reternaturally keen. Again the
two were talking--and about him, that was somehow evident. And, as they
talked, he beheld a being, exquisitely formed, perfect in every part,
step forth from between the lips of the woman fashioned of ivory and
gold. It knelt upon one knee. Over the heads of the vast, dull-coloured
multitude of workers, those witnesses of and participators in the
execution of Eternal Justice, it gazed at him, Richard Calmady, and at
him alone. And its gaze enfolded and held him like an embrace. It wooed
him, extending its arms in invitation. It was naked and unashamed. It
was black--black as the reeking, liquid lanes between the hulls of the
many ships, over which the screaming gulls circled seeking foul
provender, down in Naples harbour.--And he knew the fair woman it came
forth from for Helen de Vallorbes, herself, in her crocus-yellow gown
sewn with seed pearls. And he knew it for the immortal soul of her. And
he perceived, moreover, as it smiled on and beckoned him with
lascivious gestures, that its hands and its lips were bloody, since it
had broken the hearts of living women and torn and devoured the honour
of living men.

"_Ernani, Ernani, involami_"--still the air was vibrant with that
glorious voice. But the love of which it was the exponent, the flight
which it counseled, had ceased, to Richard's hearing, to bear relation
to that which is earthly, concrete, and of the senses. The passion and
promise of it were alike turned to nobler and more permanent uses,
presaging the quick coming of expiation and of reconciliation contained
in that supreme event. For he knew that, in a little moment, Helen must
arise and follow the soul which had gone forth from her--the soul of
which, in all its admirable perfection of outward form and blackness of
intimate lies and lust, was close to him--though he no longer actually
beheld it--here, beside him, laying subtle siege to him even yet. Where
it went, there, of necessity, she who owned it must shortly follow,
since soul and body cannot remain apart, save for the briefest space,
until death effect their final divorce. Therefore Helen would come
speedily. It could not be otherwise--so, at least, he argued. And her
coming meant the culmination. Then, time being fully ripe, the bees
would swarm, swarm at last,--labour revenging itself upon sloth, hunger
upon gluttony, want upon wealth, obscurity upon privilege,--justice
being thus meted out, and he, Richard, cleanse