a solemn voice4  ,! new-com] lift$
 h] head4  ,he %all be ,p[] made        
absolute6 %e respond$ 9 a l[ & slightly 
tremul\s voice2 & a mom5t lat] ! door   
op5$1 & %e /epp$ into ! hall4  ,! sc5e  
inside ! h\se 0 curi\s 9 ! extreme4 ,if 
!re 7 quiet & d>kness outside1 a        
brilliant light & a t5se1 contagi\s     
excitem5t reign$ )94 ,! l>ge hall1      
light$ by tall lamps1 0 cov]$ ) a ?ick  
black c>pet into :i* ! feet sank        
noiselessly1 & ! walls & ceil+ 7 drap$ 9
 ! same sombre t9t2 b at int]vals ( a   
few feet1 columns ( :ite m>ble1 *isell$ 
into curi\s %apes1 gleam$ ^u ! obs]v] f 
%ad[y ni*es4  ,on ord9>y occasions1 !re 
0 a solemnity1 a coldness1 9 ?is sombre 
ve/ibule2 b to-night a /range electric  
activity seem$ to h be5 brea!d ^u !     
atmosph]e4 ,wom5 ) flu%$ faces & m5 )   
fev]i%ly bright eyes hurri$ to & fro 9  
an irrepressible1 aimless agitation4 ,a 
bl5d+ ( dread & hy/]ical anticipation 0 

/amp$ ^u e face4 ,p /opp$ "o ano!r )    
n]v\s1 un/rung ge/ure & odd1 disjo9t$   
s5t5ces4  ,z ! la/ com] ent]$1 %e paus$ 
= a mom5t1 unc]ta9 & hesitat+2 b almo/ z
 %e did s1 a rem>kable-look+ & massively
 built man :o 0 /&+ 9 ! hall1 dis5gag$  
himself f a gr\p ( p1 &1 com+ directly  
t[>ds h]1 took h] h&4  ,mrs4 ,wit*]ley6 
,at la/6 he exclaim$1 9 a full1         
emotional voice4 ,i look$ = y among !   
ga!r+ & = a mom5t ,i almo/ fe>$--  ,t ,i
 w\ld fail8 ,h] voice 0 /ill t+$ )      
agitation2 ! pupils ( h] l>ge eyes 7    
di/5d$4  ,no1 ,i did n mean t4 ,b at su*
 a mom5t we burn le/ ev5 "o ( ! ,elect  
be miss+4 ,he cont9u$ to hold h] h&1    
look+ into h] face ) 8 prom95t d>k eyes1
 f :i* fla%$ & gl[$ an excitem5t t      
spread ov] 8 :ole heavy face4  ,! night 
( nights6 he exclaim$4 ,to h liv$ to    
witness x6 ,8 face gl[$ ) a sudd5       
en?usiasm2 & free+ h] f+]s1 he lift$ up 
8 "r h&4 ',he %all walk into y\r mid/--&
 sit above y z a ,k+6' he quot$1 9 a l\d
 voice4 ,!n rememb]+ 8 companion1 he    

l[]$ 8 tone4  ,ev]y?+ is 9 read9ess1 he 
add$1 m sob]ly4 ,! ,precursor /ill      
unceas+ly prophesies ! ,adv5t4 ,come )  
me into ! ,place4 ,! ,ga!r+ is all b    
assembl$4 ,lay+ 8 l>ge h& ^u h] arm1 he 
l$ h] =w>d unresi/+ly ?r\gh ! gr\ps ( m5
 & wom51 & onw>d d[n a long corridor to 
:]e a curta9 hid an ar*$ doorway4  ,= a 
mom5t !y paus$ outside ?is door1 & !    
man--/ill labor+ "u "s /range           
excitem5t--aga9 rais$ 8 h&3  ,come6 he  
cri$4 ,& be=e we leave ! ,place1 may !  
,hope ( ! ,univ]se be fulfill$6 ,lift+ !
 curta91 he u%]$ h] ?r\gh ! door4  ,!   
room--or *apel--into :i* !y /epp$ 0 l>ge
 & l(ty1 cov]$ on floor & walls )       
sections ( m>ble alt]nately black &     
:ite2 ov]head swung a huge octagonal    
symbol 9 jewell$ & poli%$ metal2 & at ! 
end f>!/ f ! door a haze ( inc5se cl\d$ 
:at appe>$ to be an alt>4  ,a conc\rse (
 p fill$ e corn] ( ?is va/ room2 & f !  
cr\*$ or upright figures rose a         
cont9u\s1 inaudible murmur+4  ,/ill     
guid+ 8 companion1 ! massively built man

 =c$ a way betwe5 ! closely pack$       
figures4 ,b1 half-way up ! room1 ! woman
 paus$ & glanc$ at him4  ,?is w d1 %e   
:isp]$4 ,n any ne>]1 please4 ,n any     
ne>]4  ,8 only answ] 0 to lay 8 h& ^u h]
 arm1 & by a p]si/5t pressure to draw h]
 onw>d up ! n>r[ aisle4 ,rea*+ ! rail$-9
 space ab\t :i* ! inc5se hung1 he paus$ 
9 8 own turn & motion$ h] t[>ds ! =emo/ 
r[ ( seats1 f :i* ! majority ( ! ga!r+  
seem$ to hold alo(4  ,) a quick1 n]v\s  
ge/ure %e deprecat$ ! sugge/ion4 ,no6   
,no6 %e murmur$4 ,let me sit beh9d4     
,please let me sit beh9d4  ,b 8 f+]s    
tight5$ impressively ^u h] arm4 ,no1 he 
:isp]$1 close to h] e>4 ,no1 ,i want y  
to be "h4 ,:5 ! "t arrives1 ,i want !   
full light to %9e ^u y4  ,aft] ?is %e   
demurr$ no m1 b mov$ ob$i5tly into !    
appo9t$ seat1 h] companion plac+ himself
 beside h]4  ,9 ! fir/ mom5ts (         
agitation & n]v\sness1 %e _h sc>cely    
obs]v$ h] surr\nd+s2 b n[1 z h]         
p]turbation p>tially subsid$1 %e look$  
back at ! r[s ( b[$ or erect figures1 & 

=w>d at ! space ab\t :i* ! inc5se clung 
l a filmy veil4 ,at a fir/ glance ?is   
veil seem$ almo/ too d5se to p5etrate2 b
 z h] sight grew accu/om$ to its drift+ 
:it5ess1 %e 0 able to disc]n ! objects t
 lay beh9d4  ,9 place ( ! alt>1 usually 
prom95t 9 e religi\s build+1 !re 0 a    
wide semicircul> space1 )9 :i* /ood a   
gold *air rais$ ^u a dais & a heavy     
lect]n ( symbolic design on :i* re/$ a  
:ite lea!r book1 worn yell[ at ! edges4 
,ov] ?is book a man 0 por+1 app>5tly    
unconsci\s ( ! active int]e/ he evok$4  
,he 0 %ort & ?ick-set1 ) a squ>e jaw1 a 
long upp] lip1 & ke5 eyes4 ,ov] a head (
 vividly r$ hair1 he wore a r\nd black  
silk cap1 & 8 figure 0 envelop$ 9 a fl[+
 black g[n4  ,f "t to "t1 z he read1 he 
lift$ "o h& 9 rapt excitem5t1 :ile 8    
lips mov$ unceas+ly 9 rapid1 inaudible  
spee*4 ,at la/1 ) a sudd5 dramatic      
ge/ure1 he turn$ f ! lect]n & ?rew out  
bo? arms t[>ds ! high gold *air4  ,oh1  
empty ?rone6 ,empty _w6 he cri$4 ,be    
fill$6  ,!re 0 some?+ int5se1 some?+    

electric 9 ! words4 ,a />tl$ cry broke f
 ! p1 already wr\ght to n]v\s t5sion4   
,"s among !m rose to _! feet2 "s glanc$ 
fe>fully beh9d !m2 o!rs c[]$ ^u ! gr\nd4
  ,& !n--9 :at precise mann] no "o      
pres5t ev] rememb]$--! curta9 at !      
doorway ( ! *apel 0 swung %>ply back2 & 
! tall1 /raight figure ( a man clad all 
9 :ite mov$ sl[ly up ! aisle4  ,he mov$ 
=w>d calmly & delib]ately1 8 gaze fix$1 
8 s5ses app>5tly unconsci\s ( ! _m eyes 
& tongues f :i* fright5$ glances &      
fright5$1 awe-/ruck words escap$ z he   
made 8 solit>y1 impressive progress4    
,rea*+ ! rail+1 he paus$ & lift$ "o h& z
 if 9 b5$iction t[>ds ! r$-hair$ man :o 
/ill rema9$ 9 solit>y occupation ( !    
,sanctu>y4  ,at ! action1 a gasp w5t up 
f ! cr[d$ *apel1 & ev5 ^? :o /ill cr\*$ 
^u ! floor v5tur$ to raise _! heads &   
glance at ! spot :]e ! tall figure 9 !  
:ite s]ge robe /ood motionless &        
impressive4 ,!n ! :ole conc\rse (       
devotees /irr$ 9 involunt>y excitem5t z 
! r$-hair$ man1 ) a cry ( rapture1 ru%$ 

=w>d & pro/rat$ himself at ! feet ( !   
/rang]4  ,= a space1 t to ! wat*]s seem$
 int]m9able1 ! two c5tral figures rema9$
 rigid2 !n at la/ ! tall man /oop$1 & ) 
great dignity rais$ ! o!r4  ,z he ga9$ 8
 feet1 x 0 obvi\s t ! small] man 0      
deeply agitat$4 ,8 lips 7 trembl+ ) "s  
/range emotion1 & x seem$ t he c\ld     
sc>cely comm& 8 ge/ures4 ,aft] a        
protract$ mom5t ( /ruggle1 h[ev]1 he    
appe>$ to rega9 8 self-control2 = ) a   
slightly tremul\s movem5t he /epp$ =w>d1
 laid 8 h&s on ! l[ rail+ & glanc$ at ! 
assembl$ p4  ,my/ics6 he began4 ,*os5   
,ones6 ,out ( ! ,unse5 ,i h come to     
prophesy to y--,i1 an obscure s]vant &  
foll[] ( ! ,mighty4 ,= fifte5 days h ,i 
spok5--tell+ y t :i* 0 at h&4 ,& n[1    
behold ,i am ju/ifi$6 ,he paus$ &       
indicat$ ! tall :ite figure /ill /&+    
motionless1 ) face av]t$ f !            
congregation4  ,:at h ,i told y6 he     
cont9u$1 8 voice ris+4 ,h ,i n quot$ f !
 sacr$ ,scitsym--:i* until ?is h\r ,i h 
nev] be5 p]mitt$ to look ^u8 ,h ,i n    

=etold ! com+ ( ?is man--! g>m5ts he    
w\ld we>--! ,sign ^u 8 p]son8 ,& h ,i n 
done ^! ?+s by a p[] outside myself8    
,aga9 8 voice rose2 & ! congregation    
?rill$ 9 response4  ,y h li/5$ to me--y 
h m>vell$--b 9 y\r ,s\ls d\bt has held  
sway4 ,n[ is ! mom5t ( ju/ification6 ,x 
is n meet t ! ,great ,"o %\ld plead =   
recognition2 x is = y--! ,wat*]s--to see
 & claim him4 ,ma/]6 he cri$1 sudd5ly4  
,ma/]1 %[ !m ! ,sign6  ,a hu% l ! hu% ( 
night fell ^u ! p2 & 9 ?is curi\s &     
impressive lull ! :ite-rob$ man turn$   
sl[ly r\nd fac+ ! congregation4  ,8     
appe>ance 0 arre/+ & rem>kable1 ?\gh x  
possess$ no?+ ( beauty4 ,he _h a tall & 
p[]ful figure1 a /rong & det]m9$ face2 8
 b>e head 0 cov]$ ) close-cut black     
hair2 8 h>d1 firm lips 7 clean-%av51 & 8
 gray eyes look$ across ! *apel ) a     
peculi> sombre fire4  ,he /ood sil5t = a
 mom5t1 survey+ ! faces clu/]$ be=e him2
 !n he rais$ 8 left h&4  ,illu/ration3  
,,across ,,! ,,prophet',s ,,brea/1 ,,9  
,,m>ks ,,( ,a ,,cruel ,,lac]ation1 ,,ran

 ,,! ,,symbolic ,,octagonal ,,figure ,,(
 ,,! ,,my/ic ,,sect  ,my ,p6 he began1 9
 a deep1 sl[ voice4 ,we live 9 an age :5
 d\bt roams ?r\gh ! _w l a bea/ ( prey4 
,i ask n = ! fai? t accepts bl9dly2 b 9 
?is mo/ sacr$ ,scitsym-- he po9t$ to !  
:ite book ^u ! lect]n--x is writt5 t1 by
 a c]ta9 secret ,sign1 ! ,ar*-,my/ics w 
recognize ,him = :om !y h wait$4 ,i call
 ^u ! ,ar*-,my/ics to decl>e :e!r or no 
,i be> ^u my p]son t secret ,sign6 ,he  
paus$ = a mom5t2 !n ) a grave1 calm     
ge/ure he unfa/5$ 8 robe :]e x cross$ 8 
brea/ & ?rew x op54  ,!re 0 a ru/le (   
int5se curiosity1 z all involunt>ily    
lean$ =w>d2 an audible gasp ( awe &     
%r9k+1 z all in/9ctively drew back be=e 
! sight t confront$ !m4 ,across !       
,prophet's brea/1 9 m>ks ( a cruel      
lac]ation1 ran ! symbolic octagonal     
figure ( ! ,my/ic sect4  ,he /ood       
dignifi$ & unmov$ until ! tremor (      
emotion _h subsid$4 ,!n 8 glance        
travell$ ov] ! =emo/ r[ ( seats4  ,come 
=?6 he comm&$1 au?oritatively4 ,come =? 

& ackn[l$ge me6 ,8 eyes mov$ sl[ly f    
seat to seat--paus+ mom5t>ily on ! pale1
 absorb$ face ( ! woman 9 black4 ,b     
sc>cely _h 8 glance re/$ ^u h] ?an !    
heavily built man :o sat beside h]1 rose
 agitat$ly & /epp$ =w>d to ! sanctu>y4  
,= a space he /ood />+ at ! sc>r$ sk9 f 
:i* ! symbol ( 8 cre$ /ood =? z if      
miracul\sly br&$2 !n he turn$ to !      
congregation1 8 prom95t eyes burn+1 8   
heavy face work+ ) emotion4  ,bre?r51 he
 said1 in>ticulately4 ,bre?r51 x is     
inde$ ! ,sign6  ,b ! ,prophet rema9$    
motionless4  ,:]e are ! o!r five8 he    
ask$1 9 a level voice4  ,almo/          
simultane\sly f\r m5 rose f !           
congregation & came =w>d4 ,"o 0 tall &  
gaunt1 ) a ,slavonic type ( face1 wild  
eyes1 & a long1 fair be>d2 ano!r 0      
"y--sc>cely m ?an sev5 & tw5ty--) ! free
 c>riage1 fi]y glance1 & sw>?y          
complexion ( ! nomadic races ( s\!a/]n  
,europe2 ! ?ird 0 a small1 frail man (  
fifty1 ) a n]v\s sy/em pa9fully 9       
advance ( 8 physical /r5g?2 :ile ! f\r? 

0 a true my/ic--impassion$1 en?usia/ic1 
deta*$4 ,"o by "o ^! m5 advanc$1 exam9$ 
! sc>s1 & turn+ to ! p1 confirm$ ! words
 ( _! fell[4 ,!n1 amid a tremul\s hu%1 !
 la/ ( ! six--! ,ar*-,c\ncillor         
himself--0 l$ up ! aisle4  ,= an in/ant 
! glimm]+ ( "s new feel+ cross$ !       
,prophet's face1 z 8 glance re/$ on !   
old man :o sl[ly approa*$ ) feeble /eps1
 b5t back1 & anxi\s1 sightless eyes4 ,b1
 z quickly z x _h come1 ! expression    
pass$1 & he /epp$ =w>d = ! old man's    
t\*4  ,) a quiv]+ ge/ure !              
,ar*-,c\ncillor lift$ 8 h& & n]v\sly    
pass$ 8 f+]s ov] ! sc>s2 !n1 draw+ !    
,prophet d[n1 he t\*$ 8 face4 ,= a long 
mom5t ( susp5se 8 f+]s l+]$ ov] !       
features2 !n !y fell aga9 ^u ! sc>s4 ,& 
an in/ant lat] he sank ^u 8 knees4  ,x  
is inde$ made manife/6 he cri$1 9 a l\d1
 un/eady voice4 ,he %all sit above y z  
^u a ,?rone6  ,! words 7 magical4 ,!    
:ole conc\rse ( p sway$ =w>d hy/]ically4
 ,m5 press$ upw>d t[>ds ! rail+2 wom5   
wept4  ,& ?r\gh x all ! ,prophet /ood   

unmov$4 ,he /ood l a rock aga9/ :i* !   
clamor\s human sea beat wildly4 ,) a    
quiet movem5t he drew 8 robe across 8   
brea/1 hid+ ! unsightly sc>s1 b o!rwise 
he made no motion4 ,at la/ ! r$-hair$   
man :o _h fir/ claim$ him1 /epp$ =w>d to
 8 side4  ,speak to !m1 ,ma/]6 he said4 
,! words r\s$ ! ,prophet4 ,) a calm     
ge/ure he rais$ 8 head1 8 eyes confront+
 ! mass ( /ra9$1 excit$ faces lift$ to  
84  ,my ,p1 he said aga91 9 8 deep      
voice4 ,:at w y d ) me8  ,! response 0  
in/ant4  ,! ,?rone6 ,! ,?rone6 ,! cr[d  
surg$ =w>d 9 a wave1 !n rec$$ z ! tide  
rec$es2 & ! old ,ar*-,c\ncillor /epp$   
feebly into ! ,sanctu>y & ext5d$ 8 h&s  
to ! ,prophet4  ,x 0 a mom5t ( brea?less
 awe4 ,! tall woman1 :o until t mom5t _h
 rema9$ seat$1 involunt>ily rose to h]  
feet4  ,%e saw ! figure ( ! ,prophet    
move gr&ly across ! ,sanctu>y 9 ! wake (
 ! old bl9d man2 %e saw him halt = an   
inf9itesimal space at ! foot ( ! ?rone2 
%e saw him calmly & decisively m\nt !   
/eps ( ! dais & seat himself 9 ! gold5  

*air4 ,!n1 prompt$ by an ov]:elm+       
impulse1 %e yield$ to ! _s ( ! mom5t &  
dropp$ to h] knees4     ,,*apt] ,,iv    
,?ree h\rs lat]1 :5 ! curi\s rite (     
ackn[l$gm5t _h be5 complet$ & ! conc\rse
 ( zealots _h dep>t$ f ,helli] ,cresc5t1
 ! fir/ night 9 8 new k+dom op5$ = !    
,prophet4 ,z ! clocks ( ,brompton 7     
/rik+ two1 ! six ,ar*-,my/ics--ea* ( :om
 possess$ rooms 9 a remote portion ( !  
h\se--l+]+ly & fe>fully bade him        
good-night1 & left him alone ) !        
,precursor 9 ! ap>tm5ts t = ne>ly fifty 
ye>s _h be5 kept swept & g>ni%$ 9       
expectation ( 8 adv5t4  ,ap>t f _!      
sugge/ion ( ! my/ical & fanta/ic1 ^!    
rooms possess$ an intr9sic int]e/ ( _!  
own4 ,& "s consci\sness ( ?is int]e/    
appe>$ to be at "w )9 ! ,prophet's m9d2 
= sc>cely _h he & 8 companion be5 assur$
 ( privacy1 ?an he rose f ! massive     
ivory *air :i* _h be5 apportion$ to him 
& f :i* he _h made 8 second & private   
ju/ification ( 8 claims2 & v sl[ly &    
delib]ately began a circuit ( ! *amb]4  

,) engross$ att5tion he pass$ f "o to   
ano!r ( ! r>e & co/ly objects t =m$ !   
furniture ( ! place2 :ile1 f ! ebony    
table 9 ! c5tre ( ! room1 8 r$-hair$    
companion wat*$ him ) vigilant eyes4    
,/ill mov+ ) unruffl$ delib]ation1 he   
complet$ 8 t\r ( ! ap>tm5t2 !n a        
rem>kable--a />tl+ ?+ took place4 ,he   
:eel$ r\nd1 laid 8 h&s heavily on !     
,precursor's %\ld]s1 & look+ closely    
into 8 face1 broke into spee*4  ,well8  
he dem&$1 int5sely4 ,well8 ,well8 ,:at h
 y to say8  ,at fir/ ! r$-hair$ man sat 
wat*+ him1 mute & motionless2 !n ) a    
sudd5ness equal to 8 own1 he releas$    
himself1 lean$ =w>d 9 8 *air1 & sil5tly 
uncork$ a gold flask t /ood ^u ! table  
be=e him4 ,lift+ x high1 he p\r$ "s w9e 
into two glass goblets1 & )\t a ^w h&$  
"o to ! :ite-rob$ ,prophet1 & himself   
pick$ up ! o!r4  ,john1 he said1        
delib]ately1 y 7 magnific5t6 ,let me    
give y a toa/8 ,p[]6 ,p[] made          
,absolute6  ,) a grave ge/ure ! ,prophet
 ext5d$ 8 h&1 & _! glasses cl9k$4  ,p[] 

made ,absolute6 he respond$1 9 a l[1    
deep voice4  ,9 sil5ce !y drank ! toa/2 
b1 z he replac$ 8 glass ^u ! table1 !   
,prophet %ook (f 8 gravity1 & turn$ aga9
 to 8 companion4  ,n[6 he exclaim$4 ,n[6
 ,out ) x all6 ,h[ mu* ( ?is has be5    
native adroitness1 & h[ mu* unbelievable
 good-=tune8 ,out ) x6 ,i'm hungry &    
?ir/y = ! tru?4  ,= answ] ! ,precursor  
sl[ly lift$ ! gold flask & repl5i%$ 8   
own glass4 ,tru? 9 a gold5 flask6 ,b1 to
 ?r[ a sop to y\r curiosity1 x 0 a matt]
 ( native g5ius eng9e]$ by ,provid5ce4  
,i don't m9d admitt+ t :5 ,i /ood on !  
door/ep ( ?is h\se fifte5 nights ago &  
knock$ ! my/ic knock1 ,i felt l a man   
emb>k+ on a c(f9-%ip4 ,he /opp$ to dra9 
8 glass4  ,! ,prophet took a /ep =w>d4  
,& !n8 he said1 eag]ly4 ,!n8  ,! o!r    
wav$ 8 empty glass4  ,oh1 !re ent]$ !   
native g5ius ( ,t]5ce ,dom9ick          
,dev]eaux6 ,"u t trem5d\s escort ,i     
/orm$ ! citadel--  ,! ,prophet smil$4 ,&
 ! ,my/ic e>s1 ,i h no d\bt4  ,= a ?ird 
"t ! ,precursor fill$ 8 glass4  ,!      

tongue is mighti]--& a good deal m      
portable--?an ei!r ! p5 or ! sword1     
,john1 he said1 sagely4 ,pav+ y\r way ) 
words has be5 an unrecogniz$ "w ( art4  
,b h[ ab\t y\rself8 ,i h my own         
curiosity4 ,he :eel$ r\nd 9 8 seat &    
look$ into 8 companion's face4  ,!      
,prophet look$ away4  ,oh1 ,i _h my     
qualms1 too6 he said1 sl[ly4 ,j = a     
mom5t ! _w seem$ to tremble1 :5 ! old   
,ar*-,c\ncillor grop$ =w>d & put 8 h&s  
ov] my face4 ,x swept me (f my          
feet--swept me back t5 ye>s4 ,x 0 l a   
vision 9 a cry/al--if su* a ?+ c\ld     
exi/4 ,i saw ! :ole pa/ sc5e4 ,! b>e    
room--! old dead man--myself2 ! ov]:elm+
 wi% to av5ge my wrongs1 & ! sudd5      
sugge/ion t turn$ ! wi% cold4 ,i saw !  
long1 bleak night 9 :i* ,i complet$ !   
colossal task ( copy+ ! ,scitsym l9e =  
l9e2 ,i saw ! gray morn+ /eal 9 across !
 room z ,i clos$ ! book1 return$ x to   
its safe & replac$ ! key on my uncle's  
neck 9 prep>ation = ! arrival ( !       
,ar*-,c\ncillor4 ,x all pass$ be=e my   

m9d1 & !n 9 a fla% 0 gone4 ,i ceas$ to  
be ,john ,h5d]son4  ,! ,precursor glanc$
 quickly t[>ds ! door4  ,avoid t "n4    
,habits gr[--& s d suspicions4 ,y\r     
probation has be5 too long & too h>d to 
p]mit u to run risks4 ,n[ t y've /epp$  
into y\r k+dom-- ,he made an expressive 
ge/ure4  ,! ,prophet laugh$ %ortly1 !n  
sudd5ly turn$ grave aga94  ,y are "r6 he
 said4 ,only a man ) a light consci5ce c
 skate on ?9 ice4 ,to return to our     
orig9al subject1 :at ab\t ! inn] work+s 
( ?is odd game8 ,x is s curi\s to h liv$
 = ye>s on !ory1 & sudd5ly to come face 
to face ) practice4 ,i tell y ,i'm />v+ 
= facts4 ,he /epp$ =w>d quickly & dropp$
 into a *air t fac$ 8 companion's4  ,out
 ) x all6 ,to beg91 :o is ! ma/]-_s8 ,y 
"k :at ,i mean4 ,! ma/]-_s 9 ! true     
s5se4 ,poor old bl9d ,arian doesn't /& =
 mu*4  ,! ,precursor look$ m$itatively  
at 8 empty glass4  ,no1 he said1        
?\ghtfully4 ,y t\* tru? !re6 ,mi*ael    
,arian is ! ciph]2 ,bale-,corphew's !   
mean+4 ,bale-,corphew is an int]e/+ man1

 ,john--,i _h almo/ said a dang]\s man--
  ,! ,prophet's lip curl$ slightly4     
,dang]\s6  ,yes2 dang]\s 9 a s5se4 ,9 ! 
s5se t a p]sonality always is dang]\s4  
,among ! six ,ar*-,my/ics !re is1 to my 
?9k+1 only "o man1 & he int]e/s me4 ,he 
int]e/s me1 does ,horatio               
,bale-,corphew6  ,! ,prophet lean$ =w>d 
9 8 *air4  ,i ?9k ,i cat* y\r mean+1 he 
said4 ,some?+ ( ! same idea occurr$ to  
me :5 he rose f 8 seat to-night4 ,:ile  
we spi$ ^u !m 9 ! la/ six mon?s1 he     
always /ruck me z curi\sly un-,engli%1 )
 t sleek ext]ior & ^? fla%+ eyes ( 84 ,b
 9 ! *apel to-night he 0 almo/          
aggressively ali54 ,:5 he t\*$ my arm ,i
 c\ld lit]ally feel him bri/le4  ,! o!r 
nodd$4  ,y've said x6 he cri$4 ,horatio 
bri/les6 ,8 :ole que] s\l is 9 ?is      
bus9ess--e fibre ( x4 ,he attempts no   
division ( allegiance--except1 p]haps1 9
 ! matt] ( ! he>t--  ,! ,prophet glanc$ 
up & smil$4  ,! he>t8 ,d my fai?ful     
,wat*]s p]mit !mselves he>ts8 ,!        
,scitsym makes no provision = su* frail 

organs4  ,! ,precursor laugh$ aga94     
,oh1 we ,elect are by no means free f   
little sav+ weaknesses6 ,t's :]e we     
become dramatic4 ,y c't h effect )\t    
contra/4 ,horatio1 = in/ance1 is        
in/9ctively dramatic4  ,inde$6  ,yes4   
,oh yes6 ,i "k :at ,i'm say+4 ,i've     
/udi$ !m all4 ,m ?an once1 :5 my ,s\l   
has be5 commun+ ) y\r ,augu/ ,_s1 ,i h  
wat*$ ,horatio's dramatic contra/ f !   
corn] ( my eyes4  ,aga9 ! ,prophet      
smil$4  ,! contra/ frequ5ts ! *apel !n8 
,frequ5ts8 ,und\bt$ly4 ,horatio has     
lit]ally swept h] into ! fold4 ,%e 0 "h 
to-night to b5d ! knee to y4  ,a look ( 
recollection cross$ ! ,prophet's eyes4  
,to-night8 he said4 ,n ! woman :o sat   
beside him8 ,! woman ) ! big eyes8 ,%e &
 ,bale-,corphew6 ,! idea is absurd6     
,und5iable1 nev]!less4 ,i h d$uc$ !     
/ory4 ,! lady is a wid[--no             
relations--too mu* fre$om--vague        
aspirations aft] ! ideal4 ,%e has s\nd$ 
society & f\nd x too %all[2 s\nd$       
philosophy & f\nd x too deep2 & ^u h]   

horizon ( desires & disappo9tm5ts has   
loom$ ! colossal pres5ce (              
,bale-,corphew--en?usia/1 my/ic1 lead] (
 a fasc9at+ly unor?odox sect4 ,:at is ! 
result8 ,! lady--too fem99e to be truly 
mod]n1 too mod]n to be :olly womanly--is
 view+ life ?r\gh new glasses1 & by _!  
m$ium see+ ,horatio inve/$ ) a halo     
o!rwise invisible4  ,! ,prophet rema9$  
quiet & sil5t2 !n he rose sl[ly f 8 seat
 & walk$ r\nd ! table4 ,dev]eaux1 he    
said1 laconically1 only ! ,prophet is   
go+ to we> a halo "h4  ,! ,precursor's  
%>ply m>k$1 expressive eyebr[s w5t up 9 
quick comm5t4  ,c ev5 a latt]-day       
,prophet af=d autocracy8  ,= a space !  
,prophet made no response2 !n he took a 
/ep =w>d & laid 8 h& impressively on 8  
fri5d's %\ld]4  ,dev]eaux1 he said1 9 a 
new voice--a voice t unconsci\sly held  
some?+ ( ! comm& t _h m>k$ x 9 !        
*apel--! ,prophet ( ! ,my/ics has come  
to rule4 ,he has n come to foll[ ! laws 
t o!rs--t m5 l ,bale-,corphew--h se5 fit
 to make4 ,he has come to be a law unto 

himself6     ,,*apt] ,v   ,x is a/oni%+ 
9 h[ %ort a space ( "t a man ( vigor\s  
"* c make 8 p]sonality felt4 ,on ! night
 ( 8 my/]i\s adv5t1 ! ,prophet _h f\nd 8
 p 9 a condition ( m5tal *aos--z liable 
to repudiate z to accept ! seek] = _!   
confid5ce2 b be=e "o mon? _h pass$ he   
_h1 by dom9ation ( w1 s m\ld$ ?is       
neurotic mass ( humanity t 8 own        
position _h gradually & ins5sibly m]g$ f
 suppliant into t ( autocrat4 ,)\t a    
murmur ( d\bt or diss5sion ! ,my/ics _h 
proclaim$ him _! k+4  ,on ! la/ day ( ! 
?irty he sat alone 9 8 room--! room 9   
:i* he & ! r$-hair$ ,precursor _h held  
_! private c\ncil on ! night ( 8 com+4  
,! heavy purple curta9s t %ield$ ! w9d[s
 7 p>tly drawn1 ?r[+ a subdu$1 almo/ a  
devotional1 light ov] ! wide1 impos+    
ap>tm5t & across ! ebony table1 on :i*  
re/$ ! sacr$ ,scitsym1 surr\nd$ by an   
array ( small] & m anci5t books1 sev]al 
rolls ( p>*m5t1 a numb] ( quill p5s1 & a
 di% ( ink4 ,x 0 at ?is table t !       
,prophet sat2 he wore ! mona/ic :ite    

robe t he always affect$ 9 pres5ce ( 8  
p1 8 arms 7 fold$1 & 8 face look$ calm &
 grave1 z ?\gh he appreciat$ ! mom5t's  
solitude4  ,! solitude1 h[ev]1 0 n de/9$
 to endure4 ,! s(t boom+ ( a gong       
pres5tly r\s$ him to att5tion1 & a mom5t
 lat] ! door ( ! ap>tm5t op5$ & an      
ascetic-look+ man1 ^: duty & privilege x
 0 to wait ^u him1 ent]$ def]5tially4   
,he /ood = a mom5t 9 an attitude (      
pr(\nd abasem5t2 !n he /epp$ =w>d & /ood
 beside ! table4  ,ma/]1 he said1 9 a l[
 voice4 ,! newe/ among u w\ld speak ) y6
  ,! ,prophet rais$ 8 head & a gleam (  
int]e/ cross$ 8 eyes2 b almo/ imm$iately
 he subdu$ ! look4  ,i am will+1 he     
repli$1 unemotionally1 9 ! usual =mula4 
,!n he glanc$ at 8 att5dant4 ,aft] ?is1 
! audi5ces = ! day are ov]1 he add$4  ,!
 man b[$1 & ) awe-/ruck def]5ce mov$    
sil5tly f ! room1 almo/ imm$iately      
reappe>+1 to u%] 9 ! devotee1 & ) ! same
 consci\s air ( my/]y1 to retire1 clos+ 
! heavy door4  ,= a mom5t ! new-com]    
/ood j inside ! ?re%old4 ,z on ! night (

 ! ,prophet's com+1 %e wore a long1     
black dress t acc5tuat$ h] height &     
grace1 & br\ght into prom95ce ! cle>    
pallor ( h] sk9 & ! rem>kable lum9\s    
brilliance ( h] eyes4 ,a /ruggle betwe5 
sup]/iti\s dread & human curiosity 0    
di/9ctly visible 9 h] expression z %e   
/ood unc]ta9 ( h] position1 d\btful z to
 h] fir/ move4  ,! ,prophet glanc$ at   
h]1 & ! %ad[ ( a smile t\*$ 8 lips4  ,h 
no fe>1 he said4 ,come =w>d6  ,! /rong1 
/eady voice gave h] c\rage1 & ) slightly
 agitat$ ha/e %e /epp$ t[>ds ! table4   
,! ,prophet gravely motion$ h] to a seat
 & assum$ an attitude ( att5tion4 ,^u   
ea* ( ! ?irty morn+s he _h sat 9 ?is    
same position 9 8 ivory *air1 :ile1 "o  
aft] ano!r1 ! memb]s ( ! sect _h claim$ 
audi5ce ) him4 ,morn+ aft] morn+ he _h  
exhibit$ ! same grave1 alo( int]e/--8   
h&s clasp$1 8 eyes ^u ! ,scitsym--:ile !
 fe>ful1 ! fanatical1 ! hy/]ical _h p\r$
 =? _! tales ( /ruggle or aspiration4 ,b
 n[1 on ?is la/ morn+1 he 0 consci\s ( a
 new sugge/ion1 a new impression 9 :at  

_h gr[n to be r\t9e4 ,?is la/ aspirant =
 spiritual light 0 nei!r fanatical nor  
hy/]ical1 0 sc>cely ev5 imbu$ ) fe>4    
,some?+ )9 8 bra9 respond$ to ! idea1 to
 ! reassur+ human curiosity t gleam$ 9  
h] eyes4 ,he f\nd himself wait+ = h]    
fir/ words ) an impati5ce t no o!r memb]
 ( ! congregation _h ar\s$4  ,b ! wait 0
 long--disconc]t+ly long4 ,! aspirant   
glanc$ unc]ta9ly ab\t ! room1 z if      
unwill+ or unable to break into spee*2  
!n at la/ %e rais$ h] head1 &1 ) an     
ef=t1 met ! ,prophet's eyes4  ,i'm      
t]ribly n]v\s6 %e said1 9 an irresi/ibly
 fem99e voice4  ,! effect ^u h] he>] 0  
in/antane\s4 ,! di/ant & spiritual      
alo(ness1 s easy to assume 9 ! pres5ce (
 ! cr$ul\s1 became sudd5ly a matt] (    
impossibility4 ,) a quiet dignity t _h m
 ( mascul9e protectiv5ess ?an ( my/ical 
inspiration he turn$ to h] afre%4  ,h no
 fe>6 he answ]$1 g5tly4 ,my only desire 
is to help y4 ,tell me ev]y?+ t is 9 y\r
 m9d4  ,%e lean$ =w>d quickly4 ,y--y are
 mo/ k9d-- %e began4 ,!n aga9 %e halt$4 

,b he took no notice ( h] emb>rassm5t4  
,:y h y nev] come be=e8 he ask$4 ,_h y  
no d\bts to be set at re/8 ,he spoke s  
quietly t h] n]v\sness =sook h]1 & ) a  
swift impulse %e glanc$ up at him4      
,i--,i ?9k ,i 0 afraid1 %e said1 c&idly4
 ,y see1 ,i am n exactly "o ( ! o!rs--  
,y did n q believe t ! ,"o y _h wait$ = 
_h really come8 ,8 voice 0 l[ & t+$ ) "s
 inscrutable mean+4  ,oh no6 ,no2 x 0 n 
t4 ,be=e y came1 ,i confess ,i 0        
sceptical2 ,i confess ,i did n believe t
 any "o w\ld come1 t !re 0 any tru?--any
 real mean+--9 ! sect4 ,b !n--:5 y did  
come--  ,! ,prophet lift$ 8 head4  ,:5  
,i did come8 he ask$1 %>ply4  ,! :ole ?+
 0 diff]5t--  ,! :ole ?+ 0 diff]5t8 he  
repeat$1 sl[ly & m$itatively4 ,by a     
curi\s process ( sugge/ion &            
recollection1 some?+ ( 8 own exp]i5ces 9
 ! realm ( m5tal upheaval rose ) h]     
words4 ,he /udi$ ! pale face & brilliant
 eyes ) a fre% & m intimate int]e/4  ,! 
:ole ?+ 0 diff]5t8 he said once m1 9 8  
sl[1 deep voice4  ,! w>m color flood$ h]

 face4 ,yes1 %e admitt$4 ,yes4 ,y seem$ 
! "o real p]son--! "o sane ?+ 9 ! :ole  
c]emony4 ,i felt--,i knew t y 7--/rong4 
,%e paus$1 al>m$ at h] own timidity2 &  
aga9 _! eyes met4  ,& :y h y nev] come  
to me be=e8 ,he _h no p>ticul> mean+ 9 !
 "q2 he 0 only consci\s ( an            
inexplicable wi% to prolong ! int]view4 
,oh1 ,i don't "k--,i sc>cely "k4 ,aga9  
%e spoke quickly & n]v\sly4 ,i h come e 
night to he> y speak--,i h lov$ to he> y
 speak4 ,b--b to be alone ) y-- ,%e     
paus$1 expressively4 ,x is all s        
/range--s extraord9>y4 ,x doesn't seem  
to belong to ! pres5t day-- ,%e look$ up
 at him 9 appeal+ p]plexity4  ,& :y did 
y come n[8  ,:y8 ,oh1 because--because  
,i c\ld n /ay away4  ,= ! fir/ "t !     
,prophet 0 consci\s ( a tremor (        
discomfiture2 = ! fir/ "t ! spectacle ( 
8 fraud1 z se5 f a po9t ( view o!r ?an 8
 own1 t\*$ him unpleasantly4 ,he mov$   
slightly 9 8 massive *air4  ,9 ?is life1
 he said1 ) a sudd51 almo/ incont95t    
assumption ( 8 ,prophetic mann]1 we mu/ 

be ev] c>eful to di/+ui% ! ,w9e f !     
,vessel t conta9s x4 ,i endeavor1 ) all 
! ,p[] ,i am possess$ (1 to impress ^u  
my ,p t ,i h come1 n to be ! ,way1 b to 
%[ ! ,way6 ,to tea* y all t :at y seek 9
 me1 is 9 ea* "o ( y4 ,e man is 8 own   
,prophet1 if he b knew x6 ,z he spoke he
 turn$ 8 eyes ^u ! ,scitsym1 & ! h>d1   
inscrutable look t s dom9at$ 8 foll[]s  
desc5d$ ^u 8 face4 ,z he rea*$ ! la/    
words1 he glanc$ aga9 at 8 companion1 b 
z 8 eyes re/$ on h] face he paus$       
disconc]t$4 ,%e 0 gaz+ at him ) a c&id1 
spontane\s admiration inf9itely m human 
& inf9itely m irresi/ible ?an ! neurotic
 adoration t 0 daily lavi%$ on him4 ,)  
an odd1 inexplicable s5se ( guilt1 he   
rose quickly f 8 seat4  ,d n =get--d n  
all[ y\rself to =get t ?is is my tea*+1 
he said4 ,t y h ea* )9 y\rselves ! ?+ y 
dem& 9 me4 ,look = x )9 y\rselves6 ,rely
 ^u y\rselves6  ,z he ceas$1 %e also    
rose4 ,%e 0 pale1 & trembl$ slightly4   
,b if "o _c foll[ t tea*+8 %e ask$4 ,if 
"o longs to rely ^u "s "o else8 ,if "o  

_c rely ^u "o's self8  ,! ,prophet made 
no answ]4 ,he /ood ) "o h& re/+ on !    
table1 8 gaze fix$ ^u ! book4  ,embold5$
 by 8 sil5ce1 %e approa*$ him by a /ep4 
,i ?9k ,i c\ld believe-- %e murmur$4 ,i 
?9k ,i c\ld believe--any?+1 if ,i might 
le>n x f y4 ,%e paus$ plead+ly2 !n1 z he
 /ill /ood unresponsive1 ! color ru%$   
aga9 into h] face4  ,i--,i h be5        
presumptu\s1 %e said4 ,i h (f5d$ y4     
,some?+ 9 h] tone1 9 h] *>m+ unaffect$  
humility /ung him4 ,= ! fir/ "t 9 8 c>e]
 z ,prophet1 ! blood surg$ hotly &      
pa9fully into 8 face4  ,d n say t6 he   
began1 impulsively2 !n he *eck$ himself4
 ,i am "h to tea* my ,p1 he add$4 ,all  
my ,p--)\t exception4  ,= "o mom5t %e   
/udi$ 8 face half d\btfully2 !n at la/  
h] own emotions conqu]$ h] d\bt4  ,!n ,i
 may come aga98  ,he did n reply at     
once2 & :5 at la/ 8 words did come1 8   
voice 0 unusually irresolute & l[4  ,y  
may come--at any "t1 he said1 )\t meet+ 
h] eyes4     ,,*apt] ,,vi   ,s x came   
ab\t t ! s]p5t ( misgiv+ ent]$ into !   

