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diff --git a/44827-h/44827-h.htm b/44827-h/44827-h.htm index 458343a..a44dd76 100644 --- a/44827-h/44827-h.htm +++ b/44827-h/44827-h.htm @@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> <title> The Project Gutenberg eBook of Under the Witches' Moon, by Nathan Gallizier. @@ -254,45 +254,7 @@ em.gesperrt </style> </head> <body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Under the Witches' Moon, by Nathan Gallizier - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Under the Witches' Moon - A Romantic Tale of Mediaeval Rome - -Author: Nathan Gallizier - -Release Date: February 4, 2014 [EBook #44827] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNDER THE WITCHES' MOON *** - - - - -Produced by anhhuyalex, Suzanne Shell and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - -</pre> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44827 ***</div> <div class="figcenter" style="width: 419px;"> <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="419" height="600" alt="" /> @@ -433,7 +395,7 @@ They see him coming like a falling star,<br /> <tr><td align="right">V.</td> <td align='left'> On the Aventine</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_Va">38</a></td></tr> <tr><td align="right">VI.</td> <td align='left'>The Coup</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIa">46</a></td></tr> <tr><td align="right">VII.</td> <td align='left'> Masks and Mummers</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIIa">60</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">VIII.</td> <td align='left'> The Shrine of Hekaté</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIIIa">67</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VIII.</td> <td align='left'> The Shrine of Hekaté</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIIIa">67</a></td></tr> <tr><td align="right">IX.</td> <td align='left'> The Game of Love</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IXa">79</a></td></tr> <tr><td align="right">X.</td> <td align='left'> A Spirit Pageant</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_Xa">90</a></td></tr> <tr><td align="right">XI.</td> <td align='left'>The Denunciation</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIa">97</a></td></tr> @@ -442,7 +404,7 @@ They see him coming like a falling star,<br /> <tr><td align="right">I.</td> <td align='left'>The Grand Chamberlain </td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_Ib">115</a></td></tr> <tr><td align="right">II.</td> <td align='left'>The Call of Eblis </td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IIb">128</a></td></tr> <tr><td align="right">III.</td> <td align='left'>The Crystal Sphere </td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IIIb">134</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">IV. </td> <td align='left'>Persephoné </td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IVb">146</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">IV. </td> <td align='left'>Persephoné </td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IVb">146</a></td></tr> <tr><td align="right">V. </td><td align='left'>Magic Glooms </td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_Vb">152</a></td></tr> <tr><td align="right">VI. </td><td align='left'>The Lure of the Abyss </td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIb">160</a></td></tr> <tr><td align="right">VII. </td> <td align='left'>The Face in the Panel </td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIIb">167</a></td></tr> @@ -509,7 +471,7 @@ centuries of victory and defeat, of pride and shame, of glory and disgrace.</p> <p>The purple dusk began to weave its phantom veil over the -ancient capital of the Cæsars and a round blood-red moon +ancient capital of the Cæsars and a round blood-red moon was climbing slowly above the misty crests of the Alban Hills, draining the sky of its crimson sunset hues.</p> @@ -527,7 +489,7 @@ folk from Tivoli, Velletri, Corneto and Terracina, pilgrims from every land of the then known world, Africans and Greeks, Lombards and Franks, Sicilians, Neapolitans, Syrians and Kopts, Spaniards and Saxons, men from the frozen coast -of Thulé and the burning sands of Arabia, traders from the +of Thulé and the burning sands of Arabia, traders from the Levant, sorcerers from the banks of the Nile, conjurers from the mythical shores of the Ganges, adventurers from the Barbary coast, gypsies from the plains of Sarmatia, monks @@ -535,7 +497,7 @@ from the Thebaide, Normans, Gascons and folk from Aquitaine.</p> <p>In the Piazza Navona booths and stalls had been erected for the sale of figs and honey, and the fragrant products of the -Roman osterié.</p> +Roman osterié.</p> <p>Strings of colored lanterns danced and quivered in the air. The fitful light from the torches, sending spiral columns of @@ -603,7 +565,7 @@ imaginary transgressions.</p> <p>From Bosnia, from Servia and Hungary, from Negropont and the islands of the Greek Archipelago, from Trebizond and the Crimea it came endlessly floating to the former capital of -the Cæsars, a waste drift of palaces and temples and antique +the Cæsars, a waste drift of palaces and temples and antique civilizations, for the End of Time was said to be nigh, and the dread of impending judgment lay heavily upon the tottering world of the Millennium.</p> @@ -1807,7 +1769,7 @@ and towers rose, red-litten by the sunset, into the stilly evening air. Bells were softly tolling and a distant hum like the bourdon note of a great organ, rose up from the other side of the Tiber, where the multitudes of the Eternal City trod -the dust of the Cæsars into the churches of the Cross.</p> +the dust of the Cæsars into the churches of the Cross.</p> <p>Interminable processions traversed the city amidst anthems and chants, for, on this day, masses were being sung and @@ -1836,9 +1798,9 @@ stupendous ruins of the Colosseum. But among them rose the fortress towers of the Roman nobles. Right there, before him, dominating the narrow thoroughfare, rose the great fortress pile of the Frangipani, behind the Arch of the Seven -Candles. Farther on the Tomb of Cæcilia Metella presented +Candles. Farther on the Tomb of Cæcilia Metella presented an aspect at once sinister and menacing, transformed as it -now was into the stronghold of the Cenci, while the Cætani +now was into the stronghold of the Cenci, while the Cætani castle on the opposite side attracted a sort of wondering attention from him.</p> @@ -1929,7 +1891,7 @@ landscape.</p> <p>The full moon was rising slowly. Round and large she hung, like a yellow shield, on the dark, dense wall of the heavens. In the distance the faint outlines of the Alban -Hills and the snow-capped summit of Monte Soracté were +Hills and the snow-capped summit of Monte Soracté were faintly discernible in the night mists. In the background the ill-famed ruins of the ancient temple of Isis rose into the purple dusk. The Tiber, in the light of the higher rising @@ -2247,7 +2209,7 @@ and guide his steps.