Did you know he was going to Rome ?" "Yes," replied Heliobas, as he stirred his coffee abstractedly.

"I knew he was going there some day this month; his presence is required there on business." "And are you going to give the Improvisation this Mrs.Challoner asks you for ?" inquired Zara.
I glanced at Heliobas.

He answered for me.
"I should certainly give it if I were you," he said quietly: "there will be nothing to prevent your doing so at the date named." I was relieved.

I had not been altogether able to divest myself of the idea that I might possibly never come out alive from the electric trance to which I had certainly consented; and this assurance on the part of Heliobas was undoubtedly comforting.

We were all very silent that morning; we all wore grave and preoccupied expressions.