"Thy mistress!" cried Jonathan, almost sobbing in the excess of
his emotion; "take me to her upon the instant, or I cannot answer
for my not going entirely mad!"

When our hero was again introduced to the lady, he found her clad
in a loose and an elegant negligee, infinitely becoming to her
graceful figure, and still covered with the veil of silver gauze
that had before enveloped her.

"Friend," he cried, vehemently, approaching her and holding out
toward her the little ivory ball, "take again this which thou
gavest me! It has brought death to three men, and I know not what
terrible fate may befall me if I keep it longer in my possession.

"What is it you say?" cried she, in a piercing voice. "Did you
say it hath caused the death of three men? Quick! Tell me what
has happened, for I feel somehow a presage that you bring me news
of safety and release from all my dangers."

"I know not what thou meanest!" cried Jonathan, still panting
with agitation. "But this I do know: that when I went away from
thee I departed an innocent man, and now I come back to thee
burdened with the weight of three lives, which, though innocent I
have been instrumental in taking."

"Explain!" exclaimed the lady, tapping the floor with her foot.
"Explain! explain! explain!"

"That I will," cried Jonathan, "and as soon as I am able! When