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Updated: May 18, 2025
"There is the Count," whispered Rayel, directing my attention to the opposite box. The diabolical little Frenchman was there, sure enough, sitting next to the rail, and sweeping the audience with his opera-glasses. Soon the curtain was rung up and the rehearsal began which was to test the powers of the venturesome young lady.
When I awoke again Rayel was sitting beside me. As I opened my eyes he leaned over and kissed my hands. "They thought you were dead once," he said; "but I knew you were not dead I knew you were not dead." I lay for a moment trying to collect my thoughts. My head was in tight bandages and something was binding my chest. "Where is Hester?" I asked. Rayel did not answer.
It was a scene the like of which few can ever hope to witness. After all, I thought, what manner of riches can be compared to the satisfaction which Rayel feels at this moment? I was quite ready then to applaud his unselfish generosity, for in that gloomy and unclean place I first saw the full radiance of God's truth that it is infinitely more blessed to give than to receive.
I supposed that one of the physicians had come to see me, and I waited for him to speak. "Kendric!" It was Rayel who spoke my name, but somehow his voice did not seem quite natural, and I turned to greet him. "This is our 'Woman," said he, advancing toward me with Hester upon his arm. I rose feebly to my feet, confused by the sudden announcement, and took her extended hand.
Only one face was visible, and all eyes were turned upon it, for now the effect of that pale light keeping it in view was indescribably weird. The eyes were suddenly turned in the direction of Rayel, and a devilish glare came in them for an instant, when the face suddenly seemed to shrink back into darkness. The ladies and some of their more gallant escorts rushed precipitately from the room.
Just at that moment a singular thing happened. The lights grew dim and suddenly went out, as if the gas had been turned off. The burning cognac cast a white flickering light upon the face of the man who had just spoken. "You say there is no trace of the thieves," said Rayel. "That is strange, for one of them is in this room sitting at your table."
A handsome annuity was provided for his only surviving servant. The remainder was left to Rayel. Having arranged for the maintenance of the old mute at an asylum not far from the city, our preparations to leave were soon complete. I was elated at the prospect of resuming my relations with the busy world outside that lonely habitation.
Please go as soon as possible," he pleaded, laying his hand gently upon my shoulder. "Take her with you, and let me stay." My heart seemed suddenly to have stopped beating. "My God, Rayel!" I exclaimed. "Are we both in love with the same woman?" "No, Kendric, no," he said quickly, taking my hand. "I do not mean that. I would not permit myself to love her, knowing that you love her also."
I saw Italians, Celts, Poles, Germans and even men whose swarthy faces and peculiar garb betokened Syrian origin. When we pressed nearer to Rayel I saw some, as they came within reach, extend their hands and touch him fondly, uttering exclamations as they did so, often in a tongue that was strange to me.
"Be calm, Rayel," he continued, almost sternly, as his son began weeping. "Be calm, I say! That music! do you hear it, child? Do you see what is passing now? Tell it. Let me hear you." "I cannot hear it," said Rayel, looking earnestly into his father's face. "Hallucination!" he whispered, groping about until his hand rested on the head of his son, who was kneeling beside him.
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