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I blinked ht to feed you?" I whispered "And how can this be, and love be the very thing the world is made of? You are too beautiful to be overlooked I'm lost I cannot understand it But could I, if I were to live froet it?"

"You cannot live, Amadeo," he said sadly "You cannot live!" His voice broke "The poison's traveled in you too deep, too far and wide, and little draughts of uish "Child, I can't save you Close your eyes Take my farewell kiss There is no friendship between me and those on the far shore, but they must take what dies so naturally "

"Master, no! Master, I cannot try it alone Master, they sent me back, and you are here, and were bound to be, and how could they not have known it?"

"Auardians of the dead are powerfully indifferent They speak of love, but not of centuries of blundering ignorance What stars are these that sing so beautifully when all the world is languishing in dissonance? I would you would force their hand, Amadeo " His voice all but broke in his pain "Ae me with your fortune?"

I laughed a weak sad little laugh

My fever shook reat wave of sickness overcame me If I moved or spoke I would suffer a dread dry nausea that would shake e I'd rather die than feel this

"Master, I knew you would give it some powerful analysis," I said I tried not to make a bitter or sarcastic smile, but to seek the simple truth My breath was now so hard forwith no hardship at all All Bianca's stern encouragements came back to me "Master," I said, "there is no horror in this world that is without final redemption "

"Yes, but for some," he pressed, "What is the price of such salvation? Ans! I pray they were illusions Don't speak anyht Don't think on it "

"No, Sir? And for whose co here!"

He shook his head

"Go ahead, wring the blood tears from your eyes," I said "And for what death do you hope yourself, Sir, for you told me that it wasn't impossible for even you to die? Explain to ht I shall ever knoinks out on me, and the Earth devours the incarnate jewel that you found wanting!"

"Never wanting," he whispered

"Coo, Sir? More comfort, please How many minutes do I have?"

"I don't know," he whispered He turned away from me and bowed his head I had never seen him so forlorn

"Let me see your hand," I said weakly "There are closeted witches who in the shadows of the taverns of Venice have taught me how to read the lines in it I'll tell you when you are like to die Give it to me " I could scarcely see A haze had cos But I meant my words