,prophet's p>adise4 ,) ,enid ,wit*]ley's
 words1 ! realization ( 8 true position 
_h be5 unpleasantly sugge/$ to him1 & ! 
gra9 ( d\bt _h be5 scatt]$ ov] ! banquet
 he _h set himself to enjoy4 ,x 0 "o ?+ 
to fool m5 :o ye>n$ to be fool$--ev5 to 
fool wom5 ^: peculi>ities set !m ap>t f 
_! sex2 b x 0 indisputably ano!r matt]  
to dupe a "y & confid+ girl1 :o came )  
all ! fasc9ation ( mod]n d\bt1          
c\nt]balanc$ by ! *>m ( fem99e cr$ulity4
  ,long aft] %e left him1 he _h pac$ up 
& d[n ! room 9 p]plexity ( _s1 until at 
la/1 ) a sudd5 contempt = 8 own         
weakness1 he _h turn$ to :]e ! :ite b9d+
 ( ! ,scitsym caught ! subdu$ light4 ,! 
sight ( ! book _h n]v$ him1 z x nev]    
fail$ to d2 b = all 8 rega9$ firmness1 !
 s5se ( uneasy %ame _h rema9$ ) him dur+
 ! day2 & t night1 :5 he address$ 8 p1  
he _h in/9ctively gu>d$ 8 glance f re/+ 
on ! seats t front$ ! ,sanctu>y4  ,b n[ 
t fir/ int]view 0 pa/ by ?ree weeks1 &  
,enid's daily visits to ! great room :]e
 he gave audi5ce to ! congregation _h   

become "o ( ! recogniz$ ev5ts ( !       
tw5ty-f\r h\rs4 ,! s5se ( %ame return$  
p]iodically2 b on ea* r5ewal ( ! feel+  
he salv$ 8 consci5ce m & m successfully 
) ! assurance t to h]1 z to himself1 !  
,my/ics 7 9 reality no?+ b ! products ( 
a neurotic age--m]e hy/]ical dabbl]s 9 !
 tru?s ( ! univ]se4 ,%e 0 too delicately
 fem99e1 he told himself ) gr[+         
conviction1 too intellig5t &            
self-controll$1 to be m ?an tempor>ily  
attract$ to any su* exotic cre$4 ,%e    
might toy ) x = a :ile1 b ! day mu/     
inevitably dawn :5 common-s5se & ! ne$ (
 sur] ?+s w\ld s5d h] back into ! broad 
*annel ( simple1 satisfy+ ,*ri/ianity4  
,= a space ?is unnatural /ate ( ?+s w\ld
 la/2 = a space _! curi\s companion%ip  
w\ld cont9ue--_! long1 intimate talks   
w\ld make life some?+ new & wond]ful2   
!n--,b !re1 = "s unexpla9$ reason1      
speculation inv>iably /opp$4  ,s ?+s    
/ood on ! fiftie? morn+ aft] h] fir/    
com+4 ,! /ream ( suppliants = 8 favor 0 
all b exhau/$1 & he await$ to give ! la/

 audi5ce ( ! day4  ,aft] ! mom5t ( quiet
 & solitude t always sep>at$ !          
int]views1 ! sonor\s gong ann\nc$ ! la/ 
visitor2 ! sil5t1 ascetic att5dant ?rew 
op5 ! door & ,enid ent]$4  ,?is "t %e   
display$ none ( ! hesitancy t _h m>k$ h]
 e>ly mann]4 ,%e came t[>ds ! table )   
quick1 assur$ /eps1 h] face bright )    
anticipation4  ,z %e approa*$1 !        
,prophet rose4 ,x 0 rem>kable t he no   
long] reta9$ 8 sitt+ position :5 %e     
ent]$ ! room1 z 0 8 cu/om ) ! o!r memb]s
 ( ! sect4 ,involunt>ily & almo/        
unconsci\sly he ext5d$ to h] ! ord9>y   
c\rtesies t man in/9ctively (f]s to     
woman4  ,z %e rea*$ ! table1 %e glanc$  
up at him1 & some?+ ( ! pleasure di$ out
 ( h] face4  ,y look tir$1 %e said1     
s(tly4  ,he smil$4  ,does t disappo9t y8
  ,8 tone confus$ h]4  ,oh no6 ,no6 ,!n 
%e color$ slightly & glanc$ at him aga94
 ,:y d y ask8  ,because x is ! way (    
humanity to refuse any common weakness  
to its lead]s--spiritual or temporal4   
,aga9 a wave ( color cross$ h] sk94 ,b  

surely--  ,surely :at8  ,%e glanc$ away2
 !n1 seem+ to ga!r up h] c\rage1 %e     
look$ back at him4  ,i mean1 %e said1   
sl[ly1 t "s p are s /rong t !y may be   
all[$ to h any?+--  ,ev5 weaknesses--   
,once m he smil$4 ,x 0 significant h[1  
gradually & indisputably1 ! tone ( tea*]
 _h dropp$ out ( 8 conv]sation4 ,nei!r  
c\ld h told ! date on :i* ! *ange _h    
occurr$--p]haps nei!r 0 consci\s t x _h 
ev5 tak5 place4 ,b ! fact rema9$ t1 )   
h]1 he no long] felt compell$ to hold   
alo(2 t1 ) h]1 he _h disc>d$ !          
allegorical mann] ( spee*1 & _h begun to
 %[ himself z he naturally 04  ,ev5     
weaknesses8 he said aga91 z %e made no  
attempt to answ]4  ,at ! words h] eyes  
once m met 84  ,yes1 %e said1 ) new     
resolution--yes1 ev5 weaknesses4 ,i (t5 
?9k t x is because y are s--s human t y 
hold u z y d4 ,x seems "r t a ,prophet  
%\ld belong to ! p he has come to tea*4 
,all ! prophets ( ! _w h ess5tially     
belong$ to _! own times4 ,if y _h sat ^u
 ! ,?rone all day & commun$ ) y\r ,s\l1 

,i %\ld h be5 v mu* afraid ( y2 b ,i    
%\ld nev] h believ$ 9 y z ,i d n[1 :5 y 
talk to me & advise me & help me l--l a 
fri5d4 ,h] voice trembl$ slightly4  ,a  
peculi> expression cross$ ! ,prophet's  
face4  ,s ,i seem a--fri5d8  ,m ?an a   
fri5d4 ,i c nev] tell y :at y h be5 to  
me--:at y h done = me4 ,i h nev] be5 s  
happy--s satisfi$ 9 my life1 z 9 ^! la/ 
?ree weeks4 ,e disappo9tm5t &           
dissatisfaction seems to h slipp$ away2 
,i seem to h be5 liv+ 9 "s calm1        
beautiful1 re/ful atmosph]e-- ,%e paus$1
 h] face z well z h] voice t+$ ) a      
subtle excitem5t4  ,x may be v selfi%1 b
 ,i wi% t ^! days c\ld g on =ev]4 ,i "k 
t1 = y1 !y are only a probation2 t y mu/
 crave = ! mom5t :51 hav+ taught u      
ev]y?+1 y w g out into ! _w & tea* !    
,unbeliev]s4 ,i "k all t1 & ,i "k x is  
only "r1 b--b ,i hate to ?9k ( x6 ,a    
sudd5 break came 9 h] voice4  ,y hate to
 ?9k t all ?is mu/ end8  ,aga9 _! eyes  
met2 b1 z ?\gh ! contact ( glances      
emb>rass$ h]1 ,enid look$ away4  ,yes1  

,i d hate x4 ,d y despise me = be+ s    
selfi%--s jeal\s ( ^? o!r p :o w take   
our place8  ,= a mom5t ! ,prophet made  
no reply4 ,9 ! dim light ( ! room1 !    
muscles ( 8 h>d face look$ set2 8 /rong 
h&s 7 clasp$4  ,d y despise me8 %e ask$ 
aga94  ,x is n = me to judge any "o--y  
lea/ ( all1 he answ]$1 )\t look+ at h]4 
,at ! subdu$ tone1 ! unexpect$ words1 %e
 turn$ to him appreh5sively4  ,y are    
angry ) me8  ,inde$1 no4  ,!n :at is x8 
,:at h ,i done--or said8  ,he rema9$    
sil5t4  ,9 h] sudd5 di/ress %e lean$    
=w>d 9 h] *air1 look+ into 8 face ) new 
solicitude4  ,i "k--,i feel t ,i h      
displeas$ y4 ,won't y tell me :at ,i h  
done8  ,z %e put ! "q1 %e laid "o glov$ 
h& ^u ! table2 & ?\gh ! ,prophet's eyes 
7 fix$ ^u ! ,scitsym1 he 0 consci\s 9 e 
fibre ( ! appeal ! un/udi$ ge/ure       
made--z he 0 poignantly consci\s ( !    
cle> eyes1 ! s(t d>k hair1 ! que/ion+   
upturn$ face4  ,= an int]m9able "t !    
sil5ce rema9$ unbrok52 at la/1 ) a      
little s\nd ( fre% di/ress1 ,enid b5t   

/ill ne>]4  ,oh1 ,i und]/&6 %e exclaim$4
 ,i und]/&6 ,y ?9k ,i h tak5 advantage (
 y\r goodness4 ,y ?9k ,i h imag9$ t1    
because y are k9d & pati5t & tol]ant1 ,i
 might look ^u y z--z a man4 ,z %e said 
! ^w %e paus$1 fright5$ by h] own       
timidity4  ,b z sudd5ly ! ,prophet :eel$
 r\nd & laid 8 f+]s ov] h]s4 ,! pressure
 ( 8 h& 0 l /eel1 ! expression ( 8 face 
0 alt]$ & di/urb$4  ,if y only knew-- he
 said1 %>ply--if y only knew h[ ,i h    
long$ to he> y say j t "o ^w man6 ,he   
paus$ almo/ triumphantly1 8 eyes se>*+  
h] fright5$ face1 8 f+]s gripp+ h]s4  ,=
 an in/ant %e sat petrifi$ & fasc9at$2  
!n a fa9t s\nd ( al>m escap$ h]1 & %e   
turn$ t[>ds ! door4  ,)\t ! =mality ( ! 
ann\nc+ gong1 two m5 _h ent]$ ! room1 & 
/ood sil5t spectators ( ! tableau4 ,"o 0
 ,dev]eaux1 ! ,precursor2 ! o!r 0       
,horatio ,bale-,corphew4  ,= "o         
emb>rass$ mom5t all f\r look$ at ea*    
o!r2 !n ! ,precursor ha/5$ to save !    
situation4 ,he made a long1 pr(\nd      
obeisance1 & /epp$ def]5tially to !     

table4  ,y\r p>don1 ,ma/]6 he murmur$4  
,we knew n t ! immutable ,s\l 0 speak+ f
 )9 y1 call+ "o among u t[>ds ! ,light6 
,he glanc$ quickly ov] 8 %\ld] to :]e ! 
massive =m & agitat$ face (             
,bale-,corphew 0 fram$ 9 ! doorway4  ,at
 8 p]emptory look ! ,ar*-,my/ic seem$ to
 ga!r himself toge!r4 ,/epp+ =w>d1 he   
made a slightly t>dy rev]5ce4  ,ma/]1 he
 said1 huskily1 :at ! ,precursor tells y
 is ! tru?4 ,see+ ! ?re%old ungu>d$1 we 
conclud$ t ! audi5ces = ! day 7 ov]4 ,8 
prom95t br[n eyes 7 fill$ ) conflict+   
expressions z he turn$ !m on ! ,prophet4
  ,b ! ,prophet rema9$ unmov$4 ,! h>d   
look _h return$ to 8 face1 ! /]n        
rigidity to 8 figure4 ,v sl[ly he       
releas$ ! h& t /ill trembl$ "u 8 own4   
,! "t ( ! ,prophet belongs to 8 ,p1 he  
said1 ) dignity4 ,he holds audi5ce      
:5ev]1 :]ev]1 & h[ev] x is exp$i5t4     
,speak1 my son6 ,9 :at c ,i s]ve y8     
,bale-,corphew look$ at him 9 sil5ce4   
,:atev] he _h come to say appe>$ to h   
escap$ 8 m9d4 ,= a :ile inaction reign$ 

9 ! room2 !n1 ) a pale face & n]v\s     
mann]1 ,enid rose1 b[$ to ! ,prophet1 & 
mov$ noiselessly to ! door4  ,all ?ree  
wat*$ h] until %e _h disappe>$2 !n      
,bale-,corphew f\nd voice aga94  ,ma/]1 
he murmur$1 hurri$ly1 ) y\r p]mission1  
,i also w\ld leave ! ,pres5ce2 & ) a    
p]turb$ ge/ure1 he too b[$ & pass$ out (
 ! room4     ,,*apt] ,,vii   ,on a      
crisp1 cold aft]noon1 "o week aft] h]   
int]view ) ! ,prophet1 ,enid ,wit*]ley  
sat 9 ! draw+-room ( h] ,london flat4 ,!
 e>ly portion ( ! day _h be5 pleasantly 
w>m$ & bright5$ by ! pale ,m>* sun%9e2 b
 at ?ree o'clock a se>*+ w9d _h begun to
 bl[ across ! city f ! ea/2 & n[1 z !   
small gold clock on h] bureau *im$ ! h\r
 ( five1 %e rose f ! c\* :]e %e _h be5  
sitt+1 &1 cross+ ! room ) a little %iv]1
 drew a *air to ! fire & press$ !       
electric bell4  ,z ! maid appe>$1 9     
answ] to h] summons1 %e gave h] ord] )\t
 look+ r\nd4  ,tea1 ,norris6 %e said1 9 
an unusually curt & laconic voice4  ,= a
 consid]able "t aft] ! maid's dep>ture  

%e sat motionless1 h] h&s /ret*$ out    
t[>ds ! blaz+ logs1 h] l>ge eyes abs5tly
 wat*+ ! firelight on h] _m & beautiful 
r+s4 ,:5 ! woman reappe>$1 &1           
noiselessly arrang+ ! tea-table1 mov$ x 
to h] side1 %e sc>cely glanc$ up2 & to !
 mo/ sup]ficial obs]v] x w\ld h be5     
pat5t t h] own ?\ghts & speculations    
fully absorb$ h] m9d4  ,%e reta9$ h]    
contemplative attitude aft] ! s]vant _h 
)drawn = ! second "t1 & x is d\btful h[ 
long %e w\ld h rema9$ sunk 9 app>5t     
le?>gy _h n ! unexpect$ s\nd ( !        
hall-door bell caus$ h] to />t into an  
upright position ) a little exclamation 
( surprise & impati5ce4  ,z %e sat li/5+
 ) n]v\s int5tness1 ! door op5$1 & once 
m ,norris appe>$4 ,aft] a second's      
hesitation %e cross$ to h] mi/ress4     
,!re's a g5tleman at ! door1 ma'am1 %e  
said1 deprecat+ly4  ,enid look$ up1 a   
fr[n /ill d>k5+ h] =ehead4  ,i told y ,i
 0 n at home4  ,i "k1 ma'am1 b-- ,norris
 hesitat$4  ,b :at8 ,i told y ,i 0 n to 
be di/urb$4 ,i won't be di/urb$4 ,) a   

ge/ure pla9ly indicative ( high-/rung   
n]ves1 %e turn$ to ! table & p\r$ h]self
 out a cup ( tea4  ,! maid glanc$ beh9d 
h] t[>ds ! door4 ,b ! g5tleman won't g1 
ma'am--  ,won't g6 ,9 h] surprise ,enid 
laid d[n ! cup %e _h be5 ab\t to raise  
to h] lips4 ,:o is he8 %e dem&$4        
,norris look$ d[n4 ,i don't "k1 ma'am4  
,i told him y 7 n at home1 b he won't g4
 ,he's ! sort ( g5tleman :o won't take  
no = an answ]4  ,i don't und]/& y4 ,:o  
is he8 ,:at is he l8 ,unconsci\sly &    
involunt>ily ,enid's tone quick5$4      
,some?+ 9 ! woman's words--some?+       
undef9$ & yet sugge/ive--/irr$ & agitat$
 h]4  ,norris seem$ to *oose h] words4  
,well1 ma'am1 %e answ]$1 sl[ly1 he's v  
tall--& n l any o!r g5tleman t comes "h4
 ,i c't rightly expla9 x1 miss1 he seems
 us$ to hav+ 8 own way--  ,z %e halt$1  
unc]ta9 h[ to *oose h] words1 ,enid rose
 n]v\sly4 ,%e c\ld n h def9$ h]         
emotions1 b "s feel+ at once vague &    
port5t\s 0 work+ 9 h] m9d4  ,did he give
 no "n8  ,no1 ma'am4 ,i 0 to say t he 0 

