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"You did wrong, Prudence," said La Masque, sternly, or at least as

sternly as so sweet a voice could speak; "you did very wrong to leave

her in such a way You should have come to htened!"

"Bah! You are nothing but a coward Come into this doorway, and tell me

all about it"

Ormiston drew back as the twain approached, and entered the deep portals

of La Masque's own doorway He could see theht, and he noticed that La Masque's companion was a

wrinkled old woman, that would not trouble the peace of mind of the most

jealous lover in Christendo to hover

aloof and listen; but he could not for the life of hily did Who knew but this nocturnal

conversation ht on the dark h, and, could his ears have run into needle-points to hear

the better, he would have had the operation then and there performed

There was a

which La Masque stood, tall, dark, and co, motionless as a

marble column; and the little withered old speci up at her with so between fear and fascination

"Do you knohat has beco voice of La Masque, at last