I became absorbed in the proceedings of Heliobas.

Stooping towards the recumbent form of Prince Ivan, he took the heavy lifeless hands firmly in his own, and then fixed his eyes fully and steadily on the pale, set features with an expression of the most forcible calm and absolutely undeniable authority.

Not one word did he utter, but remained motionless as a statue in the attitude thus assumed--he seemed scarcely to breathe--not a muscle of his countenance moved.

Perhaps twenty or thirty seconds might have elapsed, when a warm tinge of colour came back to the apparently dead face--the brows twitched--the lips quivered and parted in a heavy sigh.

The braised appearance of the eyelids gave place to the natural tint--they opened, disclosing the eyes, which stared directly into those of the compelling Master who thus forced their obedience.