Amine narrated to Philip what had occurred between her and the priest Mathias, and by what means she had rid herself of his unwished-for surveillance.

“And were you practising your mother’s arts, Amine?”

“Nay, not practising them, for I could not recall them, but I was trying to recover them.”

“Why so, Amine? this must not be.  It is, as the good father said, ‘unholy.’  Promise me you will abandon them, now and for ever.”

“If that act be unholy, Philip, so is your mission.  You would deal and co-operate with the spirits of another world—­I would do no more.  Abandon your terrific mission—­abandon your seeking after disembodied spirits—­stay at home with your Amine, and she will cheerfully comply with your request.”

“Mine is an awful summons from the Most High.”

“Then the Most High permits your communion with those who are not of this world?”

“He does; you know even the priests do not gainsay it, although they shudder at the very thought.”

“If then He permits to one, He will to another; nay, aught that I can do is but with His permission.”

“Yes, Amine, so does He permit evil to stalk on the earth, but He countenances it not.”

“He countenances your seeking after your doomed father, your attempts to meet him; nay, more, He commands it.  If you are thus permitted, why may not I be?  I am your wife, a portion of yourself; and when I am left over a desolate hearth, while you pursue your course of danger, may not I appeal also to the immaterial world to give me that intelligence which will soothe my sorrow, lighten my burden, and which, at the same time, can hurt no living creature?  Did I attempt to practise these arts for evil purposes, it were just to deny them me, and wrong to continue them; but I would but follow in the steps of my husband, and seek as he seeks, with a good intent.”

“But it is contrary to our faith.”

“Have the priests declared your mission contrary to their faith? or, if they have, have they not been convinced to the contrary, and been awed to silence?  But why argue, my dear Philip?  Shall I not now be with you? and while with you I will attempt no more.  You have my promise; but if separated, I will not say, but I shall then require of the invisible a knowledge of my husband’s motions, when in search of the invisible also.”

The winter passed rapidly away, for it was passed by Philip in quiet and happiness; the spring came on, the vessel was to be fitted out, and Philip and Amine repaired to Amsterdam.