e really liked
it."

"Well," I said, "it is the same sort of thing here. I am only here for a
time, and though I do not know where I am going or when, I think I shall
not be here much longer."

At this Cynthia did what she had never done before--she kissed me. Then
she said, "Don't speak of such disagreeable things. I could not get on
without you. You are so convenient, like a comfortable old arm-chair."

"What a compliment!" I said. "But you see that you don't like my
explanation. Why trouble about it? You have plenty of time. Is Lucius
like an arm-chair, too?"

"No," she said, "he is exciting, like a new necklace--and Charmides, he
is exciting too, in a way, but rather too fine for me, like a
ball-dress!"

"Yes," I said, "I noticed that your own taste in dress is different of
late. This is a much simpler thing than what you came in."

"Oh, yes," she said, "it doesn't seem worth while to dress up now. I
have made my friends, and I suppose I am getting lazy."

We said little more, but she did not seem inclined to leave me, and was
more with me for a time. I actually heard her tell Lucius once that she
was tired, at which he laughed, not very pleasantly, and went away.

But my own summons came to me so unexpectedly that I had but little time
to make my farewell.

I was sitting once in a garden-close watching a curious act proceeding,
which I did not quite understand. It looked like a religious ceremony; a
man in embroidered robes was being conducted by some boys in white
dresses through the long cloister, carrying something carefully wrapped
up in his arms, and I heard what sounded like an antique hymn of a fine
stiff melody, rapidly sung.

There had been nothing quite like this before, and I suddenly became
aware that Amroth was beside me, and that he had a look of anger in his
face. "You had better not look at this," he said to me; "it might not be
very helpful, as they say."

"Am I to come with you?" I said. "That is well--but I should like to say
a word to one or two of my friends here."

"No, not a word!" said Amroth quickly. He looked at me with a curious
look, in which he seemed to be measuring my strength and courage. "Yes,
that will do!" he added. "Come at once--don't be surprised--it will be
different from what you expect."

He took me by the arm, and we hurried from the place; one or two of the
people who stood by looked at us in lazy wonder. We walked in silence
down a long alley, to a great