Alice had sunk into a chair, faint, sickened by the sight of the demon leer that now he did not even turn to conceal. “Well, now, what questions do you want to put to me? I am quite ready to answer any,” he said, dropping himself into a chair before her, crossing his feet, folding his arms, and leaning back. “Elsie, then? Have you seen her?” “No.” “What, not seen Elsie!” she repeated, with a look of deep disappointment. “Not seen Elsie?” “No,” he answered again, looking at her with steady, imperturbable contempt. “But you—you intend to see her?” asked Alice, with a sinking voice. “Never! Never, so help me Heaven! And now listen, minion! fool! It was for the purpose of punishing her and you—of beggaring her and you, that I obtained that deed!” he exclaimed, malice, scorn, taunting triumph writhing around his lips, flashing from his eyes, and lighting up the whole dark face with a lurid demoniac fire. Alice stared at him for an instant with a marble-like immobility of countenance, as if it were impossible for her to comprehend such black treachery. Stretching out his arm, and pointing his finger at her, he laughed aloud. Then the spell of amazement that checked the current of her blood was broken, and slowly from the pallid lips came the words: “Oh, my God! I understand it all now!” “Ha! ha! ha! do you?” “All—all,” she continued, without withdrawing her steady gaze—“all, all. I have sold my birthright and hers, for—a kiss!” “Ha! ha! ha! Well, what do you want to complain of? You got the kiss,” he exclaimed, in the most insulting manner. “I have sold her birthright for a kiss! a serpent’s kiss! a Judas kiss!” cried Alice, wildly wringing her hands. “Come, Mrs. Garnet, no hard words, if you please. Remember how you hung upon me this morning. You were so affectionate! I was quite flattered; grew ‘quite in favor with myself,’ and almost with you—only it is impossible to rekindle ashes.” “Oh, fiend, fiend! remorseless fiend! I shall go mad! Oh, God! where sleep your thunderbolts?” cried Alice, rising, and walking distractedly up and down the floor. “Come, madam. No more of this. I am tired of it. Resume your seat,” exclaimed General Garnet, leaving his scornful, taunting manner, and speaking in the deep, stern tones of haughty command. But Alice heard him not, as she walked wildly up and down the room, crying: “Oh, God! God! where rest your thunderbolts?” “Do you hear me? Sit down, I say! or, by Heaven, I will send you in search of the thunderbolts!” But Alice was not to be stopped now. Still wildly walking up and down the floor, distractedly wringing her hands, she was pouring forth the gathered bitterness of many years.