I tried to put out my hand to pull her back, but was
absolutely unable to move. Harry stood like a man of rock,
immovable.
She took another step forward, with arms outstretched in front
of her. A low moan of terror and piteous appeal came from between
her slightly parted lips.
Suddenly the eyes disappeared. The huge form ceased to
advance and stood perfectly still. Then it began to recede, so
slowly that I was barely conscious of the movement.
I was gasping and choking for air; my chest seemed swelling
with the poisonous breath. Still slowly the thing receded into the
dimness of the cavern; the eyes were no longer to be seen--merely
the huge, formless bulk. Desiree had stopped short with one foot
advanced, as though hesitating and struggling with the desire to go
forward.
The thing now could barely be seen at a distance; it would
have been impossible if we had not known it was there. Finally it
disappeared, melting away into the semi-darkness; no slightest
movement was discernible. I breathed more freely and stepped
forward.
As I did so Desiree threw her hands gropingly above her head
and fell fainting to the ground.
Harry sprang forward in time to keep her head from striking on
the rock and knelt with his arms round her shoulders. We had
nothing, not even water, with which to revive her; he called her
name aloud appealingly. Soon her eyes opened; she raised her hand
and passed it across her brow wonderingly.
"God help me!" she murmured in a low voice, eloquent of
distress and pain.
Then she pushed Harry aside and rose slowly to her feet,
refusing his assistance.
"In the name of Heaven, what is it?" Harry demanded, turning
to me.
|