“No! don’t say that, for I was going to add, that he is much older than his years, and that I don’t think that he will live for many more! He is in such a despondent condition too, that I feel very anxious about him, and I want you to watch him carefully. Have you any poison about the premises--beetle poison, or oxalic acid, or any of those mixtures, that servants use for cleaning?” “What do you mean?” inquired Hannah, with open eyes. “I mean, that if his distresses weigh too heavily upon his mind, he may get up some night and take anything that comes to hand, to end his life. If you have any such dangerous mixtures in the Cottage, Hannah, you must throw them away, or lock them up. And you will be very kind to Ricardo--for my sake, won’t you? “Get him a nice little hot supper, and meet him with a kind smile, when he comes in, for he is very low-spirited to-day, and if he asks for a séance, give him one. He has promised to dine with me alone to-morrow, and then I will have a serious talk with him, about all this, and show him the folly of endangering your health and his own for the sake of his occult studies. Will you do this--for _my_ sake?” he concluded, looking in her face. “Yes, for _your_ sake, Karl,” she answered, in a low voice. “Ah! why didn’t _I_ see the beauties in your undeveloped character, when we first met, and marry you, instead of Ricardo?” exclaimed the Baron, “there should have been none of this forcing of your inclinations then! I would have carried you abroad, and let your natural talents have full sway, until they had blossomed into fruition. You have a big heart and soul and brain, Hannah! They only require opportunity, to keep pace with those of anybody.” “And would you have taken me there?” demanded Hannah, with sudden interest. “There--or anywhere!” cried Von Steinberg, rashly. Hannah made no answer, except what was conveyed by putting her huge hand into his. He glanced at it, as it lay in his slenderer palm. It was less rough, and of a better colour, than it had been, but it was still very, _very_ far from what a lady’s hand should be! As he regarded it, the same feeling of wonder that had assailed him before, rose in his breast, as to _what_ it was, that fascinated him in this woman. At times he felt an intolerable repugnance to her--at others, he was drawn towards her, with an irresistible attraction! Was she a witch? Had she exercised any unholy spell over him? He looked up in her face with its large, heifer-like eyes--so simple, so bovine, it appeared--but as he gazed, an archness stole into the eyes--a wicked smile hovered over the lips--and the Baron felt he was victimised once more. “And when are we to begin this wonderful lesson?” asked Hannah, presently. “You don’t seem to require any lesson to-day,” replied Von Steinberg, “you are the most unaccountable creature I ever met in my life! If you would only always remain the same!” “Then--you would tire of me. It is the way with men.”