His curiosity was aroused, and he went over as near as he could.
"Come!" whispered Halcyone, and walked to the high window-sill of the
middle section, and then put down her burden upon the old faded velvet
seat.
"See, I will take off her veil gradually," she said, "and you must tell
me of what she makes you think."
John Derringham was growing interested by now, but had no idea in the
world of the marvel he was going to see. He started more perceptibly
than even Mr. Carlyon had done seven years before, when he had realized
the superlative beauty of the Greek head.
Halcyone uncovered it reverently, and then took a step back, and waited
silently for him to speak.
He looked long into the marvelous face, and then he said as though he
were dreaming:
"Aphrodite herself!"
"Ah! I felt you would know and recognize her at once--Yes, that is her
name. Oh, I am glad!" and Halcyone clapped her hands. "She is my mother,
and so, you see, I am never alone here, for she speaks always to me of
love."
John Derringham looked at her sharply as she said this, and in her eyes
he saw two wells of purity, each with an evening star melted into its
depths.
Pages:
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194