Once in the open country, the road was plainer--in fact, he could be guided by the locomotive's smoke and whistle till he reached the little station.

Even twenty miles out, the Persepolitan's landlord had acquaintances--perhaps they were brothers in some occult league--and the vehicle could be left without misgivings at any of the inns which he named.
There was nothing in this plan, so simple as to promise success, to trouble the brain, but, all the same, Claudius had a sleepless night, though he retired early to be prepared for the probably eventful morrow.
He wished to think only of Rebecca, who had added sound hints to her father's and the host's experienced advice; but, do what he could, it was another's image that haunted him.

It was the winning one of the aristocratic singer.

Again he beheld her matchless shape, her caressing and enthralling eyes, her supple undulations in the waltz and her shimmering golden curls.

And whatever the sounds in the street, where there seemed more footfalls than before that evening, all though actual, were overpowered and formed the burden to the ghostly but delightful strains from that silvery voice.