</p> <p>The Pontiff being a prisoner in the Lateran, Tristan's ardent wish to confide in the successor of St. Peter had suffered a sudden and a keen disappointment. There were but Odo of -Cluny, Benedict of Soracté or the Grand Penitentiary, holding +Cluny, Benedict of Soracté or the Grand Penitentiary, holding forth in the subterranean chapel at St. Peter's, to whom he might turn for ease of mind, and a natural reluctance to lay bare the holiest thoughts man may give to woman, restrained @@ -2914,8 +2876,8 @@ had yet resisted whom she had willed to make her own. Her body, tall as a column, was lustrous, incomparable. The arms and hands seemed to have been chiselled of ivory by a master creator who might point with pride to the perfection -of his handiwork—the perfection of Aphrodité, Lais and -<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Phryné'">Phryne</ins> melted into one. The features were of such rare +of his handiwork—the perfection of Aphrodité, Lais and +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Phryné'">Phryne</ins> melted into one. The features were of such rare mould and faultless type that even Marozia had to concede to her younger sister the palm of beauty. The wonderful, deep set eyes, with their ever changing lights, now emerald, @@ -3029,7 +2991,7 @@ possession of the Emperor's Tomb.</p> <hr class="chap" /> <h3><a name="CHAPTER_VIIIa" id="CHAPTER_VIIIa">CHAPTER VIII</a><br /> -THE SHRINE OF HEKATÉ</h3> +THE SHRINE OF HEKATÉ</h3> <div> @@ -3088,7 +3050,7 @@ Roman summer night had bared, while the other was endeavoring to adjust the disordered folds of the saffron gossamer web that clung like a veil to her matchless form.</p> -<p>"Ah! It is but you! Persephoné," she said with a +<p>"Ah! It is but you! Persephoné," she said with a little sigh, as a curtain was drawn aside, revealing the form of a girl about twenty-two years old, whose office as first attendant to Theodora had been firmly established by her @@ -3097,7 +3059,7 @@ most hidden moods and desires, her utter fearlessness and a native fierceness, that recoiled from no consideration of danger.</p> -<p>Persephoné was tall, straight as an arrow, lithe and sinuous +<p>Persephoné was tall, straight as an arrow, lithe and sinuous as a snake. Her face was beautiful, but there was something in the gleam of those slightly slanting eyes that gave pause to him who chanced to cross her path.</p> @@ -3106,7 +3068,7 @@ gave pause to him who chanced to cross her path.</p> and was a native of Circassia, the land of beautiful women. No one knew how she had found her way to Rome. The fame of Marozia's evil beauty and her sinister repute -had in time attracted Persephoné, and she had been immediately +had in time attracted Persephoné, and she had been immediately received in Marozia's service, where she remained till the revolt of Alberic swept her mistress into the dungeons of Castel San Angelo. Thereupon she had attached herself @@ -3119,19 +3081,19 @@ curtains. "At the sound of your footfall I started up—fearing—I knew not what—"</p> <p>"For a long time have I held out against his pleadings -and commands," Persephoné replied in a subdued voice, +and commands," Persephoné replied in a subdued voice, "knowing that my lady slept. But he will not be denied,—and his insistence had begun to frighten me. So at last I dared brave my lady's anger and disturb her—"</p> -<p>"Frighten you, Persephoné?" Theodora's musical +<p>"Frighten you, Persephoné?" Theodora's musical laughter resounded through the chamber. "You—who braved death at these white hands of mine without flinching?"</p> -<p>She extended her hands as if to impress Persephoné +<p>She extended her hands as if to impress Persephoné with their beauty and strength.</p> -<p>Whatever the circumstance referred to, Persephoné made +<p>Whatever the circumstance referred to, Persephoné made no reply. Only her face turned a shade more pale.</p> <p>The draped figure had meanwhile arisen to her full height, @@ -3146,7 +3108,7 @@ so much of late, and heaven and earth to crumble into chaos, I would not be disturbed to listen to shallow plaints and mock heroics."</p> -<p>"It is neither the one nor the other," replied Persephoné +<p>"It is neither the one nor the other," replied Persephoné with an apprehensive glance of her slanting eyes over her shoulder, "but my Lord Basil, the Grand Chamberlain. He waits without where the eunuchs guard your slumber, and @@ -3161,7 +3123,7 @@ as she muttered:</p> <p>Then, with a sudden flash, she added, tossing back her beautiful head:</p> -<p>"Let the Lord Basil wait! And now, Persephoné, remove +<p>"Let the Lord Basil wait! And now, Persephoné, remove from me the traces of sleep and set the couches in better order."</p> @@ -3187,22 +3149,22 @@ the azure canopies, amidst the gorgeousness of waving blossoms that seemed to surge up like a sea to the very windows of the chamber.</p> -<p>Filling an embossed bowl with perfumed water, Persephoné +<p>Filling an embossed bowl with perfumed water, Persephoné bathed the hands of her mistress, who had sunk down upon a low, tapestried couch. Then, combing out her luxuriant hair, she bound it in a jewelled netting that looked like a constellation of stars against the dusky masses it -confined. Taking a long, sleeveless robe of amber, Persephoné +confined. Taking a long, sleeveless robe of amber, Persephoné flung it about her subtle form and bound it over breast and shoulders with a jewelled band. But Theodora's glance informed her that something was still wanting and, -following the direction of her gaze, Persephoné's eye rested -on a life-size statue of Hekaté that stood with deadly calm +following the direction of her gaze, Persephoné's eye rested +on a life-size statue of Hekaté that stood with deadly calm on its inexorable face and slightly raised hands, from one of which hung something that glittered strangely in the subdued light of the recess.</p> -<p>Obeying Theodora's silent gesture, Persephoné advanced +<p>Obeying Theodora's silent gesture, Persephoné advanced to the image and took from its raised arm a circlet fashioned of two golden snakes with brightly enamelled scales, bearing in their mouths a single diamond, brilliant as summer lightning. @@ -3210,13 +3172,13 @@ This she gently placed on her mistress' head, so that the jewel flamed in the centre of the coronet, then, kneeling down, she drew together the unlatched sandals.</p> -<p>Persephoné's touch roused her mistress from a day dream +<p>Persephoné's touch roused her mistress from a day dream that had set her features as rigid as ivory, as she surveyed herself for a moment intently in a great bronze disk whose burnished surface gave back her flawless beauty line for line.</p> -<p>In Persephoné's gaze she read her unstinted admiration, +<p>In Persephoné's gaze she read her unstinted admiration, for, beautiful as the Circassian was, she loved beauty in her own sex, wherever she found it.