"s "o t mu/ be se54 ,he'd give no "n4   
,= a fur!r in/ant ,enid 0 sil5t1        
consci\s ( no?+ b h] own un/eady pulses2
 !n sudd5ly %e turn$ almo/ angrily ^u ! 
s]vant4  ,%[ him 96 %e cri$4 ,%[ him 9  
at once6 ,don't keep him /&+ at ! door4 
,9 "s confusion ,norris turn$ & walk$   
across ! room4 ,at ! doorway %e paus$ & 
look$ back4  ,w y h ! lights on1 ma'am8 
,no4 ,no2 ! fire makes light en\gh4 ,i l
 twilight & a fire4 ,don't /& wait+6  ,!
 woman dep>t$2 & = a space t seem$ to h]
 int]m9able1 ,enid /ood beside !        
fireplace1 motionless ) hope1 dread1 &  
an almo/ uncontrollable n]v\sness4 ,at  
la/1 z 9 a dream1 %e saw ! door op5 & ! 
tall1 *>act]i/ic figure ( ! ,prophet    
move into ! room4  ,%e 0 vaguely aw>e t 
he halt$ = a mom5t1 z if undecid$ z to 8
 action1 :ile ,norris retir$1 s(tly     
clos+ ! door4 ,!n1 ) a sudd5 leap ( !   
he>t1 %e 0 consci\s t he 0 com+ t[>ds h]
 across ! %ad[$ room4  ,he mov$ /raight 
=w>d until he 0 close beside h]2 &1 ) "o
 ( 8 decisive1 imp]i\s ge/ures1 he put  

out bo? h&s & caught h]s4  ,x 0 a case (
 ,mohamm$ & ! m\nta96 he said1 9 8 grave
 voice4 ,y w\ldn't come to me2 ,i _h to 
come to y4  ,no s\nd escap$ h]4 ,%e /ood
 be=e him mutely1 h] face pal+ & flu%+1 
h] h&s flutt]+ 9 84  ,!re 0 a slight    
pause2 & aga9 he b5t t[>ds h]4  ,:y h y 
/ay$ away8  ,%e hesitat$ = a mom5t1     
spellb\nd by h] emotion2 !n1 mak+ a     
sudd5 ef=t1 %e look$ up4 ,i--,i 0       
afraid4 ,h] voice 0 s l[ & %ak5 t !     
words 7 a m]e :isp]4  ,afraid8 ,afraid (
 :at8  ,%e made no answ]4  ,( :at8 ,(   
,bale-,corphew8 ,he gave a slight1      
s>ca/ic laugh4  ,no6 ,%e look$ up %>ply4
 ,oh no6  ,!n ( :at8 ,( me8 ,8 voice    
sudd5ly sank1 & ! pressure ( 8 f+]s     
tight5$4  ,no6 ,oh1 ,i don't "k6 ,i     
don't "k6 ,) a tremul\s ge/ure %e tri$  
to )draw h] h&s4  ,at ! movem5t1 he     
sudd5ly drew h] t[>ds him4 ,tell me6 he 
said4 ,i want to "k4 ,i mu/ "k6  ,= !   
fir/ "t s9ce he _h ent]$ ! room1 h]     
glance re/$ fully on 8 face4 ,! light 0 
unc]ta91 b z h] gaze conc5trat$ itself1 

a new look--a look ( wond] &            
al>m--sprang across h] eyes4 ,9 ! sev5  
days s9ce !y _h spok5 toge!r1 a *ange _h
 fall5 on him4 ,"s alt]ation %e c\ld n  
def9e _h gr[n into 8 expression2 ! cold 
ma/]y ( himself & o!rs 0 /ill visible2 b
 a new emotion _h ins5sibly be5         
creat$--some?+ p[]ful & ev5 dom9ant--=  
:i* %e c\ld f9d no "n4 ,) a %>p1        
in/9ctive al>m1 h] lips p>t$4  ,:at is  
x8 %e said1 appreh5sively4 ,:y are y "h8
 ,! "t has n come = y to g out into !   
_w8  ,a fa9tly ironic smile flitt$      
across 8 lips4  ,surely1 if "o is a     
,prophet1 "o c alt] ev5 prophecies4  ,he
 said ! words delib]ately1 look+ d[n    
into h] face4  ,! tone1 ! int5tional    
flippancy ( ! words1 came to h] ) a     
%ock4 ,x 0 z if1 by consid]$ action1 he 
_h set ab\t jeop>diz+ 8 own dignity4 ,a 
*ill ( undef9$ appreh5sion blew across  
h] m9d l a cold w9d4  ,i--,i don't      
und]/&1 %e /amm]$4 ,h[ did y get "h8 ,h[
 did y get away8  ,aga9 8 ke5 eyes se>*$
 h]s4  ,z = gett+ away1 he said1 sl[ly1 

:5 a ,prophet has a ,precursor1 he %\ld 
be able to arrange ^! ?+s4 ,five o'clock
 is a dull h\r at ,helli] ,cresc5t4 ,!  
,ar*-,my/ics are p]us+ ! ,scitsym2 !    
,precursor is gu>d+ ! sacr$ ?re%old ( ! 
,prophet2 ! ,prophet                    
is--presumably--commun+ ) 8 ,s\l4 ,!    
r\t9e ( ?is ev5+ diff]s 9 no way f !    
r\t9e ( any o!r ev5+--except t !        
,precursor is r m ?an usually vigilant 9
 8 wat*4 ,aga9 ! =c$ flippancy 0 app>5t2
 & to ,enid1 />+ at him ) wide1 p]plex$ 
eyes1 !re 0 some?+ inexplicable & al>m+ 
9 ?is new & unfamili> attitude4 ,) a    
tremor ( =ebod+1 h] glance travell$ ov] 
8 face4  ,has any?+ happ5$8 %e ask$4 ,h 
! ,p done wrong8 ,h y--h y be5 call$    
else:]e8 ,at ! la/ dread possibility h] 
voice falt]$4  ,b ! ,prophet /ood cold &
 almo/ rigid4 ,at la/1 by an imm5se     
ef=t1 he seem$ to ga!r himself toge!r = 
"s trem5d\s end4  ,enid1 he said1       
gravely1 ,i don't "k h[ mu* y "k ( life1
 b ,i presume y "k v little4 ,i presume 
t--& %all act on ! presumption4 ,i %all 

n expect--ev5 ask--any l5i5cy ( y4  ,i  
came "h ?is ev5+ to tell y some?+ t w   
alt] y\r op9ion ( me s effectually t    
no?+ h]eaft] c re9/ate me 9 y\r m9d4 ,he
 spoke sl[ly & delib]ately1 )\t tremor  
or falt]4 ,:atev] ( /ruggle lay beh9d 8 
words1 x lay ) ! pa/4 ,x 0 evid5t z he  
/ood !re 9 ! pretty1 luxuri\s room1 t he
 possess$ a purpose1 & t he held to x   
)\t ?\ght ( a retrograde /ep4  ,i h come
 to make a confession1 he said1 quietly4
 ,n because ,i believe 9 ! habit (      
unburd5+ "o's consci5ce1 b because !re  
is some?+ y h a "r to "k--  ,i--8 ,a "r 
to "k8 ,h] lips pal$4  ,yes4 ,a "r to   
"k4 ,) a sudd5 access ( feel+ he dropp$ 
h] h&s & turn$ t[>ds ! w9d[1 :]e ! la/  
glimm] ( ! w9try twilight %[$ ?r\gh !   
s(t silk curta9s4  ,i am putt+ myself 9 
y\r h&s1 he said1 /eadily4 ,i am        
jeop>diz+ myself utt]ly by :at ,i am go+
 to say2 b x seems to me ! only way by  
:i* ,i c make--well1 c pat* up "s poor  
am5ds--  ,i may be presumptu\s1 b ,i    
believe--,i ?9k--t ,i h /ood = some?+ 9 

y\r eyes4 ,he turn$ & look$ at h]4 ,b 9 
! m+l$ dusk & firelight only ! pale     
outl9e ( h] face 0 visible4  ,enid6 he  
cri$1 ) sudd5 resolution1 x mu/ be fac$4
 ,x mu/ be said4 ,i'm n :at y ?9k me4   
,i'm a fraud--a lie--an impo/or4 ,no m a
 ,prophet--no m inspir$ ?an y--or       
,bale-,corphew6 ,he /opp$ abruptly &    
drew a sl[1 deep brea?4  ,! pause t     
foll[$ 0 long & /ra9$4 ,9 ! grip ( /rong
 emotions1 ea* /ood rigid1 /riv+ va9ly  
to read ! o!r's face4 ,at la/1 goad$ by 
! sil5ce1 he spoke aga94  ,y h done ?is6
 he cri$4 ,y h compell$ me to tell y6 ,i
 came to ^! p2 ,i dup$ !m--& glori$ 9   
dup+ !m4 ,i despis$ !m1 und]/ood !m1    
trad$ on !m )\t a scruple4 ,!n y came4  
,y came--& ! s*eme 0 %att]$4 ,! :ole ?+1
 t _h bubbl$ & sp>kl$1 became sudd5ly l 
flat *ampagne4 ,t is a common simile1 b 
x is descriptive4 ,! act+ ( an actor    
dep5ds ^u 8 audi5ce4 ,:ile my audi5ce 0 
compos$ ( fools1 ,i fool$ !m2 b :5 y    
came--y ) y\r scepticism1 y\r curiosity1
 y\r fem99e dep5d5cy--,i lo/ my cue4 ,i 

became consci\s ( ! footlights & !      
make-up4 ,aga9 he paus$2 & aga9 he      
endeavor$ to read h] face4 ,8 mann] 0   
/ill re/ra9$1 b bel[ 8 calm 7 ! /irr+s (
 a deep agitation4 ,!re 0 t5se anxiety 9
 ! set ( 8 lips1 an inord9ate           
anticipation 9 ! ke5ness ( 8 eyes4 ,= a 
space he /ood wait+2 !n1 z %e made no   
ef=t t[>ds response1 he /epp$ to h]     
side4  ,say some?+6 he exclaim$4 ,speak 
to me6 ,i am wait+ = y to speak4  ,) a  
l[1 fright5$ murmur %e drew back1 ext5d+
 h] h&s1 z if to w>d him (f4  ,! s\nd & 
! movem5t /ung him to action4 ,) a spe$ 
t might h be5 con/ru$ into fe>1 he came 
/ill ne>]4  ,enid6 he said4 ,enid6  ,b  
aga9 %e retreat$ involunt>ily4  ,oh1 :y 
did y d x8 %e exclaim$1 sudd5ly1 9 a    
fa9t1 %ak5 voice4 ,oh1 :y did y d x8 ,:y
 did y d x8  ,= an in/ant h] tone & h]  
mann] daunt$ him2 !n he /raight5$ 8 body
 & rais$ 8 head4  ,i did x = :at is     
reckon$ ! mo/ sordid motive 9 ! _w1 he  
said1 9 a level voice4 ,i did x = money6
  ,= money8 ,) a sc>$ movem5t %e turn$  

^u him1 & = ! fir/ "t s9ce he _h made 8 
revelation1 he saw h] pale1 al>m$1      
incr$ul\s face 9 ! full light ( ! fire4 
,i 0 wrong$6 he said1 %>ply4 ,^! p _h   
defraud$ me4 ,i want$ :at 0 ju/ly m9e4  
,want$8 ,! ^w =m$ itself almo/          
in>ticulately4  ,yes2 want$4 ,want$ )   
all my might4 ,i h work$1 s*em$1 suff]$ 
= ?is 9 ways y c\ld nev] imag9e4 ,i     
?\ght myself inv9cible4 ,i believ$ t if 
! devil himself /ood 9 my way x w\ld n  
det] me4 ,& n[ y--a frail girl--h wreck$
 ! s*eme6 ,he paus$ aga91 lean+ t[>ds h]
 9 sudd5 unconsci\s appeal =            
compreh5sion4  ,i won't say x hasn't be5
 a /ruggle to come to y l ?is--to make  
my confession4 ,x has4 ,my consci5ce &  
,i h be5 /ruggl+ night & day4 ,i h held 
out to ! la/4 ,x 0 only to-day--?is v   
day--:5 ,i woke to face ! crisis ( my   
plans1 t ,i knew ,i 0 beat5--knew !     
fight 0 ov]4  ,& d y und]/& :y ?is has  
happ5$8 ,d y "k :y ,i am go+ away z     
empty-h&$ z ,i came8 ,x is because ,i h 
se5 y--because ,i love y--  ,he put out 

8 h&s4 ,b z 8 f+]s t\*$ h]1 %e ?ru/ him 
away1 free+ h]self ) fi]ce res5tm5t4    
,don't6 don't6 don't6 %e cri$4 ,y call  
y\rself an impo/or--,y are worse ?an t4 
,mu* worse4 ,y are a ?ief6  ,he /epp$   
back z ?\gh %e _h /ruck him1 & 8 h&s    
dropp$ to 8 sides4  ,yes1 y are a ?ief6 
%e said aga91 hy/]ically2 a ?ief6  ,!   
repetition ( ! ^w goad$ him4  ,wait6    
,let me def5d myself6  ,b ) a brok5 s\nd
 ( prote/ %e flung h] h&s ov] h] e>s4   
,no6 no6 no6 %e cri$1 vehem5tly4 ,!re is
 no def5ce to make4 ,!re is no def5ce4  
,y may leave ! money ( ! sect1 b y h    
/ol5 ?+s t c nev] be replac$4           
,fai?--hopes--ideals-- ,h] voice fail$  
h]4  ,mi/ak5 fai?--mi/ak5 ideals-- ,he  
caught h] wri/s1 draw+ h] h&s d[nw>d4   
,b aga9 %e fre$ h]self & confront$ him )
 blaz+ eyes & a face m>r$ by te>s &     
emotion4  ,no?+ is mi/ak5 t lifts "o    
up--t helps "o to live4 ,oh1 y don't    
knew :at y h done6 ,y don't "k6 ,i ?\ght
 y s noble--s great--& n[--  ,n[ ,i am  
condemn$ unhe>d4  ,unhe>d8 ,d y ?9k     

words c\ld *ange any?+8 ,!re is only "o 
?+ ,i wi% = n[--nev]1 nev] to see y aga9
 z long z ei!r ( u live6 ,) ea* ^w h]   
voice rose1 & on ! la/ x broke ) an     
excit$ sob4  ,:ile %e _h be5 speak+ !   
,prophet's face _h become v pale4 ,he   
turn$ to h] n[ ) a mann] t 0            
pret]naturally quiet4  ,v well6 he said4
 ,i und]/&6 ,b !re is no ne$ = y to     
tr\ble4 ,all our arrangem5ts are made--h
 be5 made = mon?s4 ,we att5d ! ,ga!r+   
to-night2 & aft]w>ds1 :5 ,helli]        
,cresc5t is quiet1 we g--z unobtrusively
 z we came4 ,y see ,i give y ! key to   
our plans2 y are free to fru/rate !m1 if
 y ?9k fit4 ,i don't believe ,i _h any  
real hope ( m]ciful judgm5t :5 ,i came  
"h--wom5 are n m]ciful :5 !y are robb$ (
 _! illusions4 ,b ,i confess ,i hop$ =  
ju/ice4 ,i ?\ght t y might hate me--    
,hate y8 %e cri$4 ,hate y8 ,we only hate
 :at we respect4 ,i don't hate y4 ,i    
only despise y ) all my he>t4 ,i want y 
to g be=e ,i despise myself z well6 ,h] 
own cruel disillusion+--h] own unbe>able

 s5se ( loss--swept ov] h] afre%2 h]    
voice rose aga91 & aga9 broke           
hy/]ically4 ,) an uncontroll$ movem5t ( 
grief & mortification %e turn$ away f   
him & ?rew h]self ^u a c\*1 bury+ h]    
face 9 ! pill[s4  ,= sev]al m9utes %e   
cri$ tempe/u\sly2 !n ?r\gh ! /orm ( h]  
angry te>s %e caught ! s\nd ( a clos+   
door4 ,) a />t %e sat up & look$ ab\t   
h]4  ,! fa9t relic ( daylight /ill %[$  
?r\gh ! curta9s ( ! w9d[2 ! firelight   
/ill play$ pleasantly on ! unt\*$       
tea-table & ! fragile furniture2 b !    
room 0 empty4 ,! ,prophet 0 gone4       
,,*apt] ,,viii   ,:5 %e realiz$ ?is     
fact1 ,enid rose f h] seat ) a murmur ( 
dismay4 ,9 h] %>ply fem99e s5se ( loss1 
%e took "o involunt>y /ep t[>ds ! door2 
b almo/ z ! /ep 0 tak51 h] ang]1 h]     
%att]$ fai? assail$ h] anew1 &1 ) a fre%
 bur/ ( te>s %e turn$ & flung h]self    
back ^u ! c\*4  ,= a long "t %e lay ) h]
 face among ! pill[s2 !n1 at la/1 z h]  
angry sobs di$ out & ! viol5ce ( h]     
grief subsid$1 %e sat up1 wip$ h] eyes1 

& glanc$ at h] dripp+ h&k]*ief4         
,illu/ration3 ,,) ,a ,,fre% ,,bur/ ,,(  
,,te>s1 ,,%e ,,turn$ ,,& ,,flung        
,,h]self ,,^u ,,! ,,c\*  ,at sight ( !  
h&k]*ief--a m]e wisp ( wet cambric--h]  
s5se ( injury /ung h] afre%1 & once m h]
 lips began to quiv]2 b fate _h decid$  
aga9/ fur!r te>s4 ,be=e h] grief _h     
ga!r$ =ce1 ! bell ( ! hall-door s\nd$   
once m long & l\dly2 & h>d ^u ! s\nd !  
door ( ! room op5$4  ,) a />t (         
confusion %e sprang to h] feet1 & turn$ 
to confront ,norris1 /&+ at a discreet  
di/ance1 ) an apologetic mann] & d[nca/ 
eyes4  ,mr4 ,bale-,corphew1 ma'am1 %e   
murmur$1 z ,enid look$ at h]4 ,i told   
him y 7 n at home2 b he said he w\ld    
wait till :5ev] he c\ld see y1 x didn't 
matt] h[ long4  ,) a little cry ( dismay
 & annoyance1 ,enid put h] h&s to h]    
disord]$ hair4  ,oh1 h[ /upid ( y6 %e   
cri$1 tremul\sly4 ,y "k ,i c't see him4 
,y "k ,i won't see him4 ,tell him ,i'm  
out--ill--any?+ y c ?9k (-- ,b h] voice 
sudd5ly falt]$1 & h] words end$ 9 a     

gasp1 z %e glanc$ f ! s]vant to ! door1 
:i* _h abruptly reop5$1 display+ ! face 
& figure ( ,bale-,corphew himself4  ,)\t
 hesitation he _h ent]$ ! room2 & )\t   
hesitation he walk$ /raight t[>ds h]4   
,=give me6 he exclaim$4 ,i "k ?is mu/   
seem unp>donable2 b ! occasion is )\t   
prec$5t4 ,may ,i speak ) y alone8  ,9 ! 
mom5t ( 8 entry1 & dur+ 8 hurri$ greet+1
 ,enid _h ma/]$ h] agitation4 ,%e look$ 
at him n[ ) an attempt at calmness4     
,c]ta9ly1 if y h any?+ to say4  ,9 !    
excitem5t "u :i* he 0 obvi\sly labor+1  
he did n obs]ve ! coldness ( ! grant$   
p]mission4 ,he wait$ ) ill-conceal$     
impati5ce until ,norris _h )drawn1 !n he
 turn$ to h] afre%4  ,mrs4 ,wit*]ley6 he
 cri$1 y see be=e y an outrag$ man6  ,he
 made ! ann\ncem5t fi]cely & !atrically2
 b1 to any e>1 x w\ld h be5 evid5t t1   
bel[ ! in/9ctive desire = dramatic      
effect1 8 voice trembl$ ) g5u9e         
agitation--8 spee* 0 *>g$ ) viol5t      
feel+4 ,to ,enid1 wat*+ him ) surprise &
 curiosity1 x 0 pat5t at a glance t "s  

circum/ance1 /range 9 its occurr5ce or  
vital 9 its issue1 _h %ak5 him to ! base
 ( 8 emotional nature4 ,& z %e look$ at 
him h] own coldness1 h] own humiliation1
 sudd5ly =sook h]4  ,:at is x8 %e cri$1 
involunt>ily4 ,:at is x8 ,some?+ has    
happ5$8  ,= "o mom5t 8 answ] 0          
delay$--held back by ! torr5t ( words t 
ru%$ to 8 lips2 !n1 at la/1 z 8 tongue  
fre$ itself1 he ?rew out 8 h&s 9 a fi]ce
 ge/ure4  ,outrage6 ,outrage &          
sacrilege6 he cri$4 ,we h be5           
dup$--deceiv$--trick$4 ,we1 ! ,*os5--!  
,elect6  ,dup$8 ,deceiv$8 ,%e e*o$ !    
words1 fa9tly4 ,:at d y mean8 ,:at has  
happ5$8  ,ev]y?+6 ,ev]y?+6 ,aga9 he ?rew
 out 8 h&s4 ,?is man t we h call$       
,prophet--?is man t we h b5t ! knee     
to--he is no?+2 no?+-- ,once m emotion  
ov]p[]$ 8 words4  ,no?+8 ,enid's voice 0
 indi/9ct1 h] tongue dry4  --,no?+ b an 
impo/or6 ,an impo/or6 ,a ?ief6  ,he     
spoke l\dly--ev5 viol5tly4 ,to 8 li/5] x
 seem$ t 8 voice rang out1 fill+ ! room1
 fill+ ! /reet outside1 fill+ ! :ole _w4

