ke care!"

"A snare! Who was it that spoke?"

"I know not. I instantly drew aside the curtain, but there was no one
there."

"No one!" Goutran smiled. "But this is sorcery, my dear fellow. You
must have been dreaming. It was, of course, some illusion."

"Illusion!" repeated Esperance, impatiently, "I tell you that I heard
the words distinctly."

"Then it was some one who, seeing you buried in thought, played this
wretched joke."

"That may be, but there was a tone of sincerity in the voice that struck
me."

"But there is no sense in the words. A snare! Who could spread one for
you in this house but myself? Now will you, in your turn, tell me if you
have absolute faith in me? I have been anxious to coax you from your
studies and your solitude, and I was glad when I saw you come in
to-night. Now, my dear fellow, dismiss these fancies. Take my arm and
make a plunge into the furnace!"

Goutran laughed as he led the way toward the room where Jane Zeld had
been singing.

"Can the snare," continued Goutran, "be found in the delicious tones of
that voice, which has moved you so deeply? Those eyes are wonderfully
bright."

Esperance found himself near the piano. Jane had risen, and was
receiving the many compliments of her admirers. She saw Esperance, and
as her eyes fell upon him, Goutran felt his companion start.

"Suppose," he said, "that I present you to our star? Surely she will
exorcise your dismal thoughts. Mademoiselle," he added, addressing Jane,
"one of your most ardent admirers solicits the honor of being presented
to you."

The two--Jane and Esperance--were now face to face. Esperance, pale and
silent, looked at Jane, while she stood waiting possibly for some words
of praise.

The crowd swept on, leaving these two persons almost alone, and at this
moment a candle fell from one of the chandeliers upon the train of
Jane's black tulle, and shrieks from all the women rent the air. Flames
threatened to envelop Jane. With a rapidity that was quicker than
thought, Esperance tore down one of the heavy Eastern portieres, and
wrapped it around the girl. He did this so skilfully that in a minute
the flames were stifled, and Jane stood, pale but smiling, as if she
hardly knew the danger she had been in. She was magnificent, enveloped
in this mantle that looked like a royal robe.

Having accomplished his work Esperance drew back, like a worshipper
recoiling in terror after touching the goddess.

At this mome