</p> @@ -3254,7 +3216,7 @@ conqueror was compelled to respect. Lombards and Huns, Franks and Ostrogoths, Greeks and Africans, the savage giants issuing from the deep Teutonic forests, invading the classic soil of Rome, became so many Herculeses sitting -at the feet of Omphalé, and the atmosphere of the city by +at the feet of Omphalé, and the atmosphere of the city by the Tiber—the atmosphere that had nourished the Messalinas of Imperial Rome—poured the flame of ambition into the soul of a woman whose beauty released the strongest @@ -3263,7 +3225,7 @@ herself, in order to attain her soul's desire. To rule Rome from the fortress tomb of the Flavian emperor was the dream of Theodora's life. It had happened once. It would happen again, as long as men were ready to sacrifice at the shrines -of Hekaté.</p> +of Hekaté.</p> <p>Unbridled in her passions as she was strong in her physical organization, an unbending pride and an intensity of will @@ -3283,11 +3245,11 @@ captivated her imagination. There was something strangely fascinating in the mystery that surrounded him, there was even a wild thrill of pleasure in the seeming shame of loving one whose garb stamped him as one claimed by the Church. -He had braved her anger in refusing to accompany Persephoné. +He had braved her anger in refusing to accompany Persephoné. He had closed his eyes to Theodora's beauty, had sealed his ears to the song of the siren.</p> -<p>"A man at last!" she said half aloud, and Persephoné, +<p>"A man at last!" she said half aloud, and Persephoné, looking up from her occupation, gave her an inquisitive glance.</p> @@ -3301,19 +3263,19 @@ effect.</p> <p>After a pause of some duration, apparently oblivious of the fact that the announced caller was waiting without, -Theodora turned to Persephoné, brushing with one white +Theodora turned to Persephoné, brushing with one white hand a stray raven lock from the alabaster forehead.</p> <p>"Can it be the heat or the poison miasma that presages our Roman fever? Never has my spirit been so oppressed -as it is to-day, as if the gloomy messengers from Lethé's +as it is to-day, as if the gloomy messengers from Lethé's shore were enfolding me in their shadowy pinions. I saw his face in the dream of the night"—she spoke as if soliloquizing—"it was as the face of one long dead—"</p> <p>She paused with a shudder.</p> -<p>"Of whom does my lady speak?" Persephoné interposed +<p>"Of whom does my lady speak?" Persephoné interposed with a swift glance at her mistress.</p> <p>"The pilgrim who crossed my path to his own or my undoing. @@ -3335,7 +3297,7 @@ more beneath it than we wot of—"</p> the Circassian replied, without meeting her mistress' gaze. "Do they not throng to her bowers by the legion—"</p> -<p>"A pilgrimage of the animals to Circé's sty—each eager +<p>"A pilgrimage of the animals to Circé's sty—each eager to be transformed into his own native state," Theodora interposed contemptuously.</p> @@ -3343,7 +3305,7 @@ contemptuously.</p> mythical, fabled land—come to Rome to resist temptation and be forthwith canonized—"</p> -<p>Persephoné's mirth suffered a check by Theodora's reply.</p> +<p>Persephoné's mirth suffered a check by Theodora's reply.</p> <p>"Stranger things have happened. All the world comes to Rome on one business or another. This one, however, has @@ -3369,13 +3331,13 @@ the Circassian's question.</p> <p>"If I have read the pilgrim's eyes aright—"</p> -<p>"Perchance your own sweet eyes, my beautiful Persephoné, +<p>"Perchance your own sweet eyes, my beautiful Persephoné, discoursed to him something on that night that caused misgivings in his holy heart, and made him doubt your errand?" Theodora purred, extending her white arms and regarding the Circassian intently.</p> -<p>Persephoné flushed and paled in quick succession.</p> +<p>Persephoné flushed and paled in quick succession.</p> <p>"On that matter I left no doubt in his mind," she said enigmatically.</p> @@ -3383,7 +3345,7 @@ enigmatically.</p> <p>There was a brief pause, during which an inscrutable gaze passed between Theodora and the Circassian.</p> -<p>"Were you not as beautiful as you are evil, my Persephoné, +<p>"Were you not as beautiful as you are evil, my Persephoné, I should strangle you," Theodora at last said very quietly.</p> <p>The Circassian's face turned very pale and there was @@ -3391,19 +3353,19 @@ a strange light in her eyes. Her memory went back to an hour when, during one of the periodical feuds between Marozia and her younger sister, the former had imprisoned Theodora in one of the chambers of Castel San Angelo, -setting over her as companion and gaoler in one Persephoné, +setting over her as companion and gaoler in one Persephoné, then in Marozia's service.</p> <p>The terrible encounter between Theodora and the Circassian in the locked chamber, when only the timely appearance of the guard saved each from destruction at the hands of the other, as Theodora tried to take the keys of her prison -from Persephoné, had never left the latter's mind. Brave +from Persephoné, had never left the latter's mind. Brave as she was, she had nevertheless, after Marozia's fall, entered Theodora's service, and the latter, admiring the spirit of fearlessness in the girl, had welcomed her in her household.</p> -<p>"I am ever at the Lady Theodora's service," Persephoné +<p>"I am ever at the Lady Theodora's service," Persephoné replied, with drooping lids, but Theodora caught a gleam of tigerish ferocity beneath those silken lashes that fired her own blood.</p> @@ -3412,20 +3374,20 @@ her own blood.</p> finish what I left undone in the Emperor's Tomb!" she flashed with a sudden access of passion.</p> -<p>"The Lady Theodora is very brave," Persephoné replied, +<p>"The Lady Theodora is very brave," Persephoné replied, as, stirred by the memory, her eyes sank into those of her mistress.</p> <p>For a moment they held each other's gaze, then, with a generosity that was part of her complex nature, Theodora -extended her hand to Persephoné.</p> +extended her hand to Persephoné.</p> <p>"Forgive the mood—I am strangely wrought up," she said. "Cannot you help me in this dilemma, where I can trust in none?"</p> <p>"There dwells in Rome one who can help my lady," -Persephoné replied with hesitation; "one deeply versed in +Persephoné replied with hesitation; "one deeply versed in the lore and mysteries of the East."</p> <p>"Who is this man?" Theodora queried eagerly.</p> @@ -3443,7 +3405,7 @@ for her as could, to my belief, the sorcerer's art!"</p> <p>"Where does he abide?"</p> -<p>"In the <ins title="Transcriber's note: Original read Trasteveré">Trastevere</ins>."</p> +<p>"In the <ins title="Transcriber's note: Original read Trasteveré">Trastevere</ins>."</p> <p>"What does he for those who seek him?"</p> @@ -3453,7 +3415,7 @@ about that which otherwise would be unattainable—"</p> <p>"You rouse my curiosity! Tell me more of him."</p> -<p>An inscrutable expression passed over Persephoné's face.</p> +<p>An inscrutable expression passed over Persephoné's face.</p> <p>"He was Marozia's trusted friend."</p> @@ -3471,7 +3433,7 @@ derided his warnings."</p> <p>"It was her Fate. Tell me more!"