Arobin flicked across the road in a patch of
sunlight.
Exit, thought thecaptain, I shall now be left in
peace at least for some time. He could hear feet running to thedoor downstairs.
Above all that shirtflapping from the window was a libel.
Monsieur must be careful or he will give himself
away.
Perhaps on the whole it would have been better for
them both ifthis had not been so. In the distortion ofthe glass there was something
diabolical about them.
He proceeded to makehimself comfortable and to
inquire from his new host as to the roadto Beaumont. Undoubtedly a great deal of
fate was concentrated in the mirror. Yet how could itturn out any other way if he
was to be what he knew himself to be?
Ah, that is different, smiled the gentleman. It was
like homesickness; the only remedy was to be with herwherever she was. In her minds
eyeshe saw him holding his hand out over the figure in her littleshrine. Catching a
chair deftly, he kicked it precisely into themiddle of the room. The fat man cried
out at the grip he received from the gentlemanunder the cover. The fat man bustled
out puffing with importance. Labouring under great excitementas he was, he had
craved the drink. Always, he replied after her as if exchanging vows. While
theirvoluble reassurances continued to flow, he again unfolded thepaper. Labouring
under great excitementas he was, he had craved the drink.
Now he had seen who it was that lived within
it.
The miller of times past, whoever he hadbeen, had
chosen his site well.
Monsieur, said he bowinglike a mountain in pain,
has never arrived.
The man took up the tray and wentdownstairs wishing
his guest a hearty good night. Well, well, replied the stranger, I am inclined to
believe you. Better if she had found merely a cavalierwaiting for her. It remains
clear as a flame does evenwhen fed by and consuming the most dreadful refuse. The
combined smiles of thedelighted parties now seemed to illuminate the room. Thesound
of the river bubbled itself monotonously into her ears. When he drew himself back
into the room again the innkeeper wasremoving the remains of supper.
It caused him to remember the clean fire of his
youthbefore he had begun to choke it with ashes.