a body in motion.
Whatever it chanced to be, it was, in most cases, an insignificant
characteristic, which, for others, simply did not exist, but which, to
the one affected by it, made instant appeal, and just to that corner of
the soul which had hitherto suffered aimlessly for the want of it--a
suffering which nothing but this intonation, this particular smile,
could allay. He himself had long since learnt what it was, about her
face, that made a like appeal to him. It was her eyes. Not their size,
or their dark brilliancy, but the manner of their setting: the spacious
lid that fell from the high, wavy eyebrow, first sloping deeply
inwards, then curving out again, over the eyeball; this, and the clean
sweep of the broad, white lid, which, when lowered, gave the face an
infantine look--a look of marble. He knew it was this; for, on the
strength of a mere hinted resemblance, he had been unable to take his
eyes off the face of another woman; the likeness in this detail had met
his gaze with a kind of shock. But what a meaningless thing was life,
when the way a lid drooped, or an eyebrow grew on a forehead, could
make such havoc of your nerves! And more especially when, in the brain
or soul that lay behind, no spiritual trait answered to the
physical.--Well, that was for others to puzzle over, not for him. The
strong man tore himself away while there was still time, or saved
himself in an engrossing pursuit. He, having had neither strength nor
saving occupation, had bartered all he had, and knowingly, for the
beauty of this face. And as long as it existed for him, his home was
beside it.

He turned restlessly. Disturbed in her dreams, Louise flung over on her
other side.

"Eugen!" she murmured. "Save me!--Here I am! Oh, don't you see me?"

He shook her by the arm. "Wake up!"

She was startled and angry. "Won't you even let me sleep?"

"Keep your dreams to yourself then!"

There was a savage hatred in her look. "Oh, if I only could! ... if
only my hands were strong enough!--! I'd kill you!"

"You've done your best."

"Yes. And I'm glad! Remember that, afterwards. I was glad!"

It had been a radiant April morning of breeze and sunshine, but towards
midday, clouds gathered, and the sunlight was constantly intercepted.
Maurice had had occasion to fetch something from his lodgings and was
on his way back. The streets were thronged with people: business men,
shop-assistants and students, returning to work from the re