 ,z %e _h done 9 ! ,prophet's pres5ce1  
%e rais$ h] h&s & press$ !m ov] h] e>s4 
,b1 ev5 ?r\gh h] f+]s1 8 tones came l\d 
& p5etrat+4  ,an impo/or6 he cri$1 aga94
 ,a li>6 ,a blasphem]6  ,h] h&s dropp$ f
 h] face4  ,/op6 ,/op6 %e cri$1 weakly4 
,b he 0 beyond appeal4  ,y mu/ he>6 he  
cri$4 ,x is orda9$4 ,y h be5 ! unwitt+  
in/rum5t by :i* ! man has fall54  ,i8   
,i8 ,! in/rum5t8 ,%e />$ at him ) wide  
eyes & a :ite face4  ,yes1 y6 ,he /epp$ 
to h] side4 ,)\t y1 suspicion w\ld nev] 
h be5 ar\s$4 ,)\t y1 he might h c>ri$   
out 8 base designs4 ,x 0 ! p[] ( !      
,unse5 t guid$ me on ! day ,i ent]$ !   
,pres5ce ,room & f\nd y alone ) him4 ,he
 spoke hurri$ly & disjo9t$ly1 b z ! la/ 
^w left 8 lips ano!r expression cross$ 8
 face1 z ?\gh a new sugge/ion pass$     
?r\gh 8 m9d4  ,did y see no?+ /range 9 t
 ,audi5ce8 he dem&$4 ,did y see no?+    
/range 9 ! fact t he--a ,prophet (      
,sublime ,my/]ies--%\ld hold y\r h&1 z  
any man ( ! e>? might hold x8 ,he b5t   
/ill clos]1 jeal\sy & suspicion d>k5+ 8 

face4  ,enid glanc$ at him fe>fully4    
,no6 ,no6 %e said1 %>ply4 ,i--saw no?+  
/range4 ,he 0 ! ,prophet4               
,bale-,corphew's face relax$4  ,ah6 he  
said1 sl[ly4 ,i believe y4 ,b1 if y 7   
bl9d1 ,i saw4 ,he paus$ & pass$ 8       
h&k]*ief ov] 8 face4 ,cold z ! day 01   
drops ( p]spiration /ood ^u 8 =ehead4   
,i saw4 ,& f t h\r ! man 0 lo/4  ,lo/8  
,yes1 lo/4 ,he laugh$ excit$ly2 & to    
,enid ! laugh s\nd$ s+ul>ly unpleasant1 
%>p1 & cruel4 ,f t day we h wat*$       
him--we1 ! ,six4 ,we h wat*$ him & 8    
fri5d--! dog :o has d>$ to desecrate !  
"n ( ,precursor4 ,we h wat*$ !m night & 
day2 we h se5 !m1 li/5$ to !m h\r aft]  
h\r1 :ile !y believ$ !mselves           
unobs]v$--8  ,& :at d y "k8 ,:at h y    
le>n$8 ,!re 0 a /range fa9tness 9 ! tone
 ( h] voice4  ,ev]y?+4 ,only ye/]day we 
t\*$ ! key-/one ( _! s*eme4             
,to-night--?is v night--!y h plann$ an  
escape4 ,!y w att5d z usual 9 ! ,place2 
!y w fool u z !y h fool$ u be=e2 & !n1  
:5 ! h\se is quiet--:5 ! ,six are at    

re/1 exhau/$ by pray] & m$itation--!y w 
accompli% _! vile "w4 ,!y w plund] !    
,treasury ( ! ,unse56  ,oh no6 ,no6 ,) a
 swift movem5t %e turn$ to him4  ,he    
look$ at h] = an in/ant1 ( sil5ce1 & !n 
aga9 ! unpleasant1 excit$ laugh escap$  
him4  ,y are "r1 he cri$1 sudd5ly4 ,:at 
y say is "r4 ,!re w be no plund]4 ,!    
,treasury ( ! ,unse5 w rema9 inviolate6 
,z he paus$ %e made no s\nd2 b h] eyes  
re/$ ^u 81 fasc9at$ by _! fev]i%        
brightness2 & 9 ! mid/ ( h] sil5t reg>d 
he spoke aga91 b5d+ =w>d until 8 lips   
approa*$ h] e>4  ,!y h laid _! plans1 he
 :isp]$1 ) a sudd5 & savage exultation1 
b we also h laid ours4 ,& ev5 we _c     
reckon ^u ! consequ5ces4 ,! spiritual   
en?usia/ is n easy to hold 9 *eck1 once 
he has be5 ar\s$6  ,enid />$ at him1 !  
pupils ( h] eyes dilat$1 h] lips pale4  
,y mean--8 ,y mean--8 %e /amm]$2 !n h]  
fe> f\nd voice4 ,:at d y mean8 %e dem&$1
 9 %>p1 al>m$ tones4  ,bale-,corphew met
 h] "q1 /eadily4  ,i mean1 he said1 )   
fi]ce v9dictiv5ess1 t at ! ,ga!r+       

to-night he w be publicly d5\nc$6  ,he  
made ! decl>ation sl[ly1 & ea* ^w fell )
 ov]:elm+ weight ^u 8 companion's       
und]/&+4 ,z 9 ! bewild]$ mazes ( a      
nightm>e %e saw ! cr[d$ *apel1 !        
fanatical1 un/able faces ( !            
congregation1 ! six                     
,ar*-,my/ics--outrag$1 inc5s$1 unrel5t+2
 & 9 _! mid/ ! ,prophet1 tall & grave & 
ma/]ful1 z %e _h se5 him a hundr$ times4
 ,"o man fac+ a sea ( ungov]n$ emotion6 
,at ! vision h] he>t swell$ sudd5ly & h]
 s\l sick5$4 ,) a ge/ure1 almo/ z       
passionate z 8 own1 %e turn$ ^u         
,bale-,corphew4  ,y w\ld d5\nce him be=e
 ! ,p8 %e said1 incr$ul\sly4 ,y w\ld    
trap him8 ,"o man aga9/ a hundr$6 ,oh1 x
 w\ld be c[>dly6 ,cruel6                
,bale-,corphew's face flam$ to a deep]  
r$4  ,c[>dly8 ,c[>dly8 ,d y "k :at y are
 say+8 ,! man is a ?ief6  ,= "o mom5t %e
 %rank be=e ! epi!t2 ! next %e rais$ h] 
head1 h] eyes fla%+1 h] lips p>t$4  ,y h
 no "r to use t ^w4 ,y h n se5 him /eal4
  ,se5 him8 ,no4 ,b ! e>s are z reliable

 z ! eyes1 & we h he>d him decl>e t he  
int5ds to /eal4  ,int5ds6 ,int5ds6      
,int5tions are n acts4 ,9 h] deep       
agitation1 %e turn$ ^u him ) a new      
demeanor4  ,oh1 be m]ciful6 %e cri$4    
,give him ! b5efit ( m]cy4 ,wait till ! 
,assembly is ov]1 & !n accuse him4 ,if y
 c prove y\r accusation1 !n ju/ice c be 
done4 ,on ! o!r h&--  ,! o!r h&8 ,aga9  
,bale-,corphew's cruel laugh broke f    
him4 ,he has n %runk f lies--f          
impo/ure--f blasphemy4 ,is x likely he w
 %r9k f 8 rew>d8 ,oh no6 ,we w run no   
risks4 ,! trap has clos$4 ,no "o w ga9  
access to him to-night until ! h\r ( !  
,ga!r+ has arriv$4 ,x w be my           
special--my sacr$--duty to wat* & gu>d4 
,z he spoke 8 eyes seem$ to dev\r h]    
face1 & be=e ! expression 9 _! dep?s h] 
/r5g? falt]$4  ,& :y h y come "h8 %e    
ask$1 un/eadily4 ,:y h y come "h8 ,:at  
has ?is to d ) me8  ,z %e put !         
que/ions1 he wat*$ h] closely2 & :5 h]  
voice quiv]$1 a spasm ( emotion--a wave 
( jeal\sy & suspicion--swept 8 face4  ,c

 y ask t "q8 he dem&$4  ,enid wav]$4    
,:y n8 %e murmur$4 ,:y %\ld ,i n8  ,:y  
n8 ,he laugh$ aga91 sudd5ly & savagely4 
,because ! man loves y4 ,because he /ole
 out ( ! h\se to-day--& came "h to y4 ,i
 track$ him "h & track$ him back aga94  
,enid %rank away f him4  ,s--s y are a  
spy8 %e said1 9 a confus$1 unev5 voice4 
,he turn$ in/antly1 8 passions aflame4  
,a spy8 he cri$4 ,i am a spy8 ,v well6  
,we w see :o comes out victor4 ,! ?ief  
or ! spy4 ,8 voice rose1 8 face d>k5$4  
,! demon ( jeal\sy t _h pursu$ him =    
sev5 days 0 free ( ! lea% at la/4  ,i   
want$ to "k ?is1 he exclaim$4 ,i want$  
to be sure4 ,i _h my suspicions1 b ,i   
want$ pro(4 ,on ! day ,i surpris$ y )   
him1 ,i suspect$2 to-day1 :5 ,i saw him 
ent] ?is h\se1 ,i felt conv9c$--        
,conv9c$ ( :at8  ,conv9c$ t !re is m 9  
?is matt] ?an 8 love = y4 ,t !re is     
also--  ,) a swift movem5t ,enid /opp$  
him4 ,%e 0 quiv]+ viol5tly1 b %e held h]
 head high4  ,yes1 %e said1 di/9ctly4   
,yes1 y are q "r4 ,!re is m 9 ?is matt] 

?an 8 love = me4 ,!re is also my love = 
him6  ,h] eyes 7 blaz+2 h] he>t 0 beat+ 
fa/4 ,) an agitation equal to           
,bale-,corphew's own %e mov$ to !       
fireplace & press$ ! bell4  ,:5 ! s]vant
 appe>$ %e turn$ to h]4  ,norris1 %e    
said1 9 a quiet voice1 %[ ,mr4          
,bale-,corphew out4     ,,*apt] ,,ix    
,!re are few phases ( human exi/5ce m   
int]e/+ ?an t 9 :i* a "y & s5sitive     
woman is compell$ by circum/ances to ca/
 aside ! pleasant artifices1 ! c>efully 
modulat$ emotions ( a %elt]$ life1 & to 
face ! realities ( fact & feel+4  ,=    
tw5ty-?ree ye>s ,enid ,wit*]ley _h play$
 ) exi/5ce--toy+ ) x1 enjoy+ x1 z an    
epicure enjoys a r>e w9e or a *oice     
morsel ( food prep>$ = 8 appreciation4  
,n[1 z %e /ood alone 9 h] small         
draw+-room ) its co/ly decorations1 its 
fem99e atmosph]e1 %e 0 consci\s = ! fir/
 "t t ! banquet ( life is n 9 reality a 
display ( delicate vi&s & tempt+        
v9tages1 b a meal ( common bread--sweet 
or bitt] z de/9y decrees4 ,%e saw ?is1 &

 ) a fla% ( compreh5sion knew &         
ackn[l$g$ t h] he>t & h] bra9 cri$ out =
 ! :olesome necess>y food4  ,an h\r ago1
 :5 ! ,prophet _h /ood be=e h] & made 8 
confession1 %e _h be5 ov]:elm$ by ! tide
 ( h] own feel+s2 9 ! ru% ( humiliation 
& disappo9tm5t--9 ! trem5d\s k t ! image
 %e _h call$ gold 0 9 reality b clay--%e
 _h be5 too mortifi$ to see beyond h]   
own horizon4 ,9 t mom5t _! places 9 !   
drama _h be5 indisputably allott$4 ,%e  
h]self _h appe>$ ! un(f5d+ h]o9e1       
unju/ly humiliat$ 9 h] own eyes & 9 !   
eyes ( o!rs2 he _h /ood out1 9          
unp>donable guise1 ! cause--!           
in/rum5t--( t humiliation4 ,9 ! bitt] k 
%e _h confront$ him unrel5t+ly4 ,a      
spoil$ *ild--an unreason+ fem99e egoi/4 
,b n[ t mom5t1 ) its in/ructive &       
primitive emotions1 0 pass$ by :at seem$
 mon?s--ye>s--a c5tury4 ,by a process ( 
m9d z swift z x 0 subtle1 ! *ild _h gr[n
 into a woman--! egoi/ _h become        
consci\s ( ano!r exi/5ce4 ,) ! entrance 
( ,bale-,corphew--) ! s\nd ( h] own     

d5unciation ^u 8 lips--a new feel+ _h   
awak5$ )9 h]--a feel+ /rong] ?an        
humiliation1 /rong] ?an pride4 ,x _h    
ris51 bl9d+ & dazzl+ h]1 z a great light
 might bl9d & dazzle2 & %e /ood glorifi$
 & exalt$ )9 its radiance4  ,z ! door _h
 clos$ ^u h] second visitor1 a long     
sobb+ sigh ( excitem5t1 ( tumultu\s joy 
& fe> %ook h] f head to foot2 %e        
involunt>ily drew h] figure to its full 
height1 & cov]$ h] face ) bo? h&s1 z    
?\gh to w>d (f ! light t lay across h]  
_w4  ,b ! great mom5t ( joy &           
compreh5sion c\ld n la/2 o!r & m insi/5t
 factors 7 at "w )9 h] m9d--claim+1 ev5 
dem&+ att5tion4 ,almo/ z ! out] door    
clos$ ^u ,bale-,corphew1 h] h&s dropp$  
to h] sides & an expression ak9 to t]ror
 cross$ h] eyes4 ,) a m9d r5d]$         
sup]s5sitive by its own emotions1 %e    
realiz$ :at ! next five h\rs might hold2
 & l a tangible m5ace ! d>k1 angry face 
( ! ,ar*-,my/ic fla%$ back ^u h]        
consci\sness4  ,:ile he _h be5 pres5t 9 
! room1 :ile 8 turbul5t voice _h fill$  

h] e>s1 %e _h be5 only p>tly alive to ! 
?reat5$ dang]2 b n[ t 8 pres5ce _h be5  
remov$1 n[ t %e 0 free to sift ! mean+ (
 8 words1 _! full significance 0 borne 9
 ^u h]4 ,) an al>m+ cle>ness ( vision1  
%e recogniz$ t beh9d 8 ?reats lay a     
def9ite mean+2 t ! man himself1 at all  
times passionate1 &1 on occasion1 viol5t
 9 temp]am5t1 _h sudd5ly become a       
dang]--some?+ z fi]ce & m5ac+ z an      
uncontroll$ elem5t4  ,%e realiz$ &      
und]/ood ?is rapidly1 z only ! m9d kn[s 
& compreh5ds 9 mom5ts ( /ress & crisis2 
& be=e h] k1 all ideas save "o fell away
 l *aff be=e ! w9d4 ,at all co/s--9 face
 ( e ob/acle--%e mu/ w>n & save !       
,prophet6  ,) a />t ( appreh5sion1 %e   
glanc$ at ! clock & saw t ! h&s m>k$ t5 
m9utes to sev54 ,mov+ to ! fireplace1 %e
 once m press$ ! bell2 & z ,norris      
answ]$1 turn$ to h]1 he$less = p]haps ! 
fir/ "t 9 h] life ( outw>d appe>ances4  
,get me my long black cloak1 ,norris1 %e
 said4 ,& a black hat & veil4 ,i am go+ 
out4  ,norris's face express$ no        

surprise4  ,y w be back to d9n]1 ma'am8 
%e inquir$4  ,no4 ,i %all n want d9n]4  
,i may n be back till t5--p]haps elev54 
,if ,i am late1 no "o ne$ wait up4 ,%e  
walk$ to a mirror & began n]v\sly smoo?+
 h] ruffl$ hair1 :ile ,norris left !    
room1 & return$ ) ! desir$ g>m5ts4  ,) !
 same n]v\s ha/e %e put on h] hat1 ti$ !
 ?ick veil ov] h] face1 & all[$ h]self  
to be help$ into h] cloak4 ,!n1 )\t a   
^w1 %e cross$ ! draw+-room1 pass$ ?r\gh 
! hall ( ! flat1 & ent]$ ! lift4  ,at ! 
/reet-door %e 0 compell$ to wait :ile ! 
hall-port] call$ a cab2 & ! mom5t>y     
delay almo/ ov]tax$ h] pati5ce4 ,an     
audible s\nd ( relief escap$ h] :5 !    
clatt] ( ho(s & j+le ( bells ann\nc$ t !
 wait 0 ov]4  ,/4 ,george's ,t]race6 %e 
ord]$1 9 a l[ voice1 & x seem$ to h]    
p]turb$ m9d t ev5 ! /olid att5dant mu/  
f9d some?+ port5t\s 9 ! words2 !n %e    
sank into ! corn] ( ! cab & clos$ h]    
eyes1 z %e he>d h] ord] repeat$ to !    
cabman1 & felt ! horse sw+ =w>d into !  
/ream ( traffic4  ,m ?an once %e alt]$  

h] position z ! di/ance betwe5          
,knightsbridge & ,/4 ,george's ,t]race  
less5$4 ,%e 0 dev\r$ by impati5ce & yet 
p>alyz$ by dread4 ,once1 z ! cab halt$ 9
 a block ( traffic1 %e he>d a clock     
/rike sev51 & at ! s\nd ! blood ru%$ to 
h] face z %e ?\ght ( ! ne>ness ( h]     
ordeal2 b an in/ant lat] %e drew out h] 
wat* to v]ify ! "t1 & pal$ ) sudd5      
appreh5sion z %e realiz$ t ! clock 0    
sl[4  ,s h] m9d oscillat$ until ! cab   
drew up beside ! curb2 &1 ) a n]v\s />t1
 %e he>d ! cabman op5 ! trap-door4  ,:at
 numb]1 lady8 he ask$4  ,illu/ration3   
,,h] ,,h& ,,0 ,,trembl+ ,,z ,,%e ,,rais$
 ,,! ,,heavy ,,knock]  ,%e answ]$ almo/ 
guiltily3 ,no numb]6 ,j /op "h6 ,put me 
d[n "h6 ,%e rose1 ga!r+ h] long cloak   
ab\t h]4  ,try z %e might1 %e c\ld n    
control h] excitem5t1 z %e cross$ !     
roadway & ent]$ ,helli] ,cresc5t aft] a 
week's abs5ce4 ,h] h& 0 trembl+ z %e    
rais$ ! heavy knock] on ! famili> door2 
& h] voice %ook z %e repeat$ ! necess>y 
=mula4  ,!re 0 a slight delay--a slight 

hesitancy on ! "p ( ! door-keep]2 !n !  
slide1 :i* _h op5$ at h] knock1 clos$ ) 
a click1 & ! massive door swung back4   
,%e /epp$ =w>d eag]ly1 b on ! mom5t t %e
 ent]$ ! hall h] he>t sank4 ,) a ?rill (
 appreh5sion %e saw t 9 place ( ! humble
 memb] ( ! congregation :o usually      
att5d$ !re1 ! tall1 fair-be>d$          
,ar*-,my/ic kn[n z ,george ,norov 0     
gu>d+ ! door4 ,small ?\gh ! incid5t     
might appe>1 x convey$ to h]1 z no spok5
 decl>ation c\ld h done1 ! _s ( action &
 vigilance reign+ 9 ! ,h\se4  ,:ile !   
?\ght fla%$ ?r\gh h] m9d1 ,norov survey$
 h] f 8 great height4  ,y are 9 good "t1
 my *ild2 ! ,ga!r+ is = eight o'clock4  
,%e look$ up at him4  ,yes1 %e said1    
quickly4 ,i "k x is = eight o'clock1 b  
,i h come e>ly4 ,i h come because ,i    
wi%-- ,h] c\rage falt]$ be=e ! int5t1   
se>*+ gaze ( 8 blue eyes4  ,i h come1 %e
 add$1 ) ga!r$ resolution1 because ,i   
desire private ,audi5ce ) !             
,prophet--because !re is some?+ on my   
,s\l ( :i* ,i mu/ unburd5 myself4  ,!   

