Varney was apparently intent upon some deeper subject than opera, however, or he turned to the table, upon which stood a bizarre black metal dragon, supporting upon its spiny back a remarkably perfect sphere of polished rock crystal. He lifted this from its stand and turned the deep black eyes upon her with an intensity which stirred the girl strangely.
"And speaking of angels, Mona," his voice had dropped to a low, vibrant note scarcely audible even to the girl, who instinctively strained her ears to catch his words, "have you had any more vision with this queer old crystal of your father's? You remember, I showed you how to use it a month ago?"
The girl was gazing at the iridescent globe as he slowly turned it between his fingers, advancing it toward her eyes.
"Yes," and she spoke slowly, as though it were difficult to renounce the words. "I tried several times, Arthur, but could not succeed as I did when you first showed me how."
Varney raised the globe gradually to a position level with her forehead. It was necessary for Mona to look upward with a strain upon her eyes, yet she followed the glittering crystal with a steady gaze as he continued in soothing tones:
"Now look hard? It is so easy when one knows how. There, do you see far up into the boundless space? See, it is growing blue, like the sky? And there are clouds? Do you see them?"
Mona nodded slowly, her eyes never relaxing from their rigidity. Her exquisite young body had lost its girlish suppleness? She stood, her arms  Stiff at her side, each muscle tense and increasing in rigidity. 