"I told you not to speak," said La Masque, quietly, "but you must look
on still another scene."
Again she threw a portion of the contents of the casket into the
caldron, and "spake aloud the words of power." Another cloud of smoke
arose and filled the room, and when it cleared away, Sir Norman beheld
a third and less startling sight. The scene and place he could not
discover, but it seemed to him like night and a storm. Two men were
lying on the ground, and bound fast together, it appeared to him. As he
looked, it faded away, and once more his own face seemed to mock him in
the clear water.
"Do you know those two last figures!" asked the lady.
"I do," said Sir Norman, promptly; "it was Ormiston and myself."
"Right! and one of them was dead."
"Dead!" exclaimed Sir Norman, with a perceptible start. "Which one,
madam?"
"If you cannot tell that, neither can I. If there is anything further
you wish to see, I am quite willing to show it to you."
"I'm obliged to you," said Sir Norman, stepping back; "but no more at
present, thank you. Do you mean to say, madam, that I'm some day to
murder a lady, especially one so beautiful as she I just now saw?"
"I have said nothing--all you've seen will come to pass, and whether
your destiny be for good or evil, I have nothing to do with it, except,"
said the sweet voice, earnestly, "that if La Masque could strew Sir
Norman Kingsley's pathway with roses, she would most assuredly do so."
"Madam, you are too kind," said that young gentleman, laying his hand on
his heart, while Ormiston scowled darkly--"more especially as I've the
misfortune to be a perfect stranger to you."
"Not so, Sir Norman. I have known you this many a day; and before long
we shall be better acquainted. Permit me to wish you good evening!"
At this gentle hint, both gentlemen bowed themselves out, and soon
found themselves in the street, with very different expressions of
countenance. Sir Norman looking considerably pleased and decidedly
puzzled, and Mr. Ormiston looking savagely and uncompromisingly jealous.
The animated skeleton who had admitted them closed the door after them;
and the two friends stood in the twilight on London Bridge.