I went into the drawing-room with a hesitating step--my instincts were all awake and beginning to warn me, and I murmured softly a prayer to that strong, invisible majestic spirit which I knew must be near me--my guardian Angel.

I was answered instantly--my foreboding grew into a positive certainty that some danger menaced Heliobas, and that if I desired to be his friend, I must be prepared for an emergency.
Receiving this, as all such impressions should be received, as a direct message sent me for my guidance, I grew calmer, and braced up my energies to oppose SOMETHING, though I knew not what.
Zara was showing her lady-visitors a large album of Italian photographs, and explaining them as she turned the leaves.

As I entered the room, she said eagerly to me: "Play to us, dear! Something soft and plaintive.

We all delight in your music, you know." "Did you hear the thunder just now ?" I asked irrelevantly.
"It WAS thunder?
I thought so!" said Mrs.Everard.

"Oh, I do hope there is not going to be a storm! I am so afraid of a storm!" "You are nervous ?" questioned Zara kindly, as she engaged her attention with some very fine specimens among the photographs, consisting of views from Venice.
"Well, I suppose I am," returned Amy, half laughing.