Is the mind of manincapable of dealing with this
problem? The Hajji stopped speaking, Lord Arglay stirred, and Chloe woke tosudden
anxiety. It was a very nice house, Chloe said, but-no, I didnt noticeanything
else.
Thoughts hadpassed through her mind in their usual
way, but not-surely nofl-usualthoughts.
And yet his desire was to do what Palliser wished,
Arglay demurred. She had thrown out a squadron orso to check Mr. What is quite
certain,he said, is that no one must be allowed to believe in this Stoneany more.
The General Secretary wasbeginning to feel anxious about the future. I dont
thinkshed like it-and yet I dont know. But when Igot to Birmingham yesterday
morning, he was there.
And if, as I think, she is notby nature greedy or
malicious.
He had attempted to turnthat emotion into his own
desire to use Arglay and then throw himaside.
The end ofdesire was to get what you
wanted.
Lord Arglay shut the door and strolledacross the
room. I can see now that it was my fault in a way.
It was-it was a house, and he and his motherlived
in it. Then, the Hajji concluded, something or someone is making her so. But only in
a way conformableto the Stone. They arecurious and greedy-and even
malicious.
Is the mind of manincapable of dealing with this
problem?
I was thinking of Pondon, Palliser went on. She
never talkedlike that-except for amusement or from bitterness. His voice took on a
sternness and he lookedon her with a high disdain.
But he annoys me, and Id ratheryou had
it.
It may be, the HaJji said, that it was by your work
that this manbeheld her.
And is this also, if it is so, Lord Arglay said,
ironically,- part ofthe miracle of the Stone?