,ar*-,my/ic look$ at h] & 8 eyes seem$  
cold z /eel4  ,! ,prophet holds private 
,audi5ce only 9 ! morn+1 he repli$1 9 an
 ev5 voice4  ,enid flu%$4  ,i "k t4 ,b  
!re are exceptions to ! rule--  ,!      
,ar*-,my/ic %ook 8 head4  ,! ,prophet   
holds private ,audi5ce only 9 ! morn+4  
,b ! ,prophet is g5]\s4 ,five m9utes    
alone ) him w satisfy me--?ree          
m9utes--two m9utes-- ,h] tone quick5$ z 
h] anxiety increas$4  ,/ill ,norov's    
blue eyes met h]s unsw]v+ly4  ,!        
,prophet holds private ,audi5ce only 9 !
 morn+4  ,at ! second repetition h]     
appreh5sion rose to fe>2 & 9 h] al>m$   
trepidation %e conceiv$ a new idea4 ,) a
 rapid se>*+ glance h] eyes travell$ ov]
 ! ,ar*-,my/ic's p[]ful figure1 :ile %e 
m5tally measur$ 8 physical /r5g? ) t ( !
 ,prophet4 ,h] survey 0 %ort &          
compreh5sive2 & h] decision came ) equal
 spe$4 ,) a subtle *ange ( mann] & voice
 %e made a fre% appeal4 ,turn+ to him ) 
a ge/ure ( def]5ce1 %e spoke aga9 9 a   
s(t & conciliatory voice4  ,( c\rse1 y  

are "r 9 :at y say1 %e murmur$4 ,b ,i am
 go+ to make an appeal4 ,if ,i may n see
 ! ,prophet 9 private ,audi5ce1 !n let  
me see him 9 y\r pres5ce6 ,i h only a   
doz5 words to say2 &1 if necess>y1 ,i w 
say !m 9 y\r pres5ce4 ,y c see x is     
urg5t1 :5 ,i am will+ to humiliate      
myself4 ,x is only = h] ,s\l t a woman w
 conqu] h] pride4 ,y won't d5y peace to 
my ,s\l8 ,h] voice dropp$1 h] :ole      
expression plead$4  ,= a mom5t--= j "o  
mom5t--x seem$ to h] desp]ate gaze t 8  
h>d blue eyes s(t5$2 ! next1 _! cold1   
unyield+ glance disillusion$ h] ( hope4 
,x is useless to appeal to me1 he said2 
b if y v mu* desire x1 y c make y\r     
reque/ to my bro!r ,my/ic--,horatio     
,bale-,corphew4 ,he is gu>d+ !          
,prophet's ,?re%old4  ,:e!r ! man _h any
 glimm]+ ( k z to h] private connection 
) ,bale-,corphew & ! ,prophet 0 n to be 
read f 8 au/]e face4 ,8 words might h   
be5 spok5 9 all innoc5ce1 or might h be5
 spok5 delib]ately & ) malice4 ,b 9 ei!r
 case ! result1 s f> z 8 li/5] 0        

conc]n$1 0 ! same4 ,a s5se ( fright5$   
impot5ce fell ^u h]--a k t h] enemy _h a
 long] rea* & a m p[]ful arm ?an %e _h  
guess$4  ,by a great ef=t %e controll$  
h] feel+s4  ,?ank y6 %e said1 quietly1 b
 ,i w n tr\ble ,mr4 ,bale-,corphew4 ,if 
,i may1 ,i w wait 9 ! ,place until !    
,ga!r+ is assembl$4  ,h] companion b5t 8
 head4  ,p]mission is grant$6 he said4  
,= a mom5t long] %e /ood1 burn+ )       
appreh5sive dread4 ,on "o h& 0 !        
,prophet--trapp$ & unaw>e ( 8 p]il2 on !
 o!r 0 ,bale-,corphew--implacable1      
enrag$1 unrelax+ 9 8 pursuit4 ,%e wait$ 
irresolute1 until ! cold1 inquir+ gaze (
 ! ,ar*-,my/ic made action compulsory2  
!n1 sc>cely consci\s ( ! movem5t1 %e    
incl9$ h] head 9 me*anical ackn[l$gm5t (
 8 c\rtesy1 &1 turn+ away1 pass$ d[n !  
l(ty1 sombre hall4  ,nev] 9 aft]-life 0 
%e able to rememb]1 ) any degree (      
di/9ctness1 h] ?read+ ( ! famili>       
corridors lead+ to ! *apel4 ,h]         
consci\sness ( out] ?+s 0 numb$ by m5tal
 /rife4 ,rea*+ ! heavy curta9 t %ut (f !

 sacr$ prec9ct1 %e ?ru/ x aside ) n]v\s 
impetuosity & /ood look+ ar\nd ! des]t$ 
*apel--glanc+ f ! r[s ( empty *airs to !
 ,sanctu>y1 :]e ! great gold5 ,?rone    
/ood %r\d$ 9 a :ite clo?1 & ! silv]     
c5s]s lay await+ ! flame4  ,at a fir/   
glance x seem$ t ! *apel 0 entirely     
empty1 b z h] eyes grew accu/om$ to !   
modulat$ light diffus$ by eight l>ge    
tap]s1 %e saw t ! ,sanctu>y 0 occupi$ by
 "o sombre figure t flitt$ sil5tly      
betwe5 ! lect]n & ! ,?rone4 ,= an in/ant
 h] he>t leap$1 = ! man 0 ( ! same      
height & build z ! ,precursor2 b a      
second glance put h] hopes to flight4 ,!
 ,my/ic )9 ! ,sanctu>y 0 ! humble memb] 
( ! congregation ^: duty x 0 to wait ^u 
! ,prophet4  ,z %e pass$ sl[ly &        
automatically up ! aisle1 ! man turn$ & 
look$ at h]2 b aft] a cursory glance    
return$ to 8 task ( sett+ ! ,sanctu>y 9 
ord]4  ,! look & ! evid5t unconc]n *ill$
 & daunt$ h] anew4 ,) a movem5t (       
despair %e paus$1 & sank into "o ( !    
empty *airs4  ,= a space t seem$ et]nal1

 %e sat huddl$ 9 h] seat--h] h&s clasp$ 
n]v\sly 9 h] lap2 h] e>s al]t to cat* ! 
slighte/ s\nd2 h] eyes unconsci\sly     
foll[+ ! movem5ts ( ! man )9 !          
,sanctu>y2 !n1 sudd5ly & abruptly1 !    
t5sion snapp$2 & action--action ( "s    
description--became imp]ative4 ,%e rose 
f h] seat4  ,aft] %e _h ris51 %e /ood   
aimlessly look+ ab\t h] at !            
black-&-:ite walls1 at ! r[s ( *airs1 at
 ! gleam+ octagonal symbol t hung f !   
ro(2 !n1 z if magnetically attract$1 h] 
glance travell$ back to ! man inside !  
,sanctu>y rail4  ,!re 0 no?+ rem>kable 9
 ! sp>e figure1 mov+ rev]5tly f "o sacr$
 object to ano!r2 b z h] eyes re/$ on ! 
colorless1 ascetic face1 h] own *eeks   
flu%$ ) a new hope--a new inspiration4  
,) a quick movem5t %e glanc$ furtively  
beh9d h]2 &1 /epp+ c>efully betwe5 !    
*airs1 rega9$ ! aisle & mov$ swiftly &  
noiselessly up ! *apel4  ,h] he>t 0     
beat+ s fa/1 ! n]v\s /ra9 0 s int5se1 t 
:5 %e rea*$ ! rail+ %e /ood = a mom5t   
unable to comm& h] voice4 ,& :5 !       

,my/ic--becom+ sudd5ly aw>e ( h] ne>    
pres5ce--turn$ & confront$ h]1 a fa9t   
s\nd ( n]v\s al>m slipp$ f h]4  ,= a    
space ! two look$ at ea* o!r2 & at la/ !
 man appe>$ to realize t some?+ 0       
expect$ ( him4 ,b5d+ 8 head1 he utt]$ ! 
=mula ( ! sect4  ,9 :at c ,i s]ve y8  ,!
 famili> words brac$ ,enid4 ,%e glanc$  
at him afre%1 & 9 t glance h] plan (    
action arrang$ itself4 ,= "o mom5t1 z %e
 _h walk$ up ! aisle1 h] h& _h s\ght h] 
purse1 b n[1 z %e scann$ ! ascetic face 
( ?is unworldly s]vant1 h] f+]s         
involunt>ily loos5$ & ! purse slipp$    
back into h] pocket4 ,) a new resolve1  
%e look$ him /raight 9 ! eyes4  ,y c d  
me a great s]vice--a v great s]vice1 %e 
said1 quietly1 9 h] s(t1 cle> voice4  ,!
 man look$ at h] 9 sl[ inquiry4  ,oh1 ,i
 "k y are surpris$1 %e add$1 quickly4 ,i
 "k ?is seems unusual-- ,%e paus$ 9     
mom5t>y hesitation4  ,! ,my/ic appe>$   
di/ress$4  ,my--my duty-- he broke 91   
uneasily4 ,my duty is to--  ,b %e *eck$ 
him sudd5ly4  ,illu/ration3 ,i ,,am ,,9 

,,ne$ ,,( ,,help 444 ,,& ,,y ,,c ,,help 
,,me  ,*>ity is great] ?an duty6 %e     
said1 9 a l[1 impressive tone4 ,by !    
same fem99e intuition t _h made h]      
disc>d h] purse1 %e saw t by a          
semi-my/ical appeal--& by t alone--c\ld 
%e hope to succe$4 ,lay+ h] h&s ^u !    
,sanctu>y rail+1 %e lean$ =w>d1 & rais$ 
h] l>ge eyes to ! man's face4  ,:i* d y 
consid] ! great] virtue8 %e ask$4 ,duty 
or *>ity8  ,! ,my/ic look$ at h]4       
,*>ity1 he said1 at la/1 hesitat+ly1 !  
,prophet tea*es u--  ,enid's face flu%$4
  ,yes6 yes6 %e cri$4 ,! ,prophet tea*es
 u t *>ity is ! great] virtue4 ,he tells
 u t we are to rely ^u ourselves--& also
 ^u ea* o!r4 ,we are to help            
ourselves--& to help ea* o!r4 ,h] voice 
%ook1 h] face gl[$ 9 h] excitem5t &     
susp5se4  ,i am 9 ne$ ( help1 %e add$4  
,9 desp]ate ne$4 ,& y c help me4  ,h]   
tone 0 urg5t1 h] compell+ gaze nev]     
falt]$4 ,%e knew t ?is 0 h] la/         
*ance--t1 if ?is man fail$ h]1          
cata/rophe 0 inevitable4  ,! ,my/ic     

/irr$ uncom=tably1 & 8 glance turn$ half
 fe>fully f ! int5t1 appeal+ face to !  
lect]n on :i* re/$ ! :ite-b\nd ,scitsym4
  ,) a sudd5 access ( en?usiasm1 ,enid  
spoke aga94  ,!re is some?+ tr\bl+ my   
,s\l1 %e said4 ,some?+ t ,i mu/ confess 
to ! ,prophet to-night4 ,my :ole        
happ9ess--all my peace--dep5ds ^u       
confess+ x4 ,i _c speak ) him be=e !    
,ga!r+ assembles2 b ,i c write my       
confession4 ,w y save my ,s\l8 ,w y c>ry
 my confession to him8  ,until ! words 7
 actually spok51 %e did n realize h[    
imm5sely %e _h /ak$ ^u h] *ances (      
success4 ,9 a fev] ( anxiety %e wait$1  
wat*+ ! man's gaze z x wav]$ undecid$ly 
ov] ! ,scitsym1 !n return$1 z if        
magnetiz$1 to h] face4  ,9 tw5ty m9utes 
! ,ga!r+ w be assembl$1 he murmur$4  ,i 
"k1 ,i "k4 ,b !re is /ill "t4 ,x is a   
matt] (--( fai?--( peace ( m9d4  ,! man 
%uffl$ 8 feet4  ,x--x is impossible1 he 
said4  ,:y impossible8  ,because !      
,prophet is exalt$ to-night4 ,!         
,ar*-,my/ics !mselves are gu>d+ !       

,?re%old4 ,! ,prophet is exalt$2 he mu/ 
n be di/urb$4  ,b if x is necess>y to   
di/urb him8 ,if !re is a ,s\l 9 dang]8  
,! ,prophet mu/ n be di/urb$4 ,:at are  
we1 t we %\ld ?ru/ our wrong-do+ or our 
sorr[ ^u ! ,mighty ,"o8  ,at ! words a  
rage ( appreh5sion %ook ,enid4 ,%e lift$
 h] head1 & h] f+]s clos$ fi]cely r\nd !
 iron b> t topp$ ! rail+4  ,sil5ce6 %e  
said1 excit$ly4 ,y d n "k :at y are     
say+6 ,! ,prophet sets 8 p high above   
himself4 ,! message ( a ,s\l 9 di/ress  
is ( m value 9 8 eyes ?an a hundr$      
mom5ts ( exaltation4 ,take c>e t 8 wra? 
does n fall ^u y6  ,involunt>ily ! man  
pal$4  ,yes4 ,take c>e6 %e cri$4 ,take  
c>e6 ,y h ! well-be+--! :ole future--(  
"o ,s\l 9 y\r h&s to-night4 ,h[ w y     
answ] to ! ,prophet1 if y fail 9 ! tru/8
  ,! ,my/ic c[]$4  ,if y fail1 ! wrong c
 nev] be repair$4 ,& ! do+ ( ! action w 
co/ y no?+4 ,take ?is note-- ,) agitat$ 
ha/e %e tore a leaf f a t9y note-book t 
hung at h] wai/4 ,take ?is note4 ,tell  
no "o4 ,give x into ! ,prophet's own    

h&s-- ,%e drew out a p5cil & wrote a few
 enigmatical words4 ,give x into 8 own  
h&s2 & ,i c promise y t y\r rew>d w be  
great] ?an y ?9k4 ,) a rapid movem5t1 %e
 roil$ up ! pap] & held x out to him4   
,take x1 %e said1 impressively4 ,&      
rememb] t x is some?+ important1        
ess5tial--sacr$4 ,on ! la/ ^w h] voice  
rose2 !n1 )\t w>n+1 x sudd5ly broke4  ,a
 curta9 at ! back ( ! ,sanctu>y _h be5  
drawn aside2 & = ! second "t t ev5+1 !  
face ( ,bale-,corphew confront$ h] ?r\gh
 ! dusk4     ,,*apt] ,x   ,= "o in/ant  
,enid /ood spellb\nd2 !n involunt>ily %e
 /epp$ backw>d1 crumpl+ ! slip ( pap] 9 
h] h&4  ,at ! same movem5t              
,bale-,corphew advanc$ &1 pass+ !       
,my/ic1 indicat$ ! ,sanctu>y curta94    
,g6 he comm&$1 9 an un/eady voice4 ,& z 
! man slunk away1 he :eel$ r\nd &       
confront$ ,enid4  ,s ?is is y\r action8 
he said1 tremul\sly4 ,?is is y\r        
conception ( honor8 ,truly1 woman is !  
undo+ ( man6 ,) an excit$ ge/ure1 he    
lift$ 8 h& & ext5d$ x t[>ds ! :ite      

,scitsym ly+ ^u ! lect]n4  ,b ,enid met 
8 attack ) ! c\rage t sometimes outlives
 hope4  ,a j man ne$ fe> no woman6 %e   
exclaim$4 ,x is because y are unju/ & a 
c[>d t y fe>--t y suspect--t y f9d x    
necess>y to hide & spy4  ,! color surg$ 
ov] 8 face4  ,i h be5 outrag$6 he       
cri$--,i h be5 outrag$6  ,&1 l an       
unreason+ animal1 y turn to dev\r ! ?+ t
 has hurt y8  ,i dem& ju/ice4  ,%e ?rew 
out h] h&s & laugh$ sudd5ly &           
hy/]ically4  ,& y call ?is ju/ice8 ,y   
call x ju/ice to trap "o man & set a    
hundr$ o!rs loose ^u him8  ,b           
,bale-,corphew turn$ ^u h]4  ,& :at is  
?is man to y8 he cri$4 ,:at spell has he
 ca/ ^u y t y c =get 8 outrage & 8      
blasphemy8  ,enid met ! "q ) h] new     
=titude2 se>*+ ,bale-,corphew's turbul5t
 face1 %e answ]$ ) a c]ta9 high         
simplicity4  ,i d n "k1 %e said4 ,once  
,i believ$ t ,i admir$ him--t ,i look$  
up to him--because he 0 a ,prophet2     
some?+ high] & bett] ?an myself4 ,n[ ,i 
"k t my belief 0 wrong & false2 t x 0   

because he is a man--because1 be=e      
ev]y?+ else 9 ! _w1 he is a man--t ,i   
turn$ to him1 t ,i reli$ ^u him4        
,bale-,corphew gave a %ort1 cruel laugh4
  ,s t is x8 ,t is ! secret8 ,he is a   
man8 ,well1 ,i w /rip him ( 8 manhood6  
,we h _h our disillusion+2 y\rs is to   
come4 ,"h1 on ?is sacr$ spot :]e he has 
be5 s exalt$1 he w bite ! du/4  ,he     
paus$ triumphantly2 & 9 ! pause !re rose
 aga9 to ,enid's m9d ! picture ( "o     
tall1 :ite-rob$ figure confront+ a sea (
 faces--all inc5s$--all passionately1   
v9dictively unanim\s 9 desire4  ,oh no6 
%e said1 sudd5ly1 falt]+ be=e ! picture4
 ,no6 ,no6 ,y _c4 ,y mu/ n4 ,be m]ciful6
 ,let him g4 ,& if !re is any?+--any    
recomp5se-- ,b ev5 z x 0 spok51 ! appeal
 di$4 ,some:]e 9 ! he>t ( ! ,h\se a     
solemn clock *im$ ! h\r ( eight2 & z    
?\gh ! s\nd 7 a signal1 ! curta9 ( !    
*apel door 0 drawn s(tly back1 & a /ream
 ( d>k-rob$ figures p\r$ ov] ! empty    
floor4  ,= a mom5t %e /ood immovable    
be=e ! imm95ce ( ! crucial sc5e2 !n1 ) a

 s5sation ( physical weakness &         
helplessness1 %e turn$1 mov$ bl9dly     
=w>d1 & sank into a vacant seat4  ,at ! 
same mom5t ,bale-,corphew left h] )\t a 
^w1 & pass$ rapidly d[n ! aisle4  ,great
 fe> frequ5tly ex]cises a p>alyz+ effect
 ^u ! body4 ,) ! und5iable k t ! "t =   
action--! "t = hope--0 irrevocably      
pass$1 ,enid felt depriv$ ( ! p[] to    
move4 ,%e sat cr\*+ 9 h] seat1 e s5se   
alive & /ra9$1 b ) limbs t 7 ov]p[]$ &  
weight$ z if by tangible fett]s4        
,?rill+ to ?is numb & impot5t s5se (    
dread1 %e he>d ! devotees ent] ! *apel1 
"o aft] ano!r1 & pass to _! *os5 seats )
 s(t1 glid+ /eps4 ,) a sick5+ k (       
approa*+ cata/rophe1 %e saw ano!r ( !   
unconv5tional black-rob$ s]vants em]ge f
 beh9d ! ,sanctu>y curta91 & proce$ )   
madd5+ delib]ation to light ! sixte5    
gr\ps ( wax tap]s t 7 set at int]vals   
along ! walls4 ,me*anically h] eyes     
foll[$ ! man's movem5ts2 & x seem$ t ea*
 new tap] t spat1 flick]$1 & %ot up into
 a light 0 a symbol1 a port5t ( ! sc5e  

to come4  ,z ! la/ c&le 0 light$1 !     
%uffl+ ( feet & ! /ir ( g>m5ts t1 s9ce !
 entry ( ! fir/ devotee1 _h unceas+ly   
fill$ ! *apel sudd5ly subsid$1 & n]v$ to
 motion by ! lull1 %e turn$ & glanc$    
beh9d h]4  ,! sc5e1 famili> ?\gh x 01   
impress$ h] anew4 ,x 0 a /range effect 9
 black & :ite4 ,! black clo!s ( !       
congregation seem$ mass$ toge!r 9 a     
sombre blur2 _! /ra9$1 fanatical faces  
look$ :ite & set2 :ile ! m>ble walls    
%one out1 %>p & poli%$1 9 ! same        
contra/+ hues4 ,ov] ! :ole sc5e !       
conc5trat$ light & acc5tuat$ %ad[ ?r[n  
by ! great sconces gl[+ ) tap]s1 made a 
v>iation ( tone almo/ z vivid z t se5 on
 a moonlight night4  ,unconsci\sly %e   
recogniz$ ! curi\s1 ! almo/ b>b>ic      
picturesqu5ess ( light & gr\p+2 b h]    
eyes _h b>ely skimm$ ! sc5e :5 ! mean+ (
 ! hu% t fill$ ! place 0 br\ght home to 
h] m9d4  ,glanc+ t[>ds ! curta9 t hid ! 
entrance1 %e saw ! figure ( ! ,prophet  
move sl[ly into ! *apel & pass up !     
aisle1 att5d$ by ! ,precursor & ! ,six  

