herself to anticipate a discovery of the book by voluntarily
restoring it. The rencontre in the park by no means diminished her
dread of addressing him on this subject; but she resolved that the
rendition of Caesar's things to Caesar should take place that
evening before she slept.




CHAPTER VI.


The narrow, vaulted passage leading to Mr. Murray's suit of rooms
was dim and gloomy when Edna approached the partly opened door of
the rotunda, whence issued a stream of light. Timidly she crossed
the threshold and stood within on the checkered floor, whose
polished tiles glistened under the glare of gas from bronze brackets
representing Telamones, that stood at regular intervals around the
apartment. The walls were painted in Saracenic style, and here and
there hung specimens of Oriental armor--Turcoman cimeters, Damascus
swords, Bedouin lances, and a crimson silk flag, with heavy gold
fringe, surmounted by a crescent. The cornice of the lofty arched
ceiling was elaborately arabesque, and as Edna looked up she saw
through the glass roof the flickering of stars in the summer sky. In
the centre of the room, immediately under the dome, stretched a
billiard-table, and near it was a circular one of black marble,
inlaid with red onyx and lapis lazuli, which formed a miniature
zodiac similar to that at Denderah, while in the middle of this
table sat a small Murano hour-glass, filled with sand from the
dreary valley of El Ghor. A huge plaster Trimurti stood close to the