wall, on a triangular pedestal of black rock, and the Siva-face and
the writhing cobra confronted all who entered. Just opposite grinned
a red granite slab with a quaint basso-relievo taken from the ruins
of Elora. Near the door were two silken divans, and a richly carved
urn, three feet high, which had once ornamented the facade of a tomb
in the royal days of Petra, ere the curse fell on Edom, now stood an
in memoriam of the original Necropolis. For what purpose this room
was designed or used Edna could not imagine, and after a hasty
survey of its singular furniture, she crossed the rotunda, and
knocked at the door that stood slightly ajar. All was silent; but
the smell of a cigar told her that the owner was within, and she
knocked once more.

"Come in."

"I don't wish to come in; I only want to hand you something."

"Oh! the deuce you don't! But I never meet people even half-way, so
come in you must, if you have anything to say to me. I have neither
blue blazes nor pitchforks about me, and you will be safe inside. I
give you my word there are no small devils shut up here, to fly away
with whomsoever peeps in! Either enter, I say, or be off."

The temptation was powerful to accept the alternative; but as he had
evidently recognized her voice, she pushed open the door and
reluctantly entered. It was a long room, and at the end were two
beautiful fluted white marble pillars, supporting a handsome arch,
where hung heavy curtains of crimson Persian silk, that were now
partly looped back, showing the furniture of the sleeping apartment
beyond the richly carved arch. For a moment the bright light dazzled