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und it； and through the canals and into the sea。
I listened for Santino's miscreants； in quiet dignified terror that they might yet be abroad in search of me。 But they were gone
pletely； at least for now。
I tried to lift the marble lid of the sarcophagus and I couldn't do it。 Once again； with the Mind Gift I pushed against it； and then； with the aid of my feeble hands I was able to push it aside。
Most strange and wondrous； I thought； that the power of the mind was greater than the power of the hands。
Slowly； I managed to rise from this cold and handsome grave which I had fashioned for myself； and I did at last； after great effort； sit on the cold marble floor； seeing the glint of the golden walls through a bit of light that seeped into the chamber around the edges of the upper door。
I felt a terrible agony and weariness。 A sense of shame overcame me。 I had imagined myself invulnerable； and oh； how I had been
humbled； how I had been dasjied against the stones of my own pride。
The taunts of the Satan worshipers came back to me。 I remembered Amadeo's cries。
Where was he now； my beauteous pupil？ I listened but I heard nothing。
I called to Raymond Gallant once more； though I knew it was in vain。 I pictured him traveling overland to England。 I called his name aloud so that it resounded off the walls of the golden chamber； but I could not find him。 I knew that I would not find him。 I did it only to be certain that he was far beyond my reach。
And then I thought of my precious and fair Bianca。 I sought to see her as I had last night； through the minds of those around her。 I sent the Mind Gift wandering to her fashionable rooms。
Into my ears there came the sound of playful music； and at once I saw her many regular guests。 They drank and talked as though rny house had not been destroyed； or rather as if they knew nothing of it； and I had never been one of them； on they went as the living do； after a mortal is taken away。
But where was Bianca？
〃Show me her face；〃 I whispered； directing the mysterious Mind Gift by the sheer simplicity of my voice。
No picture came to me。
I shut my own eyes； which gave me exquisite pain； and I listened； hearing the hum of the entire city； and then begging； begging of the Mind Gift that it give me her voice； her thoughts。
Nothing； and then at last I hit upon it。 Wherever she was； she was alone。 She was waiting for me； and there were none around her to look upon her； or talk to her； and so I must find her in her silence or
solitude； and at last I sent out my call to her。
Bianca； I am living。 I am monstrously burnt as I've told you。 As you once nursed Amadeo； can you extend your great kindness to me？
Scarcely a moment passed before I heard her distinct whisper。
〃Marius； I can hear you。 Only direct me。 Nothing will frighten me。 I will bind up your burnt skin。 I will bind up your wounds。〃
Oh； this was wondrous fort； but what was I planning here？ What did I mean to do？
Yes； she would e； and would bring to me fresh garments with which I could conceal my miserable flesh； and perhaps even a hooded cloak that my head should be concealed； and even a Carnival mask for my face。
Yes； all that was most true； she would do it； but what then when I found I could not hunt in this miserable state？ And what if； hunting somehow； I discovered that the blood of one or two mortals meant nothing to me； that my injuries had been too great？
How then should I depend upon this tender darling to assist me？ How deep into the horrors of my debility should I allow her to e？
Again I heard her voice。
〃Marius；〃 she pleaded with me。 〃Tell me where you are。 I'm in your house； Marius。 It is much destroyed but not entirely。 I wait for you in your old bedchamber。 There is clothing here that I have gathered for you。 Can you e？〃
For a long while I did not answer her； not even to fort her。 I thought upon it in so far as one can think when one is feeling such pain。 My mind was not my mind。 Of that； I was certain。
And it did seem to me that in this great distress I could betray Bianca。 I could betray her utterly were she to allow。 Or I might only take from her some mercy； and leave her finally with a mystery which she would never understand。
The betrayal would be the more simple thing； obviously。 The alternative； to take her mercy and leave her with a mystery； that would demand immense self…control。
I did not know whether or not I had such self…control。 I did not know anything about myself in my misery。 I remembered my long ago vow to her； that she would always be safe as long as I was in Venice； and I shuddered in agony envisioning the strong creature I had been on that night。 Yes； I had vowed forever to protect her for the care she had given Amadeo； that she had saved him from death until I could e at sunset and take him out of her arms。
What did it all mean now？ Was I to break that vow as though it were nothing？
And on and on there came her calls like prayers。 She called to me as I had called to Akasha。
〃Marius； where are you？ Surely you can hear me。 Marius； I have soft clothing for you that will not harm you。 I have linen for your bandages。
I have soft boots for your feet。〃 She wept as she spoke。 〃Marius； I have a soft tunic of velvet for you。 I have one of your many red cloaks。 Let me bring these things and e to you； and I shall bandage you and assist you。 You are no horror to me。〃
I lay there listening to her weeping； and then finally； I made up my mind。
You must e to me； precious one。 I cannot move from where I am。 Bring the clothing which you described； but bring also a mask； and you will find plenty of these in my closets。 Bring one that is made of dark leather and decorated with gold。
〃Marius； I have these things；〃 she answered。 〃Tell me where I must e。〃
I then sent her another strong message； quite infallibly identifying the house in which I lay； and told her how she must e inside； find the door made of plated bronze； and then knock。
I was exhausted from the exchange。 And once again； I listened in quiet panic for the sound of Santino's monsters； wondering if and when they would return。
Yet in the eyes of Bianca's boatman I soon caught an image of her ing out of the burnt ruin of my house。 The gondola was on its way to me。
At last； there came the inevitable knock on the bronze door。
With all my strength I began my slow progress up the stone stairs。
I placed my hands upon the door。
〃Bianca；〃 I said。 〃Can you hear me？〃
〃Marius！〃 she cried out。 She began to sob。 〃Marius； I knew it was you It was no trick of my mind。 You're truly alive； Marius。 You're here。〃
I was aroused by the scent of her blood。
〃Listen to me； precious darling；〃 I said。 〃I was burnt as you cannot imagine。 When I open this door a very small space； you must give over to me the clothing and the mask。 Do not seek to look at me no matter how curious you may be。〃
〃No； Marius；〃 she answered； her tone resolute。 〃I love you； Marius。 I'll do what you say。〃
How plaintive were her sobs as they suddenly broke through。 And how