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experiment。 It was the elixir which so terribly exploded one
night when you were passing my house； and it is idle to deny
that the conduct of so delicate a process； among the million
jars and trepidations of so great a city； presents a certain
element of danger。 From this point of view； I cannot but
regret the perfect stillness of my house among the deserts；
but； on the other hand； I have succeeded in proving that the
singularly unstable equilibrium of the elixir； at the moment
of projection； is due rather to the impurity than to the
nature of the ingredients； and as all are now of an equal and
exquisite nicety； I have little fear for the result。 In a
week then from to…day； my dear Asenath； this period of trial
will be ended。' And he smiled upon me in a manner unusually
paternal。
I smiled back with my lips； but at my heart there raged the
blackest and most unbridled terror。 What if he failed？ And
oh； tenfold worse！ what if he succeeded？ What detested and
unnatural changeling would appear before me to claim my hand？
And could there； I asked myself with a dreadful sinking； be
any truth in his boasts of an assured victory over my
reluctance？ I knew him； indeed； to be masterful； to lead my
life at a sign。 Suppose； then； this experiment to succeed；
suppose him to return to me； hideously restored； like a
vampire in a legend； and suppose that； by some devilish
fascination 。 。 。 My head turned； all former fears deserted
me： and I felt I could embrace the worst in preference to
this。
My mind was instantly made up。 The doctor's presence in
London was justified by the affairs of the Mormon polity。
Often； in our conversation； he would gloat over the details
of that great organisation； which he feared even while yet he
wielded it； and would remind me； that even in the humming
labyrinth of London； we were still visible to that unsleeping
eye in Utah。 His visitors； indeed； who were of every sort；
from the missionary to the destroying angel； and seemed to
belong to every rank of life； had； up to that moment； filled
me with unmixed repulsion and alarm。 I knew that if my
secret were to reach the ear of any leader my fate were
sealed beyond redemption； and yet in my present pass of
horror and despair； it was to these very men that I turned
for help。 I waylaid upon the stair one of the Mormon
missionaries； a man of a low class； but not inaccessible to
pity； told him I scarce remember what elaborate fable to
explain my application； and by his intermediacy entered into
correspondence with my father's family。 They recognised my
claim for help； and on this very day I was to begin my
escape。
Last night I sat up fully dressed； awaiting the result of the
doctor's labours； and prepared against the worst。 The nights
at this season and in this northern latitude are short； and I
had soon the company of the returning daylight。 The silence
in and around the house was only broken by the movements of
the doctor in the laboratory； to these I listened； watch in
hand； awaiting the hour of my escape； and yet consumed by
anxiety about the strange experiment that was going forward
overhead。 Indeed； now that I was conscious of some
protection for myself； my sympathies had turned more directly
to the doctor's side； I caught myself even praying for his
success； and when some hours ago a low； peculiar cry reached
my ears from the laboratory； I could no longer control my
impatience； but mounted the stairs and opened the door。
The doctor was standing in the middle of the room； in his
hand a large； round…bellied； crystal flask； some three parts
full of a bright amber…coloured liquid； on his face a rapture
of gratitude and joy unspeakable。 As he saw me he raised the
flask at arm's length。 'Victory！' he cried。 'Victory；
Asenath！' And then … whether the flask escaped his trembling
fingers； or whether the explosion were spontaneous； I cannot
tell …enough that we were thrown； I against the door…post；
the doctor into the corner of the room； enough that we were
shaken to the soul by the same explosion that must have
startled you upon the street； and that； in the brief space of
an indistinguishable instant； there remained nothing of the
labours of the doctor's lifetime but a few shards of broken
crystal and those voluminous and ill…smelling vapours that
pursued me in my flight。
THE SQUIRE OF DAMES （CONCLUDED）
WHAT with the lady's animated manner and dramatic conduct of
her voice； Challoner had thrilled to every incident with
genuine emotion。 His fancy； which was not perhaps of a very
lively character； applauded both the matter and the style；
but the more judicial functions of his mind refused assent。
It was an excellent story； and it might be true； but he
believed it was not。 Miss Fonblanque was a lady； and it was
doubtless possible for a lady to wander from the truth； but
how was a gentleman to tell her so？ His spirits for some
time had been sinking； but they now fell to zero； and long
after her voice had died away he still sat with a troubled
and averted countenance； and could find no form of words to
thank her for her narrative。 His mind； indeed； was empty of
everything beyond a dull longing for escape。 From this
pause； which grew the more embarrassing with every second； he
was roused by the sudden laughter of the lady。 His vanity
was alarmed； he turned and faced her； their eyes met； and he
caught from hers a spark of such frank merriment as put him
instantly at ease。
'You certainly；' he said； 'appear to bear your calamities
with excellent spirit。'
'Do I not？' she cried； and fell once more into delicious
laughter。 But from this access she more speedily recovered。
'This is all very well；' said she； nodding at him gravely；
'but I am still in a most distressing situation； from which；
if you deny me your help； I shall find it difficult indeed to
free myself。'
At this mention of help Challoner fell back to his original
gloom。
'My sympathies are much engaged with you；' he said； 'and I
should be delighted； I am sure。 But our position is most
unusual； and circumstances over which I have； I can assure
you； no control； deprive me of the power … the pleasure …
Unless； indeed；' he added； somewhat brightening at the
thought； 'I were to recommend you to the care of the police？'
She laid her hand upon his arm and looked hard into his eyes；
and he saw with wonder that； for the first time since the
moment of their meeting； every trace of colour had faded from
her cheek。
'Do so；' she said； 'and … weigh my words well … you kill me
as certainly as with a knife。'
'God bless me！' exclaimed Challoner。
'Oh；' she cried； 'I can see you disbelieve my story and make
light of the perils that surround me； but who are you to
judge？ My family share my apprehensions； they help me in
secret； and you saw yourself by what an emissary； and in what
a place； they have chosen to supply me with the funds for my
escape。 I admit that you are brave and clever and have
impressed me most favourably； but how are you to prefer