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On his way to the oaken door that was for ever double-barred, in that

small hall which led to the apartments of Amaryllis' corps of artists,

Philadelphus met Salome, the actress He would have passed her without

a word, but the woman, armed with the nettle of a small triumph over

thehi away to excite your disappointment further?" she said "Has

the forlorn lady convinced you, yet, that she is indeed your wife?"

"Had I that two hundred talents, I would confess her!" he declared

"Cruel obstacle! But that two hundred talents is locked away safely,

out of your reach Why do you not run aith this pretty creature?"

Philadelphus glowered at her

"I have been known to make ith those who stood in my way," he

declared

"I sleep with my door locked," she answered, "and I ever face you I

need never be afraid, therefore"

For ahate and

ed the air about him

"It is not all as it should be," he said finally "You are not rid of

me I shall stay"

"You should," she responded comfortably "You are a show of