,ar*-,my/ics4  ,he mov$ =w>d ) grave1   
dignifi$ /eps1 & ) a head held ev5 high]
 ?an usual1 & rea*+ ! ,sanctu>y gate1   
pass$ ?r\gh x )\t hesitation4  ,! action
 0 s calm--s natural--s l :at %e _h     
witness$ night aft] night--t ,enid sat  
newly petrifi$1 h] s5ses /riv+ to       
associate ?is /rong figure ) ! man :o1  
only a few h\rs be=e1 _h humiliat$      
himself 9 h] pres5ce4 ,= a mom5t h] m9d 
refus$ ! connection ( ideas2 b ! next a 
full realization ( ! position swept ov] 
h]1 galvaniz+ h] m5tally & physically1 z
 %e turn$ 9 h] seat & glanc$ at ! sev5  
:o 7 foll[+ 9 ! wake4  ,illu/ration3    
,,%e ,,saw ,,! ,,figure ,,( ,,!         
,,prophet 444 ,,att5d$ ,,by ,,!         
,,precursor ,,& ,,! ,,six ,,ar*-,,my/ics
  ,fir/ beh9d 8 ma/] came ! ,precursor4 
,& to ,enid's se>*+ gaze x seem$ t 8    
face 0 set into unfamili> & anxi\s l9es2
 b "u 8 black cap & r$ hair1 8 sk9 look$
 colorless & drawn4 ,b aft] ! fir/      
glance1 h] eyes 7 n = him2 ) swift      
appreh5sion !y pass$ to ! six           

,ar*-,my/ics :o1 walk+ two & two1 =m$ ! 
procession4  ,animat$ by ! spe$ ( actual
 fe>1 h] gaze pass$ f ! abnormally      
agitat$ face ( old ,arian1 ! bl9d       
,ar*-,c\ncillor1 to ! d>k1 turbul5t face
 ( ,bale-,corphew1 :o br\ght up ! re>4  
,! survey 0 rapid & compreh5sive2 & to  
h] uneasy m9d ! ?\ght came ) un]r+      
c]ta9ty t1 on all ! six faces--diff]+ s 
m>k$ly 9 physical *>act]i/ics--!re 0 a  
common look ( suppress$ excitem5t1 (    
suppress$ resolve4  ,z !y pass$ h] seat1
 ,norov turn$ & %ot a glance ( cold     
curiosity 9 h] direction2 b o!rwise !   
:ole gr\p seem$ unaw>e ( h] pres5ce4    
,/ill in]t1 %e sat1 wat*+ e movem5t 9 ! 
sc5e be=e h] z "o might wat* a drama t  
w\ld1 at a giv5 mom5t1 cease to be      
ent]ta9m5t & become real life4  ,v      
quietly ! ,prophet advanc$ to ! ,scitsym
 &1 foll[+ ! cu/om>y r\t9e1 op5$ x &    
began to read4  ,! words 7 a /range     
j>gon ( my/ical c\nsel int]sp]s$ ) !    
relation ( my/ical visions & ec/asies4  
,on ord9>y lips1 ! long1 disjo9t$       

s5t5ces & disconnect$ phrases w\ld h    
s\nd$ vague & incompreh5sible2 b1 f !   
fir/1 x _h be5 "o ( ! ,prophet's special
 gifts t 8 deep1 grave voice c\ld l5d   
weight & mean+ to ! fanta/ic utt]ances4 
,& to-night x seem$ t he int5d$ to put  
=? all 8 p[]s2 = sc>cely _h he op5$ !   
book & begun to read1 ?an a /ir ( int]e/
 pass$ ov] ! congregation2 & ev5 ,enid1 
enme%$ 9 h] own t]rors1 b5t =w>d        
involunt>ily4  ,he spoke v sl[ly1       
enunciat+ e ^w ) /udi$ s]i\sness2 & f "t
 to "t he paus$ & look$ across ! sea (  
fix$ & almo/ ador+ faces turn$ 9 8      
direction4 ,x 0 z if1 by /r5g? ( w1 he  
_h det]m9$ t no po9t1 no syllable1 (    
?is1 8 la/ read+1 %\ld be lo/ ^u 8      
he>]s4 ,m ?an once1 ,bale-,corphew mov$ 
uneasily & %ot a glance at ,norov2 b !  
,prophet 0 unconsci\s ( ^! surreptiti\s 
signs4  ,= half an h\r he read on1      
sl[ly1 di/9ctly1 impressively2 !n1 /ill 
foll[+ ! r\t9e ( ! ev5+ s]vice1 he clos$
 ! book & calmly mov$ across ! ,sanctu>y
 to ! ,?rone4 ,z he ne>$ x1 ! ,precursor

 /epp$ =w>d def]5tially & conduct$ him  
to ! foot ( ! gilt /eps4  ,hav+ asc5d$1 
he took 8 seat ) calm impassivity &1    
re/+ 8 h&s ^u ! arms ( ! great gold     
*air1 look$ out once m ^u ! mass$ faces4
 ,?is1 accord+ to cu/om1 0 ! signal = a 
g5]al movem5t4 ,! congregation sway$    
=w>d1 pro/rat+ !mselves ^u ! gr\nd1 :ile
 ! ,ar*-,my/ics ga!r$ _! wide1 black    
robes ab\t !m & assum$ attitudes ( rapt 
contemplation4  ,9 ob$i5ce to usage1    
,enid also dropp$ ^u h] knees & cov]$ h]
 face ) h] h&s4 ,b ?\gh h] pose 0       
conv5tional1 !re 0 little place 9 h]    
?\ghts = ei!r pray] or m$itation4 ,"o   
idea--& "o only--absorb$ h] be+4 ,h[1 & 
at :at mom5t1 mu/ %e ga!r /r5g? to act8 
,%e cr\*$ ^u ! gr\nd1 h] h&s press$     
tightly ov] h] eyes4 ,x seem$ to h] t   
all ! torture1 all ! susp5se &          
appreh5sion ( ! univ]se1 7 ga!r$ into t 
half-h\r ( appall+ sil5ce4 ,once %e     
v5tur$ to unlace h] f+]s & glance ?r\gh 
!m fe>fully2 b at sight ( ! ,prophet1   
calm1 impassive1 unconsci\s ( 8 ?reat5$ 

dang]--at sight ( ! six sombre %r\d$    
figures t sat inside ! ,sanctu>y rail+1 
h] blood turn$ cold & h] c\rage quail$4 
,:5 ! sign t end$ ! ev5+'s m$itation 0  
giv51 %e rose ) ! re/ & sank weakly into
 h] seat4 ,!n1 9 dumb1 /rick5           
helplessness su* z envelops u 9 a       
t]rible dream1 %e saw ! ,prophet rise v 
sl[ly & /& on ! /eps ( ! ,?rone1 look+  
solemnly d[n ^u ! p4  ,dur+ 8 *ange (   
position1 %e sat vacillat+ pitiably4 ,! 
k t 9 a s+le mom5t he w\ld h begun to   
speak spurr$ h] to a fev] ( al>m1 :ile a
 t]rible n]v\s incapacity *a9$ h] limbs 
& p>alyz$ h] tongue4  ,bale-,corphew's  
words rose to h] m9d4 ,he w fool u--z he
 has fool$ u be=e4 ,9 ! appreh5sion     
ar\s$ by ! memory1 %e half rose 9 h]    
*air1 h] h&s grasp+ ! back ( ! seat 9   
front ( h]2 b sudd5ly ! *apel1 ! lights1
 ! congregation seem$ to fade f h]      
vision1 & %e sank back into h] place4 ,!
 ,prophet _h begun to speak4  ,my ,p1 he
 said1 v calmly & di/9ctly1 h]et(ore ,i 
h spok5 to y z a tea*]4 ,to-night ,i w  

speak to y z "o ( y\rselves4  ,some?+ 9 
! tone--some?+ 9 ! words--/ruck a note (
 surprise & uneas9ess4 ,aga9            
,bale-,corphew %ot a swift glance at    
,norov1 & old ,mi*ael ,arian lift$ 8    
head & /ra9$ 8 sightless eyes t[>ds !   
,?rone1 :ile ,enid's h&s tight5$        
spasmodically on ! back ( ! *air 9 front
 ( h]1 & h] lips p>t$ 9 new fe>4 ,:at 0 
he go+ to say8 ,h[ mu* fur!r 0 he go+ to
 compromise himself8 ,b ! body ( !      
congregation sway$ =w>d 9 absorb$       
att5tion1 & ! ,prophet cont9u$ to survey
 ! fix$ faces ) grave1 /eady eyes4  ,my 
,p1 he said1 y are an unusual ga!r+4 ,"s
 w\ld call y a ga!r+ ( fanatics--"s     
might ev5 call y a ga!r+ ( fools4 ,b    
fools1 fanatics1 or ,my/ics1 y are all  
m5 & wom54 ,y are all human be+s6  ,old 
,arian />t$1 & ,norov's cold1 blue eyes 
fla%$2 b /ill ! ,prophet 0 oblivi\s ( _!
 emotion4  ,x is always well to /udy    
"o's own k9d2 & to-night ,i am go+ to   
speak to y ( a man4 ,i am go+ to tell y 
! /ory ( a man--a man z passionate1 z   

head/rong1 z weak & vuln]able z y       
y\rselves4 ,he halt$ = a mom5t1 & 8     
glance seem$ to gr[ m conc5trat$1 m     
int5se4  ,once1 _m ye>s ago1 !re 0 a boy
 born "h1 9 ?is city ( ,london4 ,don't  
lose pati5ce6 ,my /ory has ! m]it (     
tru?4  ,!re 0 no?+ pleasant1 !re 0 no?+ 
easy1 9 ! circum/ances ( ?is boy's bir?4
 ,8 fir/ sight ( ! _w 0 ga9$ ?r\gh !    
w9d[ ( a t5em5t-h\se1 & ! picture he saw
 0 ! picture ( an alley--d>k1 f\l1 teem+
 ) life4 ,8 fir/ k ( exi/5ce 0 !        
realization ( pov]ty--n ! free1 :olesome
 pov]ty ( ! c\ntry1 b ! gr9d+1 sordid1  
cont9u\s pov]ty ( ! t[n1 t no tongue c  
adequately describe4  ,^! 7 8           
surr\nd+s--?is 0 8 environm5t2 & yet--s 
great are ! miracles t love c           
accompli%--e day ( t boy's life 0       
illum9$ & glorifi$ by "o pres5ce4 ,god 9
 8 b\nty _h giv5 him a "m6  ,x 0 ! fir/ 
"t 9 any disc\rse t he _h m5tion$ !     
supreme ,"n1 & z if consci\s ( ! tremor 
x ar\s$1 he cont9u$ 8 n>rative )\t      
pause4  ,to say t a boy's life is made  

happi] by 8 "m's exi/5ce s\nds too trite
 & obvi\s to be> any weight2 b x is     
?r\gh ! obvi\s facts ( life t ! _w's    
ma*9]y is kept 9 motion4 ,!             
inexpressible1 unwe>y+ t5d]ness ( ?is "m
 = h] son1 ! love ( ?is boy = 8 "m1 grew
 ) ! passage ( "t--grew into some?+ s   
significant1 s vital & s deep1 t ev5 !  
poison\s atmosph]e ( ! alley c\ld n ?w>t
 its gr[?4  ,?is feel+ grew 9 ! boy's   
he>t2 & ) x--by a necess>y law (        
nature--ano!r feel+ took root & grew    
also4 ,fir$ by /ories ( a pa/1 9 :i*    
weal? & position _h be5 won by 8        
=efa!rs1 he conceiv$ ! idea ( becom+ 9 8
 own p]son a h]o--a knight-errant4 ,& 9 
! grimy1 common alley2 9 ! poor1 b>e    
sitt+-room :]e 8 "m sew$ un5d+ly2 9 !   
d>k closet "u ! slates :]e at night he  
dream$ 8 *ild's dreams1 he built ca/les 
su* z nev] /ood ^u ! hills ( ,spa96  ,! 
g]m ( 8 ambition fell into 8 s\l l a se$
 ( fire2 &1 l a se$ ( fire1 sprang into 
a flame4 ,at :atev] price--at :atev]    
sacrifice--!re mu/ be a gold5 future1 9 

:i* ! "m he ador$ w\ld sit 9 high       
places2 9 :i* ! worn h&s w\ld nev] ply a
 ne$le except = pa/ime1 ! frail figure  
gr[ /raight & /rong1 ! pale face w>m &  
bright5 ) ! colors ( heal?6  ,x 0 a v   
humble1 a v "y ambition1 b x sprang f ! 
true1 clean s\rce ( unta9t$ love1 l :i* 
!re is no?+ else 9 all ! _w4 ,he paus$2 
& f 8 grave voice x seem$ t a wave (    
emotion pass$ across ! *apel4 ,!        
congregation1 too fasc9at$ by 8 words to
 "q _! mean+1 drew a sigh ( rapt        
anticipation4 ,enid1 amaz$1 bewild]$1   
mov$ beyond h]self1 sat immovable--h]   
face pale1 h] great eyes fix$ ^u !      
,?rone4 ,only ! six ,ar*-,my/ics /irr$  
uneasily1 glanc+ at ea* o!r ) quiet1    
unc]ta9 looks4  ,pres5tly1 z ?\gh he _h 
m>%all$ 8 ideas = ! cont9uation ( 8     
spee*1 ! ,prophet rais$ 8 h&4  ,my ,p1  
he began1 aga91 d n ?9k t ,i am go+ to  
compel y to li/5 to a psy*ological      
disc\rse ^u ?is boy's developm5t4 ,t is 
n my int5tion4 ,b 7 ,i to hold up a     
picture = y\r inspection1 y c\ld n      

prop]ly appreciate x 7 y ignorant ( !   
art ( draw+4 ,& s x is ) my /ory4 ,to   
und]/& ! complet$ "w1 y mu/ und]/& !    
mann] ( its gr[?4  ,?\gh ?is boy liv$ 9 
obscurity1 he 0 b\nd by "o l9k ) ! great
 ?+s ( ! _w4 ,b = ! unju/ dis9h]itance (
 8 fa!r1 he w\ld h be5 heir to a va/    
prop]ty2 & ?r\gh all 8 y\?1 ?is _h be5 !
 gold5 mirage t _h float$ be=e 8        
vision--?is _h be5 ! fabl$ c\ntry f :i* 
8 ca/le rose4 ,/eadily1 unfalt]+ly1 "o  
idea _h exp&$ 9 8 m9d4 ,by "s brave     
action--by "s de$ ( h]oism--he 0 to w9  
back ! lo/ inh]itance4  ,"t pass$4 ,& ) 
its passage ! :eel ( fate revolv$4 ,by  
"o ( ^? /range *ances = :i* no man c    
acc\nt1 ! opportunity t ! boy long$ =   
fell across 8 pa?4  ,x came4 ,b x came  
envelop$ 9 no cl\d ( glory4 ,! pa? to ! 
lo/ inh]itance 0 /eep & rugg$ & d>k4 ,he
 0 call$ ^u to leave 8 "m2 to leave !   
place t1 h[ev] sordid1 h[ev] mean1 0 yet
 8 home2 & to ent] ^u a p]iod ( s]vitude
 ) an unkn[n ma/]--a man relat$ to him  
by blood1 :om report describ$ z an      

ecc5tric--a mis]--a madman4  ,z he said 
^! words a curi\s ?+ occurr$4 ,a wave ( 
color flu%$ old ,arian's sightless face2
 an in>ticulate s\nd escap$ him1 & he   
made a tremul\s attempt to rise4 ,b !   
movem5t 0 in/antly *eck$ by             
,bale-,corphew1 :o b5t close to him &   
:isp]$ quickly 9 8 e>4  ,nei!r ge/ure   
nor :isp] 0 not$ by ! ,prophet4 ,8 own  
face _h pal$ z if ) "s deep emotion2 &  
l[]+ 8 rais$ h&1 he spoke aga9 ) a new1 
suppress$ int5sity4  ,!n began ! vital  
p]iod ( t boy's c>e]4 ,he left 8        
home--he left ! "m he lov$--he w5t into 
volunt>y exile1 animat$ by "o purpose4  
,rememb] t1 my ,p6 ,he w5t into ! s]vice
 ( ?is man animat$ by "o purpose--!     
det]m9ation to w9 back 8 rightful =tune6
 ,& = sev5 we>y ye>s he cont9u$ 8       
pursuit4 ,= ! sev5 mo/ vital ye>s ( 8   
y\? he suppress$ e in/9ct t animates a  
boy6  ,he work$ m labori\sly ?an !      
labor] 9 ! fields1 = m5tal s]vitude is m
 gall+ to ! "y ?an any physical /ra94 ,b
 he nev] falt]$2 & at la/ he _h ! pride 

