Thus in the most bizarre but amusing fashion was the scene set. Upon the appointed day and hour I presented myself anew to Esmeralda, bringing her - as I " said - some fine wine for all her kindness. Being a ready tippler as she was, the bottle was soon enough open, I delaying with apologies through a pretended fit of coughing my own partaking of it while she tasted it and found it - as she said - much to her liking. In but a moment her glass was drained, whereat a most peculiar look of dreaminess came over her as the opiate took effect. She leaned back and with eyes half closed made feeble attempts to clutch at the air and then subsided with a sigh, her eyelashes fluttering and her cheeks full rosy.
I waited then a long minute before rising and stepping over to her quietly. From the gard
