The Ghost - A Modern Fantasy by Arnold Bennett
page 56 of 245 (22%)
page 56 of 245 (22%)
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She abruptly ceased speaking and coughed, clearing her throat, and she
fixed her large eyes on me. Outside I could hear the distant strain of the orchestra, and the various noises of a great crowd of people. But this little dark room, with its sharply defined oval of light, was utterly shut off from the scene of gaiety. I was aware of an involuntary shiver, and for the life of me I could not keep my gaze steadily on the face of the tall woman who sat so still, with such impressiveness, on the other side of the table. I waited for her to proceed, and after what seemed a long interval she spoke again: "You aren't afraid, are you?" she demanded. "Of course I'm not." "Then you shall look into the crystal and try to see what I saw. I will not tell you. You shall try to see for yourself. You may succeed, if I help you. Now, try to free your mind from every thought, and look earnestly. Look!" I drew the globe towards me from under her fingers. "Rum!" I murmured to myself. Then I strenuously fixed my eyes on the glinting depths of the crystal, full of strange, shooting fires; but I could see nothing whatever. "No go!" I said. "You'll have to tell me what you saw." "Patience. There is time yet. Look again. Take my hand in your right |
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