Beautiful. No one who listened to his eloquence would have dreamed
of the Spartan resolution this iron man had taken in regard to the
Lost Boy--his own beloved Lionel. None!

"A fine speech from Sir Edward to-night," said Lord Billingsgate,
as, arm-and-arm with the Premier, he entered his carriage.

"Yes! but how dreadfully he coughs!"

"Exactly. Dr. Bolus says his lungs are entirely gone; he breathes
entirely by an effort of will, and altogether independent of
pulmonary assistance."

"How strange!" and the carriage rolled away.


BOOK III.

THE DWELLER OF THE THRESHOLD.


"ADON AI, appear! appear!"

And as the Seer spoke, the awful Presence glided out of
Nothingness, and sat, sphinx-like, at the feet of the Alchemist.

"I am come!" said the Thing.

"You should say, 'I have come,'--it's better grammar," said the
Boy-Neophyte, thoughtfully accenting the substituted expression.