Moonchild

Chapter7 OF THE OATH OF LISA LA GIUFFRIA; AND OF HER VIGIL IN THE CHAPEL OF ABOMINATIONS "BEFORE we go further," began Cyril Grey, "I think it right to express a doubt as to the advisability of our procedure. We have already seen the most determined opposition to our plans; and for my part, I would say frankly that it might be wiser, certainly safer, to abandon them." Lisa turned on him like a tigress. "I don't know what your plans are, and don't care. But I didn't think you'd go back on them." "Impulsive ladies," returned Cyril, "rush in where angels fear to tread." "I'll go," said she. "I'm sorry for all that has happened — all!" and she fixed her lover with a look of infinite contempt. Cyril shrugged his shoulders. "If you feel like that, of course, we can continue. But when the pinch comes, don't squeal! I have warned you." "Brother Cyril could not draw back if he wished," put in Sister Cybele. "He is bound by his oath — as, in a little while, you will be." Lisa read upon the woman's face a smile, as of triumphant malice. It disturbed her far more than Cyril's protest. Was she indeed in a trap? It might be so; then, Cyril, who had tried to save her, was in the trap too. She must go on, if only to be able to save him when opportunity occurred. At present [91] she was wholly in the dark. She could feel the atmosphere of constraint, of subtle and terrible forces in the abyss which she was treading blindfold upon some razor-edge whose supports she could not even imagine; the adventure was to her a supreme excitement, and she lived first and last for that. Had she known herself better, she would have understood that her love for Cyril was little more than a passion for the bizarre. But at the moment she was Joan of Arc and Juliet in one. Moreover, she had the instinctive feeling that wherever these people might