t prove to be the case.
Well, while he lived he was a good friend and a good fellow and none
can hope for a better epitaph in a world where all things are soon
forgotten.

And now, what was I to do? To tell the truth I did not altogether desire
to reopen this chapter in past history, or to have to listen to painful
reminiscences from the lips of a bereaved woman. Moreover, beautiful
as she had been, for doubtless she was _passee_ now, and charming as of
course she remained--I do not think I ever knew anyone who was quite so
charming--there was something about Lady Ragnall which alarmed me. She
did not resemble any other woman. Of course no woman is ever quite like
another, but in her case the separateness, if I may so call it, was very
marked. It was as though she had walked out of a different age, or even
world, and been but superficially clothed with the attributes of our
own. I felt that from the first moment I set eyes upon her and while
reading her letter the sensation returned with added force.

Also for me she had a peculiar attraction and not one of the ordinary
kind. It is curious to find oneself strangely intimate with a person
of whom after all one does not know much, just as if one really knew a
great deal that was shut off by a thin but quite impassable door. If so,
I did not want to open that door for who could tell what might be on
the other side of it? And intimate conversations with a lady in whose
company one has shared very strange experiences, not infrequently lead
to the opening of every kind of door.

Further I had made up my mind some time ago to have no more friendships
with women who are so full of surprises, but to live out the rest of
my life in a kind of monastery of men who have few surprises, being
creatures whose thoughts are nearly always open and whose actions can
always be foretold.

Lastly there was that _Taduki_ business. Well, there at any rate I was
clear and decided. No earthly power would induce me to have anything
more to do with _Taduki_ smoke. Of course I remembered that Lady Ragnall
once told me kindly but firmly that I would if she wished. But that was
just where she made a mistake. For the rest it seemed unkind to refuse
her invitation now when she was in trouble, especially as I had once
promised that if ever I could be of help, she had only to command me.
No, I must go. But if that word--_Taduki_--were so much as mentioned I
would leave again in a hurry. Moreover it wo