</p> -<p>"He has visited every land under the sun. From Thulé +<p>"He has visited every land under the sun. From Thulé to Cathay his fame is known. Strange tales are told of him. No one knows his age. He seems to have lived always. As he appears now he hath ever been. They say he has @@ -3485,7 +3447,7 @@ of. At the first hour of the morning life will slowly return. But no one has yet dared to question him, where he has spent those dread hours."</p> -<p>Theodora had listened to Persephoné's tale with a strange +<p>Theodora had listened to Persephoné's tale with a strange new interest.</p> <p>"How long has this Hormazd—or whatever his name—resided @@ -3498,7 +3460,7 @@ incantation and at last conjured up such a tempest over the Seven Hills, as the city of Rome had not experienced since it was founded by the man from Troy—"</p> -<p>Persephoné's historical deficiency went hand in hand +<p>Persephoné's historical deficiency went hand in hand with a superstition characteristic of the age, and evoked no comment from one perchance hardly better informed with regard to the past.</p> @@ -3506,7 +3468,7 @@ with regard to the past.</p> <p>"I well remember the night," Theodora interposed.</p> <p>"We crept down into the crypts, where the dog-headed -Egyptian god keeps watch over the dead Emperor," Persephoné +Egyptian god keeps watch over the dead Emperor," Persephoné continued. "The lady Marozia alone remained on the summit with the wizard—amidst such lightnings and crashing peals of thunder and a hurricane the like of which @@ -3516,7 +3478,7 @@ the oldest inhabitants do not remember—"</p> "Perchance he may give me that which I have never known—"</p> -<p>"My lady would consult the wizard?" Persephoné interposed +<p>"My lady would consult the wizard?" Persephoné interposed eagerly.</p> <p>"Such is my intent."</p> @@ -3525,7 +3487,7 @@ eagerly.</p> <p>"I shall go to him!"</p> -<p>In Persephoné's countenance surprise and fear struggled +<p>In Persephoné's countenance surprise and fear struggled for mastery.</p> <p>"Then I shall accompany my lady—"</p> @@ -3546,7 +3508,7 @@ added imperiously:</p> attend him hither! And do you wait with them within call behind those curtains."</p> -<p>Then, as Persephoné silently piled cushions behind her +<p>Then, as Persephoné silently piled cushions behind her in the lion-armed chair and withdrew bowing, Theodora murmured to herself:</p> @@ -3582,10 +3544,10 @@ Theodora's hand and raised it to his lips.</p> <p>She had seated herself on a divan which somewhat shaded her face and invited him with a mute gesture to take his seat -beside her. Persephoné and the eunuchs had left the chamber.</p> +beside her. Persephoné and the eunuchs had left the chamber.</p> <p>"Fain would I have departed, Lady Theodora, when the -maid Persephoné, who has the devil in her eyes, told me +maid Persephoné, who has the devil in her eyes, told me that the Lady Theodora slept," Basil spoke as, with the light of a fierce passion in his eyes, he sank down beside the wondrous form, and his hot breath fanned her shoulder. "But @@ -3787,7 +3749,7 @@ will quench the holocaust?"</p> trust me, my lord, it will be a festive occasion—one long to be remembered. Perchance you, my lord, who boast of a large circle know young Fabio of the Cavalli—a -comely youth with the air and manners of a girl. Persephoné, +comely youth with the air and manners of a girl. Persephoné, my Circassian, could strangle him."</p> <p>"I know the youth, Lady Theodora," Basil interposed with @@ -3814,7 +3776,7 @@ I am told she is very fond of him—"</p> <p>A strange nervousness had seized Basil.</p> <p>"I shall bid him to the feast," Theodora continued. -"'Twere scant courtesy to request the Lady Roxaná's presence +"'Twere scant courtesy to request the Lady Roxaná's presence without that of her lover. And more, my lord. Since you boast your devotion to me in such unequivocal terms—your task it shall be to bring as your honored guest the valiant @@ -3883,7 +3845,7 @@ have the lips ever closed on mine, that could kindle the spark to set my breast afire with longing."</p> <p>"Ah me!" she continued, speaking as though she thought -aloud. "Will Hekaté ever grant me to find amongst these +aloud. "Will Hekaté ever grant me to find amongst these husks of passion and plotting that great love whereof once I dreamed, that love which I am seeking and which ever flits before me, disembodied and unattainable, like a ghost in @@ -3989,7 +3951,7 @@ head, wrapt in deepest thought.</p> <p>And while she gazed on her mirrored loveliness, an evil light sprang up in her eyes and all her mouth's soft lines froze to a mould of dreaming evil, as she turned to where -the image of Hekaté gazed down upon her with inhuman +the image of Hekaté gazed down upon her with inhuman calm upon its face, and, holding out shimmering, imploring arms, she cried:</p> @@ -4000,7 +3962,7 @@ as he stands before me, that he lose reason, honor, and manhood, as the price of my burning kisses—that he become my utter slave."</p> -<p>She clapped her hands and Persephoné appeared from +<p>She clapped her hands and Persephoné appeared from behind the curtains.</p> <p>"For once Fate is my friend," she turned with flashing @@ -4009,33 +3971,33 @@ of the Archangel, Alberic has appointed this nameless stranger captain of Castel San Angelo. Go—find him and bring him to me! Now we shall see," she added, "if all this beauty of mine shall prevail against his manhood. Your -eyes express doubt, my sweet Persephoné?"</p> +eyes express doubt, my sweet Persephoné?"</p> <p>Theodora had raised herself to her full height. She looked regal indeed—a wonderful apparition. What man lived there to resist such loveliness of face and form?</p> -<p>Persephoné, too, seemed to feel the woman's magic, +<p>Persephoné, too, seemed to feel the woman's magic, for her tone was less confident when she replied:</p> <p>"Such beauty as the Lady Theodora's surely the world has never seen."</p> -<p>"I shall conquer—by dread Hekaté," Theodora flashed, -flushed by Persephoné's unwitting tribute. "He shall +<p>"I shall conquer—by dread Hekaté," Theodora flashed, +flushed by Persephoné's unwitting tribute. "He shall open for me the portals of the Emperor's Tomb, he shall sue at my feet for my love—and obtain his guerdon. Not a -word of this to anyone, my Persephoné—least of all, the +word of this to anyone, my Persephoné—least of all, the Lord Basil. Bring the stranger to me by the postern—"</p> <p>"But—if he refuse?"</p> -<p>There was something in Persephoné's tone that stung +<p>There was something in Persephoné's tone that stung Theodora's soul to the quick.</p> <p>"He will not refuse."</p> -<p>Persephoné bowed and departed, and for some time +<p>Persephoné bowed and departed, and for some time Theodora's dark inscrutable eyes brooded on the equally inscrutable face of the goddess of the Underworld, which was just then touched by a fugitive beam of sunlight and @@ -4167,7 +4129,7 @@ San Nereo and San Basilio, shining like white huts, a stone's throw from the mighty walls. Beyond, as a beacon of the Christian world in ages to come, on the site of the ancient Circus of Nero, arose the Basilica of Constantine, still in its -pristine simplicity, ere the genius of Michel Angelo, Bramanté +pristine simplicity, ere the genius of Michel Angelo, Bramanté and Sangallo transformed it into the magnificence of the present St. Peter's.</p> @@ -4192,7 +4154,7 @@ with their servants, even to their cook.</p> <p>Returning full of wonder to the golden light of day, Tristan retraced his steps once again over the Appian Way. Passing the ruined Circus of Maxentius, across smooth fields of -grass, he saw the fortress tomb of Cæcilia Metella, set grandly +grass, he saw the fortress tomb of Cæcilia Metella, set grandly upon the hill. It appeared to break through the sunshine, its marble surface of a soft cream color, looking more like the shrine of some immortal goddess of the Campagna than the @@ -4212,7 +4174,7 @@ to the place held but little significance.</p> Victorious generals returning in their chariots from the south, drove between these avenues of cypress-guarded tombs to Rome. The body of the dead Augustus had been -brought with great following from Bovilæ to the Palatine, +brought with great following from Bovilæ to the Palatine, as before him Sulla had been borne along to Rome amid the sound of trumpets and tramp of horsemen. Near the fourth milestone stood Seneca's villa, where he received @@ -4371,7 +4333,7 @@ and the Apostles with lilies and candelabra.</p> <p>To their shrines, to do homage, had in time come the Kings from all the earth: Oswy, King of the Northumbrians, -Cædwalla, King of the West Saxons, Coenred, King of the +Cædwalla, King of the West Saxons, Coenred, King of the Mercians, and with him his son Sigher, King of the East Saxons. Even Macbeth is said to have made the pilgrimage. Ethelwulf came in the middle of the ninth century, and with @@ -5143,7 +5105,7 @@ him, if he were not wary.</p> <p>For some time Basil had been vaguely conscious of losing ground in the favor of the woman whom no man might utterly -trust save to his undoing. The rivalry of Roxaná, who, like +trust save to his undoing. The rivalry of Roxaná, who, like her tenth-century prototypes, was but too eager to enter the arena for Marozia's fateful inheritance, had poured oil on the flames when Theodora had learned that the Senator @@ -6359,7 +6321,7 @@ force of a tropical hurricane.</p> <hr class="chap" /> <h3><a name="CHAPTER_IVb" id="CHAPTER_IVb">CHAPTER IV</a><br /> -PERSEPHONÉ</h3> +PERSEPHONÉ</h3> <div> @@ -6411,7 +6373,7 @@ garden of Avalon, and to one who perchance was walking alone in the garden, along the flower-bordered paths where he had found and lost his greatest happiness.—</p> -<p>Persephoné meanwhile had not been idle. It pleased her +<p>Persephoné meanwhile had not been idle. It pleased her for once to propitiate her mistress, and through her own spies she had long been informed of Tristan's movements, being not altogether averse to starting an intrigue on her own @@ -6429,9 +6391,9 @@ dogged Tristan's footsteps all these weary days.</p> <p>"What do you want with me?" asked the latter somewhat disturbed by her sudden appearance, as he came out of the little temple church of San Stefano in Rotondo on the brow of -the Cælian Hill.</p> +the Cælian Hill.</p> -<p>Persephoné had raised her veil and in doing so had taken +<p>Persephoné had raised her veil and in doing so had taken care to reveal her beautiful white arms.</p> <p>"I am unwelcome doubtless," she replied, after a swift @@ -6447,16 +6409,16 @@ nevertheless, at her self-assurance.</p> fancies," he said curtly, trying to pass her. But she barred his passage.</p> -<p>"As for your inclination to follow me," Persephoné laughed—"that +<p>"As for your inclination to follow me," Persephoné laughed—"that is a matter for you to decide, if you intend to prosper in your new station."</p> <p>She paused a moment, with a swift side glance at the man. -Persephoné had not miscalculated the effect of her speech, +Persephoné had not miscalculated the effect of her speech, for Tristan had started visibly at her words and the knowledge they implied.</p> -<p>"As for your time," Persephoné continued sardonically, +<p>"As for your time," Persephoné continued sardonically, "that is another matter. No doubt there are still a few sanctuaries to visit," she said suggestively, with tantalizing slowness and a tinge of contempt in her tones that was far @@ -6471,7 +6433,7 @@ Are your sins so grievous indeed?"</p> piqued at her persistence. "Perchance my sins are grievous indeed."</p> -<p>"Ah! So much the better," Persephoné laughed, showing +<p>"Ah! So much the better," Persephoné laughed, showing her white teeth and approaching a step closer. "The world loves a sinner. What it dislikes is the long-faced repentant transgressor. You are a man after all—it is time enough to @@ -6488,7 +6450,7 @@ upon his feelings he only asked quietly:</p> <p>"What would you with me? Surely it was not to tell me this that you have tracked me hither."</p> -<p>Persephoné thought she had now brought the metal to a +<p>Persephoné thought she had now brought the metal to a sufficiently high temperature for fusion. She proceeded to mould it accordingly. Nevertheless she was determined to gain some advantage for herself in executing her mistress' @@ -6522,7 +6484,7 @@ the factions periodically?"</p> a favor?" Tristan asked with instinctive caution. "I am a stranger to you. What have we in common?"</p> -<p>Persephoné laughed.</p> +<p>Persephoné laughed.</p> <p>"Perchance I am in love with you myself—ever since that night when you would not enter the forbidden gates. @@ -6535,7 +6497,7 @@ Tristan's resolution.</p> <p>Still, he wavered.</p> -<p>"You have seen my mistress," Persephoné resumed, "the +<p>"You have seen my mistress," Persephoné resumed, "the fairest woman and the most powerful in Rome—a near kinswoman, too, of your new master—the Senator."</p> @@ -6557,10 +6519,10 @@ with some anxiety in his tone. "And how did you know where to find me in a city like this?"</p> <p>"I know a great many things—and so does my mistress," -Persephoné made smiling reply. "But she does not choose +Persephoné made smiling reply. "But she does not choose every one to be as wise as she is. I will answer both your questions though, if you will answer one of mine in return. -The Lady Theodora did not mention you by name," Persephoné +The Lady Theodora did not mention you by name," Persephoné prevaricated, "yet I do not think there is another man in Rome who would serve her as would you.—And now tell me in turn.—Deem you not, she is very beautiful?"</p> @@ -6570,7 +6532,7 @@ with a hesitation that remained not unremarked. "Yet, what is there in common between two strangers from the farthest extremities of the earth?"</p> -<p>"What is there in common?" Persephoné smiled. "You +<p>"What is there in common?" Persephoné smiled. "You will know ere an hour has sped. But, if you would take counsel from one who knows, you will do wisely to ponder twice before you choose—your master. Silence now! @@ -6580,21 +6542,21 @@ the trees."