The Prophet of Berkeley Square by Robert Smythe Hichens
page 53 of 390 (13%)
page 53 of 390 (13%)
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but--the Berkeley Square?"
CHAPTER IV THE SECRET WATERS OF THE RIVER MOUSE To this question the Prophet could offer no answer other than a bodily one. He silently presented himself to the gaze of Malkiel, instinctively squaring his shoulders, opening out his chest, and expanding his nostrils in an effort to fill as large a space in the atmosphere of the parlour as possible. And Malkiel continued to regard him with the staring eyes of one whose mind is seething with strange, upheaving thoughts and alarming apprehensions. Mutely the Prophet swelled and mutely Malkiel observed him swell, till a point was reached from which further progress--at least on the Prophet's part--was impossible. The Prophet was now as big as the structure of his frame permitted him to be, and apparently Malkiel realised the fact, for he suddenly dropped his eyes and exclaimed,-- "This matter must be threshed out thoroughly, Madame herself would wish it so." He paused, drew his chair nearer to the Prophet's, took off a glove and continued,-- "Sir, you may be a prophet. You may have prophesied correctly in the Berkeley Square. But if you are, and if you have, remember this--that you have proved the self-sacrifice, the privation, the denial, the |
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