The God-Eater

15 him. Criospa starts up and pulls fiercely at a second lever, and the door clangs to with the same nerve-shattering shock. CRIOSDA staggers to altar; and, with his hand on it, turns towards door.| Mouths of God’s mercy ! I would her eyes were bleed- ing wounds in my heart! Ahthough! If she were a dog I could not do it. She is my sister [Turns with a cry to throne and flings up his hands.| and I will ! Death ! Death ! It is a year to-night. I arrayed her first In yon gold ornaments—My brain 1s sick ! I want coffee—or hashish—No ! That is for her ! I must be very clear and calm, very clear, very calm, How I must be ill— [Correcting himself with effort.| Ill I must be. Ha! {Goes to altar, opens it, takes out a flask filled with a clear pale blue liquor with rosy stars of light in tt, pours it into a long vial, and holds it to the light. The room is lighted by electricity, the globes being the eyes of strange sculptured stone beasts on the walls.] So far the story is true. [Drinks a little.] Why, that 1s better already. I am again the priest of Maurya—who is the brother of Maurya? A trivial ape