do, though why I should have thought it so I do not quite know."

"You are quite right, Quatermain. I had that foolish fancy, a lover's
freak, I suppose. When we married the curtain was removed although the
brass rod on which it hung was left by some oversight. On my return to
England after my loss, however, I found that I could not bear to
look upon this lifeless likeness of one who had been taken from me so
cruelly, and I caused it to be replaced. I did more. In order that it
might not be disturbed by some dusting housemaid, I myself made it fast
with three or four tin-tacks which I remember I drove through the velvet
stuff into the panelling, using a fireiron as a hammer. At the time
I thought it a good job although by accident I struck the nail of the
third finger of my left hand so hard that it came off. Look, it has not
quite finished growing again," and he showed the finger on which the new
nail was still in process of formation.

"Well, as I walked up and down the room some impulse caused me to look
towards the picture. To my astonishment I saw that it was no longer
veiled, although to the best of my belief the curtain had been drawn
over it as lately as that afternoon; indeed I could have sworn that this
was so. I called to Savage to bring the lamp that stood upon my table,
and by its light made an examination. The curtain was drawn back, very
tidily, being fastened in its place clear of the little alcove by means
of a thin brass chain. Also along one edge of it, that which I had
nailed to the panelling, the tin-tacks were still in their places; that
is, three of them were, the fourth I found afterwards upon the floor.

"'She looks beautiful, doesn't she, my lord,' said Savage, 'and please
God so we shall still find her somewhere in the world.'