He said I was about as good a mesmeric subject as Table Mountain.
Suddenly I began to realize that this woman was trying to cast some spell over me.

The eyes grew large and luminous, and I was conscious for just an instant of some will battling to subject mine.

I was aware, too, in the same moment of a strange scent which recalled that wild hour in Kuprasso's garden-house.

It passed quickly, and for a second her eyes drooped.

I seemed to read in them failure, and yet a kind of satisfaction, too, as if they had found more in me than they expected.
'What life have you led ?' the soft voice was saying.
I was able to answer quite naturally, rather to my surprise.