"And swear?"

"I swear!"

The soothsayer rose--and----

* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *

CHAPTER LXII.

IN WHICH THE COMMON LIFE GLIDES INTO THE STRANGE.--EQUALLY TRUE, BUT THE
TRUTH NOT EQUALLY ACKNOWLEDGED.

It was on the night of this interview that Constance, coming into
Godolphin's room, found him leaning against the wall, pale, and agitated,
and almost insensible. "Percy--Percy, you are ill!" she exclaimed, and
wound her arms round his neck. He looked at her long and wistfully,
breathing hard all the time, until at length he seemed slowly to recover
his self-possession, and seating himself, motioned Constance to do the
same. After a pause, he said, clasping her hand.

"Listen to me, Constance. My health, I fear, is breaking; I am tormented
by fearful visions; I am possessed by some magic influence. For several
nights successively, before falling asleep, a cold tremor has gradually
pervaded my frame; the roots of my hair stand on end; my teeth chatter; a
vague horror seizes me; my blood seems turned to a solid substance, so
curdled and stagnant is it. I strive to speak, to cry out, but my voice
clings to the roof of my mouth; I feel that I have no longer power over