I am the child of black Destiny.

For me--there is nothing, nothing, for me.

The straight path was before me, and I would not walk in it." With a gesture of despair, and a sudden faintness, she got up and went over to the tray of spirits and liqueurs which had been brought in with the coffee.

Pouring out a liqueur-glass of brandy, she was about to drink it, when her ear became attracted by a noise without, a curious stumbling, shuffling sound.

She put down the glass, went to the door that opened into the hall, and looked out and down.