This singular speech was accompanied by a still more singular
transfiguration of countenance--a dark, fiery glory burned in his
eyes, and, in the stern, frowning wonder and defiance of his
expression and attitude, there was something grand yet terrible,--
menacing yet supernaturally sublime. He stood so for an instant's
space, majestically sombre, like some haughty, discrowned emperor
confronting his conqueror,--a rumbling, long-continued roll of
thunder outside seemed to recall him to himself, and he pressed
his hand tightly down over his eyelids, as though to shut out some
overwhelming vision. After a pause he looked up again,--wildly,
confusedly,--almost beseechingly,--and Heliobas, observing this,
rose and advanced toward him.

"Peace!" he said, in low, impressive tones,--"we have recognized
each other,--but on earth such recognitions are brief and soon
forgotten!" He waited for a few seconds,--then resumed lightly,
"Come, look at me now! ... what do you see?"

"Nothing ... but yourself!" he replied, sighing deeply as he
spoke--"yet ... oddly enough, a moment ago I fancied you had
altogether a different appearance,--and I thought I saw ... no
matter what! ... I cannot describe it!" His brows contracted in a
puzzled line. "It was a curious phenomenon--very curious ... and
it affected me strangely..." he stopped abruptly,--then added,
with a slight flush of annoyance on his face, "I perceive you are
an adept in the art of optical illusion!"

Heliobas laughed softly. "Of course! What else can you expect of a
charlatan, a trickster, and a monk to boot! Deception, deception
throughout, my dear sir! ... and have you not ASKED to be