"He had released his hand, and now again began drawing figures in the air. All were looking at him wonderingly, excepting Raymond Lulli, who never once raised his eyes, fixed broodingly upon the floor. At last the motions ceased, and the hand fell heavily upon the bed beside the dying man. Agnes sat silent, looking into his face with a face as white. At last she spoke, in an unsteady, constrained voice. "'Father,' said she, 'is there nothing else? Must I do that?' "No answer. "'Father,' said she again, 'must I do that?' "Agnes waited for a little while, then again said: "'Father, must I do that? Is there nothing else? Must I do that?' "'Yes.' "There was another space of breathless silence, and then one of the women began to cry; the others joined in with her. Arnold de Villeneuve was dead. "Agnes arose from the side of the bed where she sat, and, without saying a word, walked slowly and stiffly out of the room. "That same afternoon her waiting-woman came to Raymond Lulli, and told him that her mistress wished to speak with him. He followed the woman up the long flight of steps to the door of Agnes's chamber. He knocked, and heard a faint voice within bid him enter. Agnes was standing in the centre of the room, clad in a dark rich dress, heavily embroidered with seed-pearls. Her dark hair was gathered loosely behind by a golden serpent which held the locks together. There were no signs of tears upon her pale face, but her eyes were encircled by dark rings. "Raymond stood for a moment looking at her. 'Agnes!' he cried, and then came forward into the room, and took her into his arms. She neither yielded nor resisted, but stood passive and motionless. There was something about her that struck a chill through him; he drew back, and looked into her face. 'Agnes,' he said, 'what is it? Are you ill? Do you not love me?' "There was a moment's pause. 'Yes,' said Agnes, 'I love you.' "Again Raymond took her in his arms, but still there was no response. "Suddenly she laid her hand upon his breast, and drew a little back. 'Tell me,' said she--'tell me, Raymond, is there in this house a little crystal globe in a silver box?' "Raymond hesitated. 'Yes,' said he. "Agnes's lips moved as though she said something to herself. Then she spoke again: 'And tell me one thing more, did not you and my father discover a clear liquor by means of which you could become richer than any one in France or in the world?' "'Yes,' said Raymond. Again he saw Agnes's lips move. "'And tell me,' said she; 'have you not a book written in strange characters, and illuminated with two strange pictures?' "'Yes,' said Raymond. "Again, for the third time, Agnes moved her lips, and this time Raymond heard the words which she whispered to herself: 'Then it is true.' "'What is true, Agnes?' said he. "She did not seem to hear his question. 'Tell me this, Raymond,' said she, 'did not you and my father work together in a dark vaulted place under the ground?'