"No ordinary woman could," she said. "But recollect who I am. Reflect upon my far-reaching influence for evil--an influence which is felt throughout this kingdom. I tell you that rather than continue I would kill myself." The man laughed aloud. "I admit all that," he said. "If the people of London knew the truth they would, I believe, tear you limb from limb. But they are ignorant; therefore you are but an ordinary girl of more than extraordinary beauty." "Which means that my beauty will always ruin those upon whom I may bestow a glance. As my touch is fatal to certain objects of adoration, so is my love-look fatal to those who admire me. No," she added, after a brief pause, "I have determined to act as this man's protector, instead of his destroyer." "You are relenting," he observed with sarcasm. "Soon you will proclaim your repentance." "No!" she cried fiercely. "I shall never repent, because of you. To you I owe the major part of this evil of which I am possessed, and to you--" "It was your choice," he interrupted, with a brutal laugh. "You accepted the challenge, and gave your soul to the Evil One. Why blame me?" "At your instigation," she went on in fierce anger. "To the world I am a pure, ingenuous girl; yet beneath this veil of virtue and purity I work these veritable miracles of evil, possessing a power which ofttimes appals me, an irresistible influence that nothing can withstand. I am unique in the world as possessing this superhuman faculty of being able to impart evil to those with whom I come into contact, be they pure as angels. You taunt me," she added. "But some day you will crave mercy of me, and then I will show you none--none! I will be hard-hearted as flint--as relentless as you are to-night!" "You wish to break away from the compact, but you shall not," the man said firmly, between his teeth. "If you prefer defiance, well and good. But I merely point out that obedience is best." She paused. She was, I surmised, deep in reflection. "Very well," at last she answered, in a hoarse, unnatural voice. "Now that I have sunk so low I suppose it is impossible to sink further. But recollect that this same influence that I will exert over this, my latest victim, I will one day exert over you. I warn you. One day ere long you will crave pity at my feet." "Never from you," the man said, with a short defiant laugh. "I have only prophesied once before," she answered meaningly. "Whether or no that came true you are well aware. In this world of London I am, as yet, unknown, but when the true facts are known this great metropolis will stand aghast in terror. Our positions will then be reversed. You will be the victim, and I triumphant." "Proceed," he laughed. "All this is intensely interesting." There was a pause, longer than before. "Then you declare that I must do this thing?" she asked, in a strange, hollow voice, the voice of one dismayed.