( kn[+ t 8 end 0 ga9$--he _h ! pride (  
kn[+ t he _h become indisp5sable to !   
ma/] :om he s]v$6 ,aga9 he paus$1 b ?is 
"t ! pause 0 ( impressive weight4       
,unconsci\sly1 & )\t analyz+ ! feel+1 e 
memb] ( ! congregation felt t "s        
ann\ncem5t 0 p5d+--t "s extraord9>y     
revelation 0 ab\t to be made4  ,enid sat
 rigid1 hold+ h] brea? 9 an agony (     
susp5se1 fasc9at$ & appall$ by !        
incompreh5sible disc\rse4 ,beh9d ! high 
rail+1 old ,mi*ael ,arian's lips mov$   
rapidly & n]v\sly1 z ?\gh he 7 mutt]+   
inaudible pray]s2 :ile ,bale-,corphew's 
florid face flam$1 z1 ) a rapid1 agitat$
 movem5t1 he glanc$ ov] ! t5se faces ( !
 congregation4 ,= "o mom5t x seem$ t he 
0 brac+ himself = action1 b be=e 8      
int5tions c\ld be> fruit1 ! voice ( !   
,prophet aga9 rang out across ! *apel4  
,my ,p6 he said4 ,x is n[ t ,i appeal to
 y\r humanity6 ,x is n[ t ,i ask ea* "o 
( y--m5 & wom5--to /& 9 ?is boy's       
place--?is boy1 built l y\rselves (     
human desires1 human hopes1 human       

weaknesses4 ,aft] sev5 long ye>s he t\*$
 ! k t he _h become indisp5sable2 & !   
be>] ( t k 0 ,dea?--8 ma/]'s ma/]6      
,dea? came2 & 9 8 *ill pres5ce ! boy saw
 8 task complet$--laid aside l a writt5 
scroll6  ,x 0 ! mo/ glori\s mom5t ( 8   
life--t mom5t 9 :i* he /ood ) un%ak5    
fai?1 look+ t[>ds ! future4 ,b ! d>k]   
side ( exi/5ce 0 8 portion2 he _h be5   
born to ! d>k] side4 ,)9 "o h\r ( 8     
ma/]'s dea?1 8 dreams 7 dispell$4 ,he   
le>n$ t1 9 ! eyes ( ! man he _h s]v$1 he
 _h nev] pass$ beyond ! position ( !    
outca/--! dep5d5t1 ^: s]vices are       
lib]ally rew>d$ by ! gift ( a few hundr$
 p\nds4 ,! =tune--! inh]itance--! gold5 
mirage1 0 no long] exi/5t1 save z some?+
 t did n conc]n him4 ,by ! disposition (
 8 ma/]'s w1 x _h pass$ into ! c(f]s ( a
 religi\s body--a fanta/ic1 unkn[n sect 
to :i* ! old man _h belong$6  ,!        
ann\ncem5t fell ) /range effect4 ,enid1 
inspir$ by sudd5 t]ror1 rose to h] feet2
 ,bale-,corphew sat gripp+ ! arm ( 8    
*air1 8 face contort$1 8 m\? work+1 :ile

 a ru/le1 an audible murmur ( excitem5t 
pass$ ov] ! :ole *apel1 & ! ,precursor1 
:o all along _h be5 cr\*+ at ! foot ( ! 
?rone1 turn$ quickly & anxi\sly t[>ds 8 
ma/]4  ,b ! ,prophet reassur$ him by a  
ge/ure4 ,x seem$ t he 0 exalt$ by "s    
emotion1 lift$ above 8 surr\nd+s by "s  
invisible p[]4  ,put y\rselves 9 ?is    
boy's place6 he cri$4 ,0 !re ev] a      
position s int5sely human8 ,! ?+ he _h  
/riv5 =--! ?+ he ne$$ inord9ately--_h   
be5 wr5*$ f him by a b& ( p :o1 9 8     
eyes1 7 ei!r fools or knaves4 ,:at w\ld 
y h done 9 8 position8 ,:at w\ld h be5  
y\r impulse8 ,:at y\r in/9ct8 ,if ,i "k 
any?+ ( human nature1 x w\ld h be5 !    
same z 8--precisely1 accurately ! same z
 86  ,he _h kn[n = ye>s ( ?is sect to   
:i* 8 ma/] belong$2 & = ye>s he _h held 
x 9 contempt4 ,9 8 normal1 y\?ful eyes1 
! idea ( a cre$ t d5i$ ! high1 simple   
!ory ( ,*ri/ianity1 & await$ ! com+ ( a 
my?ical ,prophet 0 a subject = heal?y   
scorn4 ,& n[ sudd5ly x 0 =c$ ^u 8       
und]/&+ t ?is anmic sect--?is my/ical1  

anticipat$ ,prophet--7 8 rivals--!      
despoil]s ( 8 private intimate hopes4   
,su* a k has p[] to "w a miracle2 & 9 "o
 s+le night x *ang$ ?is boy into a man4 
,embitt]$1 hopeless1 /r&$1 inspiration  
came to him4 ,he conceiv$ ! trem5d\s    
idea ( ent]+ ^u a new fight--a second   
que/ ( ! great inh]itance4 ,he conceiv$ 
! idea2 & /&+1 z x 71 ^u a diff]5t plane
 ( life1 he saw--  ,b ! ,prophet got no 
fur!r4 ,) a ge/ure ( viol5t excitem5t1  
,bale-,corphew rose2 at ! same in/ant ! 
,precursor sprang to 8 feet & /ood 9 a  
def5sive attitude be=e ! ,?rone4  ,!    
:ole sc5e 0 enact$ 9 a second4 ,enid1   
grasp+ its full mean+1 turn$ v :ite &   
dropp$ back into h] seat1 :ile ! :ole   
congregation /ra9$ =w>d 9 unanim\s      
amazem5t & curiosity4  ,& !n1 = ! fir/  
"t1 ! hot1 angry glance ( ,bale-,corphew
 met t ( ! ,prophet4 ,he gl>$ at him =  
"o mom5t 9 spee*less rage1 !n he turn$  
to ! p4  ,my/ics6 he cri$1 9 a *ok$     
voice4 ,9 accordance ) a solemn duty1   
,i--,i proclaim ?is man to be--  ,b be=e

 he c\ld proce$ ! ,precursor int]rupt$4 
,p6 ,my/ics6 he cri$1 rais+ 8 p5etrat+  
voice4 ,is ?is "r8 ,is ?is p]missible8  
,a murmur rose f ! *apel4               
,bale-,corphew's face became purple4    
,p6 he> me6 he exclaim$4 ,?is man is no 
,prophet4 ,he is an impo/or6 ,a fraud6  
,i h pro(4 ,i c give y pro(6  ,( !      
extraord9>y effect ( ^! words           
,enid--cr\*+ helplessly 9 h] seat--saw  
no?+4 ,all h] s5ses 7 rivet$ ^u "o      
object--! tall1 calm figure ^u ! /eps ( 
! ,?rone4 ,by ! p[] ( intuition1 r ?an  
by physical obs]vation1 %e saw ! look ( 
int5se surprise1 ( incr$ulity m]g+ to   
dismay1 t cross$ ! ,prophet's face at ! 
,ar*-,my/ic's words4 ,& at ! sight !    
real mean+ ( 8 incompreh5sible disc\rse 
pass$ ov] h] m9d 9 a wave ( incr$ul\s   
admiration4 ,believ+ himself secure 9 8 
position1 he _h volunt>ily *os5 to      
d5\nce himself4  ,t 0 h] fir/ ?\ght z ! 
matt] became cle> to h]2 b a *ill+      
second ?\ght foll[$ %>p ^u x4 ,:at w\ld 
be ! ,prophet's read+ ( ,bale-,corphew's

 k8 ,w\ld n "o solution--& "o           
only--pres5t itself to 8 m9d8 ,! idea t 
%e _h betray$ 8 confid5ce4 ,) ! horror (
 ! sugge/ion an ungov]nable impulse     
fill$ h]--an impulse to rise--to g to   
him--sweep ! d\bt f 8 m9d4 ,b an in/ant 
lat] ! m]ely egoti/ical ?\ght 0         
oblit]at$ by ! great] issues t fill$ !  
mom5t4  ,aft] ,bale-,corphew _h spok5 an
 upro>--a clamor--_h sudd5ly fill$ !    
*apel2 & n[ ! rapt conc\rse ( p _h      
become z a turbul5t sea4 ,! ,precursor1 
pale ) int5se n]v\s excitem5t1 /ood     
va9ly /riv+ to make 8 voice he>d2 :ile  
,bale-,corphew1 closely surr\nd$ by 8   
fell[-,my/ics1 ge/iculat$ viol5tly4  ,at
 la/ ! ,prophet rais$ 8 h&2 & by habit &
 tra9+1 ! p subsid$ into sil5ce4        
,in/antly ,bale-,corphew's voice rang   
out4  ,li/56 he cri$2 li/56  ,b aga9 !  
,precursor int]rupt$4  ,p1 he dem&$1 w y
 refuse ! ,prophet ! "r ( spee*8 ,w y   
refuse to he> ! ,prophet's words8  ,?is 
is sacrilege6 ,sacrilege6 ,norov sudd5ly
 rais$ 8 voice4 ,li/5 to y\r ,c\ncillor6

  ,li/5 to ! ,prophet6 ,! ,voice ( !    
,prophet calls ^u y4 ,w y d5y x8 ,!     
,precursor's voice %ook ) excitem5t4    
,?is is ! tru?6 ,i tell y ! tru?6       
,bale-,corphew appeal$ to ! p )         
out-/ret*$ arms4  ,b ! tumult broke =?  
aga94  ,my/ics6 ,my/ics6 ,old ,arian's  
%rill1 al>m$ tones rose = an in/ant1    
only to be dr[n$ 9 ! clamor4  ,!n out ( 
! confus$ babel ( s\nd "o cry became    
di/+ui%able4  ,! ,prophet6 ,! ,prophet6 
,let ! ,prophet speak6  ,= a space      
confusion reign$2 !n1 answ]+ to ! dem&1 
! ,prophet aga9 lift$ 8 "r h&4  ,z ?\gh 
x ex]cis$ "s pot5t spell1 8 calm1       
imp]i\s ge/ure subdu$ ! turmoil4 ,:5    
sil5ce _h be5 re/or$ he began to speak2 
& nev]1 s9ce he _h address$ ! fir/      
,ga!r+1 _h s deep a note ( dom9ation &  
decision be5 audible 9 8 voice4         
,my/ics6 he cri$1 !re is no "t =        
preamble or delay4 ,z ! ,ar*-,my/ic     
says1 y mu/ h tru?6 ,p]haps !re is no   
ne$ to tell y t ! hi/ory ,i h j relat$  
to y has an imm95t be>+ ^u y\r lives &  

m9e4 ,y probably "k1 )\t my tell+1 t !  
boy ( my /ory & ,i are "o & ! same      
p]son2 t ! fanatic sect1 = :i* ,i 0 made
 a begg>1 is y\r own sect--! sect ( !   
,my/ics4 ,b s x is4 ,on a wild1 d>k     
night t5 ye>s ago ,i le>n$ t ! money :i*
 %\ld h be5 m9e--! money :i* %\ld h be5 
! recomp5se = my "m's h>d life--_h be5  
giv5 to y4 ,giv5 = ! use ( a ,prophet 9 
^: com+ y believ$6  ,my feel+s on t     
night 7 ! crim9al feel+s t und]lie all  
civilization4 ,i _h only "o desire--to  
de/roy--to be av5g$4 ,my uncle1 ,&rew   
,h5d]son1 0 an ,ar*-,my/ic ( y\r sect2 &
 on ! night he di$1 y\r sacr$ ,scitsym 0
 9 8 h\se6  ,! congregation ?rill$1 & ! 
bl9d ,ar*-,c\ncillor turn$ & clut*$     
,bale-,corphew's arm4  ,my fir/ impulse 
0 to de/roy t book4 ,look at x1 look at 
x6 ,he po9t$ to ! lect]n4 ,t5 ye>s ago1 
,i knelt be=e a fire ) its pages 9 my   
h&1 & black ?\ghts ( rev5ge 9 my he>t4  
,b ! devil ( temptation lurks 9 /range  
places4 ,9 ! v act ( de/ruction1 an     
inspiration came to me4 ,a man 0        

expect$6 ,a ,prophet 0 expect$6 ,& 9 !  
pages ( ! ,scitsym 7 conta9$ !          
attributes1 ! secret signs1 ! manifold  
ways 9 :i* he 0 to make good 8 claim4   
,i come ( an ob/9ate /ock--( a /ock t 9 
! pa/ has ov]come _m ob/acles4 ,t night 
,i copi$ out ! :ole ( y\r ,scitsym1 &   
aft]w>ds1 z soon z ,i reasonably c\ld1  
,i left ,scotl&4  ,i w5t at once to my  
"m2 ,i told h] t1 accord+ to !          
disposition ( my uncle's w1 ,i 0 to     
inh]it 8 =tune 9 t5 ye>s' "t1 & t 9 !   
int]val ,i 0 to fit myself = weal? by   
pr(\nd /udy4 ,x 0 ! fir/ "t 9 all my    
life t ,i _h li$ to h]6  ,b to come to !
 end1 y\r ,prophet 0 to be a /ud5t (    
,ea/]n lore4 ,) ?is k 9 my m9d1 ,i />t$ 
) my "m = ! ,ea/4 ,:at has happ5$ s9ce  
!n is immat]ial4 ,my second probation   
has be5 z h>d z my fir/4 ,b ,i          
accompli%$ two ?+s4 ,i fitt$ myself     
m5tally & physically = ! "p ,i 0 go+ to 
play1 & ,i made "o /an*1 :olly dis9t]e/$
 fri5d6 ,) a ge/ure ( grave affection1  
he indicat$ ! ,precursor4  ,9 !         

opportunity t ! slight pause gave1      
,bale-,corphew sprang =w>d &1 re/+ 8 h&s
 ^u ! ,sanctu>y rail+1 fac$ !           
congregation4  ,p6 he cri$1 ho>sely1 be 
n deceiv$6 ,?is man pret5ds to tell y   
:at he is4 ,he is bl9d+ y--weav+ a b&age
 ( speci\s words across y\r eyes4 ,b ,i 
w undeceive y4 ,i w te> ! b&age-- ,he   
hesitat$1 /amm]$1 paus$4  ,) a movem5t  
full ( fire1 full ( au?ority1 ! ,prophet
 /epp$ f ! ,?rone4  ,sil5ce6 he cri$4   
,!re is no ne$ = int]f]5ce4 ,?is matt]  
is betwe5 ! ,p & myself4 ,) a pale face 
& burn+ eyes he /epp$ =w>d1 & /&+ beside
 ! ,ar*-,my/ic confront$ ! congregation4
  ,i w tell y ev]y?+ t ?is man w\ld tell
 y1 he said1 9 a /eady voice4 ,i believe
 ,i w ev5 use ! ^w he himself w\ld      
*oose4 ,i am a ?ief6 ,i am a ?ief--9    
int5tion if n 9 act6  ,! effect ( ! ^w 0
 trem5d\s4 ,a p]fectly audible gasp w5t 
up f ! brea?less cr[d2 &1 by "o accord1 
! p rose & sway$ upw>d t[>ds !          
,sanctu>y4  ,calm & immovable z a rock1 
! ,prophet held 8 place4  ,yes1 he said1

 /eadily1 until ?is morn+ ,i h virtually
 be5 a ?ief4 ,until ?is morn+ x 0 my    
firm int5tion to take by =ce t :i* %\ld 
h come to me z my "r4 ,! fact t my      
int5tion falt]$ at ! la/ mom5t does n   
affect ! case4 ,i wi% to make no appeal4
 ,my desire--8 voice sudd5ly quick5$--my
 desire is pla9ly & simply to /ate my   
case4  ,morally ,i h done y no wrong4   
,my tea*+ has be5 ! exp\nd+ ( simple    
tru?s1 t my p]sonal action c\ld n       
desecrate4 ,i /& be=e y to-night        
empty-h&$ z ,i came4 ,! "o ?+ ,i claim f
 y is judgm5t6  ,judge me6 ,i am 9 y\r  
h&s4 ,if y ?9k ,i des]ve puni%m5t1 puni%
 me6 ,if y ?9k circum/ances h made me   
:at ,i am1 !n /& aside6 ,let me pass out
 ( y\r lives6  ,!re 0 a great sil5ce2 !n
 a woman's %>p cry rang out across !    
*apel1 z1 ) a savage movem5t1 ?ree ( !  
,ar*-,my/ics sprang ^u ! ,prophet4      
,sacrilege6 ,sacrilege6 ,bale-,corphew's
 voice rose l\d & viol5t4  ,b he _h     
calculat$ )\t 8 ho/4 ,! fanaticism ( a  
cr[d is a dang]\s weapon ) :i* to tamp]1

 & ! de?ronem5t ( a k+ is n accompli%$ 9
 a day4 ,) ! spe$ ( light1 ! elem5t he  
_h unloos$ turn$ ^u himself4  ,aga9 "o  
^w dis5tangl$ itself f ! m$ley ( s\nds4 
,! ,prophet6 ,! ,prophet6 ,l an ignit$  
fuse1 in/9ct _h be5 light$ 9 ! p4 ,! man
 :o = mon?s _h be5                      
exalt$--honor$--well-nigh wor%ipp$--0 9 
imm95t p]il6 ,t "o ?\ght subm]g$ &      
demoli%$ e o!r4  ,!re 0 a =w>d          
movem5t--a ro>--a cra%--& ! high1 gilt  
rail+s ( ! ,sanctu>y w5t d[n z be=e a   
/orm4  ,to ,enid1 :o _h be5 borne       
irresi/ibly upw>d on ! human tide1 !re 0
 "o ov]p[]+ mom5t ( fe> & clamor1 9 :i* 
! cry ( ,! ,prophet6 ,! ,prophet6       
dom9at$ h] consci\sness2 !n1 to h]1 ! _w
 became sudd5ly & m]cifully sightless1  
s\ndless1 & void4         99       99   
99       99       99  ,:5 at la/ h] eyes
 op5$--:5 at la/ h] s5ses falt]+ly      
return$ to ! consci\sness ( pres5t      
?+s--%e 0 9 h] own famili> room4 ,!     
atmosph]e brea!d ( repose & peace2 ?r\gh
 ! drawn curta9s ! hum ( ,london came   

subdu$ & soo?+2 9 ! room itself ! lights
 7 modulat$ & ! fire gl[$ s(t & mell[1  
:ile a fa9t1 pung5t smell ( re/oratives 
fill$ ! air4 ,b ^! details came b       
vaguely to h] appreciation1 = ! fir/    
object ^u :i* h] glance & h] ideas re/$ 
0 ! figure ( ,john ,h5d]son1 kneel+     
beside ! c\* on :i* %e lay4  ,= a long1 
sil5t space %e gaz$ bewild]$ into !     
grave face b5t ov] h] own--/riv+ to     
fa?om :e!r ?is 0 ano!r phase ( an       
extraord9>ily prolong$ & h>ass+ dream1  
or :e!r x _h any be>+ ^u real life2 !n1 
z ! pa9$1 bewild]$ s5sation deep5$ 9 h] 
m9d1 x 0 sudd5ly illum9$ by a fla% (    
recollection2 & />t+ up1 %e caught      
,h5d]son's h&4  ,b be=e %e c\ld speak he
 laid 8 f+]s g5tly ov] h] eyes4  ,y are 
n to ?9k1 he said4 ,to-night is pa/4  ,b
 ,helli] ,cresc5t8 ,:at happ5$          
aft]--aft]--8  ,aga9 he made a soo?+    
movem5t4  ,y mu/ n ?9k ( x4 ,!y ga!r$   
r\nd me4 ,!y 7 g5]\s4 ,!y heap$ coals ( 
fire4  ,enid lay sil5t1 consci\s ) a ke5
 yet poignant pleasure ( 8 h& ^u h]     

face4 ,!n sudd5ly a new ?\ght obtrud$   
itself1 & draw+ away 8 f+]s1 %e look$ up
 into 8 face4  ,& aft] to-night--8 %e   
said1 9 a l[1 un/eady voice4  ,= a mom5t
 he did n answ]1 & 9 ! s(t light x seem$
 to h] t a %ad[ ( pa9 pass$ ov] 8 face4 
,aga9 %e put out h] h& & t\*$ 84  ,:at  
are y go+ to d8 %e ask$1 bel[ h] brea?4 
,at la/ he rais$ 8 head & look$ fully at
 h]4  ,i am go+ back to ! ,ea/4 ,! h>de/
 task ( my life is await+ me !re4 ,x is 
a v bitt] ?+ to disillusionize ! p]son  
to :om "o is a h]o4  ,%e look$ at him   
quickly4  ,y are speak+ ( y\r "m8 ,y are
 ?9k+ ( y\r "m8  ,he b5t 8 head4  ,= a  
space nei!r spoke4 ,vaguely1 & 9 di/ant 
accompanim5t to _! ?\ghts1 ea* 0        
consci\s ( ! hum ( traffic & ( ! s(tly  
crackl+ fire2 !n at la/ ,enid /irr$1 & )
 a ge/ure full ( compreh5sion1 h] f+]s  
clos$ r\nd ,h5d]son's4  ,let me tell h] 
! /ory6 %e said1 almo/ inaudibly4 ,take 
me ) y--& let me tell h]6 ,we are bo?   
wom51 &-- ,h] head droop$ slightly2 & h]
 face flu%$4 ,& we bo? love y4