"On the souls of women. Men say that
magic is a dream and a chimera. Women say that miracles are past, or that
there never were such things. But the power of sin is magical. The death
of beauty and of innocence in a soul is a miracle. My power over you,
Julian, is magic. The bondage of your soul to mine is a miracle. Come
with me."
"I will not come."
But Julian's face, his whole attitude, betokened the most piteous and
degraded irresolution. This man, this creature, governed him despite
himself. He felt once more for the hand of Cuckoo, and finding it, spoke
again more firmly:
"I'll not come," he said. "I'll stay with her. I love her."
Valentine cast a malign glance upon Cuckoo, but again fear seemed to draw
near to him. He made no answer.
"Only once I'll come," Julian said. "To-night. I lost Valentine in the
dark. In the dark I'll seek for him, I'll find him again. Cuckoo shall
come too, and the doctor. That flame--it went into the air. I'll find
it--I'll find it again."
"Come, then--seek it--seek Valentine. But I, too, was with you in the
dark. And in the dark I will destroy you. Till to-night then, Julian!"
He turned and went out.
CHAPTER IX
THE LAST SITTING
That evening Julian drove Cuckoo down Victoria Street.
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