er can I. If there is anything further
you wish to see, I am quite willing to show it to you."

"I'm obliged to you," said Sir Norman, stepping back; "but no more at
present, thank you. Do you mean to say, madam, that I'm some day to
murder a lady, especially one so beautiful as she I just now saw?"

"I have said nothing--all you've seen will come to pass, and whether
your destiny be for good or evil, I have nothing to do with it, except,"
said the sweet voice, earnestly, "that if La Masque could strew Sir
Norman Kingsley's pathway with roses, she would most assuredly do so."

"Madam, you are too kind," said that young gentleman, laying his hand on
his heart, while Ormiston scowled darkly--"more especially as I've the
misfortune to be a perfect stranger to you."

"Not so, Sir Norman. I have known you this many a day; and before long
we shall be better acquainted. Permit me to wish you good evening!"

At this gentle hint, both gentlemen bowed themselves out, and soon
found themselves in the street, with very different expressions of
countenance. Sir Norman looking considerably pleased and decidedly
puzzled, and Mr. Ormiston looking savagely and uncompromisingly jealous.
The animated skeleton who had admitted them closed the door after them;
and the two friends stood in the twilight on London Bridge.

CHAPTER II. THE DEAD BRIDE

"Well," said Ormiston, drawing a long bath, "what do you think of that?"

"Think? Don't ask me yet." said Sir Norman, looking rather bewildered.
"I'm in such a state of mystification that I don't rightly know whether
I'm standing on my head or feet. For one thing, I have come to the
conclusion that your masked ladylove must be enchantingly beautiful."

"Have I not told you that a thousand times, O thou of little faith? But
why have you come to such a conclusion?"

"Because no woman with such a figure, such a voice and such hands could
be otherwise."

"I knew you would own it some day. Do you wonder now that I love her?"

"Oh! as to loving her," said Sir Norman, coolly, "that's quite another
thing. I could no more love her or her hands, voice, and shape, than I
could a figure in wood or wax; but I admire her vastly, and think her
extremely clever. I will never forget that face in the caldron. It was
the most exquisitely beautiful I ever saw."

"In love with the shadow of a face! Why, you are a thousand-fold more
absurd than I."

"No," said Sir Norman, thoughtfully, "I don't