His face took a sombre brightness.

He moistened his lips with his tongue as though he saw his vengeance worked out then and there before him, and were gloating over the picture.

The idea that this was so took such a hold upon me that I shrank back, shuddering; reading too in Croisette's face the same thought--and a late repentance.

Nay, the malignity of Bezers' tone, the savage gleam of joy in his eyes appalled me to such an extent that I fancied for a moment I saw in him the devil incarnate! He recovered his composure very quickly, however; and turned carelessly towards the door.

"If you will follow me," he said, "I will see you disposed of.