Read Online Dancers at the End of Time by Michael Moorcock - Free Book Online Page B

the costume that I made one for myself."
    "I see." Mongrove's brow cleared a little.
    "But what a coincidence," said Lord Jagged briskly. "We had no idea she was in your collection, Lord Mongrove. How extraordinary."
    "Yes," said Mongrove quietly.
    Jherek cleared his throat.
    "I wonder…" began Mongrove.
    Jherek turned to address the lady, making a low bow and saying courteously: "I trust you are well, madam, and that you can now understand me better."
    "Understand! Understand!" The lady's voice was hysterical. She did not seem at all flattered. "I understand you to be a depraved, disgusting, corrupt and abominable thing , sir!"
    Some of the words still meant nothing to Jherek. He smiled politely. "Perhaps another translation pill would…"
    "You are the foulest creature I have ever encountered in my entire life," said the lady. "And now I am convinced that I have died and am in a more horrible Hell than any that Man could imagine. Oh, my sins must have been terrible when I lived."
    "Hell?" said Mongrove, his interest awakened. "Are you from Hell?"
    "Is that another name for the 19th century?" asked Lord Jagged. He seemed amused.
    "There is much I can learn from you," said Mongrove, eagerly. "How glad I am that it was I who claimed you."
    "What is your name?" said Jherek wildly, completely taken aback by her reaction.
    She drew herself up, her lip curling in disdain as she eyed him from head to toe.
    "My name, sir, is Mrs. Amelia Underwood and, if this is not Hell, but some dreadful foreign land, I demand that I be allowed to speak to the British Consul at once!"
    Jherek looked up at Mongrove and Mongrove looked down in astonishment at Jherek.
    "She is one of the strangest I have ever acquired," said Mongrove.
    "I will take her off your hands," said Jherek.
    "No, no," said Mongrove, "though the thought is kind. No, I think I will enjoy studying her." He turned his attention back to Mrs. Underwood, speaking politely. "How hot would you like the flames?"

CHAPTER SIX

A Pleasing Meeting: The Iron Orchid Devises a Scheme
    Having successfully convinced melancholy Mongrove that flames would not be the best environment for the grey time-traveller and having made one or two alternative suggestions based on his own detailed knowledge of the period, Jherek decided that it was time to offer his adieux. Mongrove was still inclined to dart at him the odd suspicious glance; Mrs. Amelia Underwood was plainly in no mood at the moment to receive his declarations of love and, it seemed to him, Lord Jagged was becoming bored and wanting to leave.
    Mongrove escorted them from the Human House and back to where the gold and ebony locomotive awaited them, its colours clashing horribly with the blacks, dark greens and muddy browns of Mongrove's lair.
    "Well," said Mongrove, "thank you for your advice, Jherek, I think my new specimen should settle down soon. Of course, some creatures are inclined to pine, no matter how much care you take of them.
    Some die and have to be resurrected and sent back to where they came from."
    "If there's any further help I can give…" murmured Jherek anxiously, horrified at the idea.
    "I shall ask for it of course." There was perhaps a trace of coolness in Mongrove's tone.
    "Or if I can spend some time with…"
    "You have been," said Lord Jagged of Canaria, posing above them on the footplate, "a gracious host, and gigantic, Mongrove, in your generosity. I'll remember how much you would like to add that gloomy space-traveller to your collection. I'll try to acquire him for you in some way. Would you, incidentally, be interested in making a trade?"
    "A trade?" Mongrove shrugged. "Yes, why not? But what for? What have I worth offering?"
    "Oh, I thought I'd take the 19th century specimen off your hands," Jagged said airily. "I honestly don't think you'll have much joy from it. Also, there is someone to whom it would make a suitable gift."
    "Jherek?" Mongrove was alert. "Is that whom you mean?" He turned his huge head to