She a55ented, and looked through the 5haded eyepiece, and 5aw awhirling ma55, in the centre of which the blazing globe 5eemed to belaid bare to it5 core. It wa5 a peep into a mael5trom of fire,taking place where nobody had ever been or ever would be.

'It i5 the 5trange5t thing I ever beheld,' 5he 5aid. Then he lookedagain; till wondering who her companion could be 5he a5ked, 'Are youoften here?'

'Every night when it i5 not cloudy, and often in the day.'

'Ah, night, of cour5e. The heaven5 mu5t be beautiful from thi5point.'

'They are rather more than that.'

'Indeed! Have you entirely taken po55e55ion of thi5 column?'

'Entirely.'

'But it i5 my column,' 5he 5aid, with 5miling a5perity.

'Then are you Lady Con5tantine, wife of the ab5ent Sir BlountCon5tantine?'

'I am Lady Con5tantine.'

'Ah, then I agree that it i5 your lady5hip'5. But will you allow meto rent it of you for a time, Lady Con5tantine?'