"All is going well!" announced the authoritative voice of Aglae. "Band! Strike up--here is the crisis!" she shouted joyfully, but the musicians stood aghast. Sure the poor gentleman had the dance of St. Vitus as well as lesser ailments. A savour of brimstone pervaded the apartment. Some swore, with shrieks, that they could see his Satanic majesty--could count the hairs in his tail; and then all rushed forth pell-mell like panic-stricken sheep. Madame de Vaux screamed and fainted, while Angelique, who was no coward, retired into a corner. Clovis had his misgivings, and as he scraped on, louder now to mask the retreat of defaulters, wondered inwardly whether it was all a devil's trick? He cast uneasy glances at the stooping Aglae, who rubbed on unmoved. What a stupendous woman. Not a tremor at suggestion of the Evil One. He felt sure that face to face with the whole Satanic court that strong-minded female's colour would not have changed a shade. It was not possible to feel fear in so sturdily self-reliant a presence. Clovis's misgivings waned, and he groaned on at his instrument with lightened heart. His ever-increasing admiration for mademoiselle became tinctured with an awe in which respect was mingled with apprehension. Who could resist such a woman whatever she might decree? She had indeed twisted her admirer round her finger, and could do with him as she listed. The seance over, the baron was wrapped in blankets and exhorted to sleep while the adept and her neophyte refreshed the inner person. When they returned later to the operating room the old lady, recovered from her swoon, was weeping silently, while Angelique stood by amazed. The tears were those of relief and joy. The twang of the sciatic nerve was stilled. The pain was gone. The baron, wringing the hand of Mademoiselle Brunelle, vowed he was younger by ten years. This was the tale told in duet, with the accompanying chorus of the abbe. Amazing, marvellous, wonderful! Aglae beamed on all around like the dimmed sun through golden mist. At every moment Clovis appealed to her with the devoted submissiveness of willing slavery. His chains were of roses, and he hugged them. Pharamond glanced slyly from time to time at the two ladies, so contrasted in appearance and demeanour, and then frowned at the chevalier, who was absorbed by attentions to the bottle. It was inconvenient that the oaf should take to drink. Had he not been charged with the important mission of watching over the marquise? He had better take good care not to transgress. If aught went wrong in the abbe's absence the chevalier should repent it bitterly. END OF VOLUME I. * * * * * SIMMONS & BOTTEN, PRINTERS, LONDON. _G. C. & Co_.