"'We pursue the same ends,' he said, 'only perhaps I pursue them with
more openness than you--with more simplicity.'
"That's what he said," Heyst went on, after looking at Lena in a sort of
inquiring silence. "I asked him if he knew beforehand that I was living
here; but he only gave me a ghastly grin. I didn't press him for an
answer, Lena. I thought I had better not."
On her smooth forehead a ray of light always seemed to rest. Her loose
hair, parted in the middle, covered the hands sustaining her head. She
seemed spellbound by the interest of the narrative. Heyst did not pause
long. He managed to continue his relation smoothly enough, beginning
afresh with a piece of comment.
"He would have lied impudently--and I detest being told a lie. It makes
me uncomfortable. It's pretty clear that I am not fitted for the affairs
of the wide world. But I did not want him to think that I accepted his
presence too meekly, so I said that his comings or goings on the
earth were none of my business, of course, except that I had a natural
curiosity to know when he would find it convenient to resume them.
"He asked me to look at the state he was in. Had I been all alone here,
as they think I am, I should have laughed at him. But not being alone--I
say, Lena, you are sure you haven't shown yourself where you could be
seen?"
"Certain," she said promptly.
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