I could not answer her for a minute or two, I was so surprised by her words.
"Going on a journey, Zara?" I said. "Well, if you are, I suppose you will soon return home again; and why should your statue be destroyed in the meantime? You may yet be able to bring it to final perfection."
Zara shook her head and smiled half sadly.
"I told you it was a favour I had to ask of you," she said; "and now you are unwilling to grant it."
"I am not unwilling--believe me, dearest, I would do anything to please you," I assured her; "but it seems so strange to me that you should wish the result of your labour destroyed, simply because you are going on a journey."
"Strange as it seems, I desire it most earnestly," said Zara; "otherwise--but if you will not see it done for me, I must preside at the work of demolition myself, though I frankly confess it would be most painful to me."
I interrupted her.
"Say no more, Zara!" I exclaimed; "I will do as you wish. When you are gone, you say--"
"When I am gone," repeated Zara firmly, "and before you yourself leave this house, you will see that particular statue destroyed. You will thus do me a very great service."
"Well," I said, "and when are you coming back again? Before I leave Paris?"
"I hope so--I think so," she replied evasively; "at any rate, we shall meet again soon."
"Where are you going?" I asked.
She smiled. Such a lovely, glad, and triumphant smile!
"You will know my destination before to-night has passed away," she answered. "In the meanwhile I have your promise?"
"Most certainly."
She kissed me, and as she did so, a lurid flash caught my eyes and almost dazzled them. It was a gleam of fiery lustre from the electric jewel she wore.
The day went on its usual course, and the weather seemed to grow murkier every hour. The air was almost sultry, and when during the afternoon I went into the conservatory to gather some of the glorious Marechal Niel roses that grew there in such perfection, the intense heat of the place was nearly insupportable. I saw nothing of Heliobas all day, and, after the morning, very little of Zara. She disappeared soon after luncheon, and I could not find her in her rooms nor in her studio, though I knocked at the door several times. Leo, too, was missing. After being alone for an hour or more, I thought I would pay a visit to the chapel. But on attempting to carry out this intention I found its doors locked--an unusual circumstance which rather surprised me.