</p> <p>They had arrived on Mount Aventine. Before them, in the dusk, towered the great palace of Theodora.</p> -<p>After cautioning him, Persephoné led Tristan through a +<p>After cautioning him, Persephoné led Tristan through a narrow door in a wall and they emerged in a garden. They were now in a fragrant almond grove where the branches of the trees effectually excluded the rays of the rising moon, -making it hardly possible to distinguish Persephoné's tall +making it hardly possible to distinguish Persephoné's tall and lithe form.</p> <p>Presently they emerged upon a smooth and level lawn, shut in by a black group of cedars, through the lower branches of which peeped the crescent moon and, turning the corner of a colonnade, they entered another door which opened to -Persephoné's touch and admitted them into a long dark +Persephoné's touch and admitted them into a long dark passage with a lamp at the farther end.</p> -<p>"Stay here, while I fetch a light," Persephoné whispered +<p>"Stay here, while I fetch a light," Persephoné whispered to Tristan and, gliding away, she presently returned, to conduct him through a dark corridor into another passage, where she stopped abruptly and, raising some silken hangings, @@ -6628,7 +6590,7 @@ Around the cornices, relics of imperial Rome, nymphs and satyrs in bas-relief danced hand in hand, wild woodland creatures, exultant in all the luxuriance of beauty and redundancy of strength; and yonder, where the lamp cast its -softest glow upon her, stood a marble statue of Venus Anadyomené, +softest glow upon her, stood a marble statue of Venus Anadyomené, her attitude expressive of dormant passion lulled by the languid insolence of power and tinged with an imperious coquetry, the most alluring of all her charms.</p> @@ -6653,7 +6615,7 @@ indeed, as she had taken, she had not ventured upon without careful calculation of its far reaching effect. Determined to make this obstinate stranger pliable to her desires, to instill a poison into his veins which must, in time, work her -will, she had deliberately commanded Persephoné to conduct +will, she had deliberately commanded Persephoné to conduct him to this bower, the seductive air of which no one had yet withstood.</p> @@ -6916,14 +6878,14 @@ added, genuine regret in his tone—"will the Lady Theodora permit me to depart? The hour waxes late and there is much to be done ere the morrow's dawn."</p> -<p>Theodora clapped her hands and Persephoné appeared +<p>Theodora clapped her hands and Persephoné appeared between the curtains.</p> <p>"Farewell, my Lord Tristan. We shall speak of this again," she said, beaming upon him with all the seductive fire of her dark eyes, and he, bowing, took his leave.</p> -<p>When Persephoné returned, she was as much puzzled at +<p>When Persephoné returned, she was as much puzzled at the inscrutable smile that played about her mistress' lips as she had been at Tristan's abstracted state of mind, for, hardly noting her presence, he had walked in silence beside her to @@ -7871,7 +7833,7 @@ Captain, Don Garcia. He may be of assistance to you."</p> toward the Cœlian Hill.</p> <p>A brilliant light beat upon domes and spires and pinnacles, -and flooded the august ruins of the Cæsars on the distant +and flooded the august ruins of the Cæsars on the distant Palatine and the thousand temples of the Holy Cross with scintillating radiance which poured down from the intense blue of heaven.—</p> @@ -8485,7 +8447,7 @@ taken possession of the youth and he had rudely repelled Roxana when she tried to soothe his wine-besotten brain.</p> <p>"Perchance," she turned to Theodora, "remembering how -Circé of old changed her lovers into swine, the sainted pilgrim +Circé of old changed her lovers into swine, the sainted pilgrim no longer worships at Santa Maria of the Aventine."</p> <p>Theodora started at the sound of her rival's hated voice as @@ -8532,7 +8494,7 @@ eyes turning from him to the woman.</p> <p>"Beware lest I be tempted to strangle you," she spoke in a low tone, her white hands opening and closing convulsively.</p> -<p>"Like Persephoné, your Circassian,—in the Emperor's +<p>"Like Persephoné, your Circassian,—in the Emperor's Tomb?" came the taunting reply.</p> <p>Theodora's face was white as lightning.</p> @@ -8621,7 +8583,7 @@ sphinx-like face.</p> <p>"And then?" spoke the voice of Basil.</p> <p>"When our devotions had come to a close," Roxana turned -to the speaker, "Theodora sent Persephoné to conduct the +to the speaker, "Theodora sent Persephoné to conduct the saintly stranger to her bowers. And then the unlooked for happened. The saintly stranger fled, like Joseph of old. He did not even leave his garb."</p> @@ -8985,7 +8947,7 @@ settle."</p> <p>"A very anchorite," the mocking voice of Fabio rose above the silence.</p> -<p>A young noble of the Cætani tried to quiet him, but in vain:</p> +<p>A young noble of the Cætani tried to quiet him, but in vain:</p> <p>"The Lord Basil is no monk."</p> @@ -9604,7 +9566,7 @@ to him.</p> <p>It was day now. The sun was high and hot. The streets and thoroughfares were thronged. A bright, fierce light beat down upon dome and spire and pinnacle, flooding the august -ruins of the Cæsars and the thousand temples of the Holy +ruins of the Cæsars and the thousand temples of the Holy Cross with brilliant radiance from the cloudless azure of the heavens. Over the Tiber white wisps of mist were rising. Beyond, the massive bulk of the Emperor's Tomb was revealed @@ -9715,7 +9677,7 @@ rabble's mind."</p> <p>"The hermit of Mount Aventine?" Tristan queried.</p> <p>"Even he! He has a strange craze, a doctrine of the End -of Time, to be accomplished when the cycle of the sæculum +of Time, to be accomplished when the cycle of the sæculum has run its course. A doctrine he most furiously proclaims in language seemingly inspired, and which he promulgates to farther his own dark ends."</p> @@ -9897,7 +9859,7 @@ of enormous blackness, pierced as with innumerable empty eyes flooded by greenish, ghostly moonlight. Necromancers and folk practising the occult arts dwelled in ancient houses built with the honey-colored Travertine, stolen from -the Hill of the Cæsars. It was said that strange sounds +the Hill of the Cæsars. It was said that strange sounds echoed from the arena at night; that the voices of those who had died for the faith in the olden days could be heard screaming in agony at certain periods of the moon.</p> @@ -10422,7 +10384,7 @@ errand, whom none behold as, creeping through the gloom, she undermines, unties and loosens all the pillars of creation, with no more sign nor sound than a black snake in the tangled grass, till with a thunder that stuns the world the house of -God comes crashing down—dread Hekaté herself.</p> +God comes crashing down—dread Hekaté herself.</p> <p>Was there any crime he had left undone?</p> @@ -10513,7 +10475,7 @@ surface of the disk.</p> upon the disk, which at once spread in a mirror-like surface. Then he began to mutter some words in an Oriental tongue, and lighted a few grains of a chemical preparation which -emitted an odor of bitter aloë. This, when the flames had +emitted an odor of bitter aloë. This, when the flames had subsided, he threw upon the oil which at the contact became iridescent.</p> @@ -12536,7 +12498,7 @@ calls."</p> <p>"Where is your mistress?" Tristan turned to the Circassian.</p> -<p>A strange smile played on Persephoné's lips.</p> +<p>A strange smile played on Persephoné's lips.</p> <p>"She awaits you in yonder kiosk," she replied, edging close to him. "Take care you do not thwart her though—for @@ -12545,7 +12507,7 @@ to-day she strikes to kill."</p> <p>"It is well," Tristan replied. "It must come, and will be no more torture now than any other time."</p> -<p>Persephoné gave a strange smile, then she led him through +<p>Persephoné gave a strange smile, then she led him through a cypress avenue, at the remote end of which the marble kiosk gleamed white in the moonlight.</p> @@ -12894,7 +12856,7 @@ for the holocaust that is to be. But why did the Lady Theodora cry out and bring the tender love scene to a close all unfinished?"</p> -<p>"By pale Hekaté, I had almost forgot the woman! Why +<p>"By pale Hekaté, I had almost forgot the woman! Why did I permit her to go without strangling her on the spot?" she cried, the growing anger which the man's speech had aroused, brought to white heat in the reminder.</p> @@ -13230,7 +13192,7 @@ of Light. Now, the God of Light begat the primal man and sent him, equipped with the five pure elements, to fight against Satan. But the latter proved himself the stronger, and the primal man was, for the time, vanquished. In time the cult -of the Manichæans spread. The seat of the Manichæan +of the Manichæans spread. The seat of the Manichæan pope was for centuries at Samarkand. From there, defying persecutions, the sect spread, and obtained a foothold in northern Africa at the time of St. Augustine. Thence it slowly @@ -16024,7 +15986,7 @@ inroads to the very gates of the city. On this evening Pandulph of Benevento, having taken umbrage at some decision of the Sacred Consistory regarding the lands he held as fief of the Church, conferring upon him a title which was disputed -by Wido of Prænesté, had broken into the city and a bloody +by Wido of Prænesté, had broken into the city and a bloody and obstinate conflict was being waged between his forces and the soldiers of the Church. The Roman nobles, ever restless and ready to revolt alike from the authority of the @@ -16205,7 +16167,7 @@ at my hands—"</p> <p>The gleaming white arm went out, and ere Hellayne knew what happened, she found herself raised into the second -chariot, where sat a tall girl of great beauty, Persephoné, the +chariot, where sat a tall girl of great beauty, Persephoné, the Circassian.</p> <p>A signal to the charioteer and the pageant moved with @@ -16218,26 +16180,26 @@ them in horror, and they soon found themselves, their chariot and its driver, almost the only human beings in the now deserted thoroughfare.</p> -<p>Hellayne meanwhile sat, utterly dazed, next to Persephoné. +<p>Hellayne meanwhile sat, utterly dazed, next to Persephoné. Terrified by the danger she had escaped, and scarcely reassured by the manner of her rescue she seemed as one in a stupor, unable to think, unable to speak.</p> -<p>Persephoné regarded her with a strange fascination, not +<p>Persephoné regarded her with a strange fascination, not unmingled with curiosity. Hellayne's fair and wonderful beauty appealed strangely to the Circassian, while, with her native intuition, she wondered whether Theodora's act was prompted by kindness or revenge.</p> <p>Hellayne seemed, for the first time, to note her companion. -Looking into Persephoné's eyes she shuddered.</p> +Looking into Persephoné's eyes she shuddered.</p> <p>"Where are we going?" she whispered, gazing about in a state of bewilderment, as the procession slowly wound up the slopes of the Mount of Cloisters, and the broad ribbon of the Tiber gleamed below in the moonlight.</p> -<p>A strange smile curved Persephoné's lips.</p> +<p>A strange smile curved Persephoné's lips.</p> <p>"To the Groves of Enchantment," she replied. "You are the guest of the Lady Theodora."</p> @@ -16256,7 +16218,7 @@ Circassian's arms.</p> her harrowing experiences of the past days, despair had given back to Hellayne the strength of youth. But in the lithe Circassian she found her match and, after a few moments, -she sank back exhausted, Persephoné's arms encircling her +she sank back exhausted, Persephoné's arms encircling her like coils of steel, while her smiling eyes sank into her own.</p> <p>The palace of Theodora rose phantom-like from among its @@ -16546,7 +16508,7 @@ she must sit idly by and wait—wait, though the blood coursed like lava through her veins. She dared confide in none, nor could she even have speech with the man she loved. She had managed to curb her feelings and to preserve an -outward calm, while Persephoné prepared her for repose. +outward calm, while Persephoné prepared her for repose. The latter was much puzzled by her mistress's mood, but she retired to her own couch carefree, while Theodora writhed in an agony such as she had never known before.</p> @@ -16574,7 +16536,7 @@ rose she had made up her mind where and how to strike. Nothing remained but to choose the weapon and to put a keener edge upon the steel.</p> -<p>When Persephoné came to assist her mistress, she wondered +<p>When Persephoné came to assist her mistress, she wondered how the mood of the evening had passed. While attiring Theodora, the Circassian could not but wonder at the marvellous beauty of this woman who had bent the hearts of @@ -16586,7 +16548,7 @@ feet. Roger de Laval was the great man's name. He came from some far away, fabled land, and it was rumored that he had come to Rome to seek his truant wife. Having surprised her in the arms of her lover, whom she had followed, he had -killed both. Such a temper was to the liking of Persephoné, +killed both. Such a temper was to the liking of Persephoné, and, as her soft white fingers played around her mistress' throat, in the endeavor to fasten her rose-colored tunic, she could hardly restrain herself from encircling that @@ -16598,7 +16560,7 @@ her soul.</p> silence.</p> <p>"She remains in the chamber which the Lady Theodora -has assigned to her." Persephoné replied.</p> +has assigned to her." Persephoné replied.</p> <p>"Are the eunuchs at their post?"</p> @@ -16612,13 +16574,13 @@ has assigned to her." Persephoné replied.</p> <p>"I know! Yet I would not delay this meeting longer."</p> -<p>Persephoné hesitated.</p> +<p>Persephoné hesitated.</p> <p>"The Lady Hellayne is in a perilous mood—"</p> <p>"I should love nothing better than to find her so," Theodora replied, extending her two snowy arms, whose steely -strength Persephoné knew so well. "I long for the conflict +strength Persephoné knew so well. "I long for the conflict with this marble statue as I have never longed for anything in my life. I could find it in my heart to be happy if she destroyed me with those white hands that rival mine, if she @@ -16626,7 +16588,7 @@ but stepped out of her reserve, her marble calm, if her soul ignited from mine."</p> <p>"If I know aught about her kind, the Lady Theodora will -do well to be wary," Persephoné replied demurely.</p> +do well to be wary," Persephoné replied demurely.</p> <p>The covert taunt had its instantaneous effect.</p> @@ -16634,7 +16596,7 @@ do well to be wary," Persephoné replied demurely.</p> Theodora flashed, regarding herself in the bronze mirror and brushing a stray lock of hair from her white brow.</p> -<p>"What will you do with her, Lady Theodora?" Persephoné +<p>"What will you do with her, Lady Theodora?" Persephoné purred.</p> <p>Theodora's face was very white.</p> @@ -16644,7 +16606,7 @@ satisfy. And now go and fetch hither the Lady Hellayne that I may hear from her own lips how she fared under the roof of her rival."</p> -<p>Persephoné departed from the room, while Theodora arose +<p>Persephoné departed from the room, while Theodora arose and, stepping to the casement, looked out into the blossoming gardens that encircled her palace.</p> @@ -16655,7 +16617,7 @@ the wonderful face in repose would have seemed that of an angel rather than a woman meditating the destruction of another.</p> -<p>After a time Persephoné returned. By her side walked +<p>After a time Persephoné returned. By her side walked Hellayne.</p> <p>Her beauty seemed even enhanced by the expression of @@ -16664,7 +16626,7 @@ a dark robe, almost severe in its straight lines. The loose sleeves revealed her white arms. Her hair was tied in a Grecian knot.</p> -<p>At a sign from Theodora Persephoné left the room.</p> +<p>At a sign from Theodora Persephoné left the room.</p> <p>For a moment the two women faced each other in silence, fixing each other with their gaze, each trying to read the @@ -17003,7 +16965,7 @@ time, to blanch.</p> <p>She clapped her hands.</p> -<p>The door opened and Persephoné stood on the threshold.</p> +<p>The door opened and Persephoné stood on the threshold.</p> <p>She had listened, and not a word of their discourse had escaped her watchful ears.</p> @@ -17054,7 +17016,7 @@ moving and immobile, indistinguishable, the inmates of the litter had not drawn the curtains, so as to admit the cooling night air. There was a fixedness in Theodora's look and a recklessness in her manner that showed anger and determination. -It struck Persephoné, who was seated by her +It struck Persephoné, who was seated by her side, with a sort of terror, and for once she did not dare to accost her mistress with her usual banter and freedom.</p> @@ -17062,7 +17024,7 @@ accost her mistress with her usual banter and freedom.</p> half obscured room, whose sable hangings seemed to reflect the unrest of her soul. She had forbidden the lamps to be lighted, brooding alone in darkness and solitude. Then she -had summoned Persephoné, ordered her litter-bearers and +had summoned Persephoné, ordered her litter-bearers and commanded them to take her to the house of Sidonia, a woman versed in all manner of lore that shunned the light of day.</p> @@ -17070,13 +17032,13 @@ of day.</p> <p>"It must be done! It shall be done!" she muttered, her white face tense, her white hands clenched.</p> -<p>Suddenly her hand closed round Persephoné's wrist.</p> +<p>Suddenly her hand closed round Persephoné's wrist.</p> <p>"She defies me, knowing herself in my power," she said. "We shall see who shall conquer."</p> <p>"The Lady Hellayne is as fearless of death, as yourself, -Lady Theodora," Persephoné replied. "Indeed, she seemed +Lady Theodora," Persephoné replied. "Indeed, she seemed rather to desire it, for no woman ever faced you with such defiance as did she when you put before her the fatal choice."</p> @@ -17087,21 +17049,21 @@ ere she quits the abode I have assigned to her. God! Not even Roxana had dared to say to me what this one did."</p> <p>"Nor would her shafts have struck so deep a wound," -Persephoné interposed with studied insolence.</p> +Persephoné interposed with studied insolence.</p> <p>Theodora's grip tightened round the girl's wrist.</p> <p>"You admire the Lady Hellayne?" she said softly, but there was a gleam in her eyes like liquid fire.</p> -<p>"As one brave woman admires another!" Persephoné +<p>"As one brave woman admires another!" Persephoné replied fearlessly, turning her beautiful face to the speaker.</p> <p>"You may require all your courage some day to face another task," Theodora replied. "Beware, lest you tempt me to do what I might regret."</p> -<p>Persephoné turned white. Her bosom heaved. Her eyes +<p>Persephoné turned white. Her bosom heaved. Her eyes met Theodora's.</p> <p>"I shall welcome the ordeal with all my heart!"</p> @@ -17251,7 +17213,7 @@ thoughts.</p> <p>"To kill woman or man were a pleasure even without the profit," replied Sidonia, darkly. "I come from a race, -ancient and terrible as the Cæsars, and I hate the puny +ancient and terrible as the Cæsars, and I hate the puny rabble. I have my own joy in making my hand felt in a world I hate and which hates me!"</p> @@ -17537,11 +17499,11 @@ thoughts, as a drowning man amid tossing waves, groping about in the dark for a plank to float upon, when all else has sunk in the seas around him.</p> -<p>She had hardly touched the food which Persephoné herself +<p>She had hardly touched the food which Persephoné herself had brought to her. Yet it seemed to her the Circassian had regarded her strangely, as she placed the viands before her. She had tried to frame a question, but her lips seemed to -refuse the utterance, and at last Persephoné had departed, +refuse the utterance, and at last Persephoné had departed, with the mocking promise to return later, to inquire how the Lady Hellayne had spent the day.</p> @@ -18676,7 +18638,7 @@ ominously among the hills and valleys of Rome, when three men, cloaked and wearing black velvet masks, skirted -the huge mediæval wall with which Pope Leo IV had girdled +the huge mediæval wall with which Pope Leo IV had girdled the gardens of the Vatican and, passing along the fortified rampart which surrounded the Vatican Hill, plunged into the trackless midnight gloom of deep, branch-shadowed thickets.</p> @@ -18831,7 +18793,7 @@ leading into subterranean chambers, secret and secluded places into which human foot never strayed, for, not unlike the catacombs, it was well-nigh impossible to find the exit from its labyrinthine passages without the saving thread of -Ariadné.</p> +Ariadné.</p> <p>At a signal from the Prefect of the Camera all stopped. Heavy drops of rain were falling. The hurricane increased @@ -19946,384 +19908,7 @@ delle Rocce</span>).<br /></p> <p>The corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p></div> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Under the Witches' Moon, by Nathan Gallizier - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNDER THE WITCHES' MOON *** - -***** This file should be named 44827-h.htm or 44827-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/8/2/44827/ - -Produced by anhhuyalex, Suzanne Shell and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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