He followed with his intent eyes and graceful, serpent-like gliding,
knowing her to be under a spell that would soon bring her fluttering
back.

After circling round him a few moments she took his arm and he
commenced breathing into her ear the poison of his passion.

No woman could remain the same after being with Mr. Van Dam. Out of
the evil abundance of his heart he spoke, but the venom of his words
and manner were all the more deadly because so subtle, so minutely and
delicately distributed, that it was like a pestilential atmosphere, in
which truth and purity withered.

No parent should permit to his daughters the companionship of a
thoroughly bad man, whatever his social standing. His very tone and
glance are unconsciously demoralizing, and, even if he tries, he
cannot prevent the bitter waters overflowing from their bad source,
his heart.

Mr. Van Dam did not try. He meant to secure Zell, with or without her
father's approval, believing that when the marriage was once
consummated Mr. Allen's consent and money would follow eventually.

For some little time longer the young ladies and their favored
attendants strolled about the room in quiet tete-a-tete, and then the
gentlemen bowed themselves out.

The door-bell had rung several times during the evening, but Hannibal,
with the solemnity of a funeral, had quenched each comer by saying
with the